Transportation Alterations.....

So for those who don't know, this is the summer that I plan to do the body and paint to the van. For this project I am dropping the insurance to fire and theft and parking the van. That way I can pull off the bumpers and really do a good job. I'm doing the paint job using the $50 paint job technique....if you don't know it, google it ;)

So I realized that with no van I still need a way to get around. I have to go to work five days a week plus I still plan to go busking at the market with my didge and drums. How do I transport all of my stuff? I still need to be able to get cat litter, tubs of ice cream for sundaes, pales of body filler....you know the basics ;)

A friend of mine at work recently bought an electric bicycle. The thing looks more like a scooter than a bike but it's legally classified as a bicycle. I did some searching and ended up ordering an electric bike conversion kit. I decided that I need one of these things because I will be hauling my busking gear plus doing the usual errands that life demands. To keep my energy level up and to keep things fairly reasonable I need some electric help.  With gas prices rising and insurance dropped my kit will pay for itself.

So long story short, I set out to find an aluminum framed cruiser bicycle....I found one used on kijiji.ca .  I love kijiji.ca !!!!!!!

I got a schwinn 5speed aluminum framed bike used but almost new for $125 and I love it. It was actually the Tim Horton's 40th anniversary roll up the rim to win bike. 

Here's a pic:

So I just got word that my electric kit has been shipped so it should show up this week, hope, hope.  I decided to paint the bike before I put the kit on it and having taken friday off from work, well, it presented the best time to jump right in to this project.

Ok, Here's the plan:  how to get a glittery metallic look on a budget.

1. Paint the bike with tremclad

2. sprinkle it with lots of glitter, let it dry

3. spray it with varathane a couple times

4.cover the whole thing with spar varathane.  

This has been a technique on my mind for a while and this was the best time to try it out. 

Did it work? Well you be the judge........

Here are some pictures of the process:

The bike

Classic red  paint.....radio flyer style.......time for a change!!

The tools, (minus the spar varathane)

Four more tubes of sparkle was needed to finish the job.

The test subject: the chain guard.

The completed chain guard.

Close up of the chain guard, looks good!!

Another close up shot of the back of the bike.

Chain guard installed

Finished , very happy with the result.

Bling! Bling!

Schwinn!!

Well, all in all I'm super happy how it turned out. I'm still building up thin coats of spar just to add a good strong protective layer to last for many years. 

I'll post the features of this bike later on this week as well as some pictures. Maybe I'll add a youtube video of the bike and it's glow lights and it's on board sound system!! 

Once I get my E-kit I will be set up and then it will be back to project van.

Until next time.

Cue the outro music.............

:)