- Joined
- May 4, 2013
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I had started building this bike as a tribute to my 67 VW beetle on air ride. I didn't plan on entering it into the build off, but after talking to some people they suggested I toss it into the mix. The bike is themed after the cars color scheme. The plan for this is to have the bike at the car shows, swap meet's and drag races (as a pit bike) to ride around on.
I bought this bike off of Craigslist. I wanted a old Schwinn frame to start with. I picked it up for next to nothing...
After getting it, I had decoded the serial number to find out it was a '57 Schwinn. I thought it was a wasp but after looking at the rear brace, it most likely is a jaguar or a corvette frame.
I tore it down, it was dented pretty badly on the upper tube and the bars below were dented and bent as well. Like someone jammed something in between the bars of the frame. I also noticed that the kick stand was torn off... No worries though I dismantled it pretty quickly and sanded it down by hand. Got it to bare metal. Used some automotive body filler to fill in the dents and the torn out kick stand mount. I shaped and sanded it until it was perfect. The frame was shot with self etching primer, then sprayed with 2 stage automotive paint in the color of the beetle I am building "Mango Green". You can see the VW body behind the frame. The frame was painted with the automotive paint. 3 coats of base color and 3 coats of clear. The clear coat is still curing in the photos...
I have a set of rims from a Huffy bike I planned on using. The wheel set has a rear coaster brake hub. Black rims with heavy spokes. Front has a larger hub and heavy spokes as well. These are used on their "Beach Cruiser" bikes. I bought the bike new, and after assembly, I found the wheels were way out of true. I contacted Huffy and much to my surprise, they sent me another set of rims. So I decided to keep this one together and true the rims myself and use the other rims on the Schwinn.
I am now waiting for my parts to come in. I have ordered up a black and chrome springer fork, chrome front and rear fenders, black 26" banana seat, tall sissy bar, a pair of slicks and tubes for the rims. Now it's a matter of waiting for the parts to come in.....
Here's a look at the beetle project that this bike will be modeled after....
I bought this bike off of Craigslist. I wanted a old Schwinn frame to start with. I picked it up for next to nothing...
After getting it, I had decoded the serial number to find out it was a '57 Schwinn. I thought it was a wasp but after looking at the rear brace, it most likely is a jaguar or a corvette frame.
I tore it down, it was dented pretty badly on the upper tube and the bars below were dented and bent as well. Like someone jammed something in between the bars of the frame. I also noticed that the kick stand was torn off... No worries though I dismantled it pretty quickly and sanded it down by hand. Got it to bare metal. Used some automotive body filler to fill in the dents and the torn out kick stand mount. I shaped and sanded it until it was perfect. The frame was shot with self etching primer, then sprayed with 2 stage automotive paint in the color of the beetle I am building "Mango Green". You can see the VW body behind the frame. The frame was painted with the automotive paint. 3 coats of base color and 3 coats of clear. The clear coat is still curing in the photos...
I have a set of rims from a Huffy bike I planned on using. The wheel set has a rear coaster brake hub. Black rims with heavy spokes. Front has a larger hub and heavy spokes as well. These are used on their "Beach Cruiser" bikes. I bought the bike new, and after assembly, I found the wheels were way out of true. I contacted Huffy and much to my surprise, they sent me another set of rims. So I decided to keep this one together and true the rims myself and use the other rims on the Schwinn.
I am now waiting for my parts to come in. I have ordered up a black and chrome springer fork, chrome front and rear fenders, black 26" banana seat, tall sissy bar, a pair of slicks and tubes for the rims. Now it's a matter of waiting for the parts to come in.....
Here's a look at the beetle project that this bike will be modeled after....