This is a little build I just completed. I call it Project Lab Rat. It’s my take on a “stroked” sting ray frame. I started with a 1978 Schwinn Hornet frame. This bike was given to me at a bike meet by OC Dave. At least I think it was OC Dave. If I’m wrong let me know. Whoever it was Thanks! The frame was modified by Johnny “WFO” Severin per my specs. He raised the bottom bracket 1” installed a strait down tube and retained the cantilever bars past the seat tube to the front. It looks pretty good, if I do say so myself.
I wanted this bike to be representative of the kind of racers guys were building themselves BITD. With as many trick little homemade mods as possible. The parts rundown is as follows:
Schwinn 1978 Hornet frame (modified)
NOS Ashtabula forged BMX fork. (Date stamped 1978)
Schwinn head set.
Schwinn Hornet bars.
Double clamp stem.
Hunt Wilde grips. (NOS)
Vinyl snap pad set. (Bars and stem.) (NOS)
Schwinn bottom bracket set.
Schwinn 6.5” diamond crank set. (Date stamped 1974)
Schwinn Hornet “Mag” sprocket. (modified)
Schwinn rubber tread pedals.
Schwinn S-7 rim. 28 spoke. Laced to a Bendix “red stripe” coaster brake.
Goodyear Eagle MX tire 20x1 3/4. (NOS)
Schwinn S-2 rim. 28 spoke. Laced to a NOS ACS hub.
Firestone tractor grip tire. 20x2.125 (NOS)
Stainless steel .105 gauge spokes.
Denim covered banana seat.
Schwinn seat post. (modified)
Schwinn seat post clamp.
Sodbuster Labs aluminum seat braces.
Preston Petty “Muder” rear fender.
Sodbuster Labs fender mount kit.












Earlier this year I had been kind of burned out on bikes in general. Then this project started bubbling inside my head. It was just enough spark to turn this bike build into a wildfire! I started it back in June but had to shelve it for a few months because I busted my knee. As soon as I could after my recovery I jumped right back in. Hope you all like it.
If you would like to see more on this build just click on the link provided.

CLICK ME NOW!!

heres a few more.

SWEEEET!

OK, Sod. You're doing it again... didn't we have this discussion before? No more Stingrays until AFTER I'm done with finals... now I'm ruined again... sigh

Richard Vogt
bmxmountainbiker

P.S. Very nice!

Very Cool, Love it! I ran a similar fender just like that back in 1975 on my stingray, that brings back some memories, thanks.

I love the seat braces! Nice!

Also love the way you saved weight with the sprocket mods!

Nicely done...

Another SodRod to come out of the Lab. Very cool!

That is sick Sod. True BMX.

Another totally unique ride from the Sodfather...beautiful job!!

Tony

Very cool... Time capsule all the way! Nice work!

Coooooool....I had no idea that a 28 hole high flange hub existed, knowing you, you probably have the tablets the 10 commandments were written on.

thanks everyone for the kind words. it was really a fun build once I got rolling on it again. I wanted to build up a stroker Schwinn as sort of a evolutionary companion to my other stingray build.

Not quite like that spike. it was more like falling in a pigpen and finding a diamond ring. I think I found it at long beach. I too thought it was 36 spoke, I never gave it a second thought. That is until I had it side by side with another hub so it was sort of a lame duck in my parts stash until this build.



Hmmmm...... SodRod. I like the sound of that. Do you mind if i use that on a future project?


I wanted to carry over some of the things I did to my other sting ray build so there was no doubt as to it's origins. I should get some pics with the two bikes together.


Now that sprocket thing is old news. "Swiss cheesing" component to shave a little is as old as the sport itself. Right Spike?


I try to be good I really do but it's in me and it's got to get out!!

Right Spike?

You got it Toyota.

Sod:

Nice bike!

Hey, I wanted you to know that in addition to numerous pics of Spike, JP, Dave Clinton, and the rest of the old school gang, I included pics of you in the BMX Hall of Fame Induction Presentation. We ran 140 pics through twice to some cool music, and Sodbuster was clearly presented! The chicks were digging you!

Wow! Thank you Cash. Otherwise I don't know what to say. Except I apologize to those poor women I might have inadvertently traumatized.
You know. From my sheer magnificence.

2008 calender girl material right there.

Diggin it big time.

very cool.

I'd love to see the two together!

What are the tires on the orange one?

I know....you got Ben Hur's chariot at the SodLab...admit it.

Dude !! That is Saaawwwweeeet !! SE Blue ??

Build of the year!!! Very "How to win Bicycle Motocross". Epic!

Thanks. If it's SE blue it's out of a rattle can. It looks close though huh?


No I don't. But I might have the hubcaps. I'll have to look.


the tires are regular old sting ray "balloon style" knobby's they came on the rear of some stingray models as opposed to slicks and such.
this will have to hold you over till I can get a family group shot.



