After the success of the 26" Vanilla Cream Dream Machine I really wanted to do a 24" cruiser with the same level of technology but since I'm an Old School BMXer, it just had to have an old school flair.

You'll notice a lot of similar design elements as the big bike like the hidden seat clamp, rear triangle design, and the internal cable routing. Stays can be slammed to a super short 13.75" but are designed to run at 14.0" HTA is 74 degrees.






Here's the custom peg that can be screwed into the rear Drop Out:


Hard to notice but the seat tube is offset to clear the rear tire and brake



I'm just waiting on decals and the seat from the upholstery shop, then I'll get some complete shots for you all.




Take care,
Greg Melms

Sweet looking bike. I wish I had taken shop or welding class in high school.

right now, you are the forefront of bmx innovation. Todd Lyons needs to hire you free-lance.

Greg,
Absolutely amazing.

Greg,

When can I buy one??????????????

Steve

killer ride, more pics please!

Mods, please change his status from Newbie to "The King"....

Mind if I ask a technical question? What's the best way to create the inner cable routing? Looks so sweet that way.

IH

I see that my request & dreams are coming to a reality. Where's Chevron Envy......he better get his balls ready to drag across the glass

I'm having a loss for words, the only thing that comes to mind is...
DAAAAAAAAMN, that is just pure beauty. I love the 26", and was waiting for this to happen.

You guys are too cool. Thanks, I'm glad you all like it!

Ironhide,
to fabricate the internal cable routing I run a very thin walled piece of tubing inside the main tube (or seat stay). The key to success here is to carefully create the proper size ellipse where the internal tube will enter and exit so there will be no gap to fill when welding. I also fab the cable routing before the main tubes are welded. that way any distortion of the tube with the internal tube won't affect the alignment of the frame when welded.
Is it a ton more work? Heck yeah it is. But it is the only way to do it in my opinion...
I'm suprised at how many people think you just drill two holes in the frame and somehow fish the cable through there.


Jainbaby (Steve),
Not so funny story: I thought I could simply add coverage for manufacturing bike components to my existing business liability insurance. When you say 'make and sell bike parts' to an insurance company they freak out! Long story short, I'm currently in talks with a bike mfg. specific insurance company.
For everyone who has inquired about stuff, I'll let you all know when I'm fully covered.


Thanks again,
Greg

Almost forgot; here's a couple pics showing the seamless integration of the internal tubing and the top tube:

I go all jelly legs when I look at these creations of yours. Simply the best engineered bikes I have ever seen. I have seen frenched aerials done like the process you spoke of. Very cool indeed.

Love that hidden brake cable guide. That should be standard issue on all new bikes (with you getting the royalties).

"seamless integration" ...I love it when you talk technical to me. lol
Seriously the vision & execution is awesome; way to use your skill & imagination.
I'm in Ohio; any chance of an open house? I promise not to drool on the bikes.

Well, anybody who's owned a GT/Dyno freestyle bike in the 80's has spent one to many hours doing just that... fishing cable! LOL!

--------

Greg, amazing work you do on your frames and the seamless integration of customized parts on each build. Just beautiful attention to detail, and overall quality of your rig. I've been a fan of your work since I first spotted pics back in August. Your work, and your name will be around the Bicycle industry for a long time to come. Looking forward to owning one of your creations some day. Well done.

Rich

Looks awesome. I can't wait to see it finished!

You could easily be in the running for best hand-built bike . True classy clean work . You really should be proud of this work . I wish you the best of luck in your new venture . Its about time someone stepped up with some high tech bmx bikes . Thank you for all the hard work we appreciate it . I dont have many pics on my wall but your bikes are there .

"When you say 'make and sell bike parts' to an insurance company they freak out! "

Kinda understandable , insurance co.s never pay , they have their policy holders to do that.

There is a legitimate loophole that you can use (here in Australia at least) If you sell your frame/forks etc as "used" rather than new , then there is no liability to fall onto you.

Obviously check out & run this scenario with a legal ratbag or 2 so that your [please review the site FAQs] is legally covered from all angles , they should be able to guide you through the exact process needed to keep your [please review the site FAQs] out of a sling & let you do all the fun & innovative stuff that I am seeing in the pictures you post.

best of luck & keep on innovating , this quality of work & innovation is long overdue.

JB

How odd....

[please review the site FAQs] = a$$

JB

Funny how that works.

Extremely nice frame BTW.

Too sick for words.

Incredible design and attention to detail. This is what MADE in the USA should be nowadays - innovation.

Doing local manufacturing of stuff that can be done overseas and then charging $500 for it - instead of $150 - is not sustainable in the future.

Thanks for all the kind words guys!!! This latest project has really been a blast to build!

I just picked up the decals and couldn't wait to get them on and snap some pics:













Take care,
Greg

Nice! I can only imagine how easy that bike is to manual!

Yea man.......

WOW is all I can say those builds are amazing, very innovative. Looking at the white bike it looks as if the frame and fork are one piece. where can I find more pics and details.

