younggun85
New Member
The one on the left the bolt/shaft coming out where the crankshaft is. I need to remove it and put the pulley on from the engine on the right
new guy with a wse on a phantom
- Thread starter younggun85
- Start date
rickenbiker
New Member
Here's one I'm finishing up on a '49 Phantom frame. 2012 motor. I handmade the gas tank, because I think those peanut tanks sitting up high look terrible and cheezy.
The Schwinn frame has specially-fabricated, CNC plasma-cut mounts that I TIGged to the Schwinn frame. There's a damascened aluminum panel that holds the electronics. Track bars, twin spring front end, drum brake on front, original '40s flex exhaust. The headlight and taillight are being replaced, so 2 weeks from now it'll look a bit different.
I've just finished reducing the wiring harness to basic magneto and ignition and will be soldering and looming it fairly soon. The lighting will run from a vintage sidewall generator...still have to get out the striping brush, too. I had hoped to have it on the road this summer, but too many projects ;-/
The Schwinn frame has specially-fabricated, CNC plasma-cut mounts that I TIGged to the Schwinn frame. There's a damascened aluminum panel that holds the electronics. Track bars, twin spring front end, drum brake on front, original '40s flex exhaust. The headlight and taillight are being replaced, so 2 weeks from now it'll look a bit different.
I've just finished reducing the wiring harness to basic magneto and ignition and will be soldering and looming it fairly soon. The lighting will run from a vintage sidewall generator...still have to get out the striping brush, too. I had hoped to have it on the road this summer, but too many projects ;-/
silverbear
The Boy Who Never Grew Up
Rickenbiker,
Nice looking build and I agree that your in frame gas tank is much better looking than the peanut type of tank.
I have a question for anyone. When you say "Phantom" frame are you using one that was originally sold as a Phantom or is the term used more loosely to describe a vintage Schwinn cantilever frame as used on the Phantom, Wasp, Hornet, etc.? I know that those of us calling our straight bar framed Schwinns "Panthers" are using the term for any straight bar framed Schwinn. I'm guessing the same is true of the Phantom. Phantom is a lot more sexy than Wasp, for sure.
SB
Nice looking build and I agree that your in frame gas tank is much better looking than the peanut type of tank.
I have a question for anyone. When you say "Phantom" frame are you using one that was originally sold as a Phantom or is the term used more loosely to describe a vintage Schwinn cantilever frame as used on the Phantom, Wasp, Hornet, etc.? I know that those of us calling our straight bar framed Schwinns "Panthers" are using the term for any straight bar framed Schwinn. I'm guessing the same is true of the Phantom. Phantom is a lot more sexy than Wasp, for sure.
SB
rickenbiker
New Member
I think it's just a generic term for cantilever, unless the paint colors and scheme would indicate a Phantom origin?
My frame was already bead blasted when I bought it, so it could theoretically be any cantilever frame. I don't think it's a matter of "sexy", but rather one of recognition. Practically everybody who is into these bikes has either owned one (or a hundred...) Phantoms, or knows somebody who has, whereas Wasps are lesser known.
silverbear
The Boy Who Never Grew Up
No doubt you are right that the term is used in a kind of generic way for all the vintage cantilever framed Schwinns and it is certainly a well recognized name. On the other hand if you were to sit an original wasp or hornet next to a top end with all the doo dahs Phantom ... yeah, it is a looker all right. Kinda sexy as bicycles go. Woohoo!
SB
SB
rickenbiker
New Member
Oh, yeah, absolutely! I've got 2 Green Phantoms...one a 100% original and very characterful '53 that's my restoration reference for my other, also a green '53, that's getting a ground-up, show restoration in my shop.
I also have a single speed '61 Corvette in Iridescent Green that's getting the works, too. It had a stock front rack, and instead of the tailfin type rear rack, had been fitted by the dealer with a front rack modified to bolt to the seat tube. Quite a professional job, and to my eye it looks a good deal sportier than the longish stock rear rack with all those reflectors!
I've got a real soft spot, however, for the wonderful B6s, which came in a much wider variety of two-tones than the Phantoms. I actually prefer painted fenders to the shiny stainless ones.
I grew up on a block in Chicago not far from the Schwinn plant, in the heyday of the Phantoms, and two of my best friends had new Black Phantoms that weighed at least 20 pounds more than they did!
OTOH, I had a new Monark Lancer (24" balloon) that was closer to an appropriate size for a 7-year-old. It was a beauty with all the bells and whistles and a Peach and Cream color scheme with deep green hand striping.
silverbear
The Boy Who Never Grew Up
Monark was the other Cadillac bike as I understand it. My friend fasteddy restored a Monark Super Deluxe with the railroad train front light. Cool bike. Lucky you growing up near the Schwinn plant in Chicago.
"It had a stock front rack, and instead of the tailfin type rear rack, had been fitted by the dealer with a front rack modified to bolt to the seat tube. Quite a professional job, and to my eye it looks a good deal sportier than the longish stock rear rack with all those reflectors!"
