my B33 came to me as a scrappy miss-match of bits, the bike i'm building from the boxes of parts and spares i've amassed is an ode to the very early 1950's and late 40's American Desert Sleds, I know a lot of people would turn their nose at me doing this but it's my bike and no modifications will be irreversible. these American Built Specials we more or less stock bikes with the lights removed, smaller guards and knobbly tyres, many of these bikes would have been built and ridden by the same person, quite an admiral feat in my opinion and completely not the norm in modern competitive MC racing. In that early few years of the Catalina GP most bikes would have used the original 19" wheels i'd imagine but since now tyre availability & sizes have changed PLUS as stated above i picked up a good WM2 18" front rim laced to an 8" SLS, i plan to use an 18" flanged rim on the rear with a pair of some large trials type/flattacker tyres to bring the wheel sizes back to roughly standard so as the geometry and ground clearance is not effected. i figure the larger tyres might even aid in offering a touch more cushioning for the buttocks when bashing through pot holes, not to mention the smaller rims and shorter spokes should be a tad more robust. I dont plan on setting any land speed records but the bike will be used on and off (unsealed roads) road.
I still have an original pair of pre-unit B series wheels in very good condition, what are your thoughts? which sizes should i go with? i can always unlace the front 18" with the 8" hub and get a set of flanged 19" rims.
ps: I have a strengthened ridgid frame and an untouched plunger frame.
-Nick
