48cc Board Track Replica "Piedmont Prowler"

SAABstoryATL · #1 (**permalink**) 10-17-2009, 11:25 PM

Howdy all...
I give you my 95% finished boardtracker. The Piedmont Prowler.

VIDEO: YouTube - Board Track Racer Replica 48cc Motored Bike

...cont

SAABstoryATL · #2 (**permalink**) 10-17-2009, 11:26 PM

Grubee Sky Hawk Gt-2 48cc.
Newer Schwinn frame.
Dual pull brake lever.
Schwalbe Fat Frank 26X2.35 tires
Commuter handlebars flipped upside down.

The tank I built myself in my spare time while taking an intro to welding class. Its TIG welded. Some might not think its too pretty... You can kind of see where the welds get better and more consistent on the tank as I spent more time with the TIG machine. Great fun, I loved making it. I used the original tank for the filler neck and petcock. Made a rough carboard template, dug up scrap for the steel. Oxy'd out the shapes, ground them till they all kind of fit together. TIG'd it all together. Looking back It would have been easy to use a mig machine to tack it togthether, then use TIG to finish. ...Next time.

I love the feel of it set up as a board tracker. I rode about 200miles with it set up as a klunker. It feels a ton faster in the board track position.

Ive got a springer fork on the way. After that I just need to work out the seat. Id love to find an old brooks or old leather seat similar. Anyone have any references? Then I have to work out how to set it back over the rear wheel and keep the rear brakes at the same time. Untill then, irs great as it is.

Thanks for looking!

bairdco · #3 (**permalink**) 10-18-2009, 02:05 AM

i've been stalking ebay for a brooks saddle. everyone i've wanted has gone for 60 bucks or more. i was willing to pay 40, and figured i'd never get one. wasn't trying to be cheap, i know how much those seats are worth, i just can't justify paying that much for a seat.

soooo, yesterday, i scored one for $1.25.

seriously. ONE DOLLAR AND TWENTY FIVE CENTS!

it's a vintage B66, brown leather saddle.

shipping's 20 bucks, but overall, i think i made the score of a lifetime. i'd hate to be the previous owner of that thing, and have to give it away like that.

but keep looking, there's deals out there.

oh, and nice bike, too.

Venice Motor Bikes · #4 (**permalink**) 10-18-2009, 10:29 AM

I love it!! I'm really getting into the 'rat rod' style these days.
The tire choice is perfect.
Most people don't realize how important the right tires are to making a bike look cool!!

Dan · #5 (**permalink**) 10-18-2009, 02:07 PM

SUWEEET RIDE! Purty work Saab

skjjoe · #6 (**permalink**) 10-18-2009, 07:36 PM

what frame is that?

SAABstoryATL · #7 (**permalink**) 10-19-2009, 06:18 PM

Im not sure what model schwinn it is. But its got a 1" head tube, and a derailure mount. Vertical drop outs.

As for an update, I found a brooks saddle from the 60s, Its it pretty bad shape. Im gonna see If I can bring it back to life...

In the mean time, here is a 5 minute video I made of me riding my neighborhood. Came up with some creative camera angles. Camera is a GoPro Hero 5 WIDE.
YouTube - Board Track Racer Replica 48cc Motored Bike

Take'r easy.

Dan · #8 (**permalink**) 10-19-2009, 07:04 PM

Lookin' sharp Saab

professor · #9 (**permalink**) 10-19-2009, 08:38 PM

Superb pics! I was watching your video and noticed a full face helmet on your head- Good! Good example!
I really like your bike. Nice job.

Venice Motor Bikes · #10 (**permalink**) 10-19-2009, 09:01 PM

I was just looking at the pics more closely... It looks like you put one of the rag joints on the outside of the sprocket instead of between the sprocket & spokes?
Is that what I'm seeing??? if so... why?