Gulf Oil Porsche 917 inspired fixie

[timmytrouble]

Hi all. So I've wanted to build a fixie or cafe racer for years inspired by the groovy old grand prix/le mans team colours from the 60s and 70s. I toyed with the idea of finding a traditional lugged frame but decided I wanted to build a more modern aero track frame with a retro paint job instead.

I took Steve McQueen's #20 Gulf Oil Porsche 917 from the movie Le Mans as my inspiration (here's a link for those of you not familiar with it - http://mishilo.image.pbase.com/v3/17/292717/2/47025901.Gulf20Porsche917k.jpg ).

So I purchased a VISP frame from eBay - I know they're not fantastic but I like the aero shape and given this was going to be my first paintjob (rattle cans in a spray booth under my house) attempt I didn't want to invest in a more expensive frame in case I stuffed it up. A couple of non-negotiables/fundamentals I wanted from the start was aero frame and aerospoke wheels. I'll probably get smashed by the diehards but hey i wanted to replicate the 5 spoke black mags the Porsche 917s ran and the aerospokes just look like they were made for the frame.

This bike is purely for tooling around on the weekends. Its not a daily commuter - it was a fun project and I'm pretty stoked that it turned out exactly how I envisaged it.

I'm curious on all of your thoughts and happy to talk more about the paint/build process if you'd like.

Spec list

VISP aero "track" frame
Aerospoke wheelset
Paul component crankset (46t - 16t sprocket on back)
Origin-8 pedals + All City Cycles cages and straps
Nitto bars
Thomson Elite X4 stem
Thomson Elite seatpost
Selle San Marco Magma saddle
Paul component E-lever
SRAM Apex front brake
Campagnolo Veloce BB
Newbaums cloth wrap

[ldrcycles]

Fantastic. Absolutely fantastic. Really nice work.

[Kenzo]

Lovely work! It immediately reminded me of this bike inspired by the same car http://www.blackcatbicycles.com/2011_09 ... e.html?m=1

[rudleo]

very clean. i like!

[familyguy]

Very nice. I'd have split the DT 2/3 blue:black stripe:1/3 orange, but thats just me. And its not my bike.

There's a few car-inspired bikes on here, this one is probably leading! Good work.

Jim

[Mulger bill]

Damn, that's slick. And a beautiful car to take inspiration from

Dunno if it can be done but losing the aerospoke logos would enhance the look IMO.

[jaseyjase]

incredible job mate, well done.

+1 on losing the aerospoke logos.

and i feel like something on the downtube would be the icing on the cake, no idea what though!

[rustychisel]

that's ace!!!!!! Well done, nice attention to detail with black on black components.

I'd vote to keep the decals on the Aerospoks, if you sell them they keep their price better, and let's face it, they are heavy and crap...

But a vote for a little something on the downtube.

[DaveOZ]

Very nice.

[HLC]

Don't listen to everyone else, leave the Downtube bare.

There is already enough going on with the colours, no. 20, and the 10 giant spokes. The nice chunk of blue colour-blocking looks great.

A set of black H+Son TB14's laced to black high-flange hubs with black spokes (36 hole 4-cross) would look ace on this when you decide to get rid of the dual Potatoes!!!

Other than the frame, solid parts list!! Well done!!

(visps aren't that bad, I have one as my beater?)

[timmytrouble]

Wow thanks everyone, I'm pretty chuffed with the feedback.

I thought long and hard about putting the #20 on the down tube but decided it looked out of place so it ended up on the seat tube. Given the 917s ran almost sponsor free, I'd hate to overdo it and put anything on the downtube - and like I found, things look out of place on it given its such a chunky tube.

I like the logos on the aerospokes for the time being as it breaks up the colour blocking just enough to give it that racecar look without once again overdoing it. But hey I've always got the option to change it later on. That michelin pro 4 rubber looks so clean and slick on the bike too.

Only drama I'm having with it is no matter how hard I tighten the seat bolt, the post slips down to the position you can see in the pics. The VISP frame has an integrated clamp that "sleeves" it inside the seat tube and its proving problematic to jerry rig anything to grip the post better. Any suggestions?

[gururug]

Only drama I'm having with it is no matter how hard I tighten the seat bolt, the post slips down to the position you can see in the pics. The VISP frame has an integrated clamp that "sleeves" it inside the seat tube and its proving problematic to jerry rig anything to grip the post better. Any suggestions?

Liquid torque

[Mulger bill]

Beat me to it...
Otherwise known as assembly paste.

[HLC]

Coke can shim works as well in the seatpost!

[CommuRider]

Belt drive, otherwise

[vanbree]

Very nice work! Now stick it on ebay and watch the bids roll in

[btothec]

You've done a great job with that. It's come up looking amazing. When I first saw the topic heading the bike below came straight to mind.

[Le Velo]

Good work on the paint Job ..... I have the same colour scheme on my bike

[jusforfun]

Brilliant Awsome, and you did that with spray cans under the house..... top stuff ! hmm is nice

[beachbum]

I say you did a better job then these guys..

http://bicycledesign.net/2012/05/porsche-concept-bike-by-david-schultz/

[ray]

[quote="btothec"]You've done a great job with that. It's come up looking amazing. When I first saw the topic heading the bike below came straight to mind.

And for me this came straight to mind:

[PANZR]

Wow, your Gulf bike is simply amazing, you've done an outstanding job

I built a 'Gulf' bike last year out of an old Avanti touring bike but, I'm now too embarrassed to show it
I must add that your photography is extremely good too

[lucky7]

That is hands-down the best bike I have ever seen. Do you take commission work??

Is that the VISP Windwing frame?

[Sydguy]

Hi

Bike looks awesome - can't fault it at all!

Did you keep track of the $ in the build?

Cheers
JM

[Ozkaban]

I'm not normally a fan of this style of bike, but you've really nailed it. I love the understated colour scheme. Looks awesome