Re: 3-Star Delusion - of fins, skirts and scoops...
:shock: Cool! I like what I think I see! I think... :mrgreen:
Luke.
:shock: Cool! I like what I think I see! I think... :mrgreen:
Luke.
3-Star Delusion - finally an actual ride...
- Thread starter expjawa
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Re: 3-Star Delusion - of fins, skirts and scoops...
Shark Week!!
Shark Week!!
Re: 3-Star Delusion - of fins, skirts and scoops...
Crank up Jimmy Buffets Fins!
Crank up Jimmy Buffets Fins!
Re: 3-Star Delusion - of fins, skirts and scoops...
Skirts and fins, brings back memories of a 59 Caddy de Ville, would look good with one of those twin tail lights.
Skirts and fins, brings back memories of a 59 Caddy de Ville, would look good with one of those twin tail lights.
Re: 3-Star Delusion - of fins, skirts and scoops...
Well, I'll be honest - that's where the inspiration partly came from. I haven't devised a way to pull off the tail lights though, at least not in an integrated fashion. But this is only part of the greater whole, I'll show more as I figure it out myself...
socal_jack said:
Well, I'll be honest - that's where the inspiration partly came from. I haven't devised a way to pull off the tail lights though, at least not in an integrated fashion. But this is only part of the greater whole, I'll show more as I figure it out myself...
Re: 3-Star Delusion - of fins, skirts and scoops...
Fins up! Well, I'm hoping in practice it'll be more in keeping with streamlining and something somewhere between Caddy tail fins, something aviation related or maybe Rocketman inspired (though I guess all of those things are somewhat related) rather than shark. I didn't have a theme when I started, but one is sort of starting to emerge, all based on the vents in the Higgins skirts. They remind me somehow of jet exhaust vents, maybe sort of like on a helicopter or a Harrier, although I know it doesn't really fit with either...
kingfish254 said:
Fins up! Well, I'm hoping in practice it'll be more in keeping with streamlining and something somewhere between Caddy tail fins, something aviation related or maybe Rocketman inspired (though I guess all of those things are somewhat related) rather than shark. I didn't have a theme when I started, but one is sort of starting to emerge, all based on the vents in the Higgins skirts. They remind me somehow of jet exhaust vents, maybe sort of like on a helicopter or a Harrier, although I know it doesn't really fit with either...
Re: 3-Star Delusion - of fins, skirts and scoops...
That's hysterical. Shark Week is what I miss most in not having Discovery Channel (or cable, for that matter). Well, that and Mythbusters...
kim_dude said:
That's hysterical. Shark Week is what I miss most in not having Discovery Channel (or cable, for that matter). Well, that and Mythbusters...
Re: 3-Star Delusion - of fins, skirts and scoops...
Here's a better shot of what I'm working on:
Worth noting is what's going on up front:
The cardboard templates are stand-ins for the aluminum panels I have yet to cut out, similar to what I did last year. Insert panels that fill in the truss and fork legs are intended to have inlet scoops on them, the aesthetic counterpoint to the vent outlets on the skirts. Maybe you have to squint to make the connection. Also, I'm working on the headlight, last pictured in the first page of this thread. I intend to use it's mounting clamp on the stem, but it does require a fairly long stem to have enough length to actually clamp on. Of course, most of the stems that I seem to have are not of the Schwinn-specific diameter to fit the fork I've installed. At least not easily. So, I'm still working that out, as well as actually powering the lamp. I'd like to put an LED bulb in it and run it off a small battery pack, but a certain amount of the lamp's cool factor comes from the blown-glass incandescent bulb that's in it (though I don't know if it works yet...).
Here's a better shot of what I'm working on:
Worth noting is what's going on up front:
The cardboard templates are stand-ins for the aluminum panels I have yet to cut out, similar to what I did last year. Insert panels that fill in the truss and fork legs are intended to have inlet scoops on them, the aesthetic counterpoint to the vent outlets on the skirts. Maybe you have to squint to make the connection. Also, I'm working on the headlight, last pictured in the first page of this thread. I intend to use it's mounting clamp on the stem, but it does require a fairly long stem to have enough length to actually clamp on. Of course, most of the stems that I seem to have are not of the Schwinn-specific diameter to fit the fork I've installed. At least not easily. So, I'm still working that out, as well as actually powering the lamp. I'd like to put an LED bulb in it and run it off a small battery pack, but a certain amount of the lamp's cool factor comes from the blown-glass incandescent bulb that's in it (though I don't know if it works yet...).
Re: 3-Star Delusion - of fins, skirts and scoops...
Hey, those are gonna be cool! I like how you've Sharpie-d in the jet intake graphics.
Hey, those are gonna be cool! I like how you've Sharpie-d in the jet intake graphics.
Re: 3-Star Delusion - of fins, skirts and scoops...
I really dig how this is turning into a jet bike!!!!
Kinda like the special attraction jet dragsters
Sunday !
Sunday !
Sunday !
I really dig how this is turning into a jet bike!!!!
Kinda like the special attraction jet dragsters
Sunday !
Sunday !
Sunday !
