1957 Corvette Refresh!

[GTs58]

You had me fooled there, or more like that one picture of the hub did. My neck still has a kink from trying to read the number. ha!
I didn't care for the painted wheels on my Corvette when I bought the car new and I came real close to replacing them with a chromed set. Aftermarket alloy chromed repops were cheaper than stripping and polishing the originals at that time. I would prefer a high polished set over the chromed replicas since the chrome will flake off in short order, so I left them with the factory finish. Still don't care for them though.

Corvette Reproduction Wheels, Z06, Chrome, 1997-2004

Set Of 4 Wheels 17 X 9.5 Fronts & 18 X 10.5 Rears Bolt-On Installation Beautifully Chrome Plated Add Z06 style to your C5 with these great looking, cast aluminum wheels. Three-year conditional warranty on the chrome plating. Trust Ecklers Corvette for all your 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001...

www.ecklers.com

Huret chromed these shifter levers and they are alloy. They are used on the 5 speed Corvettes and once they get dull and ugly there is nothing you can do to bring them back.

 

[Maxacceleration]

I didn't care for the painted wheels on my Corvette when I bought the car new and I came real close to replacing them with a chromed set. Aftermarket alloy chromed repops were cheaper than stripping and polishing the originals at that time. I would prefer a high polished set over the chromed replicas since the chrome will flake off in short order, so I left them with the factory finish. Still don't care for them though.

OK, I see there is chromed alloy out there, thanks for the examples GTs.
Off topic, but here is my current Corvette wheel... Not chromed!

 

[Maxacceleration]

Finally!
My 26" wheels are on. Now the bike has the proper balance. 700c is just wrong on a cantilever frame IMO.
New chain & 20t rear sprocket (from 18t).

Working on bolting up longer reach brakes & cables. Got two replacement seatposts, one straight & one laid back.
I went lay back post first for looks, then roomy cockpit, and last for easier wheelies. I don't think these thin posts can handle grunting up a wheeiie. At least the lay back post. Plus for proper fitment the knee is supposed to be over the ball of the foot, not behind it.
So not sure on what seatpost to run.

The bike is getting closer to bead blast & powdercoat!

Before...

And now...

 

[GTs58]

Nice wheel sets! Are those tires labeled MS like the car tires? Mud and Snow.

 

[Maxacceleration]

They are labeled BS, GT... Yup...

Business Schwinn!! Lol

But ya, need M&S this time of year.

 

[Maxacceleration]

More progress today. As in about finished. I can swap out a couple of parts anytime (tires, bars, seatpost, chain guard, gearing), but this is it. Final grips are not yet on.
Simple. Underdone in my mind, but I wanted a large Sting-Ray like bike, yet with gears, for jammin it like in my old Sting-Ray days.
No excess. Cables are enough excess.
Brakes are weak. MX1000 + BlackOps levers, and I suppose the rims & pads both need a scuff/break-in. I may file the pads...
44x20 geared and I have a low enough 1st. Silver chain.
It looks klunker or rat, but it will look pretty fresh after a powdercoat. Not looking for too much patina. 2020 meets 1957.
I have learned, and am still learning old bikes. This site is amazing and my bike pales compared to most here. Good positive group.

Snowing & icy here so no immediate ride unfortunately. I gotta plow snow at 5:00am lol...

The apparently obligatory rear tire view...

I am acquiring a frame in January, so a another build is in my future. Brainstorming on that.

Cheers

 

[Swampthing]

I like the bike.
The build is simple and functional and looks good. I like the cantilever frames, to me they just look cool. Maybe because I don’t have one.

 

[GTs58]

Saw this custom seat post on Feebay and thought about your Corvette. Not sure if it's long enough in your case but it is pretty neat.

https://rover.ebay.com/rover/1/711-...0001&campid=5335809022&icep_item=184585683705

 

[Maxacceleration]

Interesting GTs. I like it. My opinion is on an angled back seat tube, with a long extended seat post it is just asking to bend. Cantilevered. Especially in the spindly 13/16" diameter. Even more so on a lay back post.
I fit close to proper leg extension on bicycles, not the slammed low seat post style, so I will normally have extended seat posts. And the risk of bending one. I think I will go through seat posts...

BTW, very nice red paint on the bike pictured. Hope mine looks that good!

 

[Maxacceleration]

Personalizing my bike a bit. Pretty much in its road going fashion now. Or neighborhood hooligan fashion.
Ames grips. A fine copy of the great tacky Ourys. Grew up with them. 2nd lay back post slid in - lets see how long this one lasts...
Tool bag... Tube, co2's cartridges (16 gram), tyre levers & allen head combo tool. Crescent wrench.
This bike pedals really nice. And fits really well.

 

[GTs58]

Is that new seat post made with any exotic metal that's twice as strong as the standard seat posts? If it's hollow, maybe fill it solid with some concrete? The Corvette is lookin good!

 

[ozzie]

Is that new seat post made with any exotic metal that's twice as strong as the standard seat posts? If it's hollow, maybe fill it solid with some concrete? The Corvette is lookin good!

Sweet bike mate. The short brake levers may not give enough leverage for side pull calipers. I had the same problem on my Typhoon. Swapped them for some longer ones and the difference is massive.

 

[Maxacceleration]

Thanks ozzie.
Interesting thought ozzie. I will mull that over. I two finger brake on everything from bicycles to motorcycles.
Even if it is a full length lever I may never use three fingers.
The reason I ended up with these levers is I wanted all silver - lever and mount. They are hard to find. I didn't want the eye to fall to the levers...
I will search for a full length lever/mount in all silver. I prefer the Magura style levers such as yours are.

My bike isn't yet detailed like yours is ozzie - first time I've seen it... You have several queues I have thought of doing too. Very clean bike.
I will keep mine slightly different just to make it its own.

And thanks GTs... There's nothing like a beautiful Corvette!

On bending seatposts.. I have thought of JB welding in a length of rebar, but I truly don't know if it would be more resistant to bending.
And I hate adding weight... My life long obcession on bicycles.

 

[ozzie]

Thanks ozzie.
Interesting thought ozzie. I will mull that over. I two finger brake on everything from bicycles to motorcycles.
Even if it is a full length lever I may never use three fingers.
The reason I ended up with these levers is I wanted all silver - lever and mount. They are hard to find. I didn't want the eye to fall to the levers...
I will search for a full length lever/mount in all silver. I prefer the Magura style levers such as yours are.

My bike isn't yet detailed like yours is ozzie - first time I've seen it... You have several queues I have thought of doing too. Very clean bike.
I will keep mine slightly different just to make it its own.

And thanks GTs... There's nothing like a beautiful Corvette!

On bending seatposts.. I have thought of JB welding in a length of rebar, but I truly don't know if it would be more resistant to bending.
And I hate adding weight... My life long obcession on bicycles.

The Magura levers are usually expensive. 80’s dia compe like the one on my 51 Panther can usually be found on ebay at reasonable prices.