"Opportunity Knocks"...(minor updates)

[IronDio]

So, I have a Schwinn World Tourist that I got for free.

It's a pretty nice bike, but my wife doesn't want another bike...what to do??
Strip it down and make a sweet men's bike out of it!
First step, strip it down.

Done, I flipped the handlebars for more of a boardtrack look. I'm more of a single-speed/coaster brake kind of guy. So, bye-bye shifter and hand brakes! I want to put some fatter whitewalls on it, but it's a skinny tire bike, plus I need a coaster brake, new wheels ordered. BUT, the front forks, rear chainstay and seat stay are too narrow. I have a vintage fork ordered and I'll have to re-work the rear end.
Here's a rough drawing of what I'm going to do:

I'm going to cut the top tube off and reverse it, stretch the chainstay about 7", build a new seat stay. Cut down the seat tube, bend the seat post, add some additional tubes (for looks), truss rods, and a headlight.
...Stay tuned

[mmcdaniel69]

Looks like that's gonna be sweet, cool idea with the top bar.

[Gdcast]

That´s a cool design right there, take lots of pictures, I wanna see that lady become a monster!

[IronDio]

Ran into some problems already...
Here is the old fork...not really going to accommodate fatter tires...

Here is the fork I was planning on using...

Whoops...got the width I want, but no clearance above the tire! I really need to take the time to measure stuff and quit assuming things. This is NOT going to work for this bike. Too bad, I like that crown look. Actually not too bummed though...didn't spend a lot on it, plus with the truss rod design I have in my head, it might just be easier to make my own forks.
On the bright side, my wheels came. Going to pick up some rubber...maybe tomorrow

[IronDio]

Picked up some tires at W*lM*rt today. They are pretty friggin' nice cruiser tires. They were in a Bell box, but they're Innova tires for $19.96 ea.
And...GREAT news! They fit the original fork!!!

Not much clearance side-to-side, but plenty of room above the tire!

I love how much it changes the front already! Oh, and that other fork...I've got plans for that little guy.....BIG plans! LOL

[Gdcast]

Nice! Seems you´re arming and on the verge of starting something great.

[IronDio]

Got the seat for this project yesterday...had to put it on and check it out...

Nice and ratty!

[Random Bikes]

if it turns out anything like the drawing it should look pretty sweet

[IronDio]

Well, after 7 hours of cutting, grinding, head-scratching, welding, some more grinding, and one angry wife later...


And here's the drawing comparison for the progress so far...


There's still more to do, but we're off and running now!
(I have to take a couple weeks off though)

[King Zebba]

That is just Cool!!!

[UnDerzon3]

nice how you used the other fork

[IronDio]

Thanks! Almost forgot to thank my dad for the help with the welding and the slick idea for attaching the droputs

[IronDio]

Here's another pic of it from a slightly different angle. Chomping at the bit to get back to it, but promised the wife I'd wait until after Christmas...hopefully I'll get the rest of my parts from Santa! lol

[outskirtscustoms]

That is going to be awesome! I'm definitely watching this one!

[IronDio]

Worked on the truss rods tonight. Didn't really know what I was going to use for my bracket when I started...dug through the scrap pile and found a mirror bracket off of my old Dodge. Perfect! Stainless steel even! I used some u-joint straps to attach them to my handlebars, and I used some coaster brake arms to move them out from the axle. I used 3/8" brake line tubing for my rods. Here's the results...




VERY pleased with the results! Thanks again to my Dad for the extra set of hands!! (still figuring out my rear fender options, want to use the original front fender to really hug that tire, but...I'm just not sure)