Fatbelly Bobber

[Dr. Tankenstein]

Here's the build I've been working on for a few months now. It may not be 'ratty' in appearance, but it is a mix of makes/models. It's name comes from the size of the bottom tube, the tires, and well....me. :mrgreen:
Building it has been a true learning experience, at times. :roll:
There are still some clearance issues with the fork that I'm working out, but other than that I'm ready to ride the tires off it!
It started out as a SAD 3-speed with a brushed on 'paint job'. The frame, forks, chainguard were all stripped to the bare metal and received 3 coats of bare metal primer, 3 coats of color and 3 coats of satin clear (steel wool sanded between each coat).
Needless to say, I've been inspired by so many of the bikes on this site that I can't begin to thank everyone. So, if you see something or an idea I 'borrowed' from your bike, please take it as the compliment it is, I hope you like it.
Specs:
Frame: 90's Huffy Sante Fe (7-speed based on the cable guides I removed). Had to hammer it a little and space the rear rim to get the tire to fit (it's REALLY tight)

Fork: 50's Monark springer (girl's model, hence the DIY spacer)

Chainguard: 30's Columbia (I think) I liked the way it looks like a motorcycle primary cover

Stem: Old school BMX (I liked the 'motocycle' look to it)

Handlebar: off a buddies KTM 250XC

Tires: Kenda Kraze 24x3

Gearing: 36T Wald sprocket, 18T single speed coaster

before:

after (for now

entire photo album:
http://s680.photobucket.com/albums/vv167/DrTankenstein/Fatbelly Bobber build/?start=20

Cheers!
Dr. T

 

[necessaryevil]

Links aren't showing, cool bike.

 

[kapi678]

Very nice bike, I love this color

 

[Uncle Stretch]

Its funny when you try to run a monark springer ,how they really only fit that one length of neck tube. The bad thing is they made the threads only about a 1'' long ,so when you add a spacer it dosent want to work right. If you rethread the tube then the geometry is off on the way the spring part works.....Looks good with those big tires. Nice build.

 

[Dr. Tankenstein]

hey guys, thanks for the comments.

necessaryevil,
Thanks, not sure why the image links didn't work, maybe it's a MAC/Google Chrome thing.
Here's URL links to the pics:
before:
http://s680.photobucket.com/albums/...build/?action=view&current=beforeprofile1.jpg
after:
http://s680.photobucket.com/albums/... build/?action=view&current=afterprofile4.jpg
http://s680.photobucket.com/albums/...build/?action=view&current=afterrearview1.jpg
http://s680.photobucket.com/albums/... build/?action=view&current=aftertopview1.jpg

kapi678,
I kinda struggled with the color choice, first i wanted red oxide primer (didn't work with the saddle color), then it was olive drab, but it was looking too 'military bike' (not that I have anything against that look) so I tried accenting it with black, that failed MISERABLY, so I went with this brown it's Krylon Ultra-flat Camouflage Brown.

Uncle Stretch,
I hear ya, they are cool but persnickety. I think this fork (and maybe a triple tree type) really fits the vintage bobber look I was going for. I'm considering replacing the rear 'main' fork with a rigid MTB or cruiser fork and getting some washers welded in to prevent it from slipping off the rocker. Before I slip off mine. :wink:

Thanks again for the inspiration,

Dr. T

 

[Gdcast]

Me likes!!!
No, seriously, cool seat, post, color combo, grips... I just like everything about it.
Please show me that seat post, I´m very interested in making one.

 

[Dr. Tankenstein]

Gdcast,
Thanks, for my first build, I'm pretty pleased.
I think I'm gonna convert my old MTB into an Electra Amsterdam Ballon-inspired bike next. Some cafe bars and cream Fat Franks and I'm good, right?

I bought the seatpost off of eBay as a 'Lucky #7 seatpost', can't believe I didn't take a picture of it pre-install. It looks pretty old, the tube that the seat bolts onto was a smaller diameter than the one that goes into the seat tube. I had to shim it with some copper pipe that I cut and some serious 'leverage'.
Here's a couple of closeups, maybe someone here can ID it.

Cheers!
Dr. T

 

[Dr. Tankenstein]

thnx bighit

 

[Gdcast]

Great!! Thanks for the close up!!
I hope my welds resist the leverage, I´m definitely trying to build one of those... we´ll see how it turns up.
I like your idea about the MTB, go for it it´s gonna be great!