der Rod Baron +++KOMPLETZEI+++

[gowjobs]

No new pics... I spent all my spare time during the weekend sanding/buffing on that frame. I'm trying to minimize the scratches and get the remaining clear off the aluminum so I can try to polish it. Funny thing: I was originally planning to paint it black, but assumed there would be so many black bikes entered that I needed to do something different. Now I'm leaning back toward a black or gunmetal paint job with bare aluminum scallops/accents since patina and color seem to be more prevalent this year.

[herr_rudolf]

...l paint job with bare aluminum scallops/accents...

That'll be cool AND different. Maybe you should try out the 'candy' duplicolors paints... That'll give your frame a color 'anodized'(?) look on brushed metal or candy apple on polished metal. But I still like the full-on aluminum look on the bike...

[gowjobs]

Bought a euro BB from eBay, but when I tried to test-fit, I found out that though my crankset was billed as having a 19mm spindle, it's actually 20mm where the bearings ride. Gonna buy a new, 8-spline 19mm piece, because I have a plan for a whole different project that requires cranks with a 20mm spindle/bearings.

[el_borracho]

Nice looking ride.

[gowjobs]

Well, I decided to do a crank swap, at least temporarily, to get this fine machine in a rideable state for the long weekend. First issue I ran into was that this thing was never meant for a single-speed application. A quick trip to a fixie gear calculator showed that 44T-20T should be a perfect fit for my non-adjustable 16.9" chainstay. Installing the crank, I found interference between the chainwheel (mounted permanently to the cheapie crank arm) and the chainstay. First fix, stacking two coaster brake sprockets between the threaded bottom bracket and the crank hanger to space it out a bit:

But alas, that wasn't quite enough:

To fix it, I was obviously going to have to apply some gentle persuasion to the chainstay with a 7 lb. maul and an old seatpost for clearance. While I have the wheel off, I'll add a couple of washers to try to center the rear wheel without re-dishing it.

Re-installing the wheel, I decided I should add a coaster strap. I had 12 links left after I shortened my chain, so...


NOW I can go ride!

[Jake Sensi]

Oo that red is killer. Ya right black is popular. But maybe the black is the primer to throw us off of what the final color will be. Huh?!? That's what I'm gonna do. Lol. Get ta buildin' !!! Peace

[sumnermclain]

ill be honest i was prepared to not like this bike, i usually lean away from the modern look and i really just dont get the colored tire trend, but this thing is really shaping up. oldschool look with modern componets, i can dig it.

question- noticed you left the top tube brazeons, and the rear brake mounts, can i assume this wont be a coaster?

props yo!

[gowjobs]

ill be honest i was prepared to not like this bike, i usually lean away from the modern look and i really just dont get the colored tire trend, but this thing is really shaping up. oldschool look with modern componets, i can dig it.

question- noticed you left the top tube brazeons, and the rear brake mounts, can i assume this wont be a coaster?

props yo!

I'm going to build aluminum "tank" pieces to fill that section of the frame, so I didn't bother removing those cable brackets. The rear canti mounts will be re-purposed to mount the rear lights for night-rides, or perhaps support a mini-fender if I go that route. After riding it for 10 miles or so today, I realize that I'd really like more rise on those bars. Maybe it's time to use a pillow-block stem and some BMX cruiser bars?

[MplsCoaster]

Your bike looks great!

I really like the combination of red, black and aluminum. My vote would be for gunmetal with aluminum scallops.

The red tires on the black rims work well. They the pick up on the bars, stem, chainring and seat.

There is qite a few mountain bike riser bars out there that you could try for cheap.

I can't wait to see the tank.

Good Luck

[gowjobs]

I installed a BMX stem (inverted) and a set of BMX cruiser bars this afternoon. AlTiTude got all self-conscious, believing that all its MTB buddies were going to make fun of it, and that the cute little fixie from down the block wasn't going to give it any play now that it looked like a "big kids' bike". It tried to hide from me, but I snapped a photo, anyway. Some humility is good for the kid.

[karfer67]

neat way to get around the crank issue but you have a problem. doing that i doubt highly that the crank arm will tighten on the spindle correctly and will end up stripping out the arm over time. a better solution to your troubles would be to get a longer bb typically with a cruiser set up single speed something in the 115 to 118 mm does it. but you may want to measure yours as it sits and see what it is.

[gowjobs]

It does tighten correctly, with about 1mm clearance left. I got lucky. I really want to put the tubular cro-mo BMX cranks that I'd originally planned for this thing in place, but am still trying to find a 19mm eight-spline BMX spindle or a 20mm english BB. In the meantime, these are working okay.

[Dr. Tankenstein]

With that fork, this is looking like a modern take on a Monark. I dig it!

Cheers,
Dr. T

[KickBackCycles]

That bike has to be one of the best in the buildoff!
I really like the klunker/bmx/cruiser style you got goin' on.

[skillsthebarber]

Now thats a sexy looking bike, but I think i like the first set of handlebars better.