Thanks for the positive comments about this build. I really appreciate all the kind words left for me in my Intro. posting.
Please excuse the length of this post !!!
However, I hope that some builders/artists will appreciate the detail and commentary.
My premise was to restore this bike with an "old school" look and to keep this a low $$ build. I recycled and refurbished as many original parts as possible. All paint was done with rattle can "spray bombs". I estimate that I have about $ 70 USD invested in this project.
Original bike condition. This 80's era Jamis Earth Cruiser was given to me by a neighbor.
Closeup of rust on chainguard, chain ring and crank. All of these pits in the chainguard became holes after media blasting. I had to use body filler from the backside of chainguard – squeegee it through the holes – smooth it out on front – sand – primer – paint - clear. Chain ring and crank were media blasted and refinished with Dupli-Color wheel paint and clear (supposedly somewhat resistant to solvents and wear). Restored pics of these items are posted later in this series.
Original wheels were trashed and unusable. They were replaced with less rusty, but still crusty, used ones which were given to me. I media blasted them to remove what little chrome was left – then used etching primer before painting the rims red / spokes silver – finishing off with clear coat. Hubs were cleaned and polished. Restored wheels will be shown later in the series.
Original chrome frame was a mess. Seat post and handlebar stem were hopelessly rusted in place. No amount of persuasion, penetrating oil or heat would loosen them. Finally sucked it up, left them alone – and worked around this issue. Frame was media blasted – coated with etching primer – sanded - coated with sandable primer – sanded - white areas painted – sanded - white areas masked – black painted - sanded – clear coat applied.
Painting the chainguard. White has been painted and masked – black being applied.
Restored chainguard before graphics
Talked with Jamis Bicycles and was told that original graphics are no longer available. Took pics and measurements and sent to a local graphics shop. They matched the font and made repops for this build.
Original Frame Graphics
Original Fork Graphics
Repop Graphics
Restored frame and chainguard with graphics.
Drive Side
Closeup Drive Side
Ugly Side
Closeup Ugly Side
Restored wheels with new tires and dice valve stem caps. I bought three sets of new tires at an auction for $15 – sold two sets for $40 – and kept this pair as “freebies”. Bought a box of five dice at Wal-Mart for less than a buck – drilled them out with a 25/64” bit – epoxied the Schrader valve caps into them.
Front
Rear
Front closeup w/ dice valve stem cap
I got the seat from a local Schwinn dealer. They sold an ’07 Cruiser SS that had the lime green/olive green seat. The buyer requested that the seat be changed before taking delivery, so the LBS had this brand new seat left over and were having difficulty selling it. I offered $10 and they took me up on it. Score !! I masked off the chrome buttons and used black and white vinyl color to get the look I was after.
Restored chainguard, crank, chain ring – with new KMC plated chain and Pyramid pedals.
Finished Bike.
Front View Drive Side
Front View / Ugly Side
Rear View
Rear View #2
Rider’s View – with original bars and new Pyramid Krayton Rubber Bullet Grips
If you’ve stayed with me this far…..Thanks for your interest !!!
Resto
Please excuse the length of this post !!!
However, I hope that some builders/artists will appreciate the detail and commentary.
My premise was to restore this bike with an "old school" look and to keep this a low $$ build. I recycled and refurbished as many original parts as possible. All paint was done with rattle can "spray bombs". I estimate that I have about $ 70 USD invested in this project.
Original bike condition. This 80's era Jamis Earth Cruiser was given to me by a neighbor.
Closeup of rust on chainguard, chain ring and crank. All of these pits in the chainguard became holes after media blasting. I had to use body filler from the backside of chainguard – squeegee it through the holes – smooth it out on front – sand – primer – paint - clear. Chain ring and crank were media blasted and refinished with Dupli-Color wheel paint and clear (supposedly somewhat resistant to solvents and wear). Restored pics of these items are posted later in this series.
Original wheels were trashed and unusable. They were replaced with less rusty, but still crusty, used ones which were given to me. I media blasted them to remove what little chrome was left – then used etching primer before painting the rims red / spokes silver – finishing off with clear coat. Hubs were cleaned and polished. Restored wheels will be shown later in the series.
Original chrome frame was a mess. Seat post and handlebar stem were hopelessly rusted in place. No amount of persuasion, penetrating oil or heat would loosen them. Finally sucked it up, left them alone – and worked around this issue. Frame was media blasted – coated with etching primer – sanded - coated with sandable primer – sanded - white areas painted – sanded - white areas masked – black painted - sanded – clear coat applied.
Painting the chainguard. White has been painted and masked – black being applied.
Restored chainguard before graphics
Talked with Jamis Bicycles and was told that original graphics are no longer available. Took pics and measurements and sent to a local graphics shop. They matched the font and made repops for this build.
Original Frame Graphics
Original Fork Graphics
Repop Graphics
Restored frame and chainguard with graphics.
Drive Side
Closeup Drive Side
Ugly Side
Closeup Ugly Side
Restored wheels with new tires and dice valve stem caps. I bought three sets of new tires at an auction for $15 – sold two sets for $40 – and kept this pair as “freebies”. Bought a box of five dice at Wal-Mart for less than a buck – drilled them out with a 25/64” bit – epoxied the Schrader valve caps into them.
Front
Rear
Front closeup w/ dice valve stem cap
I got the seat from a local Schwinn dealer. They sold an ’07 Cruiser SS that had the lime green/olive green seat. The buyer requested that the seat be changed before taking delivery, so the LBS had this brand new seat left over and were having difficulty selling it. I offered $10 and they took me up on it. Score !! I masked off the chrome buttons and used black and white vinyl color to get the look I was after.
Restored chainguard, crank, chain ring – with new KMC plated chain and Pyramid pedals.
Finished Bike.
Front View Drive Side
Front View / Ugly Side
Rear View
Rear View #2
Rider’s View – with original bars and new Pyramid Krayton Rubber Bullet Grips
If you’ve stayed with me this far…..Thanks for your interest !!!
Resto
