My first motorized bicycle (HERE) sadly, was run into a car and totaled out by my significant other's son. R.I.P.
So what to do other than build a new one right? As much as I wanted to build another 29er because the stock gear ratio was something to behold without tweaks....... The Onyx just proved to be too much of a hassle when it came to mounting, and modding just to make it run. So it was only logical to find a different bike to build. Not only that, but finding parts for 29ers is tough, and when you do, it squeezes your wallet.
I happen to be picky about the style of the frame I want to ride. So it was a few weeks of looking and looking, and looking. Countless hours at bike shops, department stores, and searching craigslist, Ebay, etc. Then I found it. Even though I had been to Walmart (3 different locations) several times, I decided to look at their website. That's when I saw it. The beach cruiser that had the right style to fit me. I fell in love with the lines, but for the price I knew it had to be junk.
A quick punch of the credit card, three day wait, and there it was on the porch. Opened the box, and sure enough. A big pile of metal hardly worth recycling. However, the frame was a thing of beauty.
First order of business. Monark Springer fork, then convert the bottom bracket to Euro, and add a decent 3-piece. Throw on some old school Bat wing caged pedals. Keep the bars, just flip them and trim accordingly. Ditch the seat, add a super reinforced layback. Throw on a nana sadle, and sissy bar. Now we're talking! Hit up one of my MTB sponsors for a cool looking front disc............. Wait a second...........
I still need an engine.
I was lucky enough to have a good friend find me one one craigslist. A nice Skyhawk with a CNS carb. That's gone now. Oh, in case anyone is wondering what "CNS" stands for, I did some digging and have the answer. CNS stands for "Can Never Start".
The engine needed a lot of work and tuning, a working carb, etc. Many thanks go out to Donavan321, This guy knows his China girls inside and out. I wouldn't even be idling without his help. Let alone hitting 43mph. Though him and I aren't quite seeing eye to eye at the moment, he's a man of China girl knowledge and know how.
I still have a long way to go on this build. I am only half way there. New exhaust in a few weeks, new paneling being made, upgrading the magneto, etc., etc. I am also (currently) Ratting out a new seat pan nana style, and customizing out my own sissy springs. Also working on rolling a new CDI. I see this as about half way there. When the wallet allows it, I am also fabing a peanut tank to fit the sexy backbone on this frame.
Let me know what you think, as this is only my second motorized bicycle build, but one of hundreds of bicycle builds.
Thanks guys, and thanks Donavan321!
So what to do other than build a new one right? As much as I wanted to build another 29er because the stock gear ratio was something to behold without tweaks....... The Onyx just proved to be too much of a hassle when it came to mounting, and modding just to make it run. So it was only logical to find a different bike to build. Not only that, but finding parts for 29ers is tough, and when you do, it squeezes your wallet.
I happen to be picky about the style of the frame I want to ride. So it was a few weeks of looking and looking, and looking. Countless hours at bike shops, department stores, and searching craigslist, Ebay, etc. Then I found it. Even though I had been to Walmart (3 different locations) several times, I decided to look at their website. That's when I saw it. The beach cruiser that had the right style to fit me. I fell in love with the lines, but for the price I knew it had to be junk.
A quick punch of the credit card, three day wait, and there it was on the porch. Opened the box, and sure enough. A big pile of metal hardly worth recycling. However, the frame was a thing of beauty.
First order of business. Monark Springer fork, then convert the bottom bracket to Euro, and add a decent 3-piece. Throw on some old school Bat wing caged pedals. Keep the bars, just flip them and trim accordingly. Ditch the seat, add a super reinforced layback. Throw on a nana sadle, and sissy bar. Now we're talking! Hit up one of my MTB sponsors for a cool looking front disc............. Wait a second...........
I still need an engine.
I was lucky enough to have a good friend find me one one craigslist. A nice Skyhawk with a CNS carb. That's gone now. Oh, in case anyone is wondering what "CNS" stands for, I did some digging and have the answer. CNS stands for "Can Never Start".
The engine needed a lot of work and tuning, a working carb, etc. Many thanks go out to Donavan321, This guy knows his China girls inside and out. I wouldn't even be idling without his help. Let alone hitting 43mph. Though him and I aren't quite seeing eye to eye at the moment, he's a man of China girl knowledge and know how.
I still have a long way to go on this build. I am only half way there. New exhaust in a few weeks, new paneling being made, upgrading the magneto, etc., etc. I am also (currently) Ratting out a new seat pan nana style, and customizing out my own sissy springs. Also working on rolling a new CDI. I see this as about half way there. When the wallet allows it, I am also fabing a peanut tank to fit the sexy backbone on this frame.
Let me know what you think, as this is only my second motorized bicycle build, but one of hundreds of bicycle builds.
Thanks guys, and thanks Donavan321!
