The Partridge

[JoKeR63]

One thing I neglected to mention in my intro is my love for British 3spd cyclery. Sadly they mostly build diamond frame bikes, making them somewhat less desirable in the ratrod community. So then my neighbor gives me a western flyer frame that is what I like to call a “reverse cantilever”. The seat stays go straight to the head tube and the top tube curves down to the bottom tube.
I was going to install my usual complement of high handlebars, big seat, fenders and guards, but that has been done to death by myself and others.
I went thru a box of parts and found a set of drop bars, so I jammed them in the mock up and knew I was on the right track. It’s gonna’ get bobbed fenders and not much more than what you see.
British frames are notoriously lite and this one’s no exception. So turning it into a racer just fits, and elevates it to ratrod status.
Paint may be green or a dark grey, haven’t decided yet.
This entry is a little late, but since it’s just an assembly job I’m sure I can get it done in time.
Stay tuned…………………………….

PS, if you guess where I got the name, you could win fabulous prizes!

 

[sensor]

cool looking frame! im guessing cuz it slightly resembles the partridges on the beginning of the partridge family???
glad to have you in on this too :mrgreen:

 

[BLASTER]

C'mon get happEEEEEEEEEE!!!!

Neat frame!

 

[user 135]

If memory serves me, that is a British made frame. Western Flyer imported some for a brief period. I had the more info on them once but has since lost it.

The frame looks alot like the Raliegh Lancer
http://www.flickr.com/photos/msubikepro ... 130581899/

 

[Gold Street Customs]

So is it going with the bus paint scheme...I dare ya...I double dog dare ya !!! :lol:

 

[JoKeR63]

cool looking frame! im guessing cuz it slightly resembles the partridges on the beginning of the partridge family???
glad to have you in on this too :mrgreen:

We have a winner!!!!!!!

Tell'em what he's won, Don............................................

 

[JoKeR63]

So is it going with the bus paint scheme...I dare ya...I double dog dare ya !!! :lol:

Well,........... Maybe in it's next life!
I just wonder if people would get it? :?

I'm sure I'm not going to keep it like this, and some sort of hippy-ish theme might be fun later on. :lol:

 

[JoKeR63]

If memory serves me, that is a British made frame. Western Flyer imported some for a brief period. I had the more info on them once but has since lost it.

The frame looks alot like the Raliegh Lancer
http://www.flickr.com/photos/msubikepro ... 130581899/

Yes, it looks like the seat stays and the top tube are reversed on the Lancer with everything else being equal.
Also the frame is very British and they're easy to I.D.

Take headtube and BB apart, if bearings scurry everywhere, You've got one!
I also have a Western Flyer womens 3 spd that I converted to recumbent, that frame had " Made in England" plastered all over it. Hub dates it at a 1960.

 

[psko]

So is it going with the bus paint scheme...I dare ya...I double dog dare ya !!! :lol:

Agreed. That zany Mondrian paint job has always been a favorite of mine.

Are you also going to do the "Nervous Mother" sign too?

I dig that frame!

 

[JoKeR63]

So is it going with the bus paint scheme...I dare ya...I double dog dare ya !!! :lol:

Agreed. That zany Mondrian paint job has always been a favorite of mine.


Are you also going to do the "Nervous Mother" sign too?

I dig that frame!

Mondrian, I knew there was a name for that art style. Well, I'm commited to color now I.E., I bought the paint and I am still stuck with the image in my head.
It's still very temping to do in the future, I'd forgotten that sign, the precurser to the ever famous " Baby on Board". :lol:

Got the frame chemically stripped and a few parts cleaned up, I'll be sanding tommorow. Thurs. is supposed to be a good painting day, can't wait.

note the large hole, probably for a normal headtube.

This thing had four different paint jobs. Black, red, yellow, and black again.

 

[blsm]

Hopefully this Partridge doesn't end up punching out a transvestite.

 

[JoKeR63]

Got the frame sanded today, definetly shows the flaws.

 

[37fleetwood]

I like how the lugs almost look like pipe fittings! very cool! have you looked at the other frame that looks just about this one in the build?
Scott 8)

 

[JoKeR63]

It's in paint!

Got the base charcoal grey metallic done. I just lightly sanded the forks, it's base silver was in good shape.
Lugs are going to be """"Chevy engine red""""", AKA orange. But it's a real dirty orange, perfect for stuff that your trying to make look old.
Gona' do it with a brush, i'll try to give it some character. :wink:

Camera does not do it justice.
Sorry about the rotation, but it gave it a certain Batman-esk quality

 

[JoKeR63]

I like how the lugs almost look like pipe fittings! very cool! have you looked at the other frame that looks just about this one in the build?
Scott 8)

Nope, but you've peaked my interest. Whats the thread title?

That near 90 deg. joint does have a certain T fitting look.

 

[JoKeR63]

OK, got some more painting and cleaning done, and finally started some assembly!
It's been a few decades since I've done handlebar tape, got the old school Italian cloth stuff.
I desided to leave the seat as is, It's the exact same model that my first ten speed had.

Finally, some brazing

I've had these tires for 2 years, now they have a home. It'll be interesting to see if they're still good.

 

[sensor]

looking good!(be warned flyingdingo might want that union jack!)

 

[JoKeR63]

One cool thing about British pedals is that they're rebuildable!
From this pile of parts;

To this!

Got it to the "wheels on" stage today. I started to put on the brakes, but my rear caliper was too long. With my blue Stingray it's the other way around!
Thankfully I have an overabundance of shorties. 8) So it looks like alloy brakes for both ends.

This pic really brings out the relaxed frame angles, they did this at the turn of the last century.

 

[JoKeR63]

Minor error today, when I installed the front fender it didn't match the radius of the tire, ugh.
So I stripped it again, heated up the bracket and pulled it out some.
I'll repaint it tommorow. Here's the better matched fender.

The original goal for the day was fully installed brakes, only managed to get them polished and assembled.

Here's a before and after on the same arm.

 

[JoKeR63]

Tragedy has struck once again. Got all the cabling done, brakes and shifting are all good.
But the first ride was very harrowing as all of the headset is a mismatch. It would barely turn!
Going straight wasn’t any good either.
I really like building the bike first with no paint whatsoever, that way, when stuff screws up like this there’s no paint to destroy.
I guess this is the price you pay for going fast.

Bummer.........................................................................................