SquidPuppet

Well it's not the end of the world.

I know you want to keep the budget down. But look at it this way, a fantastic hub is going to set you back $20.00 plus a trim kit.

So what kind of grips did you order?

SkunkWerX

This bike is probably not a keeper, anyway. it's been fun and educational.
I did thoroughly dissect the old hub this morning. Cleaned, degreased, polished some parts, ball bearings were 1/4"!
Now it's back together, smooth as butter, brake grabbing very well.

Found a good piece of steel, in my supplies (I make knives too) fabbed a reaction arm clamp, very tight tolerances, polished and installed.
Still awaiting bottom bracket bearings and parts before installing crank and chain.

Got the blue sparkly grips. Should arrive this week. Look like these, but not from this place:
https://ichibike.com/images/shop/86/...ips%20blue.jpg

SkunkWerX

Psssst...... I have a line on another bike.... but that will be for a different thread.
Going to see and possibly purchase it tonight. Newer, needs some TLC, but should be an easy clean and polish type of task...not a full gut job.

But as I say, it's for another thread. Hint: but it will be posted in this section.

SquidPuppet

Cool. So the ticking is gone from the hub? Good deal.

Nice! Got a pic?


PERFECT! If those grips are modern Kraton rubber, you are in for a treat. The original glitter grips from the 70s were PVC. REALLY hard and slippery. Crappy to "grip". The modern knockoffs being Kraton are fantastically soft. Plus, the rubber is funky. Even though it's shiny, it's incredibly tacky. Like a fishing lure, sorta. Super grippy, but easy to clean.

I happen to be sporting the very same on my Varsity.

SkunkWerX

Homemade SS reaction arm clamp. made is such a way as you tighten the bolt, it clamps tight around the bike frame, as well. It has some "spring" to it. On the back side is a nylok nut. Hole is drilled to close tolerance, so much so i had to use a ratchet/socket just to thread it through the bored holes.

SquidPuppet

Well done sir. looks OEM. Rounded edges are an elegant touch. That hub cleaned up real nice too.

SkunkWerX

Thanks.
and......
drum roll........
The wrong freekin' bottom bracket bearing set was shipped.
Oh the humanity! I opened the padded envelope, the cups and cones and bearings all looked smallish...and they were. They sent the smaller "kiddie bike" set, not the ones I ordered!

Replacement bearing kit is on the way. More waiting. These are the little things that stall projects.

ZZzzzzzzz........ nap time.

SquidPuppet

Those are probably just as cheap at the LBS. LOL...kid size.

Johnny Mullet

That is turning out to be a nice cruiser. Keep it!

loky1179

Wow!

Too late for you, but I picked up a LaJolla cruiser off of Craigslist for $30. Aluminum rims, and whitewall balloon tires. I was going to use it for a donor bike to build up a 1939 Schwinn I've had sitting in my garage way too long. But then I made the mistake of riding it, and decided I actually liked this Wally World special! N+1 strikes again.

That photo makes me want to buy! I did a complete teardown on the LaJolla. Everything is as good as it will get, but the coaster hub is draggy when coasting. Not too bad when pedaling. I've done my 24 mile commute on it five or six times.

Thanks for all your input Squidpuppet. Really appreciate your depth of knowledge. And I thought I was a cruiser geek!

SkunkWerX

Thanks for the support guys, pics soon. Waiting on grips. And have some final paint work after horsing it around, dinging it here and there.

What the heck.... here ya go:

SquidPuppet

Need pics of finished bike!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

SkunkWerX

yes yes... soon.
Life/stuff got in the way. Also, correct bearings JUST arrived yesterday afternoon!!
You were correct, I should have just gotten them at LBS,
I ended up there (LBS) anyway, for a broken spoke on my hybrid, on Monday.

Did 55 miles Sunday (at age 55) and 32 miles yesterday, though.
Gotta ride some too!

SquidPuppet

Good job man. Makes you feel young doesn't it?

SkunkWerX

OK guys, thanks for kind words and your patience.

A paint failure and waiting for some little items really slowed down the final stage of this project.
With any luck, I'll have the chain guard finished up today, and get it installed. Pics soon.

This is not a cruiser, but in between parts and painting this blue bike, I found an old Schwinn Varsity on CL, cheap, put new tires, tubes, cables/housings, brake pads and a complete tear down, clean, lube, polish. Finished it.

SquidPuppet

Looks familiar.

SkunkWerX

Mine is a 1975. I had a Continental when i was a kid, bronze color, I keep my out in hopes of finding one in decent shape, none have turned up.

Oh, by the way...... it was really bright out for pics, sorry for the overexposed look.

Check this out:

SquidPuppet

That came out awesome. Grips are a perfect match. Snazzy stripe. KEEP IT!

SkunkWerX

Thanks! It's much lighter now, no fenders, aluminum wheels.

The silver stripe is from painting the raised panel section on the chain guard.
The original (rebuilt) seat/saddle is surprisingly comfortable, it was pre-broken-in.

It rides pretty nice. Plush with the tires inflated at 45-50 psi.

SquidPuppet

When you get a chance...... toss up some close ups of the saddle.