Tranny '80 Sears Free Spirit Build-squeezed and stretched boardtrack inspired leaf springer

[Garage Specialty!]

edit, most recent pics on page 2 teaser below

Hey everyone,


First major bike build.

Background:
Was picking up a table saw and the guy had to get extra blades from his moms house and I saw an old bike that might be okay for my girlfriend. Asked him if it was for sale and a call later I got it for $20. Had to get a new seat post, 1 tube, and 2 tires, but she never rode it. Came across a Spaceliner that fit her personality and she actually rode that one so I decided I should build something to match. Probably going to part out my old ride since I probably won't be riding on that much after this thing is fully built.

About the build:
Call it a tranny cause it's originally a woman's bike and I converted it to a man. ha. I'm about 90% on the build, but I will post pics slowly and do a build thread like I am building it currently to keep up the suspense. Also, I don't have much time to post a full story line at once so that'll be most convenient anyway.

Inspiration:
-Old bikes are going for an outrageous price (read >$150) on craigs so I figured I'll just build one myself on my budget
-Spend as little money as I can
-Board trackers
-Some bikes from the build off contest for 2011
-Stretch and lowered rides (my other project is a bagged 1951 chevy pickup; but then again, my running truck is a lifted 4runner)


Before I started, 1980 Sears & Roebuck Free Spirit:

The Spaceliner (missing lense/bulb socket):

My old bike (07 azonic steelhead, S&M fork, profile cranks, misc wheels, 2.2 maxxis/wtb's):

-Steve

 

[Garage Specialty!]

flipped the bars to just try and visualize the build

taking it apart

took it apart and bent/mocked what I think is the bar that starts giving it it's shape/attitude

 

[Garage Specialty!]

and then i forgot to take pictures...
here is the finished frame (unfinished tank), and skinny tires

big tires?

re-do top bar with big & littles? also working on the stretch/lower stance here

 

[Singlespeed92]

NICE! I need to learn how to weld... :?

 

[Garage Specialty!]

thanks!

forgot to take pics again so here she is. 8" stretch, ~3" drop.

i rushed burning the spring mount up front and warped the fork a little bit. :-X. luckily they did evenly and now they look like lady legs wearing heels. haha.

i'm recovering the seat in some feaux-leather i found in the garage that sort of matches the color of the gum walls.
i test rode the bike and the fork performs really well. i almost busted my you know whats testing out the front fork because i instantly endoed when the fork bottomed out on the front tire, but i welded in some travel limiting stops that fixed that problem.

 

[Aros Kustom]

I like the front fork with the old-style leafspring. Keep up the good work!

 

[Cherryboxx]

enjoying ...more pics hehehe

 

[sweetwillie]

I like the geometry. Looks good. Keep posting pics.

 

[Garage Specialty!]

No new progress besides re-wrapped seat.

You can see my lady leg/heel fork ;-). Thank you mig welder and getting to over zealous on welding the forks.

 

[deven_science]

This is a great build! I'm really digging what you're doing.

 

[big kountry]

thats 1 cool rat ride

 

[Garage Specialty!]

thanks. i really need to finish her up and atleast throw some grease or clear coat on her before I get caught out in the rain. road to the corner store to get some smokes and besides having to make the cranks parallel to the ground while turning (scrapes) it rides pretty dang smooth.

been working on this beast

too many projects, too little time.

 

[FatBoy]

Nice sex change,looks really good.love the leaf springer!Nice Yota to! 8) :mrgreen:

 

[Garage Specialty!]

better view. Thanks.

 

[Garage Specialty!]

My street bike broke a freewheel so I decided to paint the frame on this one. This is my new daily walk the dogs around the neighborhood bike.

 

[iven]

i like it, looks very cool. do the leafs creak?
but whats the Tab under the Post OP' toptube :lol:

 

[Garage Specialty!]

i like it, looks very cool. do the leafs creak?
but whats the Tab under the Post OP' toptube :lol:

Thanks. Leafs, wishbone and links don't make a sound. Dang hubs and pedals (no grease) make me sound like Deebo from Friday biking down the road though!

Tab on the TT is for a feaux tank, got one made out of 0.120 aluminum sheet but I haven't decided if I want it on there. Not sure what color, how many speed holes to drill, or if it should be 2 sided so I left it off.

Was thinking about re-designing front fork but I think I'll start fresh when I come across a cheap xr100 or the like.

 

[jackdaw]

Man, looks great. Your top tube and tank area really make it. I really miss my '92 4x4. It only had 270,000 on it but I had to sell it.

 

[Garage Specialty!]

Man, looks great. Your top tube and tank area really make it. I really miss my '92 4x4. It only had 270,000 on it but I had to sell it.

Thanks for the comments. Yeah almost thought about selling her but there's too much emotional attachment. She's got 288k on the body.


New head/tail light + dynamo. Poser effects via phone app.

 

[Garage Specialty!]

diff't bars and re-mounted headlight