I found this very interesting as I have used that front rack in modified form as a rear rack for several builds. I always thought it looked strange up front, but very sharp in back. And here I thought I was being innovative. I'd be interested to see what the dealer did to mount it. I used the seat post along with a couple of large fender type washers and small clamps to affix it at the height I wanted. It is a very well made, strong rack. Schwinn did not skimp.
By the way, I see you are pretty new to the forum and want to welcome you here. It is a good place with a lot of fine members.
SB
"It had a stock front rack, and instead of the tailfin type rear rack, had been fitted by the dealer with a front rack modified to bolt to the seat tube. Quite a professional job, and to my eye it looks a good deal sportier than the longish stock rear rack with all those reflectors!"
I found this very interesting as I have used that front rack in modified form as a rear rack for several builds. I always thought it looked strange up front, but very sharp in back. And here I thought I was being innovative. I'd be interested to see what the dealer did to mount it. I used the seat post along with a couple of large fender type washers and small clamps to affix it at the height I wanted. It is a very well made, strong rack. Schwinn did not skimp.
By the way, I see you are pretty new to the forum and want to welcome you here. It is a good place with a lot of fine members.
SB
rickenbiker
New Member
SB:
Thanks for the welcome!
Here's a photoshopped close-up of my Green Phantom's headlight, showing what is probably the only non-original screw on the whole bike.
I rode it today, and it is a Cadillac despite its run-down condition. It's 100% complete, a barn find and very sound. I forgot how wonderfully these ride compared to my stable of Italian steel lightweights. Whatta smooth experience...
I'll take some photos of that rack adaptation so you can see how the bike shop did it. It gives the Corvette a whole different identity!
Thanks for the welcome!
Here's a photoshopped close-up of my Green Phantom's headlight, showing what is probably the only non-original screw on the whole bike.
I rode it today, and it is a Cadillac despite its run-down condition. It's 100% complete, a barn find and very sound. I forgot how wonderfully these ride compared to my stable of Italian steel lightweights. Whatta smooth experience...
I'll take some photos of that rack adaptation so you can see how the bike shop did it. It gives the Corvette a whole different identity!
silverbear
The Boy Who Never Grew Up
Beautiful bikes!
SB
SB
younggun85
New Member
Mine is a Black Phantom frame spray bombed red. I usually use the term Canti-frame when unsure of the model. Once I have determined what model it will be I use that term. To say it is a phantom frame usually means it has the lock tab in the head tube as this was standard on Phantoms. If it is a 48 or older frame with a lock tab I would say it is an Autocycle frame. Same thing with the panther and other straight bars, lock tab makes it a Panther otherwise Straightbar frame, unless it is has the bolt on kickstand then it is a straightbar spitfire.
The exception would be the 58 canti frame with the lock tab which I have decided to turn into a streamliner, because I have an original '58 starlet in opelescent blue and the streamliner was the only bicycle offered at the time with a canti-frame and Delta Rocket Ray in opelescent blue so it will be a Streamliner with a locking frok upgrade.
I may be turning the '52 Black Phantom frame into something else though, because I don't like the fit of the deluxe guard on the whizzer motors and will be going with the non-model feather guard. Likely it will look more like black and red B6 rather than a Phantom.
I agree with the thoughts about the peanut tank, I have been trying to come up with ways to put a gas tank inside of a horn tank and making some type of clamp and hinge system to open the one side and reveal a filler hole. I would still have a horn button in the tank and have an externall horn mounted on the front fender.
The exception would be the 58 canti frame with the lock tab which I have decided to turn into a streamliner, because I have an original '58 starlet in opelescent blue and the streamliner was the only bicycle offered at the time with a canti-frame and Delta Rocket Ray in opelescent blue so it will be a Streamliner with a locking frok upgrade.
I may be turning the '52 Black Phantom frame into something else though, because I don't like the fit of the deluxe guard on the whizzer motors and will be going with the non-model feather guard. Likely it will look more like black and red B6 rather than a Phantom.
I agree with the thoughts about the peanut tank, I have been trying to come up with ways to put a gas tank inside of a horn tank and making some type of clamp and hinge system to open the one side and reveal a filler hole. I would still have a horn button in the tank and have an externall horn mounted on the front fender.
rickenbiker
New Member
The lock tab is not a foolproof way to tell a Phantom from "lesser" Schwinn frames. Although the presence of a tab is a sure indicator of a factory Phantom frame, the absence of a lock tab does not preclude it being a Phantom.
My Green Phantom was built by Schwinn for BF Goodrich and sold through their tire stores. It has neither lock nor tab.
The main issue with putting a gas tank in the horn tank's space in a cantilever frame is volume. The sculpted tank that I designed and fabricated is a full 2 1/2" wider than a stock frame horn tank, yet I am doubtful that it has the same capacity as even a tacky peanut tank. To use a stock horn tank as the outer shell, keep the horn button and still have decent fuel capacity is a big order...
My Green Phantom was built by Schwinn for BF Goodrich and sold through their tire stores. It has neither lock nor tab.
The main issue with putting a gas tank in the horn tank's space in a cantilever frame is volume. The sculpted tank that I designed and fabricated is a full 2 1/2" wider than a stock frame horn tank, yet I am doubtful that it has the same capacity as even a tacky peanut tank. To use a stock horn tank as the outer shell, keep the horn button and still have decent fuel capacity is a big order...
