It all started a few months ago... I wanted to buy a bike to ride to work everyday but couldn't bring myself to buy something new and Chinese. I like old stuff, and would rather restore something old than buy new imported stuff. I was not in a hurry since it was about 20 degrees outside then. I didn't even bother looking in classified ads, etc... About a month ago, my buddy Philip mentioned his old friend Byron (also the guy who told me about this forum) was selling a 1940's Western Flyer. I told Philip I wanted it and to let Byron know. Later that week, I hooked up with Byron and bought the bike. I carried it home in the back seat with the top down in my Mustang conv., LOL. It must have been a sight!
This is one of Byrons pics plucked from his thread back in January. This was the "good side". Notice the slightly bent back fork.
The day I brought it home. The other side... The bike had taken on a mute shade of rusty dirt.
This is what a $4 remnant of leather and some free neoprene foam can get you, after a lot of elbow grease... I sand blasted the the black parts and polished up the shiny bits with a SS wire brush and chrome polish. This was the only thing I "restored".
The second thing I did was rebuild the Bendix coaster brake hub. The chrome was popping off the lever so I blasted it and shot it with chrome paint. It looks not just good, but just good enough. Along the way I forgot how to re-assemble the coaster brake parts so I fumbled thru it and got it together. The brakes don't work too good so I think something is slightly amiss.
I was determined to keep the inch pitch, skip tooth set-up on this bike. None of the parts were in great shape and Byron even recommended finding another chain or replacing the set-up with a modern chain. After I got the chain off I determined it wasn't actually that bad. It didn't have any stiff links so I soaked if for a week or so and wire brushed it, soaked it, wire brushed it some more. I still has some rusty patina on it, but most of the rollers are free and it actually works great.
This is one thing about these old bikes that I LOVE. Chain adjusters, just like a motorcycle. Also seen in this pic is the original red color the bike is supposed to be.
I spent about 4 hours on the paint on the frame, fork, and wheels. I didn't want to repaint it. They are only original once. I started with gray Scotchbrite using 3M rubbing compound as "lubrication". I finished up with Mothers Carnuba wax. Polishing the paint, rust, and whatever was still attached after the first rub down. One side (remember the "good side") has great paint for it's age. The other side has thin paint and slight surface rust in areas. It must have had one side facing the sunshine, or florescent lighting or something. I don't believe however that the bike was always left outdoors. I can say one thing is for sure, it won't be left outdoors ever again. At least as long as I own it.
Well, enough BSing around. Here are the "done" pictures. Fork straightened (I wish I had a pic of my buddy Philip standing on our welding table with a pipe trying to straighten them out). I cut the bars and re-welded them to suit the look I was going for. I put the old grips back on. Schalbe Fat Frank tires. (ordered from Niagara Cycle works) And some inexpensive pedals bought from a local bike shop (Agee's, been in business for, well, ever...) Total investment, $135.00. The tires/tubes were $90 alone. I looked at hundreds of pictures of bikes on this forum and the CABE, and others. I also had my heart set on putting a motor on this thing (I am in love with Board Track Racers), but after getting it together, I think it looks just perfect the way it is. The only additions may be a fork brace and possibly a tank. I am also looking at some handlebars from Velo-Orange.
The pedals are cool because they disassemble like the old ones. I got something special in mind for them. Also not too noticeable, the crank is bent a little.
A parting shot of the beautiful badge.
This is one of Byrons pics plucked from his thread back in January. This was the "good side". Notice the slightly bent back fork.
The day I brought it home. The other side... The bike had taken on a mute shade of rusty dirt.
This is what a $4 remnant of leather and some free neoprene foam can get you, after a lot of elbow grease... I sand blasted the the black parts and polished up the shiny bits with a SS wire brush and chrome polish. This was the only thing I "restored".
The second thing I did was rebuild the Bendix coaster brake hub. The chrome was popping off the lever so I blasted it and shot it with chrome paint. It looks not just good, but just good enough. Along the way I forgot how to re-assemble the coaster brake parts so I fumbled thru it and got it together. The brakes don't work too good so I think something is slightly amiss.
I was determined to keep the inch pitch, skip tooth set-up on this bike. None of the parts were in great shape and Byron even recommended finding another chain or replacing the set-up with a modern chain. After I got the chain off I determined it wasn't actually that bad. It didn't have any stiff links so I soaked if for a week or so and wire brushed it, soaked it, wire brushed it some more. I still has some rusty patina on it, but most of the rollers are free and it actually works great.
This is one thing about these old bikes that I LOVE. Chain adjusters, just like a motorcycle. Also seen in this pic is the original red color the bike is supposed to be.
I spent about 4 hours on the paint on the frame, fork, and wheels. I didn't want to repaint it. They are only original once. I started with gray Scotchbrite using 3M rubbing compound as "lubrication". I finished up with Mothers Carnuba wax. Polishing the paint, rust, and whatever was still attached after the first rub down. One side (remember the "good side") has great paint for it's age. The other side has thin paint and slight surface rust in areas. It must have had one side facing the sunshine, or florescent lighting or something. I don't believe however that the bike was always left outdoors. I can say one thing is for sure, it won't be left outdoors ever again. At least as long as I own it.
Well, enough BSing around. Here are the "done" pictures. Fork straightened (I wish I had a pic of my buddy Philip standing on our welding table with a pipe trying to straighten them out). I cut the bars and re-welded them to suit the look I was going for. I put the old grips back on. Schalbe Fat Frank tires. (ordered from Niagara Cycle works) And some inexpensive pedals bought from a local bike shop (Agee's, been in business for, well, ever...) Total investment, $135.00. The tires/tubes were $90 alone. I looked at hundreds of pictures of bikes on this forum and the CABE, and others. I also had my heart set on putting a motor on this thing (I am in love with Board Track Racers), but after getting it together, I think it looks just perfect the way it is. The only additions may be a fork brace and possibly a tank. I am also looking at some handlebars from Velo-Orange.
The pedals are cool because they disassemble like the old ones. I got something special in mind for them. Also not too noticeable, the crank is bent a little.
A parting shot of the beautiful badge.
