Spacelander-type Mystery Bike
#1
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Spacelander-type Mystery Bike
So here is one you don't see everyday. Out of a local estate. I know this thing is a bit off topic for this forum, but any ideas what it might be? Obviously Spacelander influenced. No identifiers other than whatever is around the crank. Constructed of fiberglass over steel bar stock and pipe frame. Very, very heavy. Somebody's homemade project maybe? Or not?
#2
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Beats me. It looks too good to a garage hack, unles the builder was very talented. I like the streamlined pedals. Have you figured out how to remove the rear wheel?
#3
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It's a late 1980s Sherrell Classic.
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Interesting. Can anyone make out what the area around the chainwheel says? I suppose it could easily have been made in somebody's garage.
Edit: belay my last - @Scooper's solved the riddle.
DD
Edit: belay my last - @Scooper's solved the riddle.
DD
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Very cool! Though I don't suppose it'd be much fun to ride, except for on a very flat parade route. Too bad it doesn't have the handlebar fairing like the red one in Stan's post.
I'd put it up on eBay, with the appropriate oversize shipping warning.
I'd put it up on eBay, with the appropriate oversize shipping warning.
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● 1971 Grandis SL ● 1972 Lambert Grand Prix frankenbike ● 1972 Raleigh Super Course fixie ● 1973 Nishiki Semi-Pro ● 1979 Motobecane Grand Jubile ●1980 Apollo "Legnano" ● 1984 Peugeot Vagabond ● 1985 Shogun Prairie Breaker ● 1986 Merckx Super Corsa ● 1987 Schwinn Tempo ● 1988 Schwinn Voyageur ● 1989 Bottechia Team ADR replica ● 1990 Cannondale ST600 ● 1993 Technium RT600 ● 1996 Kona Lava Dome ●
#6
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#7
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Several Google hits state they were made from 1984-1986, and there were only around 35 made. There's not a lot of info out there, probably because they're so rare. A pair of these sold in December on ebay for $3,650. A number of comments popped up remarking how heavy they are.
David Sherrell Classic Bicycle Lot of 2 Bikes | eBay
David Sherrell Classic Bicycle Lot of 2 Bikes | eBay
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#9
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What a tank! The spoke lacing on the rear wheel doesn't have any crossings, but the spokes' tangents on the driveside go in the opposite direction from the spokes on the non-driveside. I've never seen anything like that before.
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The rear wheel does look odd. I'm surprised the lacing pattern is even stable. I would have expected the rear hub to twist, but maybe not, once everthing is tightened down. Unique indeed.
If you got a good deal on it, maybe find some place to display it. On long-term loan?
There are a few bike shops around that have essentially a bike museum hanging from their rafters.
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A bike that only Zoolander dare ride......
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I wonder why he bothered with inch-pitch chainring/cog/chain? I imagine in the mid-80s they wouldn't have been all that easy to find. Since the transmission is completely covered up, it's not like most people would even notice.
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#15
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It would be interesting to do a new Spacelander tribute bike, but in carbon fiber. It could be a nice 25lb city cruiser bike if more carefully made.
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I think I've seen it mentioned as something someone wanted to try... it seems like it wouldn't be a great idea for lightweight racy hubs to put a torsion through the shell, but for this bike who knows? The shell might not notice it.
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The difference, of course, between the old hubs and new hubs is the diameter of the middle part. The larger diameter should make it sturdier (if not too thin of material.
One could, of course, cut custom hubs on a lathe.
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I used to own, and modified your now semi custom sherrell. The original parts on it looked like hell. The ugly modern slotted front sprocket was replaced with a 1930's solid skip tooth sprocket. The plain hubs were replaced with Elgin finned hubs, with stainless steel spokes laced in a one directional pattern. it's not the strongest way to build a wheel, but it looks good, and as long as you don't go bmxing with it, it'll hold. The plain Jane pedals were offed for a pair of streamlined ones. The plain grips used to be bullet shaped Elgin grips. I guess the ones I had on there musta rotted out. I think I added the kickstand to it. I remember I had a hard time getting it to line up, or be hidden. I had a really cool streamlined seat on it, but I sold it to another collector before I sold the bike. I think it came off a Silver King. My wife liked to ride it when we biked here in So Cal. Call me if you want more info on it. Larry at 661-965-8632
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#19
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Thanks for checking in! I was wondering about the older parts on a 1980s bike.
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#21
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Wow -- yet another bike I never heard of, and this is far rarer than most. Thank you for the thread and the original owner's response.
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Capo: 1959 Modell Campagnolo, S/N 40324; 1960 Sieger (2), S/N 42624, 42597
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"Far and away the best prize that life offers is the chance to work hard at work worth doing." --Theodore Roosevelt
Capo: 1959 Modell Campagnolo, S/N 40324; 1960 Sieger (2), S/N 42624, 42597
Carlton: 1962 Franco Suisse, S/N K7911
Peugeot: 1970 UO-8, S/N 0010468
Bianchi: 1982 Campione d'Italia, S/N 1.M9914
Schwinn: 1988 Project KOM-10, S/N F804069