I've been gone from the hobby for a couple years, and it's time to start again!
I previously built a cruiser from a Giant Simple, aluminum frame, cruiser. I loved it, but couldn't keep it through circumstances. Now I'm back and ready to roll! I've been reading and searching, and now have a plan.
I have ordered a Wal-mart 29" Genesis Onex, $162 after tax. I pick it up on Friday. I read all about the bike and builds and this and other sites, Rat Rod Bikes was one of the best regarding the actual bike. It requires a few simple upgrades to ensure reliability as a daily rider; rear hub rebuild, crank/pedal rebuild, and an over-all tightening and inspecting. I'll probably be changing the bars and strengthening the stem, swapping the cranks and pedals, modifying the rear hub, and replacing the stock seat and post. It's going to be a project, and we all know how those go!
I also ordered an 80cc kit off eBay for $140, shipped. I spent time looking at all the different options, from all the different sites. I noticed they all had the EXACT same items, free pieces included were even the same. Then I noticed that a lot of members had issues with several different vendors, no one was better than another. I decided the eBay protection was worth it, and i could sort to find a US seller. I've bought and sold lots of things on eBay, and when there's a problem they handle it. Not a lot of BS. It should be here in a few days, coming from New Jersey.
I'll be tearing that down as well, and rebuilding it. Everything will get inspected and tightened. Not a lot of upgrades planned on the motor, probably an exhaust and that's it. As long as the carburetor has no issues, it'll be just fine stock. I'm looking for reliability with simple maintenence.
I will be adding the CNC sprocket adapter. It will eliminate the issues caused by the 48 spoke setup and the stock sprocket. I haven't ordered it yet because I don't know the rear hub size... Any help on that would be appreciated if anyone reading this already has one. Once I know, it looks like a $40 purchase.
The bars will be 13" ape hangers, I already got them from bike berry for $15! They even have the 1" center for the larger stem, but are 7/8" bars for compatability with throttle grip and accessories.
Front brakes are going on for sure. I'm a big guy, and it's a big bike, the extra stopping power will be appreciated. I grabbed a pair of V-brakes for $15. The bike already has the mount, it'll be an easy addition.
That's the start. Next weekend looks like a busy one, hopefully I'll have a ready ride by the Monday, 4th of July, festivities! I'm planning on documenting as much as possible throughout the build, so please ask questions. It's hard to cover everything everyone is considering a question, but I'll certainly cover mine. I'm hoping this little chat will start a build worth reading. It was fun to read my old one again.
I previously built a cruiser from a Giant Simple, aluminum frame, cruiser. I loved it, but couldn't keep it through circumstances. Now I'm back and ready to roll! I've been reading and searching, and now have a plan.
I have ordered a Wal-mart 29" Genesis Onex, $162 after tax. I pick it up on Friday. I read all about the bike and builds and this and other sites, Rat Rod Bikes was one of the best regarding the actual bike. It requires a few simple upgrades to ensure reliability as a daily rider; rear hub rebuild, crank/pedal rebuild, and an over-all tightening and inspecting. I'll probably be changing the bars and strengthening the stem, swapping the cranks and pedals, modifying the rear hub, and replacing the stock seat and post. It's going to be a project, and we all know how those go!
I also ordered an 80cc kit off eBay for $140, shipped. I spent time looking at all the different options, from all the different sites. I noticed they all had the EXACT same items, free pieces included were even the same. Then I noticed that a lot of members had issues with several different vendors, no one was better than another. I decided the eBay protection was worth it, and i could sort to find a US seller. I've bought and sold lots of things on eBay, and when there's a problem they handle it. Not a lot of BS. It should be here in a few days, coming from New Jersey.
I'll be tearing that down as well, and rebuilding it. Everything will get inspected and tightened. Not a lot of upgrades planned on the motor, probably an exhaust and that's it. As long as the carburetor has no issues, it'll be just fine stock. I'm looking for reliability with simple maintenence.
I will be adding the CNC sprocket adapter. It will eliminate the issues caused by the 48 spoke setup and the stock sprocket. I haven't ordered it yet because I don't know the rear hub size... Any help on that would be appreciated if anyone reading this already has one. Once I know, it looks like a $40 purchase.
The bars will be 13" ape hangers, I already got them from bike berry for $15! They even have the 1" center for the larger stem, but are 7/8" bars for compatability with throttle grip and accessories.
Front brakes are going on for sure. I'm a big guy, and it's a big bike, the extra stopping power will be appreciated. I grabbed a pair of V-brakes for $15. The bike already has the mount, it'll be an easy addition.
That's the start. Next weekend looks like a busy one, hopefully I'll have a ready ride by the Monday, 4th of July, festivities! I'm planning on documenting as much as possible throughout the build, so please ask questions. It's hard to cover everything everyone is considering a question, but I'll certainly cover mine. I'm hoping this little chat will start a build worth reading. It was fun to read my old one again.
