(WBO) "Slightly Dangerous" Bomber - Finished! 3/16

[horsefarmer]

Before I change anything I am going to loosen the chain. After I greased the coaster I spun it by hand, at that time I noticed the drive sprocket has some play - Maybe the tight chain may be binding the coaster slightly. Weather not good for test drive however.

 

[horsefarmer]

Compared rolling resistance with little kids 16" bike with same Chinese hub. rolled just as free, so led to me to research gearing.
Thus:
was stock
44tooth/20tooth=2.44 wheel revs per crank rev x 26"=63.44 gear inches
now is
32tooth/20tooth=1.6 wheel revs per crank rev x 26"=41.6 gear inches.
I robbed the 32 tooth front sprocket from the kids bike! LOL

 

[GuitarlCarl]

B-24 build... love the concept!!

Once you get that drivetrain sorted out, any styling cues to point it towards the B-24 bomber, or is it the name only that you're using?
Looking good, keep it coming...

Carl.

 

[Yooperman]

Me and Yoopergirl was wondering why city slicks and BMX chain gear? Come north and we can find your a slick hill to test that gearing! Can wait for pictures.


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[horsefarmer]

Once you get that drivetrain sorted out, any styling cues to point it towards the B-24 bomber, or is it the name only that you're using?
Looking good, keep it coming...

Carl.

Pondering addition of some aluminum panel. and some graphics.
The build is seeming to be taking on a life of its own however...
So really unknown at this time.

 

[horsefarmer]

Me and Yoopergirl was wondering why city slicks and BMX chain gear? Come north and we can find your a slick hill to test that gearing! Can wait for pictures.


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I do have knobbies in my possession.

 

[horsefarmer]

UPDATE - 1/29 Got front v brake operational and chain shortened to go with 16" Huffy kids bike front sprocket. Kinda crappy grey day and pics are dark even with flash! Took test drive to Post office and bike just powered along thru snow and against pretty good headwind. Have to raise seat a bit yet.

Here is pic of "new" sprocket and used alum GT pedals...

 

[LukeTheJoker]

Looks good!

Luke.

 

[horsefarmer]

Looks good!

Luke.

Thanks! I cant believe how dark and gloomy it was yesterday, Took pics shortly before noon, used the camera flash and brightened them up a bit on the computer and they still look like night shots! Ugh, hurry Spring.

 

[horsefarmer]

Also seems like bike is more "hybrid" than "bomber" now (maybe its the tires) may change that. In case anyone noticed the front brake lever is on wrong (Right hand) side cause the hex screw is stripped out on that one and I had to leave it on there anyway!

Then again others (Alan Bond built - orange 1938) have done this before!
http://clunkers.net/orange1938/orange1938.html
Brake works great tho!

 

[horsefarmer]

UPDATE - 2/3

Swapped out directional tires for knobbies. 26X1.95 front and 26X2.125 rear. Rear is one of those "folding" type tires without a wire bead, kinda skeptical how it would work on the funky Chinese rim that caused me trouble keeping the previous tire seated but seems good so far.

Knobbies much softer compound then previous tires and seem sticky even on hard packed snow - though don't think I'd be a winter biker at 16 deg I get pretty sick of it quickly.With the low gearing it will be awesome in summer on dirt tho.

 

[LukeTheJoker]

Looking good!
The angles on the front end with that longer fork look different, how does it ride?

Luke.

 

[horsefarmer]

Thanks Luke, I've had limited opportunity to ride it so far, but it is comfortable on short jaunts down the road and riding around the yard. Looking forward to little warmer weather here for extended ride. I assume fork compresses some with me in saddle, so maybe a little less rake when riding than setting parked.

 

[Yooperman]

Goods great ... Do you have snow pants for this weekend!


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[Bicycle808]

Also seems like bike is more "hybrid" than "bomber" now (maybe its the tires) may change that. In case anyone noticed the front brake lever is on wrong (Right hand) side cause the hex screw is stripped out on that one and I had to leave it on there anyway!

Don't worry; it ain't a hybrid without derailers.... of course, it ain't a bomber with a handbrake, neither.... You're building yourself a plain-n-simple klunker right here...

As for the right lever for the front brake: that's called "moto" style by some folks, and that's how they run'm in the UK.... I got a few bikes set up moto; i like it!

 

[horsefarmer]

Great! I'm experimenting with saddles now, found a Specialized one that can slide back on the rails more.

 

[horsefarmer]

No pics yet but trying to fit a rack to the back - kinda a trail bike look. Plus I like the utility.

 

[Joe Conde]

Looking good, looks like a fun ride!

 

[Funkme]

Hopefully not a face plant! What's the weather like in Greece? In Wisconsin it's like -15 f or -26 c.....

Not that cold here,but we do get snow from time to time.We get wind,and mostly rain,but also Tee days in winter.

 

[horsefarmer]

Added an old spring type rear rack, and a used Specialized mattress spring seat. My brother used a Cricut machine to cut lettering for the top tube and skull and cross bones for a head badge.

Very happy how it came together and it rides great!

We have had 3 or 4 very nice days and I have put about 10 mi of road riding on it and a little offroad too, so far and it does pretty well.