I pulled this carcass off a junk truck passing by the neighborhood. Thought at first to make a tiki inspired beach cruiser with a banana seat and sissy bar with tiki torches. Blue frame with copper wheels. Well the colors are staying close but the bike is now going to be a board track inspired design low slung and bobbed. I look forward to your comments. Any seat ideas?
March 15, 2011 – Next up, new tires and tubes, sculpt the seat and bend the seat stem to bring the seat back and down. Then off for a quick ride before teardown and paint.
April 12, 2011 – Got al the parts cleaned up, started painting. YAY! now to be patient and let the paint cure before assembly. Anybody interested in purchasing this bike? I am building it to raise funds for the next build – A Trike with 4.5hp lawnmower engine.
April 15, 2011 – Begin assembly. Painting rims and cable sleeves.
April 25, 2011 – Realized that the painting experiment of creating a candy with rattle cans proved unworthy. The blue paint chipped off the silver chrome paint with every little nick. Within 2 hours I had the frame stripped of parts and paint. Modified the seat post to bring the seat down and back for a low-slung racer design. Next to weld it in place. Realizing the limited adjustment by welding the post in place, but this bike is meant as a tribute to board track racers of the day.
My friend Gary (which reminds me to call him) helped with the welding of the bracket. Finished the frame clean-up. Sprayed on a coat or two of primer, then hit it with Rust-o-leum Metallic Blue and a couple of coats of matt clear.
A careful final assembly and I was able to take the cruiser out for a ride.
I made this bike to sell, but, DAMN! I have a great time riding it.
Everyone who see’s it says it doesn’t look very comfortable. I reply it aint! This bike wasn’t meant to be comfortable, if so, I would have stuck with the tiki inspired beach cruiser. It’s a racer, however for a 6’1″ man, my knees come up to my chest when I ride it. A great work out. I didn’t realize I had muscles on the sides of my thighs.
Thanks for all the feedback on the bike. Looking forward to taking it to the LB Cycle Swap Meet next month.
Update: June 26, 2011: Sold the Makaha Cruiser at the World Famous Long Beach Cycle Show and Swap to George for his son Bijan from Long Beach. Enjoy the ride!