World’s fastest Schwinn cruiser

Tony I always underestimate the completion time frame of the final few details. If only I had a dollar for each time I thought I'd be finished with a project in the next few days, well I'd like to spend those dollars!

I've resisted the use of bondo on moto bikes, because I don't really like working with the stuff or glass either. Probably due to excessive exposure while building motorcycles and automotive projects. My sidecar build is probably on hold because of my reluctance to work with glass and resin. Just my Old guy thing, and there's a lot more to that than just bodywork prejudice.

Rick C.

Tony the wheels look super, great job. I don't lace anymore got old art in my hands and so I hire it done.

Weight is a pet peeve with me that comes from my pedal cycle background. The bike marketing industry has spent untold millions on selling "lightweight" at high prices and touted each ounce of savings as a breakthrough improvement in the industry while exponentially increasing the price of each "so called" improvement. Real improvements, that benefit the non-pro rider in biking have been few and far between in my lifetime and none involve weight!

Why do we think the biking world big boys, their paid press minions and the bike shops that support this industry have been so dead set against motorized bikes both I.C.E and especially now electrics? At every opportunity they've cultivated the attitude, which has been gleefully adopted by the "elite" snobs who willingly throw hundreds of dollars for a few ounces of so called improvement and feel good about it. They've developed a superior cult like attitude that shames those that differ with them. It's mindless, but look how well it's worked, at least to this point.

The fact that major companies including the traditional bike elites, are starting to offer electrics tells me they know a real improvement when they are forced to. That very real improvement is electrics, arguably the biggest thing that's happened to biking since the advent of derailing. Now look at the spin they're still trying to sell....weight savings that increase the cost of premium bikes to multiple thousands of dollars while trying to disguise the fact that these bikes are electric while integrating batteries and motors etc. into the frames again costing thousands. This is how they throw shade on their own products because they continue to sell guilt for so called cheating with motor power. The riding public is still buying into & paying for the weight saving spin we've all been sold for more than fifty years.

This comes back to weight and the hobby rider, not a pro racer, total weight of a pedal bike plus the load it carries is a concern. I use to ride with guys that rode $6,000. bikes & easily stayed with them on road trips on my $1,000. bike and it wasn't because of my great fitness, other than the fact that they weighed 30 to 50 lbs more than me. I saved thousands by just being trim and it really pissed them off. That example really means very little today on motorized bikes that produce plenty of power even 1 kw power offsets a lot of weight...one reason I see that legislation is being written that prevents meaningful power being used. Manufacturers still want to use the lack of weight formula to sell more bikes at higher prices for minimum innovation. Cosmetics aside bike offerings year after year rely on R&D dollars recovered decades ago.& electric development is the first money they've spent in a seriously long time. Their normal R&D budget seems designed to save on manufacturing costs rather than innovative product development. It's certainly hasn't shown up in product engineering...except in aftermarket parts offered by companies like Avid that they just bolt on and charge 100% more in markup costs to the rider.

Motors have and are changing everything and only big government can halt it and without doubt legislation is currently underway. This stuff is all about the dollars not ecology or safety etc. Follow the money and you always discover the reasons and the culprits. Don't think it's a conspiracy it's just what business and government's do!

My rant my bad.

Rick C. .

Un-sprung weight is problematic to all vehicles and couples with the dynamics of COG & front to rear weight distribution during all riding transition phases of braking ,cornering & acceleration. At speed in a straight line un-sprung weight is mostly uncomfortable to the rider but it's continually putting wear on components especially tires and axle bearings even in straight line running.

Small tire may work for you.

Rick C..

Weigh the man then the man holding tires and it's pretty then fairly accurate use of bathroom scales for lightweight items.

Sorry 'bout the damage but you'll get it.

Rick C.

Tony I've enjoyed a lot of hobbies over the decades & eventually left all behind except riding and building, but I also left riding for about a dozen years at one point & picked it back up about thirty years ago by building motorcycles for a hobby. Creating something like your 2-speed goes hand in glove with riding, but being creative while doing something you enjoy is priceless. You are quite creative and intelligent so whatever you put you hand and mind to will be quite possible.

I'm excited to hear your work permits a fulfilling outlet. I owned a design and prototype company for many years, primarily did government work where disclosure meant prison time. I really got to work on some interesting projects.

I hope your injuries become less debilitating and eventually allow you to function normally. I've had my fair share of horrific falls, but healed well, yet I still feel them during cold weather. They are like old friends, irritating at times, but not about to get rid of them...just part of who I am.

Rick C.

I certainly miss my shop floor lift and the floor plates for attachment. I built quite a few tools for using it to stretch, adjust and bend. It was full length so easily doubled as a huge table formed out of 1" steel plate and carried by the overhead trolly and hoist.

If you have sufficient travel after cutting I'd think the heavier spring rate would be quite an improvement to road handling. This year or next just numbers to distract us from living now.

Rick C.

Tony the spring calculator chart is a good tool. I have cut springs to increase rate but typically I lost so much travel in the process that I eventually opted for new springs that allowed full travel and increased, progressive rate. I was building off road trucks that measured travel in feet rather than inches and we still bottomed to the limiter straps at times...definitely not street machines. You do have to cut a lot of spring to gain much rate which can be a problem even on a street machine.

I see you headed in the right direction.

Rick C.

Tony01 said:

Well they want the cost of a new fork just for the setup. I’ve setup more complicated stuff for half the price. Some people just do that to avoid prototyping.

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Sourcing is an almighty pain for the builder Tony. What's your move? Run what you have or alter a little, buy new forks or keep looking?

Rick C.

Excellent Tony, patience + persistence makes one appear much luckier I've found. You did a great job lacing and the wheel set mounted with tire looks terrific and ready to mount. Once you get the springs loaded I'd think you to be well over the rebuild hump with some dollars saved due to relentless sourcing.

Rick C.