Acid. Reborn (finished)

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Aged copper tubing makes cool looking truss rods and is easy to shape. Cool bike, looking forward to seeing how the build goes. :thumbsup:
 
Remember I said the rear wheel fit in the frame? Well, not anymore…
3” tyre on 65mm rim
6E772F45-93E8-42B9-8284-3903CE81E0A9.jpeg

Compared to 1.95” on standard rim
B7B862CB-7047-4767-AF44-8F8AFB63BBAD.jpeg
 
Thought it could be fun to document not only the actual build, but also my changing ideas.
Some seem good at first, but are later scrapped. I'm not sure where this will end.

Below are quick photo renditions to try different looks.

May 23rd
20230523.png


May 26th
20230526.png


May 29th
20230529.png


May 30th
20230530.png


May 31st
20230531.png


June 5th
20230605.png



-Do you think I'm on the right track?
 
Thought it could be fun to document not only the actual build, but also my changing ideas.
Some seem good at first, but are later scrapped. I'm not sure where this will end.

Below are quick photo renditions to try different looks.

May 23rd
View attachment 235459

May 26th
View attachment 235460

May 29th
View attachment 235461

May 30th
View attachment 235462

May 31st
View attachment 235463

June 5th
View attachment 235465


-Do you think I'm on the right track?
The front end on June 5th is wicked... I would keep that, and blend some elements of June 31st. Definitely use the rear fender, then maybe play with the headlight shell and dual chainguard on the June 5th setup, just to see the combo?
 
The June 5th fork is in an old DKW Diamant fork that I got.

The DKW Diamant was one of the most popular early motorcycles in Sweden. It was made to meet the demand of cheap transportation following the Great Depression. In essence, it was a ‘Diamant’ bicycle, fitted with a 98cc DKW two-stroke engine and a 3-speed transmission, by the company Göransson Motor AB in Gothenburg, Sweden.
Most DKW Diamants were made in 1938.

This particular fork had been bent in an accident sometime. I don’t know when, but most likely in the 30s or 40s, since that’s when these bikes were mostly used.
9B719F63-A3DD-4450-B4F1-EE1C6653B305.jpeg

I spent the better part of today straightening it by hand. The result isn’t perfect, but it’s good enough. I think its history and the visible scars from the impact, adds character.
A679BD98-339E-46A9-ADC0-AFC7FFC736A0.jpeg

B705758C-B5DB-4E6C-BF3E-B40E38454542.jpeg
 
The fork is fitted!
One issue solved, two new arises, hah!
The headset doesn't fit. It looks very similar to a standard threaded 1" 24TPI, but its not...
Its the old French threading of 25x1mm. So I need to get another headset. An old French one.:rolleyes:

Oh, and the stem doesn't fit.. The 22.2mm quill almost fits, but too thick. So I also need to get another stem.
Very pleased with the look though!
BE630465-A853-4BF7-832C-1FF2D9E44F70.jpeg
 
Another photo illustration. I liked the headlight shell from May 30th and 31st, but it makes the bike look a bit front heavy.
But by adding a tank with an upward bulge, following the lines of the frame and tie it to the shell.. And using a rear fender. It may balance out.

Like a hunching hyena, poised to pounce. Oh, and some rear suspension?!
20230609.png
 
Looks like any one of your mock ups is a winner, based on the voting! :bigsmile: Your stem is probably a 21.1, which is why your headset isn't working either. I wonder what shipping is to Sweden from Minnesota? I might have one that would work really well on your build. And a headset, the old Schwinn ones are smaller in diameter.

hn mock up.jpeg


This ^^^ !!! With maybe a smaller tank or metal piece that is suspended by the tabs, but with space around it so you 'see through' it, like your fork and the rest of the frame. Has a cool 'skeletal' look to it!
 
.

View attachment 236018

This ^^^ !!! With maybe a smaller tank or metal piece that is suspended by the tabs, but with space around it so you 'see through' it, like your fork and the rest of the frame. Has a cool 'skeletal' look to it!
I like the idea of the smaller faux tank inside the center. It looks good without as well.

I've done this in mesh and solid before. This layered mesh one i made, one uses sheet metal that I cut off an old water heater and smoothed out and painted, to mount it with.
20230609_062848.jpg
 
I like the idea of the smaller faux tank inside the center. It looks good without as well.

I've done this in mesh and solid before. This layered mesh one i made, one uses sheet metal that I cut off an old water heater and smoothed out and painted, to mount it with.
View attachment 236026
Looks good! Maybe I’ll try to make something similar
 
The original bike looked so plain. You have totally transformed the look. So much better now. I like what OddJob pointed out. The skeletal look. I think he is right. The tank should keep with that skeletal look.
 
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