Rockafella - 1953 Ruff Firestone Super Cruiser - Completed Ride Video +MajorAward+RollingStoneCover

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I was going to cut the bottom from the OCC saddle to fabricate a seatpost, but then I had an idea. What about a baby sissy bar grab rail??

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After a little slicing and dicing with the Ronco Vegamatic, I had something close, but it still wasn't right.

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So I broke out the MC Hammer and did a little Miami Vise work on the saddle shell.

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I was also able to find a fatter seatpost that fit the saddle at the top and slid tightly into the inside of the OCC seatpost

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I put on the matching gumby grips that I got from @Dr. Tankenstein .

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Here are the mockups after that. It has been a FUN day!!!!

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bikewhorder said:
It looks sweet but if you want my honest opinion I'd cut out the bottom bracket and slide it up the down tube about 2"
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If I had any welding skills I might, but it's best if I stick to cutting up old OCC seatpans and stay far away from cutting up perfectly good frames. :)

EDIT: @bikewhorder , I posted this response before I saw that you had cut your frame up to reshape it. Just want to make sure you know that I wasn't poking fun at that. I was just poking fun at the frightful thought of me trying to weld a bike up. Good luck with you tweaking.
 
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G-Matt said:
Looks good man , you old salt hammer mechanic you [emoji6]


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Thanks for letting me SaltHammer out some ideas with you today.
 
 
Falstaff said:
The bars are close, but need something a little longer and swept.
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I like how these look a lot, but I am actually planning on some very cool bars on this bike
 
I just noticed today how well the tank mimics/compliments the sweeping curve of the train light.

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1. I actually like the original bars, and I like that it's using more parts from your donor bike. If you need to, just extend them a bit further back, and the grip will hide it.
2. Like the grips, too.
3. Not a fan of the sissy bar/crash rail, though it wouldn't be the end of the world if you kept it. It's not horrible, just not great.
4. I really like the idea of even using the headbadge.
5. As you know, I'm a fan of this new frame/vintage parts combo, and overall, I'm digging this more than many of your other builds. I wouldn't have thought of it myself, but I really agree that if you knew somebody that could move the BB up, it would flow better, but it's very workable as is.
 
Moving that BB doesn't sound like a big job...but it IS. If you find your pedals scraping, try shorter crank arms. I've done this on a few builds that scraped TO easily.

I like this bike! The colors co-ordinate perfecily
 
I just looked at this bike, in the flag bike thread....All bare and showing everything. I wouldn't touch the BB.
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deven_science said:
1. I actually like the original bars, and I like that it's using more parts from your donor bike. If you need to, just extend them a bit further back, and the grip will hide it.
2. Like the grips, too.
3. Not a fan of the sissy bar/crash rail, though it wouldn't be the end of the world if you kept it. It's not horrible, just not great.
4. I really like the idea of even using the headbadge.
5. As you know, I'm a fan of this new frame/vintage parts combo, and overall, I'm digging this more than many of your other builds. I wouldn't have thought of it myself, but I really agree that if you knew somebody that could move the BB up, it would flow better, but it's very workable as is.
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1- I really like the idea of using more of the original 1953 parts too and feel the bars play well with the build. I keep on thinking I need bars that sweep back more, but that really is more for the visual. The current placement of the bars is pretty darn close to ideal as far as reach and comfort. I'll still try out the other bars that I have been planning on, but I'm not throwing these out the window yet.
2- The grips were fun to put on today. They really pop with that original paint.
3- I had fun running with the sissy bar idea today and in general I like how it looks, but it's not a sure thing yet. We'll see how it plays out.
4- The headbadge really works well and it will definitely be used.
5- It's cool that you are digging the build concept so far. I'm not even contemplating moving the BB though. This was my first time riding one of these factory chopper frames (with the exeption of some Nirve, PHAT/3G, and Electra frames) and I was very pleased with the riding position and handling. The pedals never scraped, but I know it is a DEFINITE possibility. The only odd thing that I still haven't gotten used to is bottoming out the frame. It even scrapes trying to roll it across the threshold of my shop door. :) . Anyway, there are hundreds of Ruff Deans who am I to re-engineer their BB placement.

