|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 Posted: Sat Jul 12, 2008 2:21 pm
I have a bike to help me get around town, but I'd really like to steam it up a bit. Make it fun.
I have some general plans for it, but I would love feedback and suggestions!
 ze bike
Plans:
- spray paint the framework bronze
- cut four gear-shapes (possibly out of thin sheet metal?) and bracket them together on either side of the wheel spokes
- modify the seat and handles with leather
- combine/make a bike horn and an air version of a steam whistle
- replace the cheapo reflectors with round ones
- possibly weave the braking cables through some bronze-coloured chain
- do something with the pedals
- some sort of storage - possibly a wooden box with metal accents attached to the seat column somehow?
Help?
- any suggestions on the gear-shaped spoke covers? especially along the lines of how to make them
- what I should do to the pedals
- storage/basket/rack ideas
- other suggestions?
- Do you think people would steal parts off of it? I'm in a high-theft area, and the bike is already a good target, but I lock it down.
- Any ideas on steampunking the bike lock? I've currently got a typical hose-style bike lock, but I think a chain and old-looking padlock would look better. Unfortunately, that's also easier to break loose.
I'll post updated pictures as I work on it. 3nodding
Cheers!
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sun Jul 13, 2008 11:59 pm
I'm none too sure on how sturdy they are, but I found some old locks in a fairly reasonably price range --if you consider 12 to 20 dollars reasonable-- here.
Air hoses or other sorts of hoses can be bought at your local hardware store. You could spray paint it a different color (bronze, black, silver, etc) and feed the brake cables through it. Or, if you didn't want to disconnect the brake cables, slit it open and just fit them inside.
That's about all I can think of right now. Hope it helps.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Mon Jul 14, 2008 10:57 am
Oooh. hoses would totally look better that chain (and would make the bike look less "bling-bling" which I'm worried about because of the spraypaint color - hopefully some leather and wood will also help to lessen that).
Do you think I should get segmented or smooth hose?
Those locks are awesome! I'll have to get one after I get a job. Thanks!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Tue Jul 15, 2008 1:14 am
It would be awesome if you replaced the pedals with wooden blocks with a metal edging painted brass.
And I have one of those locks from 1940's. They are extremely sturdy. The heaviest lock I have ever seen, and you have to turn the key all the way around to unlock it, it's not just a little 45 degree turn, thus making it very hard to pick.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Tue Jul 15, 2008 8:35 am
Wooden pedals would be perfect! I was trying to think of how to add more wood to the bike 3nodding
And that's good to know. I'm definitely going to get one of those locks now (as I have money since they were out of the kilt I wanted to buy on sale crying I've been waiting for years).
I'm also going to clean up the bike, and hopefully paint it today.
Then I'll post some more pictures!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Tue Jul 15, 2008 7:50 pm
Sssargon Do you think I should get segmented or smooth hose?
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Fri Jul 18, 2008 5:16 pm
I think I might end up with segmented hose...it seems more steamish in a way.
I've finally got a new bike seat (the one that came with the bike was really a literal pain on the longer trips), and some leather scraps and accessories, so I'll probably be doing the handlebars and seat tonight. Finally got some sand paper too, so if it's hot enough, and not raining, tomorrow, I shall likely paint the bike.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sat Jul 19, 2008 10:41 pm
Pretty much finished with the seat - still tweaking the handlebars though...want them to look not crappy. Before:  After:  Thoughts? Also, I've removed all the stickers from my bike and have started sanding it ^_^ paint prep...
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Mon Jul 21, 2008 12:09 pm
Maybe make the spoke covers out of leather? Cut out the shape with a bit extra for turning the seams under, and sew or rivet them over the spokes.
I've seen some of those old-style bike horns, with the big black bulb and the wheezy "ahoogah" sound, at Wal-Mart of all places. Or, maybe use a whistle from a model train set.
Reflectors.... instead of store-bought plastic ones, you could make something with circles of mirror, with a metal screen over them to cut down on the glare a bit.
For storage, you could scour thrift stores for a leather purse with some nice hardware. Cut off the shoulder strap and use it as a saddlebag or basket.
The seat looks amazing! Keep on updating biggrin
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Mon Jul 21, 2008 7:07 pm
eek
I had not thought about using a leather purse for storage!
That's brilliant - and will be way easier (and likely cheaper, considering my bad luck with finding thrift store boxes) than modding a box!
Thanks!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sun Jul 27, 2008 5:36 pm
Did a bit of sanding today, got bored with that, and handpainted some of the handlebars. This is the first coat. Before:  After:  
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sun Jul 27, 2008 5:39 pm
What do you guys think about wooden gear-shape covers for the spokes instead of metal ones?
I'd have to buy a jig saw, but that'd be useful to have anyway.
I'm iffy on the gears being wooden, but I need to add more wood to the design.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Mon Aug 11, 2008 5:47 pm
You don't 'need' wood unless you want it. It might weigh down the bike and make it harder to maneuver. I love what you've done with the handles!
If you really want you could cover the break handles with wood.
You could also do something with the mudguards.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Mon Aug 25, 2008 3:53 am
You could paint the bike frame like wood grain, which would give the look without adding excess weight. Maybe something resembling the Bamboo bike frame?
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
