1930's Rambler by Westfield.

[SSG]

This is one of those bikes that isn't really worth restoring. Most of the parts are either pretty well wrecked or incorrect.

The first step is getting it stripped down to the frame. This required a bit of Pb blaster and the application of an angle grinder.

 

[SSG]

Now that the frame is apart I can assess the damage. The fork is obviously quite bent. Somebody has also cut open one of the dropouts.

The frame is also bent in the typical ladies bicycle fashion.

There is a repair right at the bend that has been welded and cracked.

Freeze crack with built in ant farm.

Bottom brace/fender mount tube no longer brazed.

 

[SSG]

Now the frame can be straightened. This technique comes from the 1896 book "Bicycle repairing". It consists of two blocks of wood a bit longer than the distance between the seat tube and head tube so they meet at an angle. As the two pieces are pressed down they straighten out and force the frame apart. Then a new piece can be inserted between the two and the same process can be repeated as needed.

Before:

After:

 

[Mole]

This technique comes from the 1896 book "Bicycle repairing". It consists of two blocks of wood a bit longer than the distance between the seat tube and head tube so they meet at an angle. As the two pieces are pressed down they straighten out and force the frame apart. Then a new piece can be inserted between the two and the same process can be repeated as needed.

That's pretty trick... and also makes perfect sense.

 

[SSG]

Today I tried to straighten out the fork without much luck, its pretty bad. Not only is it bent, its bulged and nearly worn through from riding with it bent. I also drilled out the rivets and removed the head badge. When the bike was repainted they removed the head badge and reattached it with pop rivets.

 

[yoothgeye]

Now the frame can be straightened. This technique comes from the 1896 book "Bicycle repairing".

1896? Sheldon Brown wasn't even born yet! haha

 

[jackdaw]

That's a cool old bike. I'm curious what you're going to do with it. The whole restore, refurbish, or rat conundrum always gets me.
I love old books, especially technical books. Do you have a picture of it?

Yoothguy, that's funny, I don't know what I would have done without Sheldon Brown, learn to talk to actual people I guess.

 

[SSG]

I tend to have a certain style that I follow with every bike I build. I guess "restomod" might be the term. I try to keep them looking "period correct" while using free/the cheapest parts I can find. I obviously try to use all the correct parts I can, but thats not always easy to do with almost no budget. A good bike in my mind just has to ride good, look classy, and cost almost nothing; not an easy set of rules to follow. The book Bicycle Repairing is available on google books in pdf format. I love old technical books as well, but I haven't managed to come across any bicycle related ones. I'd love to have a physical copy, but the last one I saw for sale was ridiculously expensive.

 

[jackdaw]

Right on. Thanks .

 

[Stingrat]

Awesome bike, now how to straighten out those forks, Ive got that problem. lol

 

[SSG]

I managed to make a little progress today. The head of one of the tensioner bolts sheared off. I welded a nut onto it and sheared more of the end off. I had to drill the bolt and use an extractor. I finally got it out after fighting with it for a while using heat and pbblaster.

Now I can finally get the frame stripped, weld the crack and get started with painting.

 

[SSG]

Paint removed.

 

[SSG]

Not much of an update. Got the frame stripped down and primered everything except the spots that need brazing.