Velocino
 

Not sure this really belongs here; but the other Velocino thread I could find were in here...

So, I had bought this big pile of bikes. One of them was an old Huffy girls cruiser. Like this:

https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2704/...656cb5d9_z.jpg

It's a factory brazed frame (really!) so I thought it would be pretty easy to make it into a velocino. Maybe something kind of like this :
http://www.oldbike.eu/museum/wp-cont...ELOCINO-05.jpg
Or this:
https://i.pinimg.com/originals/8e/a2...5c71358d5e.jpg

So, I measured the frame so I could plan where and how much to cut.

https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4880/...7193b256_c.jpg

'Real' velocinos seem to use 12" front wheels. But, I don't have one of those. I have a 'nice' 16" chrome front wheel from a jogging stroller. So, I drew that in there. It's maybe not so original looking, but the geometry kind of works.

Metal cutting time.

Before:

https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4909/...9af46712_c.jpg
https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4872/...2b14857b_c.jpg

After:

https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4821/...62e893e4_c.jpg
https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4803/...e8e310e8_c.jpg
https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4826/...26a13651_c.jpg

I was also able to spread the spare Huffy fork I had from a previous "Sea Pines" bike (looks like the exact same fork).

https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4908/...97deb094_c.jpg

All of this steel is relatively low strength stuff. But thick. The main frame tubes are 1" OD x 0.06" wall.

Fitted the 'new' top tube and cut/re-forged/cleaned up the fork.

https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4884/...d48fbfba_c.jpg
https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7875/...d6d1f891_c.jpg
https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7866/...9952e4e7_c.jpg

Finally, brazed on the seatpost.

https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7915/...ec2965b7_c.jpg

All the metal on this bike so far is original, just moved around a little bit.

Just need the cruiser bars I bought on eBay to show up so I can build a stem.
Then, paint. And tires.

not sure if i've ever seen anything like this. surely haven't seen a build of one anyway. i may have to add it to the "try to build one list". thanks.

Never heard of one of these things.

Yea, same here. New to me! The red one that is show above has the handlebars mounted to the frame and the seat swings with the fork. The one that you are building looks like the seat is mounted to the frame and the handlebars will move with the fork. A little more conventional and probably a bit stronger. Probably, easier to ride.

Keep the pictures coming. I'll have to check back.

Oh, no. I got that wrong. The handle bars are attached to the fork on the red bike. It is so new to me that I got things mixed up. Interesting!

That's talent, good job ;)

Thanks guys.

My handlebars showed up over the weekend. Started to build the stem. But I realized I didn't have anything the right quill size(21.1). So, now waiting for a donor stem to show up...

I had to look up other online information on this type of bike. I never knew it even existed. I also found a lot of info when I used the term "Donkey bike". Of course, Velocino (Velo-Chino) sounds much better than Donkey bike. This is a much more mature design than I would have ever expected.

The use of the bigger 16" wheel may make the possibility of getting tossed off the bike when hitting a pothole less probable. It also looks like a longer wheelbase, which also might have some benefits.

Keep the pictures coming. This is interesting.

Nice work too.

I almost wanna make one.

It was fun to build. I got the tires for it, now, too. Just waiting for some warm weather so I can paint it...

Keep the project rolling and the pictures coming. Interesting project.

Look so greatefull

Sweet. Now I want another bike.

Is it complete and painted? How about an update. Puhleaze. :innocent:

It's hanging from a hook in the garage; unpainted. Maybe get to it this weekend...

Progress! But, not done yet. Gotta figure out what the rear wheel is. It says 27 on the rim strip, but the 27” (630) tire I bought doesn’t fit. It’s just a little bit smaller than that tire. But, much bigger than a 26” (559).

Anyway, pics...

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/...150b4a89_c.jpg
https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/...90446317_c.jpg

That black looks good on that bike. Can't wait to see more. :thumb:

Sounds like it's probably 700c with a 622 BSD, current popular road bike size that's mostly displaced 630 BSD and has far more tires to choose from today. Also referred to as a 29" in the wider comfort cruiser and mountain tire types. Someone with actual 630 rims would probably be happy to take that non-fitting tire off your hands.

Looks like a fun creation overall! I'd be tempted to build it as a fixie balanced to ride around in a permanent wheelie, but with "landing gear". But probably falls in line behind a penny farthing in the "things I'd build if I had a garage" daydreams.

Nope. It’s smaller than a 700c; but bigger than a 650c. What threw me off is the rim tape says 27 x 1-1/4. What the hell could it be? Maybe it’s an EA3?
(ISO590)

Found a $15 donor bike with a good rear rim and tire. Picking it up tonight. On the plus side, it's the same Huffy frame this velocino started out with, so I could theoretically build another!

Finished it all up (well, mostly, still needs a rear brake cable). It rides nice, actually. Here’s a vid of my son giving it a test ride.