Indian Custom- "The Bone Shaker"

As we've seen from past posts, for folks outside the developing world, Chinese roadsters can be a good basis for a custom. They are inexpensive, so if you have budget you can splurge on more expensive components and paint than you normally would.

Frequent Blog commenter, Larry Bone, took a different path with his Abley INDIAN roadster. It was purchased on e-bay for a mere $100, but when it came, with bent spokes, un-trued wheels, and other defects it was clear it had been manhandled at the factory, the port and the post office.  Which is to say , everywhere. It was...umm.. "utilitarian". Extremely so. A real lemon. And therefore a perfect candidate for turning into bicycle lemon-ade.

The inspiration in this case was the Pashley Guv'nor. A high end British "Path Racer" which is 1930's-speak for "Mountain Bike".

Larry started by stripping away everything that didn't look like a Guv'nor. First off, ALL the body work went. All of it. Meaning fenders, braces, industrial strength package rack and hockey stick chain guard. While your at it, ditch the brake rods and handle bars too. All gone.  

 

Now that the bike had lost about 30% of it's weight, he added back the things that DO make it look like a Guv'nor.  The bars, of course are upside down North Road bars. Caliper brakes from a 1970's stepthrough Raleigh "Colt", while not strictly Guv'nor-esque, certainly help stop the bike. They actually work with the Westwood rims after some bedding in. And why not dig into your parts stash and throw on a Raleigh chainwheel? It all works.

 
The ultra heavily sprung seat is an original Indian piece. If it's suited for the hills of the Punjab, it is probably good for a few Pennsylvania woodland paths.

 
And that is how "The Bone Shaker" was born! Good work Larry! Some tasty lemon-ade indeed.

Comments

[Rick]

Nice job Larry!

I opted for a coaster brake on my path racer because I didn't think the calipers could work with the Westwoods... If I would have seen your bike before I might have reconsidered.

Ride safe!
Rick

[Larry Bone]

Thanks Rick! Yeah, I pondered it a bit as to how to properly stop the machine and thought, well.... let's try the calipers. Worst case I have to rip them off and try something else.

As it were, they work about as well... if not a little better than the rod brakes on my DL-1. Thing is you have to be meticulous about alignment with the rim. That and a bit of "bedding in" and they work just fine!

Cheers!

Larry "Boneman" Bone
Dingmans Ferry, PA, USA