The Rail 7

[Dr. Tankenstein]

use a plastic kiddie pool for bike soaking!

That's one plan brother, gonna check out Walmart over the weekend. Got a fresh can of Bartender's Friend (oxalic acid) waiting. Got a quote of $60 today to sandblast it though.....hmmm
It is worth the cost over soaking, wire wheeling, grinding....it is chrome afterall, blasting would ensure paint adhesion? More to sleep on.


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[patman73]

That's one plan brother, gonna check out Walmart over the weekend. Got a fresh can of Bartender's Friend (oxalic acid) waiting. Got a quote of $60 today to sandblast it though.....hmmm
It is worth the cost over soaking, wire wheeling, grinding....it is chrome afterall, blasting would ensure paint adhesion? More to sleep on.


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good luck on the build !

 

[kingfish254]

Go back and look at my inspiration bikes, both have low front ends, the Columbia even has a low triple tree.........I'm torn on this, maybe something in the middle? Gonna sleep on it...
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I hear ya buddy, roll with the vision in your head!

 

[LukeTheJoker]

Looks good Dr T! Nice work respacing the rear!

Luke.

 

[Jaxon]

Hmmmmmmmmm....longer chopper forks, let me marinate on that a bit.....
Maybe if I raised them enough to get the chainstays parallel to the ground.......


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I think that would be a perfect height. Put it up stupid high and then bring it down to something cool. Easy to play with the look... Loosen & tighten....lol

 

[Dr. Tankenstein]

Yep, I just need to dig up two axle nuts for the front wheel, it's flopping around like a fish out of water right now.


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[DoubleL]

Yeah, 60s Huffy chrome ain't no Schwinn chrome!


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NO chrome....sorry fella's that can match Schwinn Chrome!

 

[SCHWINNRAY69]

Awesome, Doc! This is gonna be a sweet bike!

 

[Dr. Tankenstein]

Played around a little the '7' today.
First, I got the front wheel tightened down, then I mounted the Long John seat. Played around with using an old '7' seatpost (see the connection?) to try to get a little more legroom.Gotta love that sissy bar!

Next, I played around with the fork length. I lengthened them until the chainstays were parallel to the ground.

The lower tape line was the original height, upper line is 6 3/4" longer.

Here's the new stance.......can't use a kickstand any more.....not sold on it yet.

Maybe I'll mess with going somewhere in the middle tomorrow (I guess that would make it half a bubble off, now that sounds familiar).
On a another note, started ordering the parts for my stick shift.....don't wanna reveal my plan yet, let's just say the whole thing will be Shimano.......
Cheers,
Dr. T


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[whitefiretiger]

I'd probably go lower. It just doesn't look right that high to me.

 

[LukeTheJoker]

I agree, something half way between the two might be the magic spot...

Luke.

 

[GuitarlCarl]

I'd mount my crank and see where the "fit" is. Where you can sit comfortably, put your foot on the pedals and put your other foot down easily. A "rider" should be comfy, unless you're only going for a "look"... is which case ignore everything I just wrote...

Carl.

 

[jats]

looks cool! would love to see a pic lower though,, just to see the stance.

Troy

 

[Dr. Tankenstein]

I agree, this look detracts from the long slung out look the original Rail had. It going lower, how much is still TBD.....got to go do some yardwork, followed by family time. Hopefully, I'll get some time tonight to drop it.

Stay tuned...


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[LukeTheJoker]

That seat and sissy bar are awesome! I think I might make my sissy bar with the same back end as yours, very cool little handle...

Luke.

 

[Dr. Tankenstein]

Stole a few minutes tonight and lowed the fork by approximately half the distance between the two previous tries.
Apologies for the wreck of a 'shop' I have, a remodel is scheduled for it in November....
Before:

After:

It's better....
Here's a shot of the chainguard in place, it's nice when they bolt right on. Good 'match' to the one on the Rail.

Well, off to Disney/Universal on Saturday for a week.
See ya then!

Cheers,
Dr. T




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[kingfish254]

Your first after photo is still of the high fork, but judging from the other after shots, I think you got it right at the halfway mark. Have fun in mouse land.

 

[Dr. Tankenstein]

I don't know King, I'd still like to see the top tubes flatter to the ground.
Maybe I should go Krate/Slingshot style and put a 20" wheel up front, hahaha.
Did Electra make a 20" Fatti-O?


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[CRASH]

If you get a 20x1-3/8" front you could retain the fat/thin look, but be smaller up front. Of course the same could be said for a 24x1-3/8" as well.

 

[Dr. Tankenstein]

When I think of a rail dragster, I imagine a huge rear slick and a tail super skinny front wire wheel, like this.

I may try slamming it all the way down next.....


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