Devistar9 ROCKET

[oxyjansen]

Now that there are over 100 entries I figured it was about time I threw my hat in the ring for this build off. I'm turning a 1998 Electra Rocket 24 into a retro racer. The bike was originally build as a cheap MTB with a big price tag (about $800), as seen in the first pic!

This is the original abomination in MTB form: 24 speed, Rock Shox fork, MTB caliper brakes, 26" wheels, and one sweet aluminum frame!



This is my original mock up to see if a 700c wheel would fit. I was contemplating big 26" slicks, but really wanted a road worthy machine for longer rides:



Here are today's mock up (5/15/2011). I will not be using the parts in this pic, except for the frame, but you get the idea.





Here's a list o0f what I am planning to use:

Velocity 700c wheels mounted to an Alfine 8-speed IGH hub (rear), and an Alfine dyno hub (front)
Orange Fyxation Session 700c x 28 urban tires
Motobecane vintage 3 piece crank with a 52t chainring
Winwood Muddy carbon fork
Avid BB7 disc brakes front and rear
Orange Fyxation grips and bar ends
Ritchey bars
Gyes leather saddle and saddle bag
Stem (to be determined dependent on geometry)
Custom paint (yes with Rustoleum rattle cans) with custom design, home made stencils, etc.

For all you hardcore rat rodders think board tracker on steroids! LOL

[herr_rudolf]

Sounds like a hotrod to me!

That's one heck of a start...

Good luck and have fun!

[oxyjansen]

Thanx very much! Figured I'd throw in something a little different.

Was considering doing one of my Spaceliners, but I need a new bike to ride, so i can tear the current ride down (21yo Cannondale hybrid). Personally I can't wait to get to the custom paint, but I have to remove the rear brake bosses first. Not looking forward to cutting on an aluminum frame, but I'll take my time!

[herr_rudolf]

...but I have to remove the rear brake bosses first. Not looking forward to cutting on an aluminum frame, but I'll take my time!

Why not? Sounds pretty easy. But if you choose not to in the end, you can always try to be a bit creative and find another destination for those bosses.

I like those deep V dished wheels you've got in your mock-up. It helps stopping a narrow racingwheel from looking flimsy.

The mock-up pics remind me of those salt flats racers...

BTW, You may find it interesting that I too have put 28" wheels on a 26" frame. Well, I can officially call the rear a 29er
I didn't use a cool cruiser type frame though...:
<<< SINGLESPEED HOTROD >>>

[yoothgeye]

Where'd the Rock Shox go? I need one.

Welcome to the build.

[oxyjansen]

...but I have to remove the rear brake bosses first. Not looking forward to cutting on an aluminum frame, but I'll take my time!

Why not? Sounds pretty easy. But if you choose not to in the end, you can always try to be a bit creative and find another destination for those bosses.

I like those deep V dished wheels you've got in your mock-up. It helps stopping a narrow racingwheel from looking flimsy.

The mock-up pics remind me of those salt flats racers...

BTW, You may find it interesting that I too have put 28" wheels on a 26" frame. Well, I can officially call the rear a 29er
I didn't use a cool cruiser type frame though...:
<<< SINGLESPEED HOTROD >>>

I'm sure taking the bossess off won't be horrible, I just need to be in the mood to settle in for a while to make it right. I'm going to cut a piece of flashing to wrap over the seat stays with a little window for the brake boss itself. That way if I slip with whatever saw I use I don't get a disaster! Maybe a bit over cautious, but these bikes tend to be very hard to find, and I'd prefer to avoid bondo if possible. I had considered making some little rockets to put on the bosses, but then I found some billet LED bullet lights for a motorcycle, and decided to put them out back. I'll fab a clean bracket and attach them to the caliper brake mount hole.

I agree, the deep-V wheels provide an opportunity to get a somewhat beefy look where there really isn't much rim, or tire. They are supposedly very strong as well. I'm looking forward to the finished product, as this frame has been sitting close to a year. The bike sat brand new in my neighbors bike shop for 12 years!

Salt flat racer sounds about right! I'll have to take a look at some more, as not many have come up in my searches.

Any pics of the 29er? Did you use MTB tires?

[oxyjansen]

Where'd the Rock Shox go? I need one.

Welcome to the build.

The Rock Shox went back to my neighbors shop, and I'm not sure if he sold them, as its been almost a year. I can ask him when I see him. There are some offered on Ebay here and there, and some newer versions as well that seem more readily available. Look into the RSA's on Ebay, as there were a ton of them last week, and many are pretty much the same thing. Prices weren't bad either, and you should be able to get one new!

