Hot Rod Higgins - DONE. In the finished forum

[Terry66]

This will be my first entry in the Build Off.

Here is an old shot of the bike I am using. I actually sold this bike twice and have the frame, chainguard and rear fender back in my grubby hands for the build off.

[SCHWINNRAY69]

Like the name! I'm building a Hot Rod Deluxe

[char]

Cool! I just love Higgins bikes! That frame and chain guard is real nice! Have fun!

[yoothgeye]

Can't wait to see the cool parts. I call dibs on leftovers! haha

[Terry66]

Thanks guys....the name sort of came from the Hot Rod Lincoln song. I've always been into old cars, drag racing, etc. So far, I have a starting bike, some parts and a couple of ideas. I don't think it will be anything too radical or unique. I just plan to build something that I really like and if others like it too, then that is icing on the cake.

As far as parts, I have been buying/trading for bits and pieces with this bike in mind for over a year now. I'll probably be one of the slowest builds in the competition though. I'll change my mind 100 times before it is complete.

[Terry66]

Alright....so I started digging out some parts. I've been picking up HIggins parts whenever I see something cool at all the meets. Not sure everything in the pic will end up on the bike, but I like what I've found so far.

[whoinphx]

Well that's all looking good so far... Very Nice...
Good to see you doing a build... Good Luck and Have Fun

[Doon]

I like what I see. I am looking forward to this build.

[Terry66]

Thanks guys...I also have a 3 speed hub and some other pieces. I think the hub will be the last thing. If I have time, I'll lace it up and use it....if time is an issue, then I'll go single.

I bought a couple cans of flat black paint and I got the frame stripped down. Only problem is I'll be out of town for a week and won't have time to work on it.

Still not sure about the X53 fork. Thinking maybe a Girvin or something along those lines. Only problem is I am trying to not spend a ton of money on it. I want to keep it in the "rat spirit". It would be too easy to start shelling out dough and going overboard.

[Houndog]

Looking forward to this one for some reason..

[Terry66]

Looking forward to this one for some reason..

Thanks man....I am making no predictions on how it will do in the contest, but I promise it is going to be a bike that I am totally happy with! I think its gonna be good...maybe not cutting edge, but it will be a solid looking ride.

[MplsCoaster]

Great bike to start with and your pile of parts is awesome! Looking forward to seeing how it comes together

[Terry66]

Thanks....the cool thing is that besides the tank, the rest of the parts were all gathered locally from RRB members or Craigslist here in Ohio. I bought the Higgins frame, fender and chainguard up in Findlay. The X53 came from Oz1972, the skirts came from npence, the seat came off a '36 CWC frame that I found on Craigslist.

I just picked up a killer black/chrome sprocket and I am looking for a really nice vintage headlight. I was thinking maybe even an old carbide/gas light to mount on the X53 fender mount.

I am also thinking about doing some leather carving and stitch the leather to the seat pan. Lots of great ideas, but time will tell...

[kingfish254]

Bunch of cool parts. Any progress yet?

[SCHWINNRAY69]

Sweet stash of parts, I see a Thick Brick sneaking in the pic Nice seat too