How to build a Klunker Bike
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- Опубликовано: 18 окт 2024
- Check out this cool bike project 70 years in the making. I took a 1940’s Western Flyer cruiser and converted it into a modern mountain bike. . It’s my 2020 version of a Klunker. Thanks to Joe Breeze, Tom Ritchey, and Gary Fischer for the inspiration. If you have not seen the film “Klunkerz” you need to check it out! • Klunkerz: a film about...
Amazon Affiliate links for speciality tools and parts used for the build:
Headset Press: amzn.to/3zebEwa
Park Took Torque Wrench: amzn.to/3wXhTD0
Reamer/ Flex Hone: amzn.to/3izH09O
Park Tool 3 way wrench: amzn.to/2UwdgCS
Park Tool Hammer: amzn.to/3Bs7ans
Park Tool Pedal wrench: amzn.to/2W3ToYd
Park Tool Bottom bracket tool: amzn.to/2UYcEpp
Chain Tool: amzn.to/3kGnnQi
Frame Saver Rust inhibitor: northwestbicyc...
Music licensed from Soundstripe.com
My greatest Happiness: bright seed¬¬
Sway: Brent Wood
Get lost in the Ran: Brent Wood
Mojave: Brent Wood
Carefree Thoughts: Brent Wood
The Mountains are Alive: Sounds like Sanders
#klunker #retrobike #klunkerbike
Dude, that was awesome. So well done and something exactly like I want to do. You did everything I was thinking of doing also with an old Schwinn I picked up this last summer. I am curious about the strength of the milled down headset, I have read about people doing just that but I have had friends that have broken external cup headsets because of heavy stress on the joint between the cup and the sleeve. As to your video editing and production it is awesome, entertaining and educational. Thanks for sharing. Awesome!
Just saw your insta post, went to RUclips and came across this. Seems you are gonna do exactly this in your new build haha. Looking forward to it!
Thank you oldshovel! You are definitely an inspiration behind this channel. We were lucky in that we only had to mill down the cups about a millimeter total. The machinists did a good job of keeping the taper in the cups so they have a good bite. Time will tell how well she holds up. Take Care
You guys should collab!
Fan from Philippines old shovel🤟
I would love to do this with aluminum beach cruiser frame. 🙂
I built my first Klunker in 1978 after reading an article about them in Bicycling magazine. It started as a 1956 Schwinn Jaguar. I gave it a 5-speed cog/derailleur, Atom Drum brakes, Magura motorcycle brake levers, and BMX handlebars. I was one of the first in NH to build one. Those were incredibly exciting times watching the sport evolve in those early years.
Sounds awesome! Do you still have the bike?
Total cost of all that outside work must be close to the price of a new bike. But it's still cool to see the work done and the finished product. Thanks.
Thanks man!
Klunkerz , great film
Wow. Never seen a klunker restored. And looks like it came from the green acres set and ended up being the new release from surly. And the ride through a Kansas trail. Just amazing.
Thanks man!
I am mainly a collector of original balloon tire bikes. What you did was like taking a 70 year old man and putting a 10 year old heart in him. Not only did I find this very interesting I was amazed at the work that you did to make this a klunker. I'm not really sure you can even call it that. Great job and enjoy the video.
Thank you Robert. I really appreciate it!
it's a klunker-ish... but years agi i did a poor version of this (a rat-klunker with '90 mtb parts) and i loved it. This one is beautiful
Damn I thought I was the only person that obsessed with retrofitting old bicycles.
You’re not the only guy that draws a deep peace in building bicycles, a late night car or motorcycle ride doesn’t touch the peaceful summertime bike around in the cool evening
I agree, I love the feel of cool summer night ride.
The best thing about this video is your voice.. you should do voice over :) so soothing.
Very kind of you thank you
I like it you made something old new again
Thank you Javan!
@@CoolBikeProjects sure. I would have painted it a matlic blue myself
As soon as you took the bike outside I thought that like Kansas! Nice build!
Awesome! Yes Kansas has some decent MTB trails and lots of rolling hills :)
Very nice. Very real nice. Gorgeous, too. These old machines deserve this kind of care. Thanks for sharing, partner.
Thank you!
That locking rear axle detailer fix was genius.
Totally enjoyed the bike make over. 👍 In the early 80's when I did road cycling with my friends we were going to have a shride together. I showed up with a new Mountain bike 🚵♂️ they thought that I was crazy. Two months later they each got one for themselves. I do miss those days. Thanks for your video
Thank you very much for sharing, bikes really do bring a lot of joy 😎
built my first klunker in 69 out of any old parts that were lying around,put a knobly tire front and back 26" wheels and an old brooks saddle,every one thought i was nuts,in the uk we called them tracking bikes now everyone rides mountain bikes funny how times change ,still have a schwinn cruiser that i ride 3or 4 times a week maybe i will rebuild it this summer !!!!!
