Lurker's new project

[truckd]

Very cool stuff Lurker, I do a lot of browsing on a site called the H.A.M.B jelopy journal and often get pic's to share, I thought you'd like the art work maybe this would make a cool shirt? any closer to putting that beasty in a frame yet?
Thanks ! for the look up,

 

[truckd]

Hey lurker got another one for ya & since you have done the ever so famous board tracker on the slopes for your Tees, this one is for the side hackers

 

[Lurker]

Sweet images guys I will keep them as reference for future projects.

Sorry I have been so distant on this site lately, sometimes life gets in the way of what you would rather be doing.

Anyway, work on the racer is back in full swing at least until I leave for Japan. Here is where I'm currently at, I have spent the better portion of the day trying to figure out how to shoehorn this monster into this unbelievably ugly bicycle. In the next few weeks the frame will be undergoing major reconstructive surgery and I will try to upload the photos as I make progress. I'm hoping for a very quick build with this one.

Here is short list of what will need to be done.

1. Add 5” in length to the centre section of the frame

2. Remove current down tube and replace with a drop loop and engine mount

3. Seat mount fabrication

 

[Ludwig II]

Lurker, take a look at my stickies in Pictures. There's a great variety of of vintage and not so vintage bike engines to be found over there. Small enough for hand luggage too. They might even fit in a big coat pocket.

 

[Mr.B.]

Yep, That’s a whole lot of engine!

(That’sa good thing)

Looks like the flat mounting portion of the engine as shown is close to the angle of the seat tube- I’m sure you planned it that way, it should make engine mounting much easier!

-Kirk

 

[Whozawhat]

Fantastic job on the engine! I too have been inspired by patina in the finish on Mr. B's Excaliber

 

[Lurker]

I spent the past 2 weeks waiting on part, so if it seems like it's been awhile since I last updated, it has been.

When I was planning this build I vastly miss calculated the size of both the engine and the frame. With that being said I have had to make some design changes to the original concept. It might look a little weird right now but I am confident it will all come together in the end.

 

[harry76]

Looking good and great to hear from you again Lurker..... I'm just wondering on a lot of antique bikes the seatpost is made from tube, you appear to be using flat bar, are you concerned that isn't strong enough or is it just temporary?

 

[truckd]

Glad to see you went with a Gyes saddle I love them! good thing the Merkel didn't have that Gigantic tank.

 

[Lurker]

harry, The 3/16 flat bar is there to stay. I was initially going to us a round tube like the original bike but because my saddle has springs it would have placed it much higher than I would have liked. It is very sturdy and under the weigh of an average person there should be no problems. If anything it will provide a bit of extra suspension for the terrible roads in Pittsburgh. I am trying to build a bike that is a bit more comfortable, because my v-twin is the worst when it come to potholes.

Thanks truckd I have used the guys saddle on a previous build and was very satisfied with it and I thought it would fit the style of this build very well.
The tank will be another hurdle thats for sure. I have all the parts on order so we will see what happens when they get here.

 

[Lurker]

I was concerned about how the bike would look with a tank and handlebars so I did a quick mock up.

 

[harry76]

Looks cool, the motor does look massive though, and that drop loop looks very low. I hope you don't live near speed bumps ;-)

 

[truckd]

Look familiar? think it's an early Merkel and another for future reference's

 

[Intrepid Wheelwoman]

Love that old photo of the bicycle shop, - it's a pity they aren't like that anymore.

I spent quite a while watching the BTR Dixie Flyer video on U-tube. That is one really great looking build and I loved the way the engine was disguised to look like an antique design.

 

[chainmaker]

Boy, this is going to be a great bike. Like everyone else, I'm much interested in your transmission/ kick start setup.
SB

Exactly what SB said.!!!

 

[Mr.B.]

Look familiar? think it's an early Merkel and another for future reference's

A little OT, but notice that the gas tank on that 1910 AMCA is cast and actually a structural part of the frame as so the seat tube is the oil tank...

-Kirk

 

[truckd]

Cool looking tank for your project

 

[Lurker]

Thanks for the reference photos trucked, my tank will be very similar to that. I have all the holes drill and the tank is mocked up in the frame, so hopefully I will be able to get it finished sometime this week.

 

[culvercityclassic]

Looks good... Looks different. Is that the 420cc?

 

[Lurker]

Here are some up to date photos for you guys. I have made lots of progress since my last post. I have finished modifications to the frame and the gas tank is almost complete I'm just waiting on the sediment bowl so I can weld the petcock bung in.

It took quite a bit of massaging to fit that 350cc monster in that frame but I made it happen. I can't do much more as I am waiting on parts but I will be sure to post more photos when I make some more progress, but for now enjoy.

Let me know what you guys think so far, I am open to all your critiques.