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Projects Building My First Roadster in San Francisco

Discussion in 'Traditional Hot Rods' started by J.Ukrop, Sep 7, 2020.

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  1. Tim
    Joined: Mar 2, 2001
    Posts: 19,563

    Tim
    Member
    from KCMO

    Man… that would almost put you on pace to
    Take a little drive over to Oklahoma in October….
     
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  2. J.Ukrop
    Joined: Nov 10, 2008
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    J.Ukrop
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  3. J.Ukrop
    Joined: Nov 10, 2008
    Posts: 3,473

    J.Ukrop
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    IMG_3196.jpg
    Oh, and @Hitchhiker is the best. More details on these parts to follow.
     
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  4. Tim
    Joined: Mar 2, 2001
    Posts: 19,563

    Tim
    Member
    from KCMO

    You guys need to shoot his truck and your roadster together when he gets it back on the road!
     
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  5. Six Ball
    Joined: Oct 8, 2007
    Posts: 6,745

    Six Ball
    Member
    from Nevada

    Don't forget if you ever need something to thump someone with your shift lever is just a push & turn from being one hell of a thumper. Put it in second gear first so you can drive away without having to reinstall it. :eek::)
     
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  6. Stogy likes this.
  7. Six Ball
    Joined: Oct 8, 2007
    Posts: 6,745

    Six Ball
    Member
    from Nevada

    Yes it was. There were lots of wrecks in and around the tunnel. I always hated riding a motorcycle through it.
     
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  8. J.Ukrop
    Joined: Nov 10, 2008
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    J.Ukrop
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    Little by little, the car's coming together! I feel like we're really building momentum on the build.

    Thank you, Cob! I can't wait to see how far along things will be when we hang out in Des Moines this summer. Barbecue is sounding mighty good right now!

    Thank you! I've always been pretty big on setting goals and mapping out projects. Lots of behind-the-scenes stuff (more like making lots of lists and scouring IG/FB/the H.A.M.B.) happening. I'm determined to get this car on the road.

    Thank you, Kevin! Right now the plan for the 'banger chassis is up in the air. We'll see how things are looking from a budget standpoint, but I would really like to get a Model T roadster body and ship it to Michigan for my brother to work on/enjoy. Time will tell!

    Thanks Jeff! Hopefully we'll cross paths in Petaluma soon.

    I appreciate it! Using the early Ford parts is a fun challenge, and I'm happy with how its coming along. I'll look into a dead perch and see what I can come up with.

    Hahaha man, now that's wild! I wonder if there are remnants of that stack still floating around town? If so, I may have to make a trip down there...

    Thank you, Mike! We're just trying to do things the old fashioned way. I'm excited to get the QC under there.

    I'm not 100% sure, but I know they're from and old Sprint Car and they were made in Michigan.

    Thank you! Oh man, the tunnels are scary enough while going the right way!

    Thanks Brian! We're chipping away. I cant wait to use one of the two new shifters on the double-detent. That'll be a great day.
     
  9. J.Ukrop
    Joined: Nov 10, 2008
    Posts: 3,473

    J.Ukrop
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    Yep, they're off the same car for sure. One of the perch pins was the exact same orange. Must have been a super cool car back in the day.

    Funny that you mention that. I think that'll be a little early for this machine, but I'm looking into covering the show for Ridetech. Then, the following year, I'll be able to drive there in the roadster.

    Hell yeah I do! Matt has been a huge help thus far, and I have a feeling I'll be buying a whole lot more parts from him in the not-so-distant future.

    Car club redefined!
     
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  10. J.Ukrop
    Joined: Nov 10, 2008
    Posts: 3,473

    J.Ukrop
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    Just got in from Portland, Oregon, after a very fun trip to The One Moto Show. As soon as I walked in the house, I knew that a roadster update was long overdue. So, with that, we'll pick up where we left off.

    Sidebar 41.5: Go, Go, Go!

