Was very happy to get this done – even more happy to see it built up as a real bicycle. It’s now back with it’s rightful keeper in Christchurch NZ. It may have even been ridden once or twice! Here are some photos, first with some white Fredz bars (the right bars for this bike, but not the right colour) and then with some S&M 7.5in rise Slams.
I’m quite keen on bikes, as some may be aware – especially BMX type bikes. So it seemed like a good idea to paint a bike or two, or more…
First up is a late ’80s Cyclecraft cruiser for a friend from racing days – in the late 80s. I think this will probably be the first and last 80s style small diameter chromoly tubed frame I do, because it is a #@%& to paint! Given that I’m painting it with acrylics and a brush, as I would with a canvas. The paint scratches like a #@%& too, so hopefully many many coats of gloss clearcoat will protect it. Not finished yet, but getting there.
After discovering what a #@%& the Cyclecraft was to paint, I went to the other extreme and picked up a Specialized Fat Boy for the next project, as it had the largest surface area of any 20″ BMX bike that I was able to source easily (ie cheaply). It’s a bit of a weird machine, as the alloy frame weighs very little, but the parts are pretty boat anchor – especially the cranks. I’ve been careful not to drop them in case they smash through the concrete floor of the garage. The Specialized has been put aside for now because…
…of these. Took me a while to get two Lil Rippers into my possession, but I have them now! Heh heh heh. I plan to paint ’em up as a 3 bike collection with the PK. The Cyclecraft has given me an idea of what to do, so it should go almost smoothly (hopes fervently). Now I just need to source the parts. Might need to sell some paintings. Also – I have some paintings for sale.
It’s been a bit of an upheavalish time of late hasn’t it? I have new work to show, but have just discovered that I really need to take some better photos of them, so that’ll be later in the week. This tube looking thing is indeed a tube – the downtube of a late 80’s Cyclecraft 24in BMX frame that I’m (slowly) painting for a good friend from my late 80’s BMX days. I’m not airbrush equipped, so I’m treating it as an annoyingly small-tubed canvas and doing it all with a brush. This is the test section (the downtube sticker will cover it) to see how the paint would work. Quite well, it seems! The rest of it will be a bit more in keeping with my other work, in between paying work. Because $ has been a bit upheavaled too! Appreciate anyone who is taking the time to check this out and hope you are well. Stay safe!
kirameki san experiences sustained loss of traction 