Ok, so I'm jumping in late. Not only that, but I don't even have the bike in my possession yet... it was a Craigslist deal that I am planning on picking up when I go visit family for the holidays. It just might work, though, since it's really going to be just some mild parts swapping. And I wanted to get a thread started to keep myself motivated.
Backstory: I started riding with a local group a couple years ago. Several of the guys have vintage Fastbacks, and there's an old Manta in the mix too. I tried them and like the way they ride with the narrow tires, and I would LOVE to get myself a Fastback or Manta, but as they go for huge $$$ I have had to content myself with 26" Collegiates, which are much more affordable. But I've been on the lookout for a 24" Speedster to convert into a low-budget Manta, and I found one on Craigslist a few states away where my parents live. So I struck a deal with the seller this week and he was kind enough to agree to hold it for me till I get out that way for Thanksgiving. I don't want to jinx myself and post the Craigslist pics before I even have the bike, so for now I'm just starting with some parts I am rounding up:
I picked up this ratty 24" Collegiate a while back because it had a decent set of 24" S-5/S-6s and plenty of other parts to donate to other projects. Now it will be giving up its chain guard (if I can get it straight enough to use) and probably the crank and Mag sprocket too.
Then this just showed up on the front porch today. I BIN'd it off eBay on Thursday, I am amazed that it got here so fast.
That's all for now, can't wait till I have more to post...
Backstory: I started riding with a local group a couple years ago. Several of the guys have vintage Fastbacks, and there's an old Manta in the mix too. I tried them and like the way they ride with the narrow tires, and I would LOVE to get myself a Fastback or Manta, but as they go for huge $$$ I have had to content myself with 26" Collegiates, which are much more affordable. But I've been on the lookout for a 24" Speedster to convert into a low-budget Manta, and I found one on Craigslist a few states away where my parents live. So I struck a deal with the seller this week and he was kind enough to agree to hold it for me till I get out that way for Thanksgiving. I don't want to jinx myself and post the Craigslist pics before I even have the bike, so for now I'm just starting with some parts I am rounding up:
I picked up this ratty 24" Collegiate a while back because it had a decent set of 24" S-5/S-6s and plenty of other parts to donate to other projects. Now it will be giving up its chain guard (if I can get it straight enough to use) and probably the crank and Mag sprocket too.
Then this just showed up on the front porch today. I BIN'd it off eBay on Thursday, I am amazed that it got here so fast.
That's all for now, can't wait till I have more to post...