Hey guys, I've been posting my stuff on Rat Rod Bikes but the motorized section is pretty dead there so I decided to move / double post here. If you want the full thing so far, do go to the original post here, http://www.ratrodbikes.com/forum/index.php?threads/ryos-budget-rat-hot-rod-bike-build-temporarily-revived.90331/
But I'll wrap it around post most of it so far.
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I started thinking about building a motorized bicycle around summer of 2014, but with some concern for State laws and safety, I decided I'll save it for later. But the "itch" to build something came back and I bought a bike to start with back in February.
B]The bike:[/B] 1990's Trek cruiser with straight downtube. It should be a Pre-Electra cruiser. Chime in if you have more info about it...
Original plan was to get a huffy cranbook. But after hearing nightmares about welds coming apart, I decided to get something a little more... proven... Came across the bike for $50 on craigslist.
Because I wanted the overall stance of the bike to be low, I went ahead and bought this cheap bent springer fork... BUT LET ME TELL YOU THIS RIGHT NOW. NEVER. EVER. BUY this dang fork because it is absolutely dangerous. Not only is it wobbly from the thin tubing that's pressed half way, the bend COMPLETELY throws off the rake angle, gives it negative trail and makes it UN-RIDEABLE!!!! I will explain in depth later in the thread.
Now it would be cool if someone put pneumatic actuators or air suspension on the fork and make some sort of functional lowrider bike.
Also, the head tube on the bike was too long for the fork, so I had to do some fiddling around.
Mock up of the parts before figuring out how to mount any of it.
I liked the look of it here. I really did. But the fork, GAH, it's unrideable.
But I'll wrap it around post most of it so far.
- - - - -
I started thinking about building a motorized bicycle around summer of 2014, but with some concern for State laws and safety, I decided I'll save it for later. But the "itch" to build something came back and I bought a bike to start with back in February.
B]The bike:[/B] 1990's Trek cruiser with straight downtube. It should be a Pre-Electra cruiser. Chime in if you have more info about it...
Original plan was to get a huffy cranbook. But after hearing nightmares about welds coming apart, I decided to get something a little more... proven... Came across the bike for $50 on craigslist.
Because I wanted the overall stance of the bike to be low, I went ahead and bought this cheap bent springer fork... BUT LET ME TELL YOU THIS RIGHT NOW. NEVER. EVER. BUY this dang fork because it is absolutely dangerous. Not only is it wobbly from the thin tubing that's pressed half way, the bend COMPLETELY throws off the rake angle, gives it negative trail and makes it UN-RIDEABLE!!!! I will explain in depth later in the thread.
Now it would be cool if someone put pneumatic actuators or air suspension on the fork and make some sort of functional lowrider bike.
Also, the head tube on the bike was too long for the fork, so I had to do some fiddling around.
Mock up of the parts before figuring out how to mount any of it.
I liked the look of it here. I really did. But the fork, GAH, it's unrideable.