Jamma Builds a Custom Swing Bike

(Another note from Jamma, 9/9/2004): Hi Bob, I got the new swinger riding!! The seatpost snapped as I tried to remove it earlier today, so I put the bike back in the corner. Later Paul came up and I pulled the swinger out and sanded it down a bit, we then thought about running the seatclamp straight onto the snapped seatpost and we were in business!! I then added a 3-spd rim and shifter for easy riding. I just took it for a spin and it works great. I'm going to take it for our sunday ride then strip it and start the rebuild .. Talk soon ... jamma ...

(Another note from Jamma, 9/16/2004): Hi Bob, First I would like to thank you again for putting the pages together for me, I have had so much feedback (all good) from many different people interested in Swing Bikes. Just yesterday another 2 people want to ride with our krew because they seen the page, THANKS :). Also me, Steve and the krew went for our sunday ride -- Steve rode his swinger and I rode my new one. We had a bbq and a few drinks it was such a nice day to ride!! I've attached some pics of us riding and some mpgs. Hope all is well. Talk soon mate .. jamma ..

(Another note from Jamma, 9/18/2004): Bob, Hows your swinger going? I sent Shep a email the other day and he should have the orange 7spd going soon, can't wait to see it!! Mine is stripped waiting for a new crankcase (see pic)and new parts. I also sent Steve a email askin for some pics of that guy's mini swingers, I will find out if he's genuine or not because i asked for pics and also asked if the bikes had a lock mechanism (the minis didn't have em just straight spring to frame) so that should be interesting. I will let you know how i go..Talk soon mate.jamma.

(Another note from Jamma, 9/21/2004): Hey Bob, How's things. We went for our ride on sunday and had a great time. We met up with the unicycle guys in the morning and met up with the rest of the boys in the afternoon. I've attached some pics and footage for you. Also today I was driving home and I seen Jake on the side of the road!! (he's been hiding for a few weeks). I gave him a lift to work and told him what's been happening with the club, he couldnt believe it!!! So Jake will be riding again from this sunday onwards ... YAY!! I will send a update this sunday. All 3 clubs should be attending a ride at Whiteman Park the week after so that should be awesome. How's your swinger going? Talk soon mate .. jamma ..

(Another note from Jamma, 10/02/2004): Hi Bob, Ry got his swingbike on Friday pretty neat hey!! It's all original apart from tyres, seat and rims. We've retained all the original stuff for the rebuild later. It's an early number as well A00477, it has the Fu-Lu sticker and the SB badge is good too. We kept the original crank as well the chromework is still in good condition. I'm almost ready to do my newest one i just need to drill out the old seatpost and make a new one then she's ready to paint and assemble. Well were riding again tommorow so I will send you some more pics and mpgs soon .. Talk soon mate. jamma. ROAD RATZ ..

(Another note from Jamma, 10/03/2004): Hi Bob, Thanks for the update. We went for our ride today the weather was beautiful and there was heaps of people at the park today. We had a bbq and a few drinks then went for a ride around the park. We had 3 swingbikes a mk3 chopper and 5 dragsters. Should have seen the looks we got with the swingbikes. Steve let a young boy have a go on his and he loved it!! Both me and Steve fell off today me doing a wheelie and Steve swinging in a tight circle but it was good fun and no injuries occured!. Yeah! Rys swinger had been in a shed for 15 years sitting idle. The only part that gave me trouble was the seatpost, the post came out after a heap of deagreaser and plenty of twisting but the bottom tightning lug was rusted and the bolt snapped off. I grabbed a old style gooseneck one(its fatter)and grinded it to size and fitted a new bolt!! Otherwise it's in good cond just needs paint and rechroming. We'll talk soon mate. jamma ..

(Another note from Jamma, 11/10/2004): Hey Bob, Sorry I haven't emailed for a while. Ryan's Swing Bike has had a restore. New orange powdercoat, n.o.s seat, new sissy bar, handlebars, grips, etc. Just need to get some stickers for it and a new front wheel. Also we have just aquired another Swing Bike (A00840) it's green and is complete. I will send some pics soon. Also my rusty blue frame will be ready by Christmas. Steve's going to weld it up and then it's off to the powdercoaters. Can't wait. I'm also in the process of rebuilding my Chopper which I will send you a few pics of. Well, hope all is well. Talk soon. jamma.

