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- Sep 17, 2013
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This bike belongs to one of my riding buddies. It was his first bike and he thinks he got it new in the 1950s. Because the fork has no chrome trim at the top I think he is right, at least its a 1959? He hated it as a kid because it was only a 2 speed and his sister had a 3 speed. He felt like a second rate citizen or something. He kept telling me about this bike and when I asked him where it was he said he gave it to his nephew in Wisconsin. I asked him to check it out and if it was still around see if he could get it back, just a casual mention. Well, when he visited over Christmas it was still in the barn. They gave it back to him and couldn't believe anyone would want it, saved them the hassle of throwing it in the junk pile. He also sort of thought it was good only for the junk pile and apologized for the horrible condition it is in. I told him it was cool and I would fix it for him. I need advice. Everything looks original, even the petrified rotted tires. The Bendix shifter and cable are missing but I have a Bendix 2 speed shifter and cable but I don't know if it is the same one that was on this bike.
What is the best way to clean up the paint and preserve the original finish? What tires and tubes does he need? The seat vinyl is about as flexible as potato chips, can anything be done here with this seat, advice? There are dents in the front and rear fender. Should those be smoothed out or left the way the are? There is orange reflector tape on the chain stay and fender. Is this original? Should this tape be removed or would it be cooler left alone? He doesn't want it painted. I don't even know yet how true the wheels are. One of the wheels won't turn but I plan to dismantle the whole bike anyway and repack. There is almost no rust on the chrome and the seat post is one of the nicest I have ever seen, no rust on it. He seems to be enthused, at least he rescued his first bike. I know my first bike is not to be found. Here are pictures I just took of it in my hallway thawing out so I can get a better look at it in the AM.
What is the best way to clean up the paint and preserve the original finish? What tires and tubes does he need? The seat vinyl is about as flexible as potato chips, can anything be done here with this seat, advice? There are dents in the front and rear fender. Should those be smoothed out or left the way the are? There is orange reflector tape on the chain stay and fender. Is this original? Should this tape be removed or would it be cooler left alone? He doesn't want it painted. I don't even know yet how true the wheels are. One of the wheels won't turn but I plan to dismantle the whole bike anyway and repack. There is almost no rust on the chrome and the seat post is one of the nicest I have ever seen, no rust on it. He seems to be enthused, at least he rescued his first bike. I know my first bike is not to be found. Here are pictures I just took of it in my hallway thawing out so I can get a better look at it in the AM.
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