1950s Firestone Special Cruiser to 27.5" Klunker Resto-mod

1950s Firestone Special Cruiser to 27.5" Klunker Resto-mod - Fiets Of Strength Ep. 12

Рет қаралды 48,938

Күн бұрын

Happy Festivus Everyone! In this Episode of Fiets of Strength I take an old, thrashed, 1950s Firestone "Special Cruiser" bicycle frame and make it a 27.5" singlespeed klunker style mountain bike. Some special frame gussets and reinforcements, a modern fork, stem and handlebars, and it's ready to rip. Follow along to see how I do it.
Instagram: / j_ryde
#fietsofstrength
www.fietsofstrength.com
Tools used:
Miller TIG welder
Hand grinders
Novo Abrasive 4.5" 80 grit flapper disc
Black Hawk 4.5" metal cutoff wheel.
Intro/Outro music by DJ Tan't. More at DJTANT.com
My custom "skull shuffler" (I make these!)
www.etsy.com/listing/11084258...
NOT affiliate links, Just putting them here because I like them:
Awesome punk skull t-shirt:
www.etsy.com/listing/11162031...
Chromoly Seatpost:
porkchopbmx.com/bmx-cr-mo-chr...

Пікірлер: 104

@edwardallan197 9 сағат бұрын

Building bikes from a smorgasboard of parts is so satisfying.

@edwardallan197 Ай бұрын

Build your first good wheel..... LIFE CHANGING. You feel like nothing is impossible!

@edwardallan197 Ай бұрын

Get down, bro! Biz always wants more complex, incompatible with all that came before. Hit the alleys and you can build free good bikes forever. Post-war bikes and the bike boom era are hugely cross compatible. Have fun! ❤

@twometergringo Жыл бұрын

That was the most fun I've had on daTube in a while!

@edwardallan197 Ай бұрын

The bottom bracket converters do work great! ❤

@singletona082 2 жыл бұрын

Hats off to you and anyone else taking old steel and giving it new life.

@mikeholland4450 2 жыл бұрын

As a person who enjoys Klunking.. I think you hit this one out of the park! I’m stoked I stumbled upon your channel

@FietsofStrength 2 жыл бұрын

Thanks! As someone who only just "acquired" their first klunker I still didn't expect it to be this fun to ride, but it's easily my favorite bike at the moment.

@edwardallan197 Ай бұрын

Yes he is on it. I klunk on free alley parts. Buy only rubber! My hood is flat, I have a blast!

@mr.pavone9719 4 ай бұрын

I'm turning my kids old BMX bikes into a downhill bike experiment. I swapped parts around added a fork that I got from an old Goodwill bicycle and I've got some parts coming in the mail. My future goal is to add a three-speed coaster brake hub and I know what you mean about building wheels. A buddy of mine from my old scout troop, a fellow leader, helped me build a wheel for my fixie to turn that into a three-speed. I get what you mean about the Zen of building bicycle wheels. And you are oh so right about, "if you don't know what a klunker is, there's google." Happy trails!

@mikehaws3187 10 ай бұрын

Your shop tools knowledge skill are a number 1. Very good video

@londonpickering8675 2 күн бұрын

Satisfying

@Re-cycles408 6 ай бұрын

Bear trap pedals, we called them shin shredders 😂❤

@caseycook8071 2 жыл бұрын

Best one yet. Klunker is next on my list to build.

@passenger-rider Жыл бұрын

Amazing build!

@marcomancin5648 Ай бұрын

Bellissima quella cruiser 👍🚲💯

@LaunceBugbee Жыл бұрын

That Brooks saddle sets it off!!

@oliverdenford6214 2 жыл бұрын

Sick built mate!

@geraldwilliams860 4 ай бұрын

Brilliant

@RubenCasias-zf3vd 5 ай бұрын

Very nice wow

@moosehand8721 7 ай бұрын

Super cool beater! Character for days!😊

@djantix1200 Ай бұрын

Klunkin' ani't easy!! but sure is fun! Nice build!

@g_a_b_r_i_e_l_ 11 ай бұрын

Looks absolutely sick! Glad you kept the original paint

@leonwrede9213 2 жыл бұрын

When I grow up, I want to build wheels like you do

@shannonbene7220 2 жыл бұрын

Thank you for the content! It makes my day when I see one of your vids. I really like when you add commentary to your welding practices.

@FietsofStrength 2 жыл бұрын

Thanks for watching! Hopefully each video is better than the last.

@stevefavero3204 2 жыл бұрын

As I rain blows down upon him I thought to myself there has to be another way! That must've been some bike... She was... Nice build!

@builtbydylan8315 Жыл бұрын

I would have just taken that badge off that hurt to watch haha! Either way badass build. Now i want to do something similar

@deweypug 2 жыл бұрын

Fun in the woods indeed! Loved this!

@jp93309 2 жыл бұрын

Just started wrenching on bikes just last year but wheel truing and building has always intimated me. Maybe it’s time to learn.

