Rutledge A50 and Rutledge Super Six

[davidberg]

Hi folks!

I've came a long way since I started tinkering with 50ccm engines last year. Now I'm proudly present my bikes in eventual form: the Rutledge A50 (the black one) and the Rutledge Super Six racer (the red one).

Also big thanks to all you folks for your help and and constant cheer!
Any comments are more than welcome!

 

[davidberg]

More photos on the Super Six racer...

 

[davidberg]

And the black one... (the A50 is the "executive" model, the Super Six is a sporty one)

 

[davidberg]

And the last ones!

 

[MotorBicycleRacing]

Gorgeous bikes, thanks for sharing!

 

[Tinsmith]

Nicely done, you should be proud!
Dan

 

[wheelbender6]

I like the way you put together the forks. What is the cylinder behind the seat tube on the super six? Is it functional?

 

[Velodrome]

David!! Thats exceptional work! Fantastic! May I ask particulars of how you modified and power the carbide lamp on the black bike?

 

[butchl]

WOW: Great craftsmanship.

 

[davidberg]

David!! Thats exceptional work! Fantastic! May I ask particulars of how you modified and power the carbide lamp on the black bike?

Sure, you can read about following this link: http://motorbicycling.com/showpost.php?p=449028&postcount=15

 

[Tinsmith]

For what it's worth, I think I did about the same with this headlight. Picked it up at auction for $30. Cleaned it up and took out the innards. Found a flashlight with a lense that would fit. Cut the top off a spraycan lid so I had a cylinder and glued the reflector to it. Ran the wire out the back, drilled a hole in the rear of the lantern and ran it to a 6 volt rechargable battery under the seat.

I soldered a battery box together with a hinged lid, mounted a toggle off/on switch to the box and bolted it under the seat. Works great. Hope it might be of some help.
Dan

 

[davidberg]

I like the way you put together the forks. What is the cylinder behind the seat tube on the super six? Is it functional?

Hehe, it's disfunctional... It's an old beer warmer (in England and other beer-drinking countries warm ale was a popular winter drink when heated on its own or mulled with spice and sugar) like this: http://www.oldandinteresting.com/ale-warmers.aspx
I've found it at a flea market and it was in such a great condition and looked like a vintage oil pump I decided to find a place for it on the bike -- just for the looks

 

[davidberg]

For what it's worth, I think I did about the same with this headlight. Picked it up at auction for $30. Cleaned it up and took out the innards. Found a flashlight with a lense that would fit. Cut the top off a spraycan lid so I had a cylinder and glued the reflector to it. Ran the wire out the back, drilled a hole in the rear of the lantern and ran it to a 6 volt rechargable battery under the seat.

I soldered a battery box together with a hinged lid, mounted a toggle off/on switch to the box and bolted it under the seat. Works great. Hope it might be of some help.
Dan

Tinsmith, that's a great work and a beautiful bike!

 

[Tinsmith]

Thanks David, these things sure are a lot of fun and thanks for taking the time to show what you have been up to.

Dan

 

[leadfarmer]

Watch that springer front end on the red one. The bolt can't take the angular forces and will break, as I found out. Your front end will collapse catastrophically(sp?)

 

[GearNut]

Wow! What a beautiful pair!
I really like the nostalgic look that they have. You sir have done awesome!

 

[davidberg]

Watch that springer front end on the red one. The bolt can't take the angular forces and will break, as I found out. Your front end will collapse catastrophically(sp?)

Thanks for warning, but belive me or not, the springer doesn't funtion!
I quickly found out that cheap China springer forks are simply garbage... had a test ride, and it wobbled and stretched soooo much that almost cracked apart when I pedalled moderately - without engine!

So I took it to pieces and connected its main tubes flipped inside out to the springer mechanism. It looked so bold I decided to leave it as is (you can see the brake pins on the flipped forks). So it's basically just sits on the bicycle fork and does no damping. In the future I think I'll make a leafspring fork out of scratch, but now it's adequate for street use

 

[Velodrome]

Just noticed the bar clamps on the red one. Whered you find those??? Looks neat!

 

[davidberg]

Just noticed the bar clamps on the red one. Whered you find those??? Looks neat!

They are the upper parts of standard motorbike handlebar risers. I need 4 of them for a side, two set of them clamp the handlebars and they are bolted together. They are a quick 'n dirty fix for a classic Indian racing handlebar configuration...