Building a klunker with UNPARALLELED SPEED!

[bobslilbicycles]

right or (ride) on man!

 

[Bike from the Dead]

right or (ride) on man!

Thank you!

 

[Bike from the Dead]

I want to try and rebuild the CWC klunker as a 14-speed hybrid for this year's Off Road Build Off on ratrodbikes.com, but I've got one big issue that I'm not sure how to solve. I've only worked with derailleurs once before, and that was with a postwar Schwinn, which has "normal" dropouts, which meant I could just use a regular Shimano dropout-attached derailleur from one of my donor bikes.

On this 1936 CWC though, I not only have dropout slots that face the wrong way, but there's also a piece of metal under the dropouts that bends out and away from the axle.

My original plan was to use one of these derailleurs that bolts onto a little hanger that sits below the dropout. I was just going to drill and tap one of the kickstand/fender mount holes to tit the dropout, and then maybe cut off part of the kickstand stopper.

But then I noticed this weird protrusion on the derailleur, and saw how it actually mounted to the bike it came from. I don't think this derailleur will work for this bike like I thought, as that might take a little too much fabrication for me to do on my own.

So, after dragging my feet on this for nearly a month, I decided to see if I could even slide a regular dropout-mounted derailleur on this bike. It turns out, I can, and I might even be able to clear that kickstand stopper too.

Then again, that kickstand stopper might be in the way of the cables...

The arm of this derailleur moves away on this frame, unlike the more modern Shimano that came with a 7-speed freewheel, which sits flat against the dropout.

I mocked up this other derailleur, which might work, but I'm still unsure about it.

There are a couple concerns I have about using these older derailleurs on this klunker:
1. I don't know if they'll actually clear the frame just fine, or if I need to either bend or cut off the one piece that might be in the way in order for them to work.
2. I'm pretty sure these derailleurs were for 5-speed wheels. Would they still work on a 7-speed with some adjustments, or is that just not feasible?

I could use some help figuring out how to work around these issues. I'd like to avoid welding or brazing some adapter on this frame, as I have neither the tools nor expertise to do that. Plus, I'd really like to use the parts I have, instead of going out and buying a new part just to solve this problem. If I could get some advice on how to turn this CWC into a 14-speed using what I have, I'd appreciate it. Honestly, even if it turns out that I'm better off keeping this bike as a single-speed bomber, then that helps too.

 

[The Colonel]

ill take better pics tomorrow. theres a specific adaptor for this. however you have to use a adjustable wrench to bend the the center stand tab on the dropout out of the way..

 

[Bike from the Dead]

ill take better pics tomorrow. theres a specific adaptor for this. however you have to use a adjustable wrench to bend the the center stand tab on the dropout out of the way..

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Awesome, thanks! Also, nice klunker! What model/manufacturer is that frame?

 

[The Colonel]

Awesome, thanks! Also, nice klunker! What model/manufacturer is that frame?

its a 36/37 hp synder made harvard badged.. my current project.. you just reminded me to take pics.. Ill get better pics and a maker and model of the bracket manana.

 

[Bike from the Dead]

its a 36/37 hp synder made harvard badged.. my current project.. you just reminded me to take pics.. Ill get better pics and a maker and model of the bracket manana.

Nice, so it's about the same age as this guy. I knew I recognized the shape of the frame, but I completely forgot that it was a Snyder. That thing is cool! How did you adapt the rear caliper brake to it? Please, by all means send me some photos of that rig!

Here's how I got the rear brake on my '50 Schwinn step-thru: I took a piece of a recliner frame that had 2 holes the right size for mounting a brake, cut out the piece I needed, painted it to match the frame, and bolted it to the rear fender brace.

 

[razinhellcustomz]

Nice, so it's about the same age as this guy. I knew I recognized the shape of the frame, but I completely forgot that it was a Snyder. That thing is cool! How did you adapt the rear caliper brake to it? Please, by all means send me some photos of that rig!

Here's how I got the rear brake on my '50 Schwinn step-thru: I took a piece of a recliner frame that had 2 holes the right size for mounting a brake, cut out the piece I needed, painted it to match the frame, and bolted it to the rear fender brace.
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Nice job Austin. You can't even see the bracket you made for the caliper brake. Well done my friend.

 

[The Colonel]

made by problem solvers.

Chain Tensioner with Hanger

Rethinking the validity of your singlespeed bike purchase? Wishing you’d gone the geared route after all? Don’t worry, we’ve been there too. Problem Solvers is here to help! Our Chain Tensioner with Derailleur Hanger is about options. Keep a multi-gear wheel, derailleur, and shifter around for a...

problemsolversbike.com

this is the adapter in the pic on the harvard

 

[Bike from the Dead]

Nice job Austin. You can't even see the bracket you made for the caliper brake. Well done my friend.

Thank you!