Custom Bicycle – FAT BRO
Something completely different ...
For some time I was thinking about creating a custom vehicle, one that will be for me a kind of production challenge. And so, for spring 2013 I came up with the idea to make an unusual ’bicycl’. Yes, I agree to some extent this was pretty strange – but in the end I thought this is not impossible. A bike ? But certainly not a traditional bicycle. It was supposed to be a real CUSTOM.
I bought then new alloy wheels for my Harley and thus beautiful original new wheels were ready for it. And they have been waiting a few years until the magic moment. After the purchase of the tires I had available: 21 “front wheel and 17” rear with a width of 180mm, which for the so-called “ordinary bicycle” would be a little too much.
I can see your faces: ’a guy wants to build a motorcycle wheel bike! But it will not go’. That’s how all people reacted to whom I mentioned about this project. But what, in the end you have something to do in your life- and if you swim against the current the finale is more enjoyable.
And then it started ...
Although it is difficult at this point to talk about the really smooth start. As it turned out, I missed everything from tools typical for cycling constructions and finishing machines for profiling metal sheet or CNC milling. It would seem that a well-equipped workshop as mine (since we have been producing steel accessories for motorcycles for years), possesses all that is necessary to create a bicycle. But nothing could be more wrong. Unusual creations need unusual solutions.
First thing: to transfer the project from the head to paper (actually the computer). The same measurement framework took a little time – what it should look like, what and where you want it to be (pedals, gears, etc.) – it’s the basis of the whole structure. Such a framework cannot be bought, you need to do it yourself. Of course, how ? For what ? It cannot be welded in the air or on the kitchen table. And so, step by step, I had to first make the tools to build the bike. It sounds a little funny, but it happened in reality. Before we started the skeleton frame several long weeks passed.
Wheels, brakes, transmission -> all require an individual approach. All items that you could buy were the gears, derailleur mechanisms, chains, brake discs, attachments with the steering wheel (most of these components are Shimano) + all the links. The rest had to be produced. And .. I forgot about a Brooks saddle that I chose a long time ago because of the need for good cushioning. I resigned from the rear shock absorber, hence the saddle was on double springs.
Test drive ...
After a few months the bike was ready. Well, maybe not quite, but you could ride it. After the first rides I was positively surprised. After the first ride it attracted many passers by with unbelieving eyes – so the effect was achieved. And it’s not over yet. The remaining job was painting and making the whole mass of additives.
For the curious ones: the bike, despite its weight, rides, and it rides really freely. A whole range of gears is available which gives you the freedom of movement on this monster. I applied the hydraulic brakes and the largest commercially available shields for bicycles, which effectively stops the vehicle.
Fenders ...
Fenders, so easy to say. The fenders are made totally in our company. At the beginning they were a flat strip of sheet metal. For their profiling I bought specially the English wheel, a shrinker, hammers, etc. Some more internet resources plus foreign books for custom producers and somehow it went. The beginnings are always fun, but in this case the effect has surpassed my expectations. From a piece of a sheet metal pulled really professional fenders- and exactly the ones I came up with at the very beginning.
Painting ...
You have to paint it. OK, but how? And with this job, I went to Piotr Parczewski from Elblag – the interested ones know that the fun ends here, and real art begins. More weeks of waiting for a free slot, but it was worth it. The bike came to me in January 2014. Beautiful, eye-catching painting – full pattern visible at the right places, changing as a hologram depending on the angle of observation – just a miracle. In the pictures you cannot see the full effect of painting – the workshop photos do not show the detail – also due to too little light in the room.
Extras ...
About a week consisted of a whole assembly to the state before painting. Oh, it was fun. After painting and plating not everything fitted as before, sometimes you need a little motivation. But here it is, at last it looks like finished. But no, it’s not the end.
While waiting for the painting I bought a CNC milling machine, I chose the software and started playing with creating in 3D. After the first trials and preparation of projects I started production of caps / caps on all protruding bolts the bike. Then came the time for milling holders and other more complex ornaments …
And ready ...
The bike is ready. The first ride was very impressing – the equipment raises undisguised astonishment of passers by… and in the end it was supposed to be like that.
Some photos from the motorcycle fair in Warsaw …
It can be yours ...
After five years, I decided to sell it. Until now, it was a great highlight of the nature of my workshop, but the time has come to find a new home for him. Therefore, if you are impractical, unique, you like to shine or just like you are a dreamer – let me know – maybe you will be its next owner.
Price PLN 19.680 (16.000 net) 18.000 (14.634 net)
The Fat Bro bike and the Violencer scooter appeared in the video of Marina Luczenko-Szczesna.
See how they present themselves.
