der Rod Baron +++KOMPLETZEI+++

[gowjobs]

I won't have a chance to start on this until tomorrow afternoon, but I wanted to get a thread started, and give a quick rundown:

The concept: A fairly modern (1996-present) take on a classic Monark. Aluminum tanker-esque frame (1998 Diamond Back Voyager MTB), linkage-style suspension fork with vertical springs (original Lawwill Leader), coaster brake wheels with 12-gauge stainless spokes and downhill hoops (Weinman DH39's), and some color-accent rubber (red ST 26x2.125's donated by Ed Twisted).

Some parts may change in the next few weeks, but with a shave and a haircut, and a few hand-fabbed aluminum panels, I think this thing will really harken back the Monark Tankers and late '50s century-series fighter planes that always looked resplendent in their bare metal finishes.

[herr_rudolf]

I like it already.
That fork seems to mean business...
Good luck and have fun!

[Ken Nighplay]

Cool idea for a build, anxious to see more.

[Double Nickle]

I'm a huge fan of Monarks so make me happy!!!!!

[gowjobs]

Couldn't wait - got up early, and got a little work done. First, some more parts pics:


Those black DH39's only cost me around $80, including shipping. The tubes and valve stem caps are from old builds/bikes, and Ed Twisted sent those tires over last week with my lil' brother.


Stem came off my wife's bike when I changed the fork. Headset cost me a whole $10


Clamp and 25.4-27.7mm shim came off last year's build-off bike. That seatpost is the titanium rear axle from one of my gravity kart projects. It's thin-wall - we'll see how it holds up.


The ControlTech Lawwill Leader fork. This thing was cut down for a short headtube, so I scored it at a bike co-op for $70 when I was in Portland last year. It was because of it's short length that I trimmed about 1/4" from both the top and bottom of the head tube on my Voyager frame:


In a minute, I'm going to get out my Dremel tool and open the inner diameter up a little to accept the 34mm headset deeper than the 3/16" left after I trimmed it.

[bighit]

I call dibs on that fork if you ever sell it

[gowjobs]

I'm waiting to go to a car show this morning with a buddy. He called, and said he'd be a little late, so I went back out to the garage...

Height of the shock in relation to the head tube is just about perfect now. As far as selling that fork, I doubt it'll happen, but I'll keep you in mind. I still have some time... going to go try to get the wheels and stuff on...

[bighit]

In the future. They are so rare and I used to have one. To find one in good shape is a find. I can't wait to see how it pans out.

[udallcustombikes]

I had to look twice at your wheel set. They are exact replicas of the ones I am running on my '34 Colson Rat, all the way down to the valve caps.

[bighit]

I like how you chopped the head tube. That suggestion has been floated a million times as a cure for a too short steerer tube, but never executed. +1 for taking that leap and +1 for rare fork.

[gowjobs]

WOOHOO!!! Went together with no headaches...
Before I show the mock-up, I want to show the braze-ons that need to go away in the very near future:


In the meantime, it's on wheels!

[gowjobs]

I had to look twice at your wheel set. They are exact replicas of the ones I am running on my '34 Colson Rat, all the way down to the valve caps.

Great minds think alike, huh? The real selling point of that wheelset for me was the extra-long axles. I needed it in the rear, because this thing is spaced for a 7-speed cluster (130mm, I think). The double-wall extra-wide rims are nice, too.

[raskal13]

I love the look of this bike so far. Great combination of old looks with new parts.

[SSG]

That fork is awesome. Are you going to polish the aluminum frame? I like the bike already.

[yoothgeye]

Looks great, wouldn't have thought that frame was modern if you hadn't said so.

One thing though... slow down and wait for the rest of us!