    I love pretty much anything with wheels. Hot rods, customs, motorcycles, go-karts, you name it. Well, lately San Francisco has been a great place for that. Last month, I drove the roadster over to the Museum of Modern Art's Soap Box Derby race in McLaren Park. IMG_5439.jpg
    Even though I didn't race, I was able to photograph the event as a member of the press.
    4M5A0620_Original.jpg I was taking notes for a future hot rod-based soap box entry.
    IMG_5448.jpg
    "Cool Cars, Square Roll Bars."
    Screen Shot 2022-05-01 at 11.54.26 PM.png
    The big story, however, was my friend Lauren and her soapbox derby racer modeled after a 1957 Ford. It's completely hand built and hand painted here in San Francisco. I photographed it for DicE Magazine the following weekend.
    4M5A0796.jpg
    Remembering what I learned at The Rodder's Journal, I shot the car as if it were full size. I'll let you know when the magazine comes out. I can't wait to see it in print!

    ***

    The fun didn't stop there. The following weekend, my roommate Benj talked me into building a custom tricycle for San Francisco's Bring Your Own Big Wheel race, which took place on Easter Sunday on the city's crookedest street. IMG_3140.jpg
    My rig was built in traditional style. Highlights included a custom bench seat/wheelie bar made out of the roadster's discarded seat foam, a rusty Model A rear backing plate-turned seat base, metallic gold flames and a 1953 Kentucky bicycle license plate.
    13AA4278-E275-433D-A888-6E8AD89A7302.jpg
    The whole thing couldn't have been any more fun. Believe it or not, I was the only one using Model A parts.
     
  11. J.Ukrop
    Joined: Nov 10, 2008
    Posts: 3,473

    J.Ukrop
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    Before the race, I brought the roadster out to the Ocean Beach car show. I hadn't been in a few months, and I had a great time catching up with friends I hadn't seen in a long time.
    IMG_3136.jpg
    My friend Ryan even took this fun Polaroid of me and my machine.
    IMG_3135.jpg
    It's amazing to think it's been almost a year since its first trip to the beach for a show. A lot has changed since then, and in a lot of ways things have stayed the same. All I can do is keep moving.
     
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  12. J.Ukrop
    Joined: Nov 10, 2008
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    J.Ukrop
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    IMG_3223.jpg
    The next update is one of the most exciting to date. Real old time hot rod stuff. It's getting late here, so I have to sign off. But I'll be back soon with the full report on dropping spindles, mocking up rolling stock and getting this thing a ton closer to becoming a car. Thanks for sticking with me!
     
  13. Tim
    Joined: Mar 2, 2001
    Posts: 19,563

    Tim
    Member
    from KCMO

    Joey, you should really look into finding
    Something fun to do. I’m concerned all this diligent, focused work may be robbing you of some well deserved joy. You’re only young once, please consider this advice.

    from,
    A concerned reader.
     
  14. 41 GMC K-18
    Joined: Jun 27, 2019
    Posts: 4,903

    41 GMC K-18
    ALLIANCE MEMBER

    Quick change rear ends, amazing how they can be adapted to just about any driving situation that may arise!
    Parallel parking on San Francisco street's made easy !
    Don't forget to curb your tires !

    rear steer ford.jpg
     
  15. Six Ball
    Joined: Oct 8, 2007
    Posts: 6,745

    Six Ball
    Member
    from Nevada

    They used to have gravity races in Berkley on Fish Ranch Road I think. There was some high speeds and impressive engineering. Vespa & Lambretta scooter front suspensions & brakes were used a lot.
    Looking forward ti the next update. Torches, & heating, & bending. Oh my?
     
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  16. 1-SHOT
    Joined: Sep 23, 2014
    Posts: 2,858

    1-SHOT
    Member
    from Denton

    There is a School go Gravity at Fort Benning Georgia IMG_6673.JPG IMG_6681.JPG
     
  17. 51504bat
    Joined: May 22, 2010
    Posts: 5,458

    51504bat
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    To each his own. But sorry, I'll pass about jumping out of a perfectly good airplane. Walking foot patrol on a 12 hour graveyard shift on my 21st birthday was enough living for me.
     
