"Finished" - Dragster Inpired Project- updated wheels

[Pedro]

A buddy gave me this Murray ladies cruiser (I seem to get a lot of ladies bikes). Generally speaking, I hate the way the ladies frames' aesthetics are broken up by the drop tube, so I figured out a cool solution with wood rather than metal. I am taking the wheels from a different project. The wheels are upsized a bit.

Starting Product:

Broken Down in 45 minutes:

Solution to that awful ladies frame

General Mock-up

Pick- you get the credit for my stretch technique.

 

[jats]

Re: Dragster Inpired Project

that thing looks cool with the stretch brackets

 

[OneHorsePower]

Re: Dragster Inpired Project

cool ! i see you planning a springer rear end 8)

 

[LukeTheJoker]

Re: Dragster Inpired Project

That looks cool!
Is that an axe handle you have used for the top bar? Got some nice curves to it...

Looking forward to your next update...

Luke.

 

[Pedro]

Re: Dragster Inpired Project

Axe handle indeed... cut down and fishmouthed and mated with 3200psi epoxy.

I have quite a bit left to do, but I like the progress.

@ the sprung rearend- it is a thought that crossed my mind, but I think I'll keep it rigid. Since the photo, I have made stretch more more permanent... Another update to follow sometime after this weekend.

 

[pick]

Re: Dragster Inpired Project

Very cool idea! 8)

 

[Omen]

Re: Dragster Inpired Project

What exactly did you use to drop the rear end like that? I've been wanting to build a cruiser with that kind of stance, and have been at a loss for what to do.

 

[jats]

Re: Dragster Inpired Project

absolutely love the ax handle that is one cool idea!

Troy

 

[OneHorsePower]

Re: Dragster Inpired Project

What exactly did you use to drop the rear end like that? I've been wanting to build a cruiser with that kind of stance, and have been at a loss for what to do.

they look alot like "shed hinges plates"

 

[scott brownsey]

Re: Dragster Inpired Project

very tough

 

[Pedro]

Re: Dragster Inpired Project

Yes. Absolutely. Those are hinge plates. I came across them accidentally. When going to pick up some steel plate, I was walking down the hardware aisle when saw these. I picked up a couple of the 10" hinges. They come in pretty thick steel, and they are roughly the right shape already. However, I am going to double them up on the rear where I am using quite a lot of stretch and drop.

Pick did similar (nicer) ones you can see them here. They are done w/ 1/4" plate and the hinges are 1/8"
viewtopic.php?f=70&t=68311&p=660123&hilit=dragsters#p660123

 

[jats]

Re: Dragster Inpired Project

nice repurpose would never have guessed thats what they were

 

[bikejunky]

Re: Dragster Inpired Project

The low stance is cool, might want to slip the cranks back in to check for ground clearance before you invest alot of time and labor.

Tim

 

[OneHorsePower]

Re: Dragster Inpired Project

The low stance is cool, might want to slip the cranks back in to check for ground clearance before you invest alot of time and labor.

Tim

and chain clearance :wink:

 

[Pedro]

Re: Dragster Inpired Project

Alright- So I have been dormant here on the forum lately, but I have been working on this bike.

The frame is painted a green color with the girl's top tube painted flat black to hide it a bit. There are some engineering SNAFUs to still work out, but the bike is shaping up pretty nicely. I have a road bike tire on the front with a knobby tire on the back. This gives the font wheel the dragster look without having two different sized wheels. Plenty more to do, but I love this part of the project when it is coming back together.

 

[Pedro]

"Finished" Dragster Inpired Project

All,

I have been dormant for a while on this site, and my build has been on hiatus as I enjoy the warm weather outside. I have recently been struck by motivation, and have "finished" the bike... I have another build in mind and couldn't start that one with a clear conscience without finishing this one first.

Conclusion; the ridiculous caster makes the bike steer like bollocks. The brake would be more effective if it were a parachute, but the low gearing serves two purposes here... the low stance makes it tough to apply much torque to the cranks, so the gearing I chose is was a wise move. It also means that you never really develop enough speed so that you can't Fred Flintstone it to a stop.

Never the less, I had a big smile the whole time on my maiden voyage this evening. My daughter was on her ratrod, and we got some funny looks from our neighbors... a bonus

In the photos beneath, you will see the bike with a small front tire to give the dragster effect. It wouldn't hold the bead, so I put the matching tire to the back on it, and I prefer that look even though it is a departure from the dragster look I started off with in mind.

Link to thread with bike inspiration.
viewtopic.php?f=70&t=68311

 

[LukeTheJoker]

Re: "Finished" - Dragster Inpired Project

Nice work Pedro! I guess I missed this thread while we were on holidays and with all the build-off stuff on, looks great, turned out nice! :wink:

Luke.

 

[Gold Street Customs]

Re: "Finished" - Dragster Inpired Project

Looks like a fun ride..

 

[Pedro]

Re: "Finished" - Dragster Inpired Project

Here is an update- it was bothering me that the .... thing wouldn't stop properly even after a bunch of tuning on the rear brake, so I rebuilt the 26" wheels that came with the bike to use the coaster brake hub and put some fat MTB tires on. While I was at it, I was inspired by a kickstand thread, and decided to build my own. The front tire rubs on the fork, and I'm not sure if it is slack in the fork or the spokes, or both. I am going to torque the spokes a bit more and see if that helps... if all else fails, I'll buy a smaller front tire and restore the dragster look. (FYI, the kick stand will be posted on the kickstand thread too.






Kickstand Up

Kickstand Down

 

[LukeTheJoker]

:lol: Love the kickstand! Nice work! I vote for a skinnier tire on the front...

Luke.