KING KLUNKSTER - Penultimate Klunker

[subadrew]

For starters, here’s a before pic taken after I picked it up in 2009


Build thread http://www.ratrodbikes.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=55&t=41899

And here he is now, my first build off bike.

May I present, KING KLUNKSTER




























For anyone that can't view the photos (they're hosted at imageshack.us which is sometimes blocked), here's a photo bucket link/album http://s246.photobucket.com/albums/gg115/subadrew99/King%20Klunkster/

It was a nice bike to begin with, but just never was my style. I killed the rear fender wheelying (spelling?) so the fenders were off of it. Then later I just decided I didn't like the look too much so I didn't ride it as often.

The inspiration came around after I picked up the wheels on craigslist in June. I hadn't planned on building this bike, but when I realized I had some pretty sick parts laying around not doing anything, I figured I could build something pretty sweet.

Turns out I built my version of a ferrari. I've ridden it in a chainless downhill race (finished 24th our of hundreds), rode it 20+ miles in a 24 hour race (then switched to a bike with a more comfortable seat), commuted on it, and did a 35 mile ride on it this last tuesday through wind and rain. All this before I had a chance to take some pictures. I'm proud to say it's held up very well =).

Specs:
Frame: 2006 Raleigh Retroglide 7
Fork: 1997 Girvin Cross-Link (from proflex 657) - Started out red, was stripped, then polished
Rear suspension: Bike Control Shockster
wheels: Spinergy Rev x Roks XE
cranks: stock 1 piece
chainring: murray gold i bought from d.rock
rear derailleur: XTR 8 Speed
shifter: XTR
Brakes: XTR
handlebars: clubman motorcycle
grips: gold glitter
seatpost: stock
seat: Bianchi Leopard with logos removed
paint: Duplicolor semi-gloss black

for proof it's rideable =) skip to 3:00 and you'll catch a glimpse of me in the 24 hour race on it in crested butte. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nO_D4t1TI6w

[socratesjpt]

very nice

[KC so-cal]

if the terminator rode a bike it would look like this should have called this build t-1000

[lobsterboyx]

completely understated - i love it.

as much as i love my tankers, this thing makes my industrial design sense tingle.

bad 4$$ man...

[EastOfEastLos]

Nice job! And...what the *he*ck kinda G*all Dan*g camera set up did you use to get such ultra defined photos?!!! Not to take away from the great job you did on the bike itself, just saying, dang!

[EastOfEastLos]

I also like the way it's kinda a combination of modern with a twist of retro. The wheels alone look like a one off. I'd call it a devious manifestation of the rebellious rat with a shot of contemporary aesthetics. Sweet.

[Elmer]

OK. We have a were-bike (Fat Rat), a Frankenstein bike. This one reminds me of Dracula: clad in black with underlying sex appeal. Love the wheels & scary backgrounds. ........ I just hope there are no reanimated Egyptian bikes or ugly, misunderstood Phantoms coming up. This build is starting to get scary like Universal in the 30's. A great build, great machine. Good job!

[jerrykr]

Amazing - what a great bike. So many fantastic parts!

[bighit]

Is that the shockster I was selling?

[subadrew]

Is that the shockster I was selling?

nope. I ended up finding a brand new in box one for cheap. I remember reading about them in mountain bike action in high school and thinking they look cool, but 3 pounds is a lot of weight on a mtn bike. Not too much weight on a cruiser though. I actually have another one currently on it's way to me and I got another girvin too last week so now I'll be able to make a twin to this bike (yeah,it rides THAT good).

I took the shots with a sony dslr a230 that I got in a trade for a bike. I wish I knew how to use it better actually.

I like the dracula concept =). Thanks for the compliments

[gowjobs]

GREAT PICS, fantastic bike. With all that suspension, I'm a little surprised that we didn't see some knobs on there, though.

[erichitscar]

All I can say is WOW! Great job!

[Hammond Eggz]

This is VERY cool! I'm lovin' the industrial/mechanical/robotic feel to it...really nice job!

(...but do you realize that the word "penultimate" means "second to last"???)

[gowjobs]

Well, if he's building a twin, I guess it IS second to last.

[subadrew]

I'm always hoping something better will come. So for now, it's penultimate. Perhaps the parts I got for another one will indeed make the ultimate. Or maybe I just have some changes in mind for this guy that I couldn't do in time. Either way, for now, this is my King.