Go for it Clive! I’d love to see it when your finished.
between lowrider community and the motorized biking community these old bikes are gold . its a good thing schwinn did a repop . the original bikes are still the best and hard to find some of them . always good to see someone bring them back to life . they were indeed the mountain bikes road bikes bmx bikes and what ever other bike you can think of of my day . we had schwinn and if you had one of those krate bikes you was the sheet . or a phantom . if you were really lucky you had a grey ghost . huffy bikes were the cheap bikes back then the ones that you dint care about tearing up . lol . wish i had a few of them now . western flyers and road kings . royce union . western flyers were kinda in the same category as schwinn . only a little harder to find . i think they were a older company but im not sure . they were easy to work on any kid with a little know how and a few tools could build repair or upgrade there bikes with just a few old part bikes and a little time on the weekend . now days your lucky to see kids riding bikes it takes to much time away from there phones and video games . good thing the biking fade still lives in a few of us still . the new bikes need special tools that most people dont have . building bikes was the best part of my young life . sad they kinda took that away from kids . maybe thats why there all on there phones they cant fix there bikes . lol . any way sorry for the long comment just took me back a little bit . kinda got to rambling about better days . have a good one buddy . enjoy that bike alot of memories in it even if you dont know them .
Thanks so much for your comment. I think there are a lot of folks still enamored with the simplicity of bikes. I think if more kids rode a dirt trail or had a chance to put things back together (fixing bikes) it would pull them away from their phones :) Any way here's hoping.
@@CoolBikeProjects agreed ride safe buddy .
I bought a cruiser one day to ride around with my kids.. then I found klunkers and strandies.. I made a bmx out of it but wanted to make a klunker so bad.. sold that bike.. but this build of yours is so bad ass that I want to build a klunker now..
Thanks man! I'm in search for another one too. Best wishes on your next bike adventure.
cool bike
Thanks Dennis!
Wow you know what you’re doing. A junker to a beautiful mountain bike. Nice custom bike Sweet . What a video👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻😎💨
Thanks Danny! I appreciate it.
Bravo!
I put green locktight on those bb adapter cups when I instal them.
Helps lock them in, stops creaking.
Excellent idea!
I thought I went bit deep with some 1980s Dahon folders. No I didn’t even scratch the surface compared to this build. I really really appreciate the work that went into your labor of love and the beautiful end result
Thanks Robert! I really appreciate it. I wish I was as passionate about home repair projects, but bikes are a lot more fun!
My first bike was a klunker that was not pretty, but it got me where I wanted to go.
Awesome!
I like seeing the reclaiming of something destined for junk, even if it was just the frame.
Thanks man!
I would enjoy riding that bike very much. Very well-crafted! As I've aged, I've realized that a bike should have a beauty to it, as well as be in good mechanical condition. I think that you achieved both exceedingly well
Thank you Alan!
Wow realy well done. very professional video
Thanks Mike!
Why would any of these 35 people downvote this? Two thumbs up! Been wanting to build myself a nice cruiser/mtb for a while now. Something to call my N+1.
Really enjoyed this video, especially how calmly you explain the process and a bit about your own history. Thanks for that, take care, and all the best in future projects!
Thanks Sean, Thant's very kind of you. I have a lot more video and some more restorations coming soon.
I'm planning on restoring my grandpas old bike and I cannot tell you how much I appreciate your insights, tips, and tricks. I haven't been able to find anything this detailed. Thank you so much.
That is awesome! So glad you found this useful.
I've been ignoring to watch this video since it was in my recommended, never been so wrong. Now I'm subscribed, great work man!
Wow, thanks Ian! I appreciate it!
So excited to finally find a bike guy in my area riding my kinda terrain
Very cool , I used to have that fork and the adjustment was its best feature
You make it look soo easy!!! MAGNIFICO!!!!
Thank you Roman- lots of tinkering and checking with friends to make this work
Well... thats an enduro hardtail, I had no idea about the Klunker bikes, awesome.
Looks like his college bike shop days were very useful in this build.
this bike build is awesome. so many little interesting facts to learn from !
Thanks for watching!
Great Job... imagine if Mr.Fisher and Mr. Breeze had access to that kind of "tech" back in the day 😎
Stumbled across your video. Really fantastic production quality-lighting, camerawork, editing, sound. Everything was perfect for watching this kind of build and trying to learn how or why you made the choices you did. Awesome work!
Thanks Luke, I really appreciate it!
Highly enjoyable watch. The history lessons were fascinating! Looks incredible and like a solid build. Nice transformation.