Hey not bad!

Really nice work bud. I'd love to try a lap on it, just to see what it feels like.

Hey Sod -

I like the way you consistently build and fit them before you paint and finish them. Nice detail.

I also like the way you as a "mature" guy (used loosely) have adapted to using new technology (you tube) to show off the wares.

Another fine job!

See that? I knew the skipper would be feelin' the place and time!


I always take comments like that as the ultimate complement. Thank you Elvis. I've always thought that would be a cool little side prize at some gatherings. "The bike i would most like to take out and flog around award" You know along with all the other class awards. Because theres always one in the show and it never wins best of show.


Once again thank you. And I do owe Ben a thank you on this build. I also owe a thank you to Thom Lund too. both of you guys provided me with my # plate decorations I got the Preston Petty and NBA stickers from you Ben. The Sodbuster logo came from Thom.

I always like to do mock up and pre assembly work it always makes final assembly smoother.

I owe that sudden old fart burst in technology to my old computer frying it's mother board and my nice new computer running vista and having a cool movie making program I've been messing with. I'm sort of a frustrated movie maker anyway. when i was a kid I would write produce direct and edit my own 8mm films. I still have most of them to this day. So the you tube thing was not too far of a stretch for me

Hope ya don't mind I throw in my Schwinn from way back then......your bikes take me back.

A step back in time! I like the stick in the ground bike stand. Is that another Sod Lab creation, very creative and unnoticable.

Thanks man. the stands are not my doing I just copied another set. but I need to make them out of something other than 1/4" round rod stock. they tend to get sketchy and spin around. I Should weld on a little cleat or something.

No problem post away! Funny thing is any one of us could pic up this picture and instantly recognize ourselves.

Love it, love it! That's what I'm talking about. Pure BMX roots! The frame mod looks too good to be a 70's garage hack job. Good color choice too.

That is the coolest bike I have seen on here all year. Thanks for ending 2007 on a good note! BadA$$!

What the hell is a "Sodbuter"?

On a more serious note Mr. Sod, now that finals are over, I can finally indulge in your glorious recreation of our childhood Stingray experiences (with a nod to Spike's marvelously dirty, muddy-tired rendition of old-school Stingray street cred).

Thanks, guys, for bringing back some great memories. Perfect for the holidays, I'd say.

Richard Vogt
bmxmountainbiker

P.S. Spike, I can see that seat post beginning to work its way up out of the mast on that Stingray... is that a photo record of the the beginning of the full-on Spike seat height???

It's a yummy blend of dairy and Blue Rye. Perfect on toast outdoors

Wow Brian!

So, you got a little burnt' on the scene and then did that?!

Can you come up with some more twisted takes on our roots?

I'm all for some more "Sod's Roots Rods" !!

and, to use a little space here, Happy Holidays everyone!

Sod, for me, that would be your '77 Mongoose Motomag...

Richard Vogt
bmxmountainbiker

Just goes to show you never know when inspiration is going to hit you. But don't worry I still have a few more project bikes in the wings.
First I need to get some transaxle side work out of the way. After thats done I just need to decide which bike is next.

Good to see you around Jeff. And a Happy holiday to you and yours as well.

Awsome build Sod!

Ha!! You remember the black high flange hub that Adam Cox had at Bellflower? The one you kept making fun of me for fondling, well my friend, that was a 28 hole high flange hub and that was the reason i kept debating whether to get it or not..



I totally dig that bike, I recently posted a similar one. This one belonged to and was modified By Pete Harrigan in the early 70s

Can't beat the old moto-fieds

Awesome build Sod. I esp enjoyed the vid. I really appreciate the modified bikes of the day as well. I am currently building a Springray II. Hopefully done '08. Thanks for posting the pics & video

Reilley, I didn't EVEN notice the hub you were makin' love to was a 28 holer, hell, I'm clueless as a brick sometimes not to mention I have no crediblity......ya did a great job on Pete's(and my ) bike. Nice one me ol' china.

Now, don't go insulting bricks


Sorry, i forgot to mention that the frame came from you. Going to change the bars to some killer narrower chrome ones i found recently

Now, don't go insulting bricks.


I insult them because by themselves they can't insult me back......the new bars should be good.

Awesome bike.

Super cool bike, Sod... I really like it!

Seeing all these old Schwinns with wide bars made me think of this pic taken at the Santa Clara Yamaha Gold Cup in 74, late afternoon. I didn't place but this was pretty much the beginning of my not so great BMX career.

I just made that my desktop background

That just goes to show that for a Hippie, you have sophisticated and refined taste.

Here's that family portrait I promised

Dang Brian, they look awesome together.

Awesome bikes Sod..

How's the knee??