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  18. Budget36
    Joined: Nov 29, 2014
    Posts: 15,020

    Budget36
    Member

    I’d say he’s having fun and living a dream. ;)
     
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  19. 1-SHOT
    Joined: Sep 23, 2014
    Posts: 2,858

    1-SHOT
    Member
    from Denton

    I even had my own Roadster D982A693-A341-4E06-82A8-EDFCBFA1CC24.jpeg
     
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  20. Outback
    Joined: Mar 4, 2005
    Posts: 3,165

    Outback
    ALLIANCE MEMBER
    from NE Vic

    From this side of the screen it seems like you are living the dream!
    Great stories, good friends & a common interest make for a good thing.
    Thanks so much for letting us in on this Hot Rodding & Choppering journey of yours!
     
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  21. 51504bat
    Joined: May 22, 2010
    Posts: 5,458

    51504bat
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    M151A1 truck utility 4x4. A guy in my platoon rolled one at Ft. Gordon when I was there. How no one got hurt was a miracle. Squirrelly as all get out on the pavement.
     
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  22. J.Ukrop
    Joined: Nov 10, 2008
    Posts: 3,473

    J.Ukrop
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    Like Dr. Dog once asked, "Where'd all the time go / it's starting to fly?" Well, in the time since I've updated this thread, I've been on the road: Oregon for the One Moto Show, Michigan to see my family, Indiana to see my friends, and New Jersey to sit at an airport. I've also been working on a new product launch at Ridetech. It's all been fun, but I have a lot of progress I'd like to share. It's pretty late here in the Great Lake State, so I may not post all of it tonight.

    Sidebar 300: Butter & Egg Bliss

    To help prepare for Saturday's shop day, I cruised down to All Ford in Campbell to pick up my front wheel bearings. The team was super helpful and got me everything I needed. I'm lucky to have such a great resource with a real-deal parts counter so close to home.

    As they collected a box full of bearings, I couldn't help but think back to my first time at All Ford. I was buying gaskets and a bunch of other odds and ends to see if I could get the car ready for its first fire-up. A lot has happened since then, that's for sure.
    IMG_3206.JPG
    The following morning, it was Butter & Egg Day in Petaluma, California. Located just north of San Francisco, Petaluma is known as the "Egg Basket of the World." The colorful little town celebrates its heritage with a large scale parade. Highlights include floats, marching bands and, of course, classic cars.

    As soon as I walked in the shop door, David notified me that we were going out on assignment. Within moments we were out on bicycles, crossing Petaluma Boulevard South and rolling into the parade's staging area. Our job? Fix the mechanical brakes on a customer's 1932 Chevy pickup.
    C7605103-5E98-44BF-9C75-93727F9E9D1D.jpg
    Moments after we arrived, David was under the truck making adjustments. It didn't take long to fix the issue, even with me running back to the shop to grab an additional wrench. By the end, the customer was all smiles and the truck ran, drove and stopped perfectly for the parade. IMG_3214.JPG
    I also liked this 1925 Chevy Egg Truck—and "egg"-cellent choice for the event.
     
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  23. J.Ukrop
    Joined: Nov 10, 2008
    Posts: 3,473