Thanks for watching Samuel! I appreciate it.
Nice job. Cool bike and great video. That bad boy’s ready to rip the steeps of Kansas!
Thanks Brett!
I watch so many bike videos it may be an illness. This is an excellent build my friend. Your delivery, patience and skill is excellent. Thank you for your knowledge and time. And @oldshovel commented. You are my new hero. Awesome!!!!
Thank you!
I am aware that this is an older video, however, I still loved it. I just picked up a '63 schwinn beach cruiser that I'm going to turn it into a kluncker. It black in color with the original dealer stickers. Going to clean up the frame and keep as is and upgrade all of the components, wish me luck...👍
Awesome! best wishes on your build
NICE LABOR , BUEN TRABAJO , THIS HERMOSO BEATIFULL CONGRATULACIONES , SALUTEZ , FROM DESDE AGUASCALIENTES CITY, MEX. 9,11,2021
Gracias mi amigo!
I want this bike so bad! Amazing build
Thanks Denton!
What a captivating video! I’d love to find one of these.
I'm not a bike fan and haven't ridden one in about 20 years, but I watched your whole video. I didn't understand some of the terminology but this was awesome!
Thank you! I really appreciate it.
You got me hooked on this klunker thing
Thanks for watching!
Outstanding built, please keep sharing, more bikes videos. Thanks, joe.
Thanks, will do!
Love Klunkerz
Happy Klunking
Nice Brother ...
#Bandung Klunkerz Indonesia
Thank you Ade!
Very cool project & result. I enjoyed watching it. Thank you.
Thanks for watching!
Love the use of quality component's... I learned a lot especially bottom bracket and crank tutorial
Thanks Clayton!
A really nice project, such an old bike mixed with modern components has its own charme. Technically it's well explained and was a pleasure to watch. I currently restored a 1980s trekking bike, and converted it to a flat bar road bike, the original bike was given away for free.
2:27 It's fine with a steel frame, but just for general information for others, it shouldn't be done with modern aluminum frames, they don't like cold forging. Even 1990s frames often have less than 135 mm.
Thank you Simon, and sound advice about cold forging modern frames.
What a sweet looking bike!😊💙💛
Awesome project! Thank you for sharing!😎👍🏻
Thanks for watching!
Amazing work thanks for sharing your skills and time in production very inspiring to many im sure. Cant believe Ive only just found the channel. All the best Andy
Thank you Andy. I love your passion for the older road bikes!
Have you taken a break? I have enjoyed a lot of your videos.
Now that my friends was one amazing video beautiful bike great job
Thanks Kevin!
Supercool build.
Thanks for watching!
I have a 1941 Elgin and this is exactly what I was looking for!! Thanks. Great build sir.
How awesome! Thanks for checking out the channel.
Flat out amazing. Just amazing
Thanks man!
Wow, thank you for making such a quality, in depth build video! I’ve been searching for some time to find a full klunker build explanation and this is the real deal! Very nicely done my friend! That bike is killer
man, you answered all the questions i wasnt sure there were answers for! i bought a beach cruiser for cheap on craigslist, that i want to put mountain bike components on, along with an 80cc motor. i had no idea what i was gonna do about the bottom bracket and derailleur, and figured i would be fabricating something myself. good to know there are adapters ready made! all my bike experience is modern mountain bikes, so the very different diameters of the bb and headtube has been a headscratcher. i still have to do a bunch of welding, but you saved me a ton of bother! thumb'd and subbed!
Fantastic build! Absolutely enjoyed it!
Thanks Krishna, I just checked out your channel. Wow! I will be coming back. Very cool photoshop tutorials.
@@CoolBikeProjects awesome! Thanks so much for the sub! :) I look forward to your upcoming builds. My Trek 4300 is currently in the shop and I’m waiting to get it back again so I can ride. I’m getting the crankset replaced due to severe wear. The chain is shot and it wore the crank’s teeth to sharp points. The rear cassette is also getting replaced. Your videos help me understand the various steps needed to overhaul a bike. I’m curious to know what average prices run for basic bike maintenance.
@@KrishnaDraws It really depends on the size of the town you get service in, but average tuneups run between $65-85 plus parts. An overhaul can be $125-$150 plus parts. Parts are getting more expensive and when you wear out a drive train if can take a bit of funds to replace everything, but still relatively cheap compared to auto repair work in my estimation.
wow that was so satisfying to watch,you did a great job , great bike!
Thank you!
This was very well done, and cool to watch. Great narration too.
Thanks Robby!
Cool man...you got it. I remember does bikes from my granddad and my uncle's.
Awe 👍🏼Some build and mod.
One of the best I've seen 🎉
Thanks man!
My next project!
