Gravity Deadeye Monster w/3 speed igh & BBSHD

[Harold]

A few highlights & thoughts. I built this bike to be used as an all season cruiser. I went with the 15” frame so my wife could also use it. I chose the single speed because I planned on converting to the Shimano 3 speed IGH. Since I plan to occasionally lock it up at the mall, I”m also adding a few safety precautions/deterrents. I made a lockable battery tray (see photo), and when the weather warms up, I will spray the back part of the frame a vibrant orange.
Bike mods include a 120mm x 25degree stem, Fizik Nisene bike seat, and flat pedals. I’m staying with the stock brakes, and swapped in the Bafang ebrake levers. I also ordered a pair of minibike/dirtbike plastic fenders measuring 4.5” wide x 23.5” long for more tire coverage.

Shimano 3 speed IGH install. I had the lbs assemble the wheel. I also needed a disk brake adapter (6 bolt to spline) and a new chain. The total came to $150.00 for parts and labor. I thought the installation would be straight forward, it wasn’t. I had to grind down a small section of the frame (see photo) to get the rear shifter housing on the locking bolt. I also added a washer between between the rear caliper and frame to center the disk in the caliper.

I went with the BBSHD 73mm-100mm bottom bracket, and will be adding the 42T Bling Ring to move the chain ring in. The stock 46T also works. Everything is finished on the bike, just waiting for the Bling Ring and the electrical connectors I forgot to order.

I read a few reviews on fat tire bike pumps. The best pump only needing 350 strokes to inflate the tire. That convinced me to go with the Innovations Monster air chuck & 45 gram Co2 cartridges.

I’ll post some photos as I get further along.

[spinningmagnets]

Looks like an awesome set-up. I'm looking forward to the three-month update on how it worked out...

[Harold]

Finally got it up and running. Unfortunately usps has misplaced/lost the Luna shipment containing the Bling Ring and connector. So, I installed the Elipse ring from my other bike. I used a 2.5mm spacer to move the ring out to clear the frame. I have a good chain line with the stock 20t 3 speed sprocket. I did find a 22t offset sprocket that should move it out 15mm. The chain is pretty close to the tire, so going up in tire width is out for now. I swapped out the stock tires for Surly Nates, and made some quick release fenders. Next is to play with the settings.

[joby1]

nice build, what are those fenders exactly, source? would be greatly appreciated..

[Harold]

Plastic Motorcycle Fender Minibike Mini Dirt Bike 4 1/2" x 23 1/2" Honda Suzuki

http://www.ebay.com/itm/142197563922...%3AMEBIDX%3AIT

[Harold]

I bought 2 rears

[joby1]

thanks are those 23-1/2 from tip to tip OVER the radius, or straight across??? , almost wondering if I could get away with the longer ones at 29" maybe trim em down some, but they might not have enough curve to em to hug the 26" fat tire close enough...

[Harold]

Yes, over the radius. I clamped mine to the tires then used a propane torch to heat them up and take the shape of the tires. They hug the tire pretty close at the back. The reason they are high in the center is due to the way I made the aluminum frames.

[Harold]

A few up dates & future mods.
I used the stock Shimano Nexus 3 speed igh and stock 19t sprocket on my GBM fat bike build. In order to get a good chain line used the 42T Bling Ring. After some searching around I ran across a Ruff Cycles 22T x 10mm offset rear sprocket. This moved the chain line out enough for me to switch to 30T mighty mini.
I did a test ride yesterday, the 30T mini was too small, and I would need to change the program settings. I switched back to the Bling Ring 42t, the chain alignment is near perfect. This set up is working out really well for all around riding. My normal ride is a 10 mile loop of rolling road and rolling single track. The offset ring also worked with stock 46t.
I ordered a Bafang offset right crank because my shoe was hitting the side of the pedal. Unfortunately the offset arm didn't help. The offset crank was a few ounces heavier than the right, so I drilled 4 9/16" holes to lighten it up. I managed to shave about 1 once off. I ordered a pair of offset arms that angle out from the center which should give me the clearance. I will drill and tap (5/8"-24) to accept a 9/16 crank insert.
I ordered a Renegade RST straight steering suspension fork which should be here next week.