Re: 3-Star Delusion - of fins, skirts and scoops...
Here are some better (or at least additional) photos of the bike with the cardboard templates in place:
I made one as a filler between the fender and the seat post, the tail fin seems to flow more naturally with that in place. Otherwise, I should recut it so that it tapers up from the fender at the front, rather than flowing up from the chainstay bridge. I'm still deliberating how to handle a tail light, preferably integrated with the fin.
Here are few close ups of the headlight:
Next up - to render the panels in aluminum, form up the scoops and attach them to the truss panels. I intend at this point to rivet them on, somehow that seems remincent of aircraft bodywork, as well as adding a slightly raw look. By the same token, I have to figure out how to actually attach the fin. I may rivet on angle brackets for that too.
Here are some better (or at least additional) photos of the bike with the cardboard templates in place:
I made one as a filler between the fender and the seat post, the tail fin seems to flow more naturally with that in place. Otherwise, I should recut it so that it tapers up from the fender at the front, rather than flowing up from the chainstay bridge. I'm still deliberating how to handle a tail light, preferably integrated with the fin.
Here are few close ups of the headlight:
Next up - to render the panels in aluminum, form up the scoops and attach them to the truss panels. I intend at this point to rivet them on, somehow that seems remincent of aircraft bodywork, as well as adding a slightly raw look. By the same token, I have to figure out how to actually attach the fin. I may rivet on angle brackets for that too.
Re: 3-Star Delusion - of fins, skirts and scoops...
I agree with you on the filler panel behind the seat tube.
As far as attaching the fin, why don't you have a few tabs that slide through slots in the fender ridge and then bend them over under the fender and tack them with jb weld.
Kinda like old paper models, insert tab A into slot B.
That headlight is massive and killer!!!! I love the bulky bracket. Not streamlined at all but perfect just the same.
An idea for a taillight is a row of LEDs on the trailing rear edge of the fin.
I agree with you on the filler panel behind the seat tube.
As far as attaching the fin, why don't you have a few tabs that slide through slots in the fender ridge and then bend them over under the fender and tack them with jb weld.
Kinda like old paper models, insert tab A into slot B.
That headlight is massive and killer!!!! I love the bulky bracket. Not streamlined at all but perfect just the same.
An idea for a taillight is a row of LEDs on the trailing rear edge of the fin.
Re: 3-Star Delusion - of fins, skirts and scoops...
That's worth a try. If there are several tabs, bent in alternating left & right directions, it should hold itself on without further adhesive. The trick would be to form the tabs crisply and make sure that they're tight against the fender, otherwise it'd be a sloppy fit. The fin would move side to side.
As far as the tail light goes, I really want something with more presence, more 3-D effect than an LED strip up the back. Picture the '59 Cadillac fins mentioned earlier. If I were handier with aluminum fabrication, I'd make a wooden buck for a tail light fairing, and hand pound sheet stock over it. Then attach one to either side of the fin (after finding a light to fit inside it). But I don't think that there's enough time left to learn that skill before we run out of build window. I do, however, have the red signal light from the Big Beam lantern I disassembled for use on the BonniRocket. I might be able to use that somehow.
About that headlight, yeah, it's all sorts of right up there and attention getting. If nothing else, it is highly adjustable on several axis. I'm not really sure what to do with it, as far as finish goes yet. On one hand, I'm inclined to leave it exactly as is. On the other, I'd like to sand it down and paint it to match what the other panels will be. I'm torn.
That's worth a try. If there are several tabs, bent in alternating left & right directions, it should hold itself on without further adhesive. The trick would be to form the tabs crisply and make sure that they're tight against the fender, otherwise it'd be a sloppy fit. The fin would move side to side.
As far as the tail light goes, I really want something with more presence, more 3-D effect than an LED strip up the back. Picture the '59 Cadillac fins mentioned earlier. If I were handier with aluminum fabrication, I'd make a wooden buck for a tail light fairing, and hand pound sheet stock over it. Then attach one to either side of the fin (after finding a light to fit inside it). But I don't think that there's enough time left to learn that skill before we run out of build window. I do, however, have the red signal light from the Big Beam lantern I disassembled for use on the BonniRocket. I might be able to use that somehow.
About that headlight, yeah, it's all sorts of right up there and attention getting. If nothing else, it is highly adjustable on several axis. I'm not really sure what to do with it, as far as finish goes yet. On one hand, I'm inclined to leave it exactly as is. On the other, I'd like to sand it down and paint it to match what the other panels will be. I'm torn.
Re: 3-Star Delusion - of fins, skirts and scoops...
You can get these cool fog lights at Advance Auto for about $20. They could make cool taillights.
You can get these cool fog lights at Advance Auto for about $20. They could make cool taillights.
Re: 3-Star Delusion - of fins, skirts and scoops...
Hmm, not sure on those. I don't think that their shape really fits what I have in my head. I picked up this double bullet light, shown below on the right. Comes from an early Schwinn Jaguar (I think). There might be some potential there if I can get it apart and the insides have anything left worth using...
Otherwise, the light that's in the center is the signal marker from the Big Beam. That's one I think I can definitely make work...