Thank you for this upload! 🙏
Thanks for checking it out!
Thanks for checking it out!
This is the kind of klunker vid i am looking for. It has lots of information that can help people like me seeking a solution about convertion.
Keep up! and wish to see more vids!
Thanks Mady!
Great video! I love the history and storytelling with your video!
Having worked in a shop years ago I appreciate the work you did on the headset, the care taken with the chain line and the reuse of components. Again great job.
Beautiful job !
Thank you Ron!
Beautiful job! I would love to have a bike like that!
Though technically not a Klunker though, just a Klunker frame with modern components.
Thanks Gary!
Old meets new....Nice project build and thank you for sharing. Greeting;s from the U.A.E.
Thank you Leynard!
Just stumbled upon your channel. I guess that's what you call it anyway. Thanks for the brief history lesson. I'm taking a single speed adult tricycle and I'm going to convert it to look like a 70s trike chopper. Hopefully I'll have it done by end of summer. Or it'll have to wait for spring.
Awesome! Best wishes on the project.
@@CoolBikeProjects thanks this, "older than dirt", old fart is going to need all the luck I can find. I even have an idea to play through my Rockville speakers the muscle sound of a Harley!
great video .. i restore and refurbish only you muscle them fully . . . outstandin !
Say hello mr cool bike, great build, well explained, please, keep sharing more of bikes, thankcs, joe, from panama.
subbed, commented, liked. I can just listen to the commentary and music all day. good content, Sir.
Thank you very much!
Absolutely amazing. Such a beautiful bike. Wow.
Thanks for watching!
nice build there love the old school frames from yesterday with new school of late 80 to now, just found a old GIANT Rock 4000 series mountain bike for trasher bike, thanks to you and oldshovel for some great ideas...cheers
Thank you Paul!
This was a great post!! This content is super cool. I have a Schwinn Heavy Duty that I want to change the handle bars on. Channels like yours, old shovel and others are really educational. Thank you!
Thanks for watching!
New subscriber here! I wish I could turn my Japanese bike into this kind of awesome work 👍❤️❤️ I'm finding people who can do it for me but I guess they can't treat my bike as careful as you shown in the video😅
Thank you Jessel!
great bike
Thank you Forde!
What a nice Bike rebuild. Respect.
Stay well, best regards from germany ✌😁👍
Thank you!
The name of your channel says it all. Very cool! Keep it up. I subscribed. Love your voice throughout the video. Look forward to your other projects!
Thanks man! I really appreciate it.
Such a great build!
Thanks Patrick! It was a lot of fun to do.
This is that same concept in the Jeep offroad Community. You have your new rigs that are 100 times more capable then you have the rigs from years back yeah the older stuff is not as capable but everyone in the new stuff looking back at the guys in the old stuff thinking " man those guys sure look like they are having alot of fun."
Sometimes, being so capable and having all the new tech does take some of the fun out of it.
I am sure the adrenalin rush is more intense on a clunker compared to a modern dual suspension 29er. Or the like.
Great video. 👍
Thank you very much. Yes I agree. It is very much like the off-road community 😎
Gorgeous
I just found this channel and am a new sub! Late last year when looking for steel hardtail frame for a gravel, I was fortunate to find a 20 year old Litespeed Pigsah. I think I may be hooked on vintage bike builds. Your channel will be a great resource. Nice videography, music and story telling!
Thanks Mike! Glad to have you on board and I’d love to see a picture of your lightspeed!
Great build. A pleasure to watch.
Thanks Andrew!
Wow! Amazing build! Thanks for sharing!
Thanks for watching Alonzo
Great build
Thank you Mario!
Good Work!
Good story!
Good vibe!
Cheers from Romania!
Thank you very much Stefan!
Awesome project I really enjoyed this build👍
a great making of !!! absolute enjoyable :)
awesome bike, i can only dream of with my skills set. thank you for sharing
Thank you. This was a fun project to work on.
Beautiful ride….. done perfectly and jealous, lol !!
Thank you, I don’t know about perfect but it was a fun build.
Really nice job on this one!
Awesome build Awesome edit 👍
Seriously cool! Well done
Thanks Rick!
this is a beautiful bike! love the black! also, great movie.
Thank you 😊
Damn that turned out really nice!!!
Thanks man!
Really liked the way you explained everything. Great build, I like!
I have a 1930's-40's frame hanging in my garage. One day I'll get to working on it. For now I have three 26" Typhoons, one 24" Typhoon, one 16" Sting Ray Jr. And one 16" Bantam.
So far I plan to leave them all classic except for one 26" I plan on turning into a lowrider and the 24" will be a lowrider trike.
Awesome! Those typhoons are great frames.
Well done , thanks for the step by step instructions .