GM, will I be able to purchase one of the 26's? Or maybe a 29'r? Although the 26 looks a bit small. I ride a Firemans Texas Cruzer. It's a big bike. I would love to have a larger version of your frame. Please let us know when you will be able to get them in our hands. my email is saput@sbcglobal.net if it would be better to contact me this way. If you could contact me, I would love to talk with you about getting a custom one built up. Thanks, Randy

Mad skillzz. Love to see more of your stuff. What business do you have now? Tig welds? The internal cable is just sick. Need to patten that. Before someone steals it from you. Reminds me of hot rod fabrication innovations. Keep up the good work.

You inspire me man. Nicest one off bikes I've ever laid eyes on. Great taste. Everything on those bikes is perfect.

"Retro" almost seems like an insult to those bikes. I see retro as putting old touches on a new frame. These bikes are "evo" as in evolution. They are a huge leap ahead, and they are beautiful. I see some old school inspiration, but I see way more innovation. Incredible work. I can't wait till you start selling these frames, I think you're going to be a huge success.

Stupendous!

Awesome work, I can't wait to see more projects and what comes of your venture.

That is truly one of the best looking bikes I have seen made in some time. I hope that you are able to meet the demands of the masses. I would LOVE to have one . I love the 26" that you did .

Check it: http://www.ridemonkey.com/forums/showthread.php?t=187985

Thanks a ton guys! I'm humbled...and I really enjoy sharing these pics with you all.

I should probably fill in some blanks for you all;
It was 1984 (or was it 85?) since I last touched a bike. When I re-introduced myself to bikes a couple years ago I had to become familiar with all the changes that had taken place (1 1/8th threadless headsets, 1 pc driver cassette hubs, V brakes, Wow!). I guess this gave me a fresh perspective on bikes. I started thinking, what if I made it this way or that way...or this part would look cool if it didn't have the bolts showing...

Once I decided I was going to make a frame (and then fork) I needed to design fixtures, research materials and procedures. Keep in mind I've been involved with industrial design, engineering and motorsports since 86'. I've built over 25 complete automobiles from race cars to street rods, even a conceptual pick up truck.
Now my business is architectural metalwork. Pretty high end stuff. Lots of stainless (some very thin). Lots of TIG welding...

So, not a far stretch to build a bike frame.

I also wanted to show this picture of the stem with my Bottomless Topcap. I like things smooth so instead of using a star nut and bolt or headlock, I made a long really thin walled aluminum tube with a radiused flange at the top and internal threads at the bottom. A threaded adjuster threads in from under the fork crown. You can see all the way through the steerer tube.
This also shows the teardrop fork legs



Take care,
Greg

Greg,that's beautiful.The design and finishing are stunning.The complete bike looks awesome,and your OS roots shine through with skinwalls and anodized goodies.
The headset/fork solution is also very inspiring,I presume it could handle the pressure on the race track?
I'm sure a queue may be forming if you go into production....

beautiful and fantastically engineered

WOW

Holy mother of ...... wow those are amazing. Have you entered them in any custom builder contests? I think you should try to protect your intellectual capitol before some big bike company sneaks off with you ideas....Very nice builds!!

wow! just wow!! totally amazing builds. love the design and work you put into these. awesome job!

p.s. i think you're going to be a busy man once you give the word "go".

How do I subscribe to this thread so that I can know when I can give this man every penny I have for any part he ever sells?

That is insanely beautiful.

I want to will buy you a beer.

On top of the bikes being insanely cool, so is Greg. 0 attitude even tho he has built such nice bikes and truly a pleasure to talk to at the local track. These bikes ARE ridden and they do ride SWEET.

Chris

I haven't seen anything new for a long time that knocked me out of my chair. Yours just did. Congrats on the fantastic work!

Thanks Chris!



GM

Been really busy lately with non bike related work. Haven't had much time to ride or build...or sleep.

In case you haven't seen it:
Since the blue & chrome cruiser turned out too nice to ride (I can't believe I said that), I made this frame. It's a bit more traditional in design, but has the same geo as the cruiser. I call this my 'Daily Driver'.
Welded up:



Here it is assembled with whatever parts were laying around:




The daily driver is currently being tested by local racer Roger Compton. Turns out it's a pretty nimble race frame. He shaved over 4 seconds off his lap times just by switching frames...and Roger's no slouch.


If I did a small run of frames, I would probably do the Daily Driver. More standardized parts interchangeability than the other frame.


Thanks again everyone for all the positive feedback!!!
GM

You really did a great job with everything. Now tell when I can buy one?

Please do a small run of frames.

It really seems from looking at your bikes you like to challenge your skills . I've got a challenge for you if you get a wild hair . When I was a kid I raced side-hacks , well after racing for a few years these two brothers came out with a hack that pivoted up & down . This gave them the ability to lean in the turns like a normal bike . Needless to say this made it much easier to go fast and much better to jump . I dont think they had suspension just tie rods connecting the bike to the hack . If the two top tie rods had push / pull shocks it would smoothe out the ride even more I believe . Anyway just an idea I had . Cant say it enough great bikes man .

please do a run of cruiser!!!!!!!! please!!!!!!!

WOW!!!! Awesome job. Its cool to see someone smooth out a bike the way you did. Its like looking at a really nice street rod. Great job!!