CyClick was literally years in the making. I had a vision of an embellished bike, replete with cameras, cycling and documenting parades and various other functions. I’m also attempting to beautify the world, one rusty hulk at a time, hopefully bringing about world peace while I’m at it. That’s all. Click here for a YouTube video of my CyClick.
A couple of rusty jalopies went into the base of the bike. The parts were cleaning and overhauled by Three Crows Garage in Westport, WA. I’ll bet I started beading the bike 5 years ago. This bike is completely (almost completely, since it’s kind of done but will never actually be finished) covered in glass beads and vintage rhinestone jewelry. There are camera charms and I’ve also attached many working cameras. The cameras themselves are beaded and embellished.
The project began with this bike, an old Shelby Flyer.
The Shelby Flyer was determined to be beyond restoration. I scavenged some parts from it however.
We never did exactly identify this old bike, but we believe it’s a Schwinn. THIS is the bike whose body was sacrificed to become CyClick.
(You can click on any image for a larger view. Some images require clicking twice.)
Somewhere I have a photo of the bike in a million pieces (well, one hundred anyway) and, of course, I had to stare at that pile and think about it for about a year before I actually dove in.
I began work with the fenders. It was fun, laying out the patterns and seeing how various things worked / or didn’t work.
More beginnings.
I brought the first fender with me on road trips to my folks’ house in Michigan.
It was just too beautiful outside to NOT work out there! But … gawd, what a bitch when the birds pooped on it.
First fender done!
Rear view.
As a break from fenders,, next I beaded the kickstand. I’m not completely satisfied with it. Having the beads move horizontally makes it appear to be wearing a sock… or as if it’s been crochet-bombed.
Fenders.
Working on CyClick in the studio!
I had originally beaded the spokes. But I didn’t like it. So I took it all off and instead wired them with silver wire and leaves. Much more fitting – and elegant.
Starting the front column.
Front column
Learning from my kickstand experience, I began adding beads lengthwise on each bicycle component.
Eventually I’m going to have the pedals match the hand grips. Covid19 has us quarantined and I can’t get to the hardware store to look at products.
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Chain guard.
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An attached Gala Edition Kodak Autographic folding camera.
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My Gala Edition Argus C3. I call it the Summertime C3.
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Cyclick, in all her glory! (Note the Gala Edition GoPro.)
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Another Gala Edition Kodak Autographic folding camera.
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Another Kodak folder on the rear fender.
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I took a leather mask-making class from Faceodd Masks in Seattle. This gave me some ideas about how to cover the bike seat.
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Here she is and YUP, you can ride her!