Victoria Bike Upgrade

Stopped work on this in 2019

Fork and front frame done, original paint on rear frame

The bent bolt in this pic had to be hacksawed so I could remove it to allow powder coating

 

Quite a lot of complicated sticky-outy bits needing paint removed using gunky, gooey paint stripper.

Hi

I'm pleased to announce that I'm cooperating on a bike project with Ben from Omnium Bikes. We are combining to make a raffle prize for the 2026 OzHPV Challenge (in Coleraine, Western Vic, October 31 to Nov 2, Cup day weekend)  where Omnium is sponsoring the Hill climb race.

The bike will be an updated (painted and better load carrying) version of the Mule train bike I described here back in 2019. I am doing the paint stripping (some of the grunt work on the rear frame is shown above) and load carrying updates, while Ben is arranging powder coating. Looking forward to the final results, this bike has never actually been finished off properly. It has a 2 speed kickback hub and back pedal brake, and separates into 2 parts so it's easy to transport.

Regards Steve Nurse

Update Sep 29

I put quite a bit of effort into derusting the rear rack including dumping 4 litres of vinegar into the kitchen sink, topping it up, and then soaking most of the rack in it. Also, Ben came round and picked up the frame parts for powdercoating & we rode together up to Northcote Plaza. Carrying the frame parts was a snack for his Omnium single speed.

 

Update October 13: On the weekend I got a text from Ben showing that his mate Fabian had put our bike parts through the powder-coating machine at his Reservoir (Melbourne Northern suburbs) factory. A few days later and I am on my leaning trike heading up there to collect them, with the fee being showing Fabian and a few of his workmates my trike and letting Fabian have a ride. He rode it really well, and was riding fine and u-turning in the street within a few hundred metres of starting. He said he's not into recumbents really though, and wants to build a tall bike!

Big thanks to Fabian and Ben. Now I have a bit under 2 weeks to put it all back together and reinstate and improve the load carrying. Then it will be given away as a raffle prize at the OzHPV Challenge, https://www.facebook.com/events/1862426664732629 

 

Update October 21 2026: After about a week with the frames, the bike is almost done with patching and varnishing of timber, and customising the cushions (the bike will be like my Watsonia  but with 2 removable milk crates and cushions) the only jobs to do. 

Part of putting the frame back together was drilling and tapping the frame pin and this worked fine - now the pin has an allen bolt holding it in the frame. The frame join is even greased a bit - something that's never been done since I've owned it!

Everything else went together quite well and the new Mule Train has been on its maiden shopping voyage. It remains the separable bike it has always been so splits in half. The dual kickstand means the back half just remains in place while the front is removed.  

 Update October 28, 2026.

The  bike is finished now and will soon be on its way to Coleraine in Western Victoria as a prize for for the OzHPV Challenge. Here are a few more photos. The bike should have great portability, and the removable stools / load carrying milk crates should prove useful. Regards