Lowrider fixup.

[crowtribe]

Well, it's been a while since I frequented these forums, but due to being a silly little monkey and losing my license for several months, I took the plunge and finally bought a low-rider bike to fix up and make my own that I kept talking about.

I hoped to put it up to ask advice from those in the know with a few details I've never had to think about and have no experience with. As the bike isn't actually in bad condition, it's more of a customisation project than an entire (re)build.

So, $150, slightly surface-rusted Big Mo Low Rider in black.


Sorry for the terrible iPhone photo.

Standard Big Mo bike, except for the grips, replaced by the original owner. Absolutely horrible. When the revolution comes, they'll be the first against the wall.


Grips, obviously.

Close up the hot rust action. Mudflap and forks affected (forks not as bad as the flap).


HOT.

I'm going to grab myself some kind of box to put all the screws and bolts and washers into that I can label their origins and separate it into 3 sections if possible - forks, wheels and frame.

The plan is to sandblast the frame and possibly the chainguard to get rid of the decals and cheap paint and then probably powdercoat them black. As I think it was Skitzo found out, powdercoating can foul the holes and make it require redrilling or filing - to avoid rough work/edges, anyone know of a way to get around this by putting anything in the holes or otherwise treating those areas?

Next up would be blasting the rims, forks and chain guard and rechroming/zinc plating, and maybe having them relaced with black or red anodised spoke nipples in both front and back. Depending on tackiness level.

I'll try and look into the possibility of removing the front brake and replacing the rear with a disc brake kit for the future addition of a 66cc petrol engine. New grips, new tyres and a custom paintjob over the powdercoat, maybe some bar-end mirrors, new pedals and whatever else takes my fancy along the way.

Any suggestions, recommendations and encouragement greatly appreciated.

[Brendonv]

seems like a lot of work and money for a pushie. I got a 49cc engine kit on a mountain bike. There good fun. I would just paint the frame if i were you rather then powdercoating and stuff. Save some cash.

[crowtribe]

As tempted as I am to leave it as it is, I really want the practice for future projects to make sure I complete them to a level I can be happy with. It'd be good to know I did it and can do it in the future. A nice tidy lowrider to be proud of.

And hell, the longer it takes the more time I can distract myself from not having a license.

[Brendonv]

haha fair enough. If you sign up to motoredbikes.com you can get lots of help from there.

[El Skitzo]

If you're going to powdercoat and there are holes you don't want filled with it, talk to the powdercoater about it as they may be able to help.

I remember watching a DVD and seeing a pair of rims for spoked wheels being powdercoated, and they put tiny little cork plugs in each of the spoke holes to ensure the powdercoat did not go in them.

[valvolux]

subscribed. ive got a lowrider in pieces too in my shed waiting for some TLC. Gotta get my motorbike finised first. I'll watch with interest.

[=Stevo=]

I just fixed one up on the weekend, just waiting on my banana seat and sissy bar to arrive and then I can put the chainguard and rear fender on!

Mine was an ancient beast and I just stripped it back and wire-brushed the frame, masked it up and primed/painted.
Wire brushed all the rims and other shiny parts, got the grinder out and took off a few parts I didn't need and then gave everything a good bath in degreaser/crc/wd40 before putting it all back together.

The rear tyre was ancient so I redid the whitewalling on it with a white paint pen... final step once the banana seat is in will be to attach a set of USB-powered speakers sitting on my desk to the underside of the seat, along with a battery-usb-power-supply thing and a cheap mp3 player so we can cruise along to ghetto beatzzzzz...

Total cost so far:
$25 for the bike from a garage sale
$9 for a rattlecan of primer and 2 cans of gloss red
$4.50 for a wire brush

... will get some pics up in 5 minutes.


edit: terrible pics:

2gwc1md.jpg

2115m3m.jpg

[crowtribe]

Stevo, aren't you still supposed to be doing the surf-wagon?

So, had a bit of a boon today, turns out one of my friends was a bike tech while he was working in Canada (eh?). So I've got a few of the OGC drifter boys coming around to strip her down and go over some ideas, have a bbq and sink some beers. Seeing as they constantly reimaging their cars for drift comps to stand out from the pack, they've done a lot of the things I'm attempting. aaand, they may or may not have offered to drive me to drop off and pick up the parts when they get blasted.

Went for a ride on it this afternoon to get a feel for what it's like and how to improve it. Firstly, the grips are way close to my knees. Even moving them up so they sit straighter doesn't feel comfortable and actually strains my back. Medium sized ape-hangers will be the way to go, but I'll keep the current set as a spare.

Secondly, even on a slight downhill, the V-brakes are next to useless. Definitely an upgrade required - doesn't look like a disc brake upgrade's going to be doable - requires welding, new hub and some more PITA stuff. But now I know and can look at the right range for brakes.

Aside from that, it's all pretty good. Hopefully work can start this Sunday, and I'll take some photos as we strip her down and give 'er a clean up.

[Brendonv]

The V brakes are generally pretty good. Might just need some fine tuning or some new pads. Undo the nut, pull the cable more and then retighten so the pads are only about 1mm away from the rim when not in use.

[crowtribe]

Brendon:

Thanks for the advice. Did it this afternoon, as I didn't realise it was adjustable. Significantly improved. While I was supposed to take it apart, it looks like we spent too much time drinking beer and smoking to actually get any work done, so it remains in one piece.

We did however briefly imagine the idea of a rat lowrider, but without having more of it to work with and give it the rat feel, it'd just look like a rusty piece of crap.

Adjusted the stock handlebars into a more comfortable position too. Tempted to go for some 17" ape hanger bars I've seen, but I'm unsure if it's even possible to steer this with that much height. I may see if I can get some 13, 14 or 15" instead when the store reopens on Monday.

[Uni]

I just fixed one up on the weekend, just waiting on my banana seat and sissy bar to arrive and then I can put the chainguard and rear fender on!

Orly? Where are you getting the banana seat and sissy bar from prey tell?

[=Stevo=]

the internet. It is expensive though, the seat and sissy bar work out to about 3 times the cost of the rest of the project (including bike purchase)

here: Go Easy Online - Shopping Cart