Hello - first post and all that

For xmas bough myself (sorry my son) a grifter!  Got it off ebay in december - was a blue one in gloucester for those who are interested.  My son currently wants to be a mechanic (only 8! but watched Overhaulin and American Chopper too much) and customising a bike seemed best place to start.  

The aim is not to reproduce a grifter that has just left the factory line (so sorry to all those who don't like customs) but rather to create a one off bike that looks good, have a good time doing it and then not be worried when he scrapes it on the wall/pavement/my car etc - i know what i was like with my bikes.

The bike itself is in pretty good nick with only the saddle being the item that really needs replacing.

We are aiming for a black gloss bike with chrome/silver mudguards and the obligitory flames (my son is 8 and in charge of design).  Also going to try and spray the grifter decal straight onto the bike (hmm).

So far we are still in the dismantling stage and for this one not planning to take the cotter pins out and it would appear will not be taking the forks/handle bars out either ($%@&%).

Thanks to all those who have posted articles on this site as has given us the drive to do more than we originally had planned.  Is a great site and the projects completed (customs or refurbs all look great).

Will look to publish a picture of the finished grifter once done.

hi sn1gle and welcome to the forum.

where abouts you from ?


sounds like a nice little project you have to keep you 2 busy.

any advice you need on the way, just ask and i'm sure we'll be able to help...

and beware, grifters are addictive !!!  

--Last edited by grifter.ste on 2007-12-28 15:09:42 --

Thanks for offer - watch this space!!

Im in Glos - near Stroud if you know it.

By the way if anyone wants to swap a pair of reasonable condition grifter blue grips for similar (grifter original) in black let me know!

Welcome to the forum mate

Personally I love a custom, though for a lot of people on here they're classed as "Satans Spawn !"

The painted decals are perfectly dooable, I did some on my Ruffell - Team Special for a slightly different look.........






I will say, It is tricky!........even with an airbrush, and there are alternative ways to do it!

If you need any help or advice feel free to PM me.

Good luck with your build

Archie

Quote :

Sn1gle wrote : Hello - first post and all that For xmas bough myself (sorry my son) a grifter!  Got it off ebay in december - was a blue one in gloucester for those who are interested.  My son currently wants to be a mechanic (only 8! but watched Overhaulin and American Chopper too much) and customising a bike seemed best place to start.   The aim is not to reproduce a grifter that has just left the factory line (so sorry to all those who don't like customs) but rather to create a one off bike that looks good, have a good time doing it and then not be worried when he scrapes it on the wall/pavement/my car etc - i know what i was like with my bikes. The bike itself is in pretty good nick with only the saddle being the item that really needs replacing. We are aiming for a black gloss bike with chrome/silver mudguards and the obligitory flames (my son is 8 and in charge of design).  Also going to try and spray the grifter decal straight onto the bike (hmm). So far we are still in the dismantling stage and for this one not planning to take the cotter pins out and it would appear will not be taking the forks/handle bars out either ($%@&%). Thanks to all those who have posted articles on this site as has given us the drive to do more than we originally had planned.  Is a great site and the projects completed (customs or refurbs all look great). Will look to publish a picture of the finished grifter once done.

  Welcome to the forum and good luck with your project, keep us posted on your progress and remember we all love pics!!

Picture (hopefully pre build/dismantling)

Hey nice Burner.

Ive got an airbrush..as well as a large compressor   Have to get round to painting bikes.....dont like sanding though...

Quote :

Alecw35 wrote : Hey nice Burner. Ive got an airbrush..as well as a large compressor   Have to get round to painting bikes.....dont like sanding though...

Oh, me niether...........I always use NITROMORS and a WIREBRUSH attachment on my drill..........Takes minutes!!!

Be sure to wear eye protection though.......'cos it stings like a bitch!!!

Archie - what did you use for your stencil material?

Bike now nearly fuly dismantled thanks to some tips from my dad on getting the handlebars out! - have posted diagram on the how to part of the forum.

Yeah  Ive got a wire brush on my angle grinder

Use nitromors too.

