Good Cruiser Frames for 4 strokes

Alright then, let me tell you about the two cruisers I own and mentioned in your earlier post. These are aluminum framed Ridgedale's, the blue is the "Avico" and the black is a "Northwoods". The blue one I bought over a year ago at Toy-R-Us and paid $119 + California sales tax. The black one I ordered online for $150 and free shipping from A-Bike Store.com.......we also had them a Costco for a similar price. Both bikes have over 3,000 hard miles on them with 2 and 4-stroke motors and not one issue with frame failure whatsoever! Sturdy.....more than. I will build as many bikes as humanly possible on either of these frames and feel as confident as a polar bear in snow.

Just so ya know, I raced Mountain Bikes for over 10yrs. as a Vet Expert. Most of all of my wins were on aluminum framed Mtn. Bikes (Yeti, Mammoth, etc) so believe me when I say I know a little something of aluminum framed bikes. These two bike are as bomb proof as they get....... and they were made in CHINA! Heard enuf?

The older cantilever/straight bar frames work pretty good.


Sam

You bet.....lemme know if you find a nice aluminum stretch, would love to own one

When you posed the question you limited the choices by stating a preference for an aluminum frame and V brake setup. I would guess that most of us running cruisers with four strokes are using steel frames. You've also cut out pretty much anything vintage. So people who might have made suggestions aren't going to waste their time if what they are using and like is not something you're considering.
SB

Hi Jared, the American made Schwinn cantilever frames are sought after but of course are 30-60+ years old. Used bike shops, yard sales, etc.. And yes they work w/ a 4stroke/EZM combo. Excellent gearbox BTW.

I would agree that the old Schwinn cantilever frame is a good choice for a 4 stroke. I did a HS engine Qmatic recently in a 1950 straightbar Schwinn and while it looks perfect, especially with one of sportscarpat's in frame gas tanks, there was barely enough vertical room to make it fit in there (which is one reason it looks good). It required not only an extra wide pedal crank with an extra small chain ring, but I also had to do a bit of bending to the pedal crank. Was it worth it? Oh yes. A better choice in frames is the old cantilever which is also a very strong and well made frame, but it has more room. You will still need the extra wide pedal crank, but no change in sprocket or bending of pedal arms is needed as it plugs right in there and yet fills up the frame nicely. It looks good with the motor and transmission and is a pretty straight forward no hassle build. Over a bazillion of these frames were made, so finding one is not real difficult. Front brakes are more limited. You can go with a springer front fork from Venice Bikes which has a disc brake set up as an option, go with a drum front wheel by Worksman or Husky or as a minimum a caliper brake adapter made by Schwinn back when and still available on ebay. I'm making up a front cantilever V brake setup on my 51 Schwinn cantilever springer forked build in process which is getting the Greyhound motor. I find a coaster brake in back is adequate providing it is a good heavy duty wheel in the first place. I don't race and am interested in a solid and comfortable cruiser with classic styling. If you look on the current thread for the EZM buildoff there are photos there of my Motorbike build along with some others getting the 4 stroke and should give you some ideas of what things look like. Given your preferences, Scotto's suggestions sound like a good fit for you. I know nothing of aluminum framed bikes. Whatever you pick, it's good that you're looking ahead and making a plan.
SB

Most popular is the Schwinn Jaguar..Chinese addition

Motomagz-
Is your green bike frame a Chinese Schwinn Jaguar frame? Could you provide more pics please? It looks awesome. I really like the color; something you don't see every day. Thanks!