Return of the Living Dead

[Ratfink1962]

Strange name for a bike huh? This bike was purchased at the Midwest Bicycle Swap last week. It didnt immediately sell because it scared a lot of people. This bike was completely locked up solid with rust, It had been sitting outside for a long long time. The cranks, handlebars, EVERYTHING... locked up tight! Like the seller said... "Its Almost yard art"

I was gonna name it something to do with Pearl Harbor since its a 41, plus I was born on Pearl Harbor day... but nah, decided to go a different direction with the name.

So im gonna jump in, and document the re-birth of a cool old bike, I dont have a cool parts stash so I will be scrounging whatever I can to try and get this thing done. Not entirely sure what direction Im heading, but in the end I hope to have a cool old bike thats rideable.

Here is my starting point...



It was originally blue...

[udallcustombikes]

Glad to see you toss your hat in the ring. My parts are your parts.

[Double Nickle]

glad to see you entered...good choice

[onelesspedestrian]

sweet.

with a name like that, ....DON'T.... TOUCH... THE.... PATINA......

just a sec while I board up all the doors and windows....

[aka_locojoe]

Just getting it ride-able will be a major accomplishment Good name choice.

[Ratfink1962]

Yeah this one is gonna be a challenge.

I got it all blown apart after cutting the stem to get the forks out. Today I got the forks straightened out Hillbilly style! I pretty much ran them over with the truck. Worked first try, no more bend.

After getting it straight, I cut the steer tube off and finally was able to get the other half of the stem out. Also found the wedge... it was in a pile of solid rust at the very bottom of the fork.

Next up will be to weld the stem back together, then weld a new steer tube on the fork. I may end up getting a different fork... I know I can save it, but with all the bending Im not sure how well its gonna hold up.

I also hit up Udall, and scored a couple drop center rims so I dont have to bondo those originals thanks Cameron!

As far as the patina... Im toying with the idea of leaving it, I mean after all that is some kind of moss growing on the side. cant get that at the corner store.

[stretch]

looks like your missing tires an some bars. after those parts are gathered i think youll be done.

[Ratfink1962]

Ok I got the stem saved today.

Used to look like this...


A few sparks later...


And after some cleanup, I now have a useable vintage stem...




If I decide to have it replated, I would probably have to blast it, braze it, then dress it off to finish off the last of those pesky rust pits.

[xddorox]

Nice save!

[stretch]

Nice save!

ditto!

[udallcustombikes]

Nice save! I want to see you save the wheels now.

[CCR]

you werent kidding !!! stem looks back from the dead to me

[bikeriderx]

WOW! Cool!

[Ratfink1962]

Nice save! I want to see you save the wheels now.

Bondo and duct tape... no problem!

[vintagelove81225]

if i didnt know what i was looking at i would never guess that was cut in half .and compared to some of the welding ive seen on this site those are nice too