hello gents......im getting closer to being done and unveiling my first build.

what are my seat options?.....my bassett frame is from 1980.

also, did nylon pads exist in 1980 or was it more vinyl pads?

gearing: if i have a rear 18t coaster...how many teeth front sprocket should i buy? im looking for that long hard peddling so i can do long wheelies.

thanks for your advice.

jonathan.

It was vinyl pads back in 1980....
Go for a 39-40t sprocket
Scotty

I ran a Shotgun seat on my CBR BITD.
With an 18t free wheel you'll want a 39 front at the most. For cruising and wheelies, I go even lower - like a 38 or 37.

If you're gonna use the bike for cruising, consider a seat that is era correct and looks BMX-y but offers a little pad. Something from nice road or mountain bike. I run an Avocet touring saddle on my MCS MagnaCruise - it looks the part and is comfy.

I'm with Stodd on the gearing. Closer to 2-to-1 is better for general cruising. I had the right color 40t chainring, so I run a 20t rear cog. Works great. Somewhere in that 36-38t range will do you fine.

If you are going to ride the damn thing put a big fat mesenger(sp?) spring set on it. A shotgun seat would look good but your butt will kill you!

Buy a second seat post and mount a nice cushy Gel saddle on it to ride... then stick the most uncomfortable and cool looking plastic assbuster on it when it is showtime!

I keep my old plastic seats in a box... where they belong! LOL

ha. thanks for all the advice....at age 37 a plastic seat is out of the question unless its parked.

so let me get this straight.....say i have an 18t rear coaster...if i put a 40t front sprocket it will peddle faster and start out quicker than a 37t sprocket which will peddle slower but allow me cruise really far or wheelie without winding out?

thanks. double checking before i buy a sprocket.

hey thats wrong AP. less teeth at the front lets you get going quicker. I have takagi (130mm pcd) spider on my 26" cruiser so the smallest sprocket i can use is 39t up front. combined with a 20t on the back its a great wheelie machine.

If you're going to cruise it, you can't go wrong with a Brooks saddle, they've got that vintage look and feel great. A bit pricy though, but last forever, lots of options too, springs, no springs, black, brown, amber. Can't wait too see it done!

Atomic...I am having the same problem with gearing for my Bassett. I don't necessarily want a wheelie machine...I just want something that is similar to my Schwinn cruiser. My Schwinn Spitfire has 46/18...I am going to run a 2 speed Bendix Automatic coaster on the Bassett w/ 19T. To get a similar gear inch I would have to run a 49 up front. I'm not sure what it's going to ride like if I put a 44 or 43 on it.

As for the seat. I recommend run something cushy...I'm running a mesinger

Tony