GrandpaMcGurk Posted July 10, 2011 Posted July 10, 2011 I'm doing a sort of "How To" thread on another site but thought some of you folks might enjoy a peek at it. I started with this 1/8th bike kit........it was purchased on eBay for around 12 bucks. It's not intended to be any particular model or year but I wanted to see if I could construct a reasonable looking board track racer for under fifty bucks using only common hand tools, scrap plastic and common (cheap) hardware. Anyway here's the kit...... and here's a few pics & mock-ups in progress....... Here's a 60 cent crankcase before being smoothed out......
Foxer Posted July 10, 2011 Posted July 10, 2011 I admit, I had to look up "board track racer" as I first thought it was to be similar to those in Olympic racing. This is very interesting!
thatz4u Posted July 10, 2011 Posted July 10, 2011 keep up the great work, looking forward to seeing completed project.
GrandpaMcGurk Posted July 10, 2011 Author Posted July 10, 2011 I admit, I had to look up "board track racer" as I first thought it was to be similar to those in Olympic racing. This is very interesting! Mike...I guess my age is showing. I'm sure many, especially the younger crowd haven't a clue as to what a board track racer is...a little before their time I figure. A google of Board Track Racers provides a wealth of info on these things...they raced on banked wood plank tracks, no brakes to speak of other than closing the throttle, no suspension etc. These guys were all about going as fast as they could and keeping their fingers crossed.
jeffs396 Posted July 10, 2011 Posted July 10, 2011 Very creative Don! That's something you don't see everyday!
baddgass Posted July 26, 2011 Posted July 26, 2011 I had one of these kits, man was it fun. I do like whit your doing to it " nice " keep it coming.
BKIN10SECS Posted August 2, 2011 Posted August 2, 2011 HOT.....HOT.....HOT, right out of the pages of Rat Rod Bikes....can't wait to see it done.
Harry P. Posted August 4, 2011 Posted August 4, 2011 Is this the sort of thing you're going for? That looks to be a stock Harley. He's going after this: They had the dropped handlebars, no fenders (and no brakes, I think!).
Modelmartin Posted August 4, 2011 Posted August 4, 2011 That looks to be a stock Harley. He's going after this: They had the dropped handlebars, no fenders (and no brakes, I think!). ......and they typically had no throttle (it was wide open all the time, speed controlled by a magneto cut-off switch)and no clutch! It was definitely for the brave or the foolhardy!
sjordan2 Posted August 4, 2011 Posted August 4, 2011 Don has a more detailed thread on this build going on at scalemotorcars.com, and I believe he's planning to put on a rear fender. On another note, Don, the way you used Rust-Oleum textured paint on the seat is one of the best-looking answers I've ever seen for simulated leather, and should be the subject of a Tips/Tricks thread on this site.
hOLMS Posted August 5, 2011 Posted August 5, 2011 Outstanding work and creativity on this one. I, as others, will enjoy the journey and cannot wait to see it finished. Good luck!
GrandpaMcGurk Posted August 5, 2011 Author Posted August 5, 2011 Thanks for your interest guys...while I'm not really concerned with building an exact replica of any particular bike, the pic that Harry posted is the "look" I'm after. My thinking was that the bike kit would make for a great starting point without having to do that much more scratch building or toss out a lot of coin.......just plain ol' fashioned modeling. I can still remember back when I was a youngster and aftermarket anything simply wasn't available. You had what was in the box, period. If you wanted something different you had to create it yourself. Skip, I haven't decided for sure yet on the bobbed rear fender...we'll see if it hurts my face when I get a little further along. I set this project aside temporarily so I could get a little more done on "Termite Candy" for a club meeting Sat. but will be picking the racer back up shortly. As soon as I have the time I'll do a mini tutorial on the "leather look" paint application if you folks think you'd find it useful.
crazyjim Posted August 5, 2011 Posted August 5, 2011 Very different, Don, but pretty interesting. No brakes, no clutch, no throttle control - no thanks. Hope to see you tomorrow.
GrandpaMcGurk Posted August 5, 2011 Author Posted August 5, 2011 The way things stand now Jim, I should be able to make it. Been a little off my game lately.......... for those that knew him, our dear friend Mario Luchinni passed away July 20, 2011.
MicroNitro Posted August 6, 2011 Posted August 6, 2011 That is so cool it makes me want to find a bike kit and try to build one. Thanks for posting I will be watching for updates. The leather tutorial would be helpful for an early Indy car I am doing.
GrandpaMcGurk Posted August 8, 2011 Author Posted August 8, 2011 Ya ever gonna finish one ????? What's the matter Al...do you need a hug? Whether it takes me 5 or 20 years to finish one of my personal models so what? I'm having fun and enjoying what I'm doing, if my posts irritate or keep you from building your models, your way, in your own time frame I'm sure MCM has an ignore button somewhere so that you don't need to be bothered reading my posts.. As long as you've rattled my cage...do you just not like what I'm doing with the bicycle kit?
old-hermit Posted August 8, 2011 Posted August 8, 2011 What's the matter Al...do you need a hug? ...do you just not like what I'm doing with the bicycle kit? No Don, I definately don't need a hug from you and yea, I'll use the ignore button. ... It's not the bicycle, I just don't like you !!!!!
GrandpaMcGurk Posted August 8, 2011 Author Posted August 8, 2011 No Don, I definately don't need a hug from you and yea, I'll use the ignore button. ... It's not the bicycle, I just don't like you !!!!! I can live with that......thanks.
sjordan2 Posted August 8, 2011 Posted August 8, 2011 (edited) Old-Hermit and Grandpa: Can you guys save this for your checkers game at the retirement home? Loving this build, Don, what's next? Edited August 8, 2011 by sjordan2
Harry P. Posted August 8, 2011 Posted August 8, 2011 Are Don and Al's last names really Hatfield and McCoy?
GrandpaMcGurk Posted August 9, 2011 Author Posted August 9, 2011 Skip, Harry......yeah, we got a bit off-topic there.......no worries, just a couple old farts scratching an itch that needed scratching I guess. Oh well, the battery on my hover-round should be charged up by now so I can get back to the workbench....... In answer to your question Skip...next up will be bracing the front forks and setting up the drive train.....some of these bikes had functional pedals as well as the engine drive and the earlier ones had leather belts (engaged with a hand lever that acted as a clutch) driving the rear wheel.
GrandpaMcGurk Posted August 14, 2011 Author Posted August 14, 2011 I've started fabricating and mocking up the front fork bracing. The blue plastic pieces are from the kit (all unnecessary tabs, speed-o drive etc. removed) and the white pieces are the fabbed up parts.
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