I did prime a set of forks for my Phaser, with my spray gun.  But didnt use them...used MTB forks.  That I rattle caned Gold.

We cleaned up the wheels and fitted the new tyres (cheapos from Wilkinson at £3.99 each - but look good).

Picked up a top tip when using the Cilit Bang to give a bit of shine etc - check with the wife that you are allowed to use it before taking it!

Next will experiment with the nitromors on the forks and take the chain off and clean it.

I used plasticote chrome on the mudguards (and looked good) but when i put some laquer on it melted the paint off!! - am i using the wrong paint for laquer or getting too carried away with the laquer?

Quote :

Sn1gle wrote : Archie - what did you use for your stencil material? Bike now nearly fuly dismantled thanks to some tips from my dad on getting the handlebars out! - have posted diagram on the how to part of the forum.

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Frisket-Masking-Film-Roll-Matt-254mmx3-66m-10-x4yds_W0QQitemZ360009291611QQihZ023QQcategoryZ28111QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

I always use this a masking for airbrushing. Ensure that you get the MATT and not the GLOSS finish as you cant draw on the gloss which makes thing a little difficult!
In all honesty, unless you want a faded decal or a "candy" finish over a metallic I'd opt for vinyl sheet......I'ts a lot easier!!!.............If you need help just shout mate!

With regards to your painting problem it sounds like you've hit it with the laquer too soon!............It could be an incompatibility problem but unless your using an oil base over water I'd say that your "Chrome" wasn't hardened enough. Just because it's touch dry doesn't make it "dry"!
You could try hardening the paint at a low heat in an oven or leave it for a few weeks before applying the laquer.
There are probably people on here who could help you out further with regards to this problem...........I'm afaraid I'm just an amateur!!!!!

I hope it helps though

Welcome to the forum Sn1gle. Nice project you and your son have there.
Keep us posted with progress pics too.

Well the designer has had a rethink (typical!) and now wants his bike to look like my landrover 90!

Have done a bit of work (well Eastenders was on) on some designs for cross bar and seat post and these (hopefully) show below.

The main crossbar decal pretty much copies my landrover decals although i think i prefer the text below the main decal rather than that on it.  For those not sure the bottom half of the crossbar decal is the 'passenger' side - ie on the left...

Have also has a go at a Raleigh/Land Rover hybrid! (was an hours worth of Eastenders) - isn't powerpoint/paint great

http://i267.photobucket.com/albums/ii307/sn1gle/Landrovergrifter.png

Ok that's not working - lets try this

http://i267.photobucket.com/albums/ii307/sn1gle/Landrovergrifter-1.jpg

I have to say I'm liking your decals fella...........very original

People are often under the misapprehension that designing a custom is easy................until they try it!

Those decals will be easier to cut from vinyl though.......they'd be a nightmare to try and "airbrush". I keep promising to do a "How To" on Vinyl Decals..........I'll get round to it before you finish your build...........hopefully

Well thank goodness for warmer weather! - not so much fum trying to strip paint at -5!

Any way last 2 weeks lots of progress made - so much that we had a full test ride etc today.  Frame and handlebars stripped and repainted with rattle cans, brakes and gears reconnected, headset reassembled, pedals back on (never managed to get crank off), wheels back on, new (well new second hand) saddle on and away we went.  Some photos below (well hopefully):



Also as you can see put some stars and stripes decals on in the end which actually look prety good and go with the frame colour.
The chainguard will not be staying and planning to replace with a custom guard to look somewhat similar to an american grifter (we will see!)
Managed to get hold of a boxer which will eventually by pink and black but will let my girl ride it in the summer for a bit first.

In the end could not get a decent cut from the vinyl for detailed decal work but would be good for simpler designs, patterns etc.

If anyone has a boxer chain guard and boxer decals let me know!

loving the colour , whether its a custom or a clean up or refurb its all cool to me well done  

Love it!
The colour looks cool  and like the stars and stripe decals they go well.
A mrk 1  Burner chain wheel cover will fit and you can paint it what colour you want.
Well done.