Based on an old little 16" Roadmaster bike, this is my first
build of any bike.
This was Austin's first bicycle and the one he learned to ride on. He now
has a 16" Haro 360, 20" Torkker MTB and some other bikes and
this one was left to sit. Looking for something to cut up I decided it was
time for a new life for this little ride. UPDATE 07/02/2005: Now with a
16" x 3" rear tire.
Original little 16" rider destined to be cut up.
Apart and tape marked for the cuts.
In pieces and ready to reverse the top tube.
Since my welding skill pretty much suck and I didn't want
Austin taking a dive on something I put together, I used pieces of an old
handlebar for strengtheners inside the tubes to help insure stability... I
hope. They also helped get things lined up to tack weld together.
The new top tube was pretty high tech... I cut up an old two/four
wheel dolly handle that was the perfect size and had a nice little bump in
it. The top connection has a strengthening tube inside, the seat tube
connection was just ground flush and welded.
Thrown back together. We've added some aluminum end caps for
the handle bars, a low mount reflector and have played with some different
seat placements. Once everything is settle down we'll pull it apart,
smooth out the welds more and paint it up.
Not too bad for an afternoon project.
UPDATED: 07/02/2005 - Added 3" Stingray Tire
I picked up a two 16" x 3" Schwinn tires off eBay
for $1.00 plus $7.50 shipping and dropped on on Austin's chopper. Makes it
look a little better.
Again with the 3" tire. It's already been banged around
a bit so there are scratches. I also geared it up a bit to make it a bit
more rideable with the short cranks.