@andywiggens1069 2 жыл бұрын

Back in 1970 we had to build our own BMX bikes I was 11 years old and I drilled my old hubs out and re-spoked the rim with thicker spokes. I had no idea how to even do it but back then as kids we built shit we didn't have our Mommies and Daddies buying everything we wanted

@arrosconpollo1 2 жыл бұрын

Just discovered your content. Your Firestone bike project was very educational. Thank you for posting.

@adammendel5572 2 жыл бұрын

Awesome build! Glad to see you putting more videos out!

@FietsofStrength 2 жыл бұрын

Thanks! I was just putting my list together for video projects for 2022. Lots more to come.

@pizzapie4me 2 жыл бұрын

Klunkin is a way of life! I keep thinking about getting a proper mountain bike, but my early 00s Schwinn with a 29er front and rear brake only is just too fun.

@FietsofStrength 2 жыл бұрын

It's the "rear brake only" situation that has lead to so many comments about how dangerous the bike is. I guess everyone forgot how to play and be a kid?

@Maik1968 2 жыл бұрын

Greetings to Portland from Germany! Great channel, I just started having fun by disassemble and refurbish bikes. Bought some old treasures on eBay and therefore your idea’s of changing things on bikes are very encouraging. Thanks again and keep on going! Subscription is done ✅👍🌞🍀🐣

@a.i.l.u.3485 Жыл бұрын

That is a cool machine 👍🚴

@vermonthillsumc Жыл бұрын

Great watch!!! Good job.

@mikegleim5241 2 жыл бұрын

Just found the channel. Subbed. More satisfying than most of the "dream builds" I like to watch. I'd much rather scope a fun ratrod build. Keep er goin! Thanks!

@pryan05p71 2 жыл бұрын

Very well done! Enjoyed watching

@FietsofStrength 2 жыл бұрын

Thanks so much!

@chrishorbatt3504 2 жыл бұрын

Cool project, looks good!

@jamiecox2506 9 ай бұрын

cool video, man!

@harryo6126 2 жыл бұрын

Really enjoyable video, amazing skills, that is one beautiful klunker.

@jonask6126 2 жыл бұрын

Nice work!

@arnulfob3454 2 жыл бұрын

You sir made a sweet resto-mod !

@FietsofStrength 2 жыл бұрын

Thanks so much!

@selivokhin Жыл бұрын

Cool! Thanks for the inspiration bro!

@boneal4942 Жыл бұрын

Awesome build👍

@memememe843 Жыл бұрын

Awesome video. This channel should be bigger 😀

@idontlikeit.7822 5 ай бұрын

Oooggally moogallly…….gotta luv it

@BrodyCox 2 жыл бұрын

Amazing as always!!

@FietsofStrength 2 жыл бұрын

Thank you!

@burundi8909 Жыл бұрын

top video keep em coming , you got some skills !

@jimmit77 2 жыл бұрын

Ooh. Skull spoke sorter! I need one of those

@FietsofStrength 2 жыл бұрын

And a very satisfying tool to use. I've got a link to these in the description of you wanted to pick one up.

@kris4645 Жыл бұрын

Just discovered this channel.. Fantastic! I'll subscribe 🙂😊

@briankennedy9857 10 ай бұрын

Thank you for the great video(s). Exactly what I was looking for as I do creative metal work, but not familiar with bicycle mechanics, love the rat rod aethetic, and wanted to start playing with an old steel mountain bike, that I am making into an e-bike to take my dog for runs. Seeing how you freely modify is fun to watch and confirms my hopes that it is very doable and fun. Thank you for the inspiring instructions!

@FietsofStrength 10 ай бұрын

Thrilled it was helpful. Have fun building and let me know how it turns out!

@idontlikeit.7822 5 ай бұрын

Ooogaallly moogallly……gotta luv it

@dadbod4life 2 жыл бұрын

Awesome bike! Found your video because I'm building one myself, and want inspiration. Great video! Just need to decide which frame. I love Schwinn, so I'm hoping to find the best Schwinn for this purpose.

@toriwatson9655 2 жыл бұрын

Love your channel. I'm a beginner welder and have learnt so much from your videos, I'm using old bicycle frames like you. You might want to consider an e-bike project with a hub motor. With your creative fabrication skills I know you would make something very original.

@FietsofStrength 2 жыл бұрын

Thanks so much for watching and for the kind words. I did actually make a custom Shimano STEPS cargobike over the summer. There are photos up on my Instagram. Sadly I didn't have time to film it as it was for a client and I had to get it delivered ASAP. As soon as I can get my hands on another Shimano mid drive I'll build another and film it this time. Promise.

@Thizlamic 2 жыл бұрын

I'd hoon the crap out of that thing!!! AWESOME BUILD!

@jersontobias6356 Жыл бұрын

Great job for this build sir! Can you make some review to this build specially to the headtube turning 1 inch to oversize. Cos I'm planning to do it on mine too. 🙏

@Boogie.VanMan 5 ай бұрын

I have a 26" cruiser I´d like to change to 27.5...what size tires can I/did you use..? I´m binging your videos right now...brilliantly informative..!