Hmm, not sure on those. I don't think that their shape really fits what I have in my head. I picked up this double bullet light, shown below on the right. Comes from an early Schwinn Jaguar (I think). There might be some potential there if I can get it apart and the insides have anything left worth using...
Otherwise, the light that's in the center is the signal marker from the Big Beam. That's one I think I can definitely make work...
Re: 3-Star Delusion - of fins, skirts and scoops...
Just from a less is more stand point I personally think the rear fin is a bit much. Or at least reducing the size so the eye is not instantly drawn to it. The fork scoops are sick so are those little head lights. I love this build been lurking hard
Just from a less is more stand point I personally think the rear fin is a bit much. Or at least reducing the size so the eye is not instantly drawn to it. The fork scoops are sick so are those little head lights. I love this build been lurking hard
Re: 3-Star Delusion - of fins, skirts and scoops...
Those upper right lights would work great!
Those upper right lights would work great!
Re: 3-Star Delusion - of fins, skirts and scoops...
[quote="expjawa"
As far as the tail light goes, I really want something with more presence, more 3-D effect than an LED strip up the back. Picture the '59 Cadillac fins mentioned earlier. If I were handier with aluminum fabrication, But I don't think that there's enough time left to learn that skill before we run out of build window.
I think I would vote on reducing the height of the fin to give yourself more space for the lights and less time learning to perfect the new skill before the time window closes. Even if reduced the fin to being a space to fit the tail lights to.
What you have already done with the skirts and fender looks too good to reduce in impact.
I like the panels on the front as well and can see how you can have them blend in as intakes without setting yourself a target that might lead to frustration due to limited time.
[quote="expjawa"
As far as the tail light goes, I really want something with more presence, more 3-D effect than an LED strip up the back. Picture the '59 Cadillac fins mentioned earlier. If I were handier with aluminum fabrication, But I don't think that there's enough time left to learn that skill before we run out of build window.
I think I would vote on reducing the height of the fin to give yourself more space for the lights and less time learning to perfect the new skill before the time window closes. Even if reduced the fin to being a space to fit the tail lights to.
What you have already done with the skirts and fender looks too good to reduce in impact.
I like the panels on the front as well and can see how you can have them blend in as intakes without setting yourself a target that might lead to frustration due to limited time.
Re: 3-Star Delusion - aluminum bits
OK, well, I've made up the aluminum panels. My father had most of what I needed around his workshop, so I worked over there for this part of the project. I marked out the pieces of aluminum sheet using the templates:
Then proceeded to cut them out on the band saw:
Here are all the parts cut out, ready to be deburred and filed to suit.
The scoop pieces were further marked for bending. It may not be immediately obvious, but I did elect to shorten and somewhat reshape the tail fin. It's actually about a 1/2" shorter than the template, and the curve at the front end is sharpened up a bit. I think this is more consistent with the lines of the tank and chain guard. Yes, there is a notch in the back of the fin; this is to clear the tail light that I'm going to try to use. If it doesn't pan out, I'll cut another fin out. I may recut it smaller yet anyway.
Trial fit on the bike:
And then back to the scoops - My means of forming them isn't sophisticated, but it worked:
Just clamping them to the edge of the bench with a block to distribute the load. The actual bending was done by hand (carefully, because the edges were still a bit sharp). Just a little tweaking to get both forms to sit evenly on a flat surface. Formed and ground:
Then it was time to attach them to the filler panels. I drilled holes in the mounting flanges, transferred the pattern to the panels, and drilled to match. Then (borrowing the rivet gun from my father's shop) riveted them on. Pretty simple. I also found a scrap of stainless steel mesh while over there, and I might be able to make a pair of inlet cover screens for the scoops. We'll see how that comes out...
OK, well, I've made up the aluminum panels. My father had most of what I needed around his workshop, so I worked over there for this part of the project. I marked out the pieces of aluminum sheet using the templates:
Then proceeded to cut them out on the band saw:
Here are all the parts cut out, ready to be deburred and filed to suit.
The scoop pieces were further marked for bending. It may not be immediately obvious, but I did elect to shorten and somewhat reshape the tail fin. It's actually about a 1/2" shorter than the template, and the curve at the front end is sharpened up a bit. I think this is more consistent with the lines of the tank and chain guard. Yes, there is a notch in the back of the fin; this is to clear the tail light that I'm going to try to use. If it doesn't pan out, I'll cut another fin out. I may recut it smaller yet anyway.
Trial fit on the bike:
And then back to the scoops - My means of forming them isn't sophisticated, but it worked:
Just clamping them to the edge of the bench with a block to distribute the load. The actual bending was done by hand (carefully, because the edges were still a bit sharp). Just a little tweaking to get both forms to sit evenly on a flat surface. Formed and ground:
Then it was time to attach them to the filler panels. I drilled holes in the mounting flanges, transferred the pattern to the panels, and drilled to match. Then (borrowing the rivet gun from my father's shop) riveted them on. Pretty simple. I also found a scrap of stainless steel mesh while over there, and I might be able to make a pair of inlet cover screens for the scoops. We'll see how that comes out...
