Hot rod style Barracuda bike

[Sam I am]

Hi, all. Here are some pics of an old ross Barracuda bike I just rebuilt into a sort of old hot rod style cruiser for leisureky rides around my home town. The bike dates back to the 1960's or early 70's, and was rescued from an old stone quarry near my home, where people used to throw old bikes, stoves refrigerators, etc. before it was filled in. My son dragged it home in about 1993. It had a badly twisted rear rim, which I straightened out enough to make it rideable. My sons rode it for a while, then it spent
the last 15 years in our basement. I dug it out and rebuilt it into an early hot rod style machine. It was a three speed, but I got a coaster brake rear wheel and made it a one speed for simplicity. The only purchased items were a set of whitewall tires and tubes, handlegrips, pedals, and some paint. The seat was from another junker, and I recovered it in red vinyl, but it's not a good job. I plan to buy a new seat for it. I changed the front sprocket from 44 teeth to a 36 tooth one to make it a bit more rideable on hills. I'm having fun riding it around town!

Here's what I started with.

Here's how it looks now.


BTW, I had a Barracuda much like this one in the 1960's - couldn't afford a Schwinn Stingray. The 'Cuda was cheaper!

[toypusher]

Very cool and a great restro job!!!

[kirkman]

Cool. I think it needs the fender to make it complete. It would go good with the chrome handle bars. Just my opinion!

[Steve_Cox]

The original bike with the painted logo on the chain guard, the gear shift lever on the top bar...... A 60's classic worthy of a careful restoration. Too bad it didn't get it. When you post things you open yourself up to all kinds of opinions.... and we know what opinions are like...

[Sam I am]

Steve, I agree that a real restoration would have been nice for this bike. However, I just don't have the time, skill or money to do it justice. Also, the Barracuda is not near the classic that the Stingrays are. If this had been a Stingray, I would have sold it to someone who would restore it properly. I figured since I got the bike for free, I would make something fun out of it. I guess this debate goes on in the automotive world, too. Someone fixes up an old car into a hot rod or custom. One guy says he ruined it: another says it's cool. Thanks for your input.
Sam

[Steve_Cox]

I guess the main thing about any project is to have fun with it, and perhaps that is what it is all about.

[squatch]

Looks good. The double top tube of that bike gives it a unique look.

[Fenlason]

I love it just as you have done it.. as you say.. it is not as much of a classic to start with.. and I think it looks great hot rodded out..

[Sam I am]

Thanks a lot for the compliments, guys. Kirkman, I want to use the rear fender, but I would like to find a front one for it, and put them both on together.
Riding this beast makes me appreciate my 21 speed Diamondback Wildwood bike. With only one speed, it seems like it's always the wrong speed! The bike had a 44 tooth front sprocket, which geared it way too high for the hills around here. I found a 36 tooth front which helped, but it's still tough on hills for a 62 year old guy! It gives me a good workout, though!

[JuneBug]

Awesome job. I like the white walls. It is a "grow-a-bike". Started out kid size but can now accommodate grownups!

[stevem50]

i dig it... keep america beautiful, restore something old!

[Sam I am]

UPDATE: I took Kirkman's advice and put the rear fender on. I think it does look a bit better. I found a new seat on eBay, and added a flame decal on the chain guard just for fun. I would like to find a front fender for it, one of those chrome shorty type to make it complete. I've had fun with this project. It's turning heads around town when I ride it!

[kirkman]

I Like!!!!

[rich5665]

I had that same bike in that very same color green when I was a kid. I jumped a lot of ramps and road a lot of trails on it, long before BMX and Mountain Bikes saw the light of day. You did a really great job restoring it.

[parivercat]

You did a fine job fixing your bike up. I think it looks Great.
Most of all your riding it and having fun.