(Another note from Jamma, 11/15/2004): Hey Bob, We went for a ride to Fremantle on Sunday. It's a shipping port and is one of the oldest areas in Perth. This was our first ride there and it was awesome! We got such a great reaction from the locals as Fremantle is one of the largest bike riding communities. At one stage there was about 30+ people watching us. I've attached some mpgs and pics of the ride. Should have my other Swing Bike going soon -- can't wait. It's going to be a full-on lowrider styled bike for something different. Next Sunday we are going back to Scarborough to get some practise for the Christmas pageant. It's on December 11th so there's not long to wait! Steve picks up his Swing Bike on Wednesday so that will also be finished soon. Well, that's about all .. Talk soon mate .. jamma ..

(Another note from Jamma, 11/21/2004): Hi Bob,Thanks for putting the updates on the site. Let me know when you get your new Ritchey Commando -- that's one mean looking bike! I've attached a pic of Steve's green Swing Bike he just bought. It's numbered A00840. This one will be rebuilt eventually and will look so different to the rest of the ones we have. Good news regarding my Swing Bike, Steve's already welded up the crack in the bottom bracket so there's only the seized seatpost to remove and then make up a new one. I will send some pics before I powdercoat it. Hope all is well. Jamma.

(Another note from Jamma, 12/03/2004): Hey Bob, I've taken a few shots of my frame n forks that Steve just fixed. I should have it painted and assembled in the next 2 weeks, just waiting for the seatpost. We also have our Christmas pageant on Dec. 11th which is going to be sweet. It's the first time Dragsters and Swing Bikes have been ridden at the pageant -- Cant wait!!. Well thats all for now. Take it easy .. jamma ..

(Another note from Jamma, 12/12/2004): Hey Bob, How are you? Me and the boys rode in the pageant last night it was excellent fun! I rode Jake's swinger, Scott rode my blue one and Steve rode his recently finished red one. We had a really great time plus everyone in the crowd seemed to enjoy it. The pageant is played on tv tonight so I will record it and send you some footage of us swinging it up. My other Swing Bike is ready for powdercoat!! I will send you some pics during the week as my dad has the dig cam. Well, hope all is well. Talk soon mate .. jamma .. ROADRATZ.

(Another note from Jamma, 12/20/2004): Hi Bob, Me and the krew went to Whiteman Park on Sunday for our end of year ride. We had 12 people turn up which was cool. Also during this last two weeks me and Steve have had some good scores -- Steve got another Swing Bike frame which is in really good condition, a 1968/69 Malvern Star 5-spd and a heap of good parts. I scored a Raleigh Grifter bmx/chopper which I used for parts. I've attached pics and mpgs of the ride and some of the bikes. Also Steve wanted me to ask why the Swing Bikes start on A00006 instead of number 1? Same with the USA ones. Were the first ones prototypes or is it just a unusual numbering system? If you know anything about it we would love to know. (It's the range of serial numbers in the Registry -- not the production number range. -- Webmaster) Well if I dont chat with you soon I hope you have a good Chrissy and a excellent New Year .. Jamma ..

(Another note from Jamma, 12/27/2004): Hey Bob, How are you? Me and Steve went for a trip to Armadale (about 100ks from my place) today to look at some bike stuff. We scored a box of n.o.s cotter pins so me and Steve never need to buy 'em again. Also scored 2 drum brakes to fit a flip flop hub, a set of nice rims and a early 80s Kuwahara bmx. I've been told its the same as the bmx in E.T. the movie. How's this for crazy .. The guy we got all that gear from used to have Swing Bikes!! He has had 4 in the past 2 years and no one wanted them!! Guess how much they went for?? ... $20-$30 for a complete Swing Bike! Makes you want to cry especially after me paying $200 for broken frame 'n forks. I will send those pics I promised of the Swing Bikes in the next few days. Talk soon mate .. jamma ..

(Another note from Jamma, 01/10/2004): Hey Bob, How are you mate? Me and the boys went to Fremantle yesterday for our weekly ride. Jake finally got some time off work so he came down with his swinger which was cool! Jake sussed out a new trick for us yesterday where you swingout as far as you can and ride over a 30-40cm high grind rail(if you swing back inwards you can easily hit the pedal under the rail supports causing you to get flipped from the bike!). I've attached some mpgs of me Steve and Jake carving the skatepark on our Swing Bikes and also a still shot of Jake on his swinger (I reckon it's one of the best shots I've taken!). Well, hope all is well over your way and I'll chat with you soon .. jamma .. still swingin!

Webmaster's Note: Thanks Jamma for all the pics and the story of Jake's Swing Bike and all the updates on your bikes!