    J.Ukrop
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    With that excitement out of the way, we shifted our focus to my car.
    IMG_3220.JPG
    First, we rolled the cart in the middle of the shop. I slid the new round-back spindles into place. We set the chassis on jackstands so the front spring could have the weight of the drivetrain on it. Also, this gave us more leverage while bending the steering arms.
    IMG_3223.JPG
    We marked where we would need to bend the arms with chalk. Then David then broke out the Oxy/Acetylene torch and started working his magic. I was in charge of C-clamp installation and supplying tools when necessary.
    IMG_3232.JPG
    With the four-inch drop/no stretch on the axle, the steering arms required a great deal of finessing.
    IMG_3234.JPG
    We referenced Vern Tardel's dropped spindle book to double-check our work.
    IMG_3235.JPG
    Cherry red glow in a cooling state.
    IMG_3230.JPG
    Once the arm cleared the axle, we bent the bottom portion so the tie rod would fit. The steering is smooth and there's ample clearance throughout. IMG_3245.JPG
    Next came mock-up backing plates and, the moment we've all been waiting for, wheels! IMG_3250.JPG
    Things are really coming together! David and I pieced together temporary front hubs and drums, but I have a line on a much better set. I'm still searching for rear drums and hubs if anyone is holding.
    IMG_3249.JPG
    Possibly the biggest update in this thread all year. It's looking like a car! We still have to weld in the rear crossmember, but it's really happening. Can you believe it?
     
  24. Tim
    Joined: Mar 2, 2001
    Posts: 19,563

    Tim
    Member
    from KCMO

    Exciting man
     
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  25. J.Ukrop
    Joined: Nov 10, 2008
    Posts: 3,473

    J.Ukrop
    SUPER MODERATOR
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    The following day, Yama and went on a long drive to Grass Valley, California, to shop for motorcycle parts. I had my eye on a 1948 HD wishbone frame for an upcoming project, and he was looking at a '49 Panhead. Unfortunately we couldn't strike a deal on either this time around. As luck would have it, the seller was also a longtime hot rodder with a 1934 Ford sedan. Remembering my ever-growing "to-buy" list, I asked him if he had any 1940 Ford steelies. "Check out back," he said.
    IMG_3265.JPG
    A wheel garden! I sifted through them and found a pair of 16 inch, 5 x 5.5 bolt pattern steelies. One is four-inches wide, the other is 4.5. I figure that it could help to have one of each.
    IMG_3271.jpg
    Here's a question for the experts. What does NT stand for on the white wheel?
    IMG_3527.jpg
    Even though I was a little bit sad about the motorcycle frame falling through, I decided I could put the money to good use. I finally bit the bullet and ordered my new rear tires: 7.50 x 16 Firestone whitewalls from Coker.
    IMG_3525.jpg
    I'll be paring the 16 x 4.5 wheel with my other one to make a set. Now my car will have 4 inch wide wheels up front and 4.5 inchers out back.
    IMG_3526.jpg
    I just had to mock it up—I've never owned anything with whitewalls! I'm getting these wheels sandblasted and I'll be painting them black in my driveway, just like I did for the current copper '35 Ford wires.
     
  26. J.Ukrop
    Joined: Nov 10, 2008
    Posts: 3,473

    J.Ukrop
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    Staff Member

    I'll add a few more updates soon, but I'll close with this. Does anyone recognize the A-V8 on the left? IMG_3329.jpg
     
  27. 41 GMC K-18
    Joined: Jun 27, 2019
    Posts: 4,903

    41 GMC K-18
    ALLIANCE MEMBER

    That is a vintage TOBRIN #14 adjustable pipe wrench, only makes sense, vintage tools to work on vintage cars!
     
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  28. Tim
    Joined: Mar 2, 2001
    Posts: 19,563

    Tim
    Member
    from KCMO

    I think the av8 on the left is that hoodlum with the mustaches car. Can’t recall his name, tall, wears a funny hat?

    I think he’s buddy’s with Yama.
     
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  29. 51504bat
    Joined: May 22, 2010
    Posts: 5,458

    51504bat
    ALLIANCE MEMBER

    Also rides them heathen devil motorcycles?
     
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  30. Tim
    Joined: Mar 2, 2001
    Posts: 19,563

    Tim
    Member
    from KCMO

    Yeah a real hellion that one! You’d do well to steer clear Joey!
     
    Last edited: May 10, 2022

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