Schwinn Outlaw

GoldenMotor.com

SuperDave

Member
Sep 24, 2011
179
0
16
Panama City Beach, Fl. USA
Greetings mortals.
Please allow me to introduce myself, I'm a man made of mud, spit and paste.
Been around for a handful of years and I'm told I have questionable taste.

I grew up when krate bikes were popular and always dreamed of motorizing one. About three years ago I moved to Panama City Beach, Florida. Scooters, bikes and mopeds are popular here cause its a tourist town, and twice a year they host Thunder Beach Bike Week Rally. I'm tired of just being a witness, I wanna be a participant. So this year, I blew a huge chunk of my tax return on this beat up, hand me down, run over by a car Schwinn beach cruiser.



It was a turd I rescued from a dumpster and recycled into this unholy bastard creation I call the Schwinn Outlaw. When I started this project back in February, friends and family called me mad, crazy, insane. Today they still say those things to me, but they also say I've done a decent job.
laff




I don't think I've ever seen a motorized krate bike before, or even an adult sized krate based on a full sized 26" frame. But I thought it was a cool idea that needed to be done, so I set to do it myself. I've dreamed about this bike ever since I was little, and since so very few of my dreams have ever came true in the 45 years of this sorry excuse called my life, I made a commitment to myself to fulfill it. I'm gonna make this dream come true. Here it is, 7 months in the making, $1400 and counting. I've had to deal with shipping delays, alignment problems, nuts, bolts and parts rattling loose or fall off completely, broken chains, bad carbs, and even had my magneto rust and die due to the salty gulf atmosphere.
:-||

Here's a rundown of what's been done so far. I stripped, sanded and painted the naked disassembled frame and replaced everything except the chain. New crank, chrome web sprocket and pedals, 26" 140 spoke coaster brake rim, high back sissy bar & banana seat, 20" 140 spoke disk brake front rim, 28" triple tree forks, ape hanger handlebars, chrome horn, bullet headlamp, Bell handle grip mirror, extra thick self sealing inner tubes and matching flame tread tires. The motor is a 66cc Grubee GT5 Super Rat from Gasbike.net, painted and detailed with a racing carb & air filter, polished covers and grade 8 Allen bolts. It does 30 with ease, is capable of more, but seeing as its just a Schwinn, that's pushing the limits of its design. There's no suspension, even the seat is unsprung, not to mention it's still breaking in. I want this thing to last for a while. To be honest, I don't WANT to go any faster, I built this thing for looks, not speed. Right now I have a cheap blinky tail light on it now, but I've got an Iron Cross motorcycle tail light and friction drive generator on order from Amazon.com that should be here by next week. About the only thing I can think it needs now are flame decals on the gas tank to match the helmet I wear as a concession to my wife. Maybe an offset intake manifold pipe to clear the seat post as its quite a tight fit for the air cleaner.

Monday I go into town and (try to) get it registered and tagged so the cops will get off my back. I've stamped 49CC and the MFG date from the dogtag onto the motorcase, as well as 6 numbers for a serial#, so wish me luck.
usflg
_____________________________
The More I learn, the more I realize how much I do not know.
 

timboellner

Member
Apr 1, 2009
435
0
16
Towson Maryland
You aren't crazy.......you are just another bike builder determined that no matter what obstacle set before you WILL be overcome until your dream and vision of what you think your bike should be materializes, come heII or high water.
I loved the old krate bikes. You have done well.
Individuality is the name of the game. The bike will be your time machine taking you back to kid-ville. We are all there.
Continue that quest man and have one awesomely fun time doing so.
Welcome to this forum.
TiM
 

GearNut

Active Member
Aug 19, 2009
5,104
11
38
San Diego, Kaliforgnia
Welcome to the forum!
I really like your creation.
I wish you the best of fortune with the DMV. Read up on the Florida registration law threads here on this site.
The powers that be apparently have pretzel logic over there.... :(
 

Saddletramp1200

Custom MB Buiilder
May 7, 2008
1,451
83
48
Houston, Texas
Welcome to THE Forum :) Nice ride! Your one of 33,000 + other crazy members around the world. I prefer Visionary! For me the Orange Krate remains the most beautiful bicycle ever made. I'm 56 and a life long Biker, Builder, Dreamer. Others before us include, The Wright Brothers, Henry Ford, Thomas Edison, Nick Tesla, Harley Earl, Stanley Brothers, Welcome to the family. (c)