Building of the Andian

Motorbike Wanabe · #1 02-28-2010, 07:35 AM

Okay, it's not quite finished but, I thought I'd put a few images of my first motor bike up here for you all to see. I call it the Andian, since I would love to have an old Indian motorcycle and, since I built it. It's got a Grubee angle-plug head and started out as a Wal-Mart Cranbrook Fashion Cruiser. You can only order it through their website and it comes with a black frame, handlebars and wheels. But, it has some ugly green fenders. I only wanted the frame and handlebars so, it was a given for me.

Most of the bike came from Wal-Mart or Ebay. I've got a few more things to add to it like a different rear wheel (waiting for Manic's rear hub) and a different seat to match the new saddlebags. It's got a horn, working headlight and taillight and an ignition key that matches the fuel tank cap. Since the tank needed a cap with a key, I bought one with the ignition included. Then I used that to kill the engine. With an extra kill button, I decided to add a horn and use that button to run it. I just hope that it never shorts out! =-)

I've got about 750 miles on the bike and the engine has smoothed out nicely. I'm not sure what the bike weighs but, with all the add ons, it's definitely on the heavy end-- so am I. But, it hauls me around nicely, even up hills. I've got a 36 and 40T sprocket on order from Manic so I'll know which one works best, hopefully soon.

Final touches for the bike are to re-paint the fuel tank to match the fenders and make up a logo for it. I think it will be cool. Let me know what you think so far.

Andy

Motorbike Wanabe · #2 02-28-2010, 07:39 AM

A couple more of the transformation. I have since swapped out the brown saddlebags for black ones that are a little bigger. Again, from Wal-Mart in their motorcycle section by the DOT helmets.

Bikeguy Joe · #3 02-28-2010, 07:42 AM

NICE JOB! Love the tank.

Motorbike Wanabe · #4 02-28-2010, 12:47 PM

Thanks Joe. That was one of those items that I just happened upon on Ebay that really makes the bike (in my opinion). I'm going to coat the inside with Red-Kote to seal it as it's got a small hole somewhere under one of the brackets and weeps just a little. But, for $25, what can you expect? I just used a bolt at the back of the tank and made a front mount out of steel and a U-bolt.

Matheneyr3 · #5 02-28-2010, 08:37 PM

Really like your style- Speedo looks good, Tank looks good... Nice job!!

Allen_Wrench · #6 03-01-2010, 08:26 PM

I love the retro look. That is a cool ride.

Motorbike Wanabe · #7 03-01-2010, 08:40 PM

Thanks guys! I'm glad you like it. I've wanted to build something like this for a few years. I'd check out the cruisers at Wal-mart and keep thinking, "That could be made sooooo cool!" When my mountain bike started falling apart, I decided to bite the bullet and build one. I started thinking about putting a small 2-stroke on it and happened across this website by accident. I noted the kits and realized that they answered many of the questions that I had in my head as to how to make the engine drive the wheel. I was amazed how simple the engineering really was! What it was going to cost me to try and design something to work with another engine would probably cost me more than the kit I bought! I'm glad I found these.

I was out riding again and I spoke to a few more people about buiding a bike, answering questions is part of the fun of riding one of these things. I've already got another theme in mind. A friend is sending an old MIG helmet over to me from Russia. I've been thinking about using a Russian 2-stroke and building a MIG Bike! That might be cool! Lots of ideas there!

bikebum1975 · #8 03-10-2010, 12:43 PM

now that is an AWESOME ride Dude love the retro style man bet you can go some srious distance with that tank.

Motorbike Wanabe · #9 03-10-2010, 12:55 PM

Thanks Bikebum! Yeah, I can run a whole week around the house here with just one tankful. I'm working up to my 850 mile marker for the bike and that's only since Christmas '09!

I'm about done with everything that I want to do with it but I may still sand down the tank and paint it to match the fenders and put on some custom emblems that a friend made up for me, they say "Andian" in an old script writing. It should look pretty cool when finished.

Cowboy Rider · #10 03-21-2010, 10:29 AM

WOW! Some of you folks Really do some great work! This is just one of the awesome rides I've seen this morning while getting re familiar with the forums here.

Unlike you, I can't do any riding in the winter, so I have lost track of the going's on around here. That bike is just too cool.