[oxyjansen]

OK, so there's alot of rockets on this buildoff, so I figured I needed a little enhancement to the name of the bike so things don't get too convoluted!

After fighting with our computer, photo software, and trying to finish another project bike I now have some pics of what I've been up to for this build.

I was trying to come up with a way to install cable guides on the frame without drilling, and found a box of springs I got at Home Depot a while back. Turns out I have some that fit brake cable perfectly, and they stay put just fine with a little JB Weld type epoxy. I'll add some once I get the frame prepped and cable routes figured out.





Next up I have a vintage Motobecane crank that I picked up for $10 from a swap last year! I love wintage parts, so I pick up whatever I can at swaps, and hold onto things till a need arises. I figured with a retro looking bike a retro crank was only appropriate. Its been completely hand polished (alot of work), and the black in the recessed area has been repainted. I learned a trick where you tape off what you can, paint the area, and then wipe off excess and overspray with a little lacquer thinner! Made the whole process quick and simple! All you need is a steady hand, and a little time, and this technique can be transferred to a number of other painting processes for bare metal.

[herr_rudolf]

I have absolutely no idea what you mean with your cable-thingy but I love those crancks! Nice detail.
Oh, and don't downgrade them by using the word 'retro'. Those are vintage!!

[whoinphx]

I like the parts and concept you have so far. Looking forward to the spring trick. Want to see how that'll look.

I have the same Motobecane cranks. I, believe it or not, bent the solid aluminum crank arm attached to the chain ring.....I hit a curb pedaling Really hard, didn't wreck but got catapulted up a bit. I'll figure a way to straighten it someday. Good painting and polishing on yours....

[oxyjansen]

I have absolutely no idea what you mean with your cable-thingy but I love those crancks! Nice detail.
Oh, and don't downgrade them by using the word 'retro'. Those are vintage!!

The spring will simply be epoxied to the frame to guide the cable under the down tube for the 8 speed Alfine hub. The only guides on this bike are under the top tube, and along the right rear seat stay (those will be removed).

I guess proper distinction would be that the frame is retro, but the cranks are vintage! I'm glad you like them! Their one of my favorites of all the ones I've collected.

I couldn't believe the guy sold the cranks to me for $10, but as I've found out from hitting many swaps there are tons of deals to be had. If someone is into antiques, and not vintage bikes for instance, the vintage parts become almost a throw away to them. There's nothing like a little filth on a part to get you a good deal! LOL

[oxyjansen]

I like the parts and concept you have so far. Looking forward to the spring trick. Want to see how that'll look.

I have the same Motobecane cranks. I, believe it or not, bent the solid aluminum crank arm attached to the chain ring.....I hit a curb pedaling Really hard, didn't wreck but got catapulted up a bit. I'll figure a way to straighten it someday. Good painting and polishing on yours....

Thank you! I think the spring will be interesting. You can get stick on guides, but everyone has told me they won't last. I thought about maybe drilling the stick ons to put in a tiny screw, but the epoxy trick might be alot better. I yanked on the spring yesterday to make sure it will hold up, and was able to stretch the spring with no give in the epoxy whatsoever. The biggest issue is to figure out how to get a consistent dab of epoxy every time.

Too bad you bent the crank. The big issue with fixing them will be doing it without doing surface damage. You may be able to try pressing them between 2 pieces of wood, or hammering the bend out in the same fashion. I'd tape them up as best as possible before attempting any work, as it takes alot of time to get out scratches, etc without messing up the lettering. You'll have to let us know how you make out if you get to it. Their awesome cranks!

[oxyjansen]

OK, so I broke out the wheel/tire set I bought for this build. I'm not exactly sure how I feel about this, so I wanted to put it out there for opinion. Please keep in mind that the head tube will be black with a vine like design coming into the frame, and the same design with come up from the read dropout section as well. So, the back and front of the bike will be black bleeding out from the wheels, and the whole center of the frame will be a bit darker painted in industrial stainless steel. Grips, tires, cables will all be bright orange, and the design may have some orange in it as well to offset the black.

[slow rider]

so far dont change a thing looks grate!

[oxyjansen]

so far dont change a thing looks grate!

Thank you! I know it may be a little hard to envision the final product, but the design will be unique, and I just hope it comes out right! This will literally be the 2nd bike I'm painting. Here's a couple of pics of the one that's presently holding me up!


This is after cleaning in its original state:



This is the new paint (3 step process):