Thanks for the insight man!
 
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Jake Sensi said:
I'M DIGGING IT B!! NIA SAYS " HEY B!! LEAVE THAT COLOR ALONE"

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Yo Jake, tell Nia that I wouldn't dream of touching this OG paint!!!!! I am so glad that I sheared off the fender screw and @CrazyDave didn't buy the Firestone! I owe him a beer! Speaking of drinking a beer, I need to start working on a trip to our Philly office so that I can see you guys again!!!
 
kingfish254 said:
Yo Jake, tell Nia that I wouldn't dream of touching this OG paint!!!!! I am so glad that I sheared off the fender screw and @CrazyDave didn't buy the Firestone! I owe him a beer! Speaking of drinking a beer, I need to start working on a trip to our Philly office so that I can see you guys again!!!
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I'LL TELL HER THAT YOU SAID THAT. YA BIKE IS LOOKING GREAT BROTHER.
AWW MAN!! WE'LL HAVE A BLAST WHEN YOU COME BACK. NOW...GTB! PEACE

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Two steps forward, one step back.
The handlebars and the Gumby grips look good! The sissy bar... not so much.

Changing the subject here.
I started trying to imagine how I would finish the frame to complement the vintage Monark paint. It is something that could make or break the overall look of the bike so it deserves some careful thought. I have a couple of suggestions that are only my opinion of course and I don't claim to have the best solution, only my solution.

First, I would definitely rule out the Gumby green. Don't even consider it! Something loud like the red wheels is also a no no. In my opinion the modern lines are enough to stand out by itself so the color needs to recede. Also I'd resist the temptation to distress it. The juxtaposition between the new frame and old parts is defining the bike so stick with it. It would be akin to painting the Monark parts to make them look new.

My first option would be a matte almond color similar to the white walls. It would need to be a hue that is harmonious with the cream and rust on the tank. Somewhere in the middle of the tank color. Another option might be a dark charcoal again picking up the tire color (also matte). Of course it's hard to be certain without actually seeing it, but it looks good in my mind's eye.

Also, you don't have to limit yourself to off the shelf colors. Check around, some places will mix single stage automotive paint and put it in a rattle can for you. I have done this more than once with great results. The cost was in the $25 to $30 range and the paint quality is far superior to any off the shelf spray paint. I've had it mixed at O'Riley Auto Parts in my town.

Sorry for the long post!
 
I will have to pretty much agree with the R-Mans opinions. As I was reading it the frame color was in my mind also. I was thinking an off white /cream that somewhat matches the cream on the old parts. I would only spay a fairy thin layer of paint .Then use the natural rust mixture of salt , vinegar, peroxide, and water.Blend it in with the Scott bright pad . Apply more paint & rust if needed until you get the right combination. I would leave the color on the old parts alone. I then would probably put a satin clear over everything. It will seal every with a smooth finish but won't give a bright shine . I put the satin clear on one of my old bikes and was very happy with the results. As far as the details your on your own. You been doing this long enough to know what looks good . Your out of the box ideas have always impressed me . Once the bike is done I know it will have the KF swag . So fare so good love this new old bike.[emoji1303]




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I like the guys' ideas above ^. Frame paint, and in those hues. I'm kind of leaning towards clean paint (without rust....wait, did I just SAY that??!) to blend with the new painted wheels and offset the old parts mix.

Obviously, everyone of us thinks this has high potential. I'd even venture to say, maybe the coolest KF compilation yet....next to that ratty one with the skirts which you did before my time. :grin: My main issue is one which you would reject wholeheartedly , and I completely understand, because it would change the look of this bike significantly.

For me, I could never build a bike I couldn't ride comfortably and have it perform like all of my other bikes do. It appears that Ruff Cycles intended this to have a fat 26" tire mounted on a 26" rim, which would raise your BB height and give you the needed clearance for pedaling, cornering, and rolling it out your shop doorway. :21:

Your fatty 24's are very cool and fit those fenders and vibe to a "T". I just couldn't build / ride it the way I like to ride my bikes. RaT oN!
 
just a thought
ever consider taking off the monark train light from the front fender
and putting it on top of your tank
 

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