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The lock tab is not a foolproof way to tell a Phantom from "lesser" Schwinn frames. Although the presence of a tab is a sure indicator of a factory Phantom frame, the absence of a lock tab does not preclude it being a Phantom.
My Green Phantom was built by Schwinn for BF Goodrich and sold through their tire stores. It has neither lock nor tab.
The main issue with putting a gas tank in the horn tank's space in a cantilever frame is volume. The sculpted tank that I designed and fabricated is a full 2 1/2" wider than a stock frame horn tank, yet I am doubtful that it has the same capacity as even a tacky peanut tank. To use a stock horn tank as the outer shell, keep the horn button and still have decent fuel capacity is a big order...
That is very nice! keep posting!
Thanks, Ray
younggun85
New Member
I agree the lock tab is not a fullproof way to determine a phantom, but when describing a stripped frame "I" use the "Phantom" name to describe it being a '49-'59 canti frame with lock tab and built on kickstand. I am just saying I don't throw the term phantom around much when talking to others collectors.
As far as the gas tank built into the horn tank I figure I could have it hold between 1/2 and 3/4 a gallon and if I am getting around 100 mpg's That's a good 50-75 mile ride which if topped out at 30mph is nearly a 2-3 hour ride before filling up. For me that's about all the time I would get. Once the kids are older and I can get more time to ride I might look into a better option or just add a T and a rear tank for longer rides.
Then again I will probably just use the peanut tank for now and look into upgrades once I've got it going. Right now all I have is the kit a Phantom frame crank and chainring, bars and stem, and a locking fork. I will still need to get a good set of wheel together before I can put it together and I can't do that until I get the wheels together on the Pea and the streamliner. Then I want to get the Starlet back together so my wife and I can ride together on the vintage ride in September. The whizzer will likely end up being a winter project.
As far as the gas tank built into the horn tank I figure I could have it hold between 1/2 and 3/4 a gallon and if I am getting around 100 mpg's That's a good 50-75 mile ride which if topped out at 30mph is nearly a 2-3 hour ride before filling up. For me that's about all the time I would get. Once the kids are older and I can get more time to ride I might look into a better option or just add a T and a rear tank for longer rides.
Then again I will probably just use the peanut tank for now and look into upgrades once I've got it going. Right now all I have is the kit a Phantom frame crank and chainring, bars and stem, and a locking fork. I will still need to get a good set of wheel together before I can put it together and I can't do that until I get the wheels together on the Pea and the streamliner. Then I want to get the Starlet back together so my wife and I can ride together on the vintage ride in September. The whizzer will likely end up being a winter project.
rickenbiker
New Member
Gun, I haven't put gas into mine yet, but if your figuring is correct, I'm as happy as you. Maybe I'll get 30 miles out of mine...I live in a small town, so that's plenty to get me to my shop and back!
Just installed the 1945 generator set that I got on Ebay, NOS, still in original boxes. I think it's got the look I was hankerin' after.
As soon as I'm done wiring and cabling (yeah, I know I've got the front wheel flipped... figgered that out when I was cabling the drum brake!); I'm waiting for the clutch cable, as the Whizzer one is too short for my bars), off come the parts that haven't been powder-coated yet, and off they go for more gloss black...
You can see the damascened electrical panel with the kill/ignition switch in these shots. I'd say it's 95% finished at this stage.
My sincerest apologies to newguy for hijacking his thread...I promise to be good from now on...
Just installed the 1945 generator set that I got on Ebay, NOS, still in original boxes. I think it's got the look I was hankerin' after.
As soon as I'm done wiring and cabling (yeah, I know I've got the front wheel flipped... figgered that out when I was cabling the drum brake!); I'm waiting for the clutch cable, as the Whizzer one is too short for my bars), off come the parts that haven't been powder-coated yet, and off they go for more gloss black...
You can see the damascened electrical panel with the kill/ignition switch in these shots. I'd say it's 95% finished at this stage.
My sincerest apologies to newguy for hijacking his thread...I promise to be good from now on...
rickenbiker
New Member
More later...
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younggun85
New Member
No problem rickenbiker, just some inspirational photos. I really like the light set, the glass on that head light is something completely different from what I've seen before. Like an eyebrow. Do you know who it is made by?
I was planning on going with a fenderlight an removing the d-cell and replacing it with a high power LED or projector light from a car, but I am worried about it not aiming where I want it to.
I like the elctric panel too, I a thinking of something similar, but more like a box between the seat post and rear fender.
What kind of drum brake are you using? Could you add a clos-up of that?
Are you planning on putting a badge or chain guard on the bike?
I was planning on going with a fenderlight an removing the d-cell and replacing it with a high power LED or projector light from a car, but I am worried about it not aiming where I want it to.
I like the elctric panel too, I a thinking of something similar, but more like a box between the seat post and rear fender.
What kind of drum brake are you using? Could you add a clos-up of that?
Are you planning on putting a badge or chain guard on the bike?