@kaedeschulz5422 10 ай бұрын

Man this gives me crazy ideas🤣🤣🤣 Like completely modding a old Hercules MTB frame i have sitting around... Will test tomorrow if it's steel.. If so i may mod it just as heavily and maybe evel braze on a tapered headtube so can put that fork i have sitting around when i change the one on my current Enduro HT so i don't need to buy one.

@FietsofStrength 10 ай бұрын

Go for it! Just maybe wear a full-face helmet the first time you send it (just in case. Old tubes are soft haha)

@kaedeschulz5422 10 ай бұрын

@@FietsofStrength While taking a closer look i sadly noticed it's Aluminium BUT the headtube already is a ZS44 standard so perhaps i can atleast put a modern fork on it with an external bottom cup.

@FietsofStrength 10 ай бұрын

@@kaedeschulz5422 personally, I never mess with modifying aluminum frames.

@B.A.512 2 жыл бұрын

Awesome! I see you ride with the SA S1C hub too. I have ridden singletracks with it for 6 years and 4000+ km now, I really like it. Haven't tried it on long descents though. Did you try it on long descents where it heats up? Thanks!

@FietsofStrength 2 жыл бұрын

I haven't... yet. I will soon though. I've grenaded a couple of coaster hubs in the past. The last time was at about 35mph and the bike was coaster only... So I'm a little gun-shy about doing that again. Everything ended up ok, but that was a long walk down the hill with a seized back wheel.

@tristin5723 Жыл бұрын

Sweet 3d printed skull. Prusament PLA Prusa Galaxy Black? Did you print it, or buy it?

@XNick291X 2 жыл бұрын

Would love a klunker but no one in the UK sells them!

@susetemarieu Жыл бұрын

Great job! Do you remember what handlebar did you use? Might be a Fairdale?

@FietsofStrength Жыл бұрын

Thanks! They're Surly Sunrise handlebars.

@jamesrafael6794 2 жыл бұрын

Would you believe my brother built a similar bike in the 80s. It was a former monkey bar chopper bike with the steel cruiser frame.

@johnjoemaloney Жыл бұрын

Awesome build. Where did you source you fork?

@FietsofStrength Жыл бұрын

You know I think it was just in a box of old forks. It's nothing special, just works for this project. Simple aluminum fork, probably off some hybrid.

@javanthomas4122 Жыл бұрын

Couldn't you use the old sprocket

@priyanshubhardwaj2382 2 жыл бұрын

Great video, but when are u going to build your own frame

@FietsofStrength 2 жыл бұрын

Hahaha, busted! But if you must know, sooner rather than later. ;)

@hossmoss3378 Жыл бұрын

Wow thank you

@coldcatz 2 жыл бұрын

Question: are those bars the Sunrise and the cambium is a c17 or c19?

@FietsofStrength 2 жыл бұрын

Yep, those are the sunrise bars. And it's a c19. The c17 is too narrow for my sit-bones.

@coldcatz 2 жыл бұрын

@@FietsofStrength great… I thought so. Bike looks good thank you

@moosehand8721 5 ай бұрын

Coaster hub with freewheel click noise? Enlighten me.😮

@FietsofStrength 5 ай бұрын

Sturmey Archer uses their 3spd hub shell and tech for their SS coaster hub. It's a bit "grabby" but does ok. I wouldn't mind a bit more modulation, and less "freehub" noises personally.

@dazzasp3 Жыл бұрын

Where the bars from I'm from the uk

@FietsofStrength Жыл бұрын

They're Surly "Sunrise" bars.

@priyanshubhardwaj2382 2 жыл бұрын

When will new vid will come out

@FietsofStrength 2 жыл бұрын

I'm working on it. Hopefully in the next couple weeks! Don't let me slack off too much!

@ColiDog 2 жыл бұрын

I wish people in the USA would stop being PC and start saying "Merry Christmas" instead of "Happy holidays".

@FietsofStrength 2 жыл бұрын

Oh this is definitely the wrong channel for you, my guy.

@OU812NVME 2 ай бұрын

If anybody's doing any clunking remember to put BMX handlebars on not mountain bike you'll do much better that being bent over is for the birds and literally a joke

@lonerbikes 2 жыл бұрын

Dangerous without hand brake

@FietsofStrength 2 жыл бұрын

But it's freakin awesome with a coaster brake! 😎

@ginocasagrande2991 2 жыл бұрын

Take your time with a real paint job

@jamessher6956 Ай бұрын

Ashamed to say I have absolutely none of your skills. I had to buy a new State Bicycle Klunker and change out most of the parts to make it what I wanted. Spent too much of my youth riding instead of learning to work with my hands. Regrets.

@FietsofStrength Ай бұрын

Hey now, anytime you're working on bikes it's a win. No need to bring a welder into the mix. And besides, I'm the one making up for lost time by doing a ton of riding now that I'm older (because I spent my 20s and 30s messing around in the shop)!