Malvern Start Oddball (Restored)

[randyrob]

Hey Guys,

a piccy of my current dragster project

Cheers Rob.

[mikesbytes]

[mikesbytes]

[kukamunga]

What's with the 'no trail' forks? Is this to compensate for a slacker head angle due to, what I assume, is a 24" or 26" front wheel? How does it handle? And I like the green

PS: I've got a few dragster carcasses finishing on eBay tomorrow - pick up Melbourne only. PM me for details.....

[randyrob]

Hey Mate,

Believe it or not this is how they came out of the factory with straight forks and a 24 inch wheel on the front and cow horn bars, it's called an "Oddball" over here in the wests and both malvern star & Indi did them, it's barbados green (ie holden torana green)

Cheers Rob.

[twowheels]

An Indi Oddball sold on eBay last week in Perth for $400 in unrestored condition.

http://cgi.ebay.com.au/ws/eBayISAPI.dll ... NA:AU:1123

[kukamunga]

An Indi Oddball sold on eBay last week in Perth for $400 in unrestored condition.

Urrgh... That 26" front wheel just don't look right!

[randyrob]

[quote="twowheels"]An Indi Oddball sold on eBay last week in Perth for $400 in unrestored condition./quote]

Yeah saw that, unbelievable! tho the straight forks are very hard to get in any sort of usable condition and long frames do fetch more. The new ownder will also have a fun time trying to source an original front wheel.

A mate of mine actually worked out that if you ger the forks from a 22" U-tube bike (always find one in hard waste collection) and straighten them they are identical to the oddball ones.

My bike is a mixture of NOS (Seat, Front Wheel) New (Handlebars, gooseneck, sissybar, front brakes) & Old (frame/forks) and owes me
about $500, but i've got way more value than that sourcing parts, resotring it and riding it.

Rob.

[ausdb]

An Indi Oddball sold on eBay last week in Perth for $400 in unrestored condition.

http://cgi.ebay.com.au/ws/eBayISAPI.dll ... NA:AU:1123

Holy Crap! my little brother had a 3 speed one of those in that burnt metallic orange when were kids, I have no idea where it went. Also looks like it has the "No Trail" edition forks too.

[ransom]

Wow, that's unreal!
Keep up the good work.

[danmc]

I had an Indy (indi?) 500 oddball when I was a kid - maroon metallic. Loved it. I found one the other day in a second hand shop but its labelled "Roger Decoster". Anyone ever heard of these?

Trying to decide if I should restore it as is or what. The stickers are cracked and crazed. Or should I just repaint it, chrome it etc.

[FindonStyle]

RandyRob, that's a fine dragster!

This Speedwell Mustang has a torn,chewed & sunburnt original floral seat . It also needs new double white line Swallow tyres, and one of the pedals are missing. Any leads ? - Thank you.


p.s. Original Ape hangers, bell & grips are now back on the bike.

[mrmorbid]

Nice dragster FindonStyle. You can try the perenial ebay for parts, though those twin line swallows are hard to come by. I have a pair that are cracked that were on my Malvern Star Wildcat.
Head over to retro-rollers.com, as there are a lot of knowledgeable guys there that might be able to help.
Maybe we'll catch you on a ride sometime too.

[FindonStyle]

Thanks MrMorbid- Swallows- are they repro'd I wonder? They look so right on this bike. I'm rusty with bikes, & I over inflated the crusty rear and she split, probably when I sat on the bike while drunk. I'm 100+kg. Bugger.

Guess I better slim down B4 I ride with you - and stay sober.

[mrmorbid]

I haven't come across any repo white twin line tires yet. The closest I could find is a single red line 20x2.125 that came out on the UK Raleigh chopper.
Yeah I dont think those old tires perform as well after 30 years.

[FindonStyle]

I best do a search. I haven't even been to a bike shop yet. I guess wide whites would look good on this pretty basic baby. I see them on lows yeh?

[FindonStyle]

I best do a search. I haven't even been to a bike shop yet. I guess wide whites would look good on this pretty basic baby. I see them on lows yeh?
The seat is foam & vinyl top are gone- cool patina on the solid base though. I'll try to shoot & post so y'all can get ya jollies..

p.s Sorry for duped post. Can someone please P.M., telling me how to delete posts? Thank you.

[mrmorbid]

Not many bike shops in Adelaide stock 20" white walls. You are better off going online and getting them either from ebay or one of the US online stores such as www.chopperus.com or www.bicycledesigner.com

[FindonStyle]

mrmorbid- thank you.

This bike is very original, I remember fumbling about to get out the $10 they were asking. I didn't even try knocking the price down.

I'll post shots when I have more time.

[mrmorbid]

Head over to www.retro-rollers.com as there are plenty of guys there that know dragsters and may be able to help you restore yours.