Our homework hero Cap'n Jonny shared how he restored a dirty and neglected Electra Cruiser into a one-of-a-kind bike that's sure to bring joy to its new owner in its new forever home. He writes:
At the Bike Exchange, I usually work on vintage race or mountain bikes, upgrading and modernizing them. Ever since I did my Calvin and Hobbes tribute bike, though, I have wanted to hotrod another cruiser. While online, I saw a set of vintage sailor tattoo stickers, and the tattoo bike idea was born.
The bike started as a dirty and neglected Electra Cruiser. After disassembly and cleaning, I lightly sanded the frame and primed the bare spots.
Next came a couple of coats of Rustoleum flat black Enamel and a selection of tattoo stickers. A top coat of satin clear finished things off.
To give it that chopper look, I bobbed an old chrome rear fender and added a couple of stickers, then gave it a clear coat to keep the rust at bay.
At the front, I used a chrome road fork and rim with a 26 x 1.75 tire and a front BMX brake.
The old cruiser bars were swapped out for a chrome version with more backsweep. Wicked skeleton mirrors and a spider web front brake lever add to the cool factor.
Not able to stop myself, I replaced the original with an aluminum drilled Avocet crank and black flat pedals, and as a final touch, installed a vintage Brooks mattress saddle.
Hope ya’all like it.
