If the shifter doesn't hold up on the stem, here's an idea I used when I used a twist grip shifter. I ran the cable thru the tank, after drilling a hole just big enough to put the cable thru.
59 Western Flyer Super Deluxe Tank Model (AKA 3-on-the-tree)
- Thread starter whitefiretiger
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Thanks I thought about doing that but I think I've got this figured out.
Right now I'm trying to come up with an extension for the little thumb lever. Bent a piece of light aluminum tube to get an idea and I think it will work out but need something stronger as I kinked the snot out of the aluminum but it let me know I'm on the right path.
The hole I made in the top of my tank is bigger than I'd like but I had to keep elongating it until the cable could travel smoothly.
Right now I'm trying to come up with an extension for the little thumb lever. Bent a piece of light aluminum tube to get an idea and I think it will work out but need something stronger as I kinked the snot out of the aluminum but it let me know I'm on the right path.
The hole I made in the top of my tank is bigger than I'd like but I had to keep elongating it until the cable could travel smoothly.
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Umm...
Pulled the crank out today and aside from a very thin coat of newer looking grease everything was clean; a quick wipe down with a rag and the above pics is what I got.
Upon flipping the bike back over an extra bearing ball fell out of the frame.
Glad somebody had opened it up before but disturbed by the tiny amount of grease it had and 1 ball that was in the frame that doesn't go to the bearings.
Pulled the crank out today and aside from a very thin coat of newer looking grease everything was clean; a quick wipe down with a rag and the above pics is what I got.
Upon flipping the bike back over an extra bearing ball fell out of the frame.
Glad somebody had opened it up before but disturbed by the tiny amount of grease it had and 1 ball that was in the frame that doesn't go to the bearings.
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Shiny!
Luke.
Luke.
These are of great help for initial chrome cleaning. Love the $1 box of SOS pad knockoffs.
They clean the dirt, grease & remove rust all at the same time and tend to leave the parts shiny
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This will probably be the shiniest sparkliest bike I've ever had when I'm done.
Been working on the truss rod and shifter arm.
Here is the shifter arm in all 3 positions
It just hit me I have a 3-on-the-tree lol.
On the end is an old 8mm mauser super speed casing I polished up and slid on to cap the tube. It reads Super Speed 8mm.
Not sure if I want to keep it there in the end or put a ball on.
Also need to figure out exactly how I'm going to attach the arm; thinking I'll just crush the end onto the thumb lever as tight as I can then drill a hole threw and put a small bolt & nut.
Next is the truss rod.
I need to pull it back off again and flatten the ends a bit more then drill the mounting holes.
Still would like to find a original truss rod for this at some point but for now my home made one should be good.
On both the truss rod & shifter arm I'm not sure if I want to strip them down and polish them and finish with clear coat or just scuff them and paint them. If paint I may paint them with the accent color (oil rubbed bronze) that I'm using for the "decals".
Here is the shifter arm in all 3 positions
It just hit me I have a 3-on-the-tree lol.
On the end is an old 8mm mauser super speed casing I polished up and slid on to cap the tube. It reads Super Speed 8mm.
Not sure if I want to keep it there in the end or put a ball on.
Also need to figure out exactly how I'm going to attach the arm; thinking I'll just crush the end onto the thumb lever as tight as I can then drill a hole threw and put a small bolt & nut.
Next is the truss rod.
I need to pull it back off again and flatten the ends a bit more then drill the mounting holes.
Still would like to find a original truss rod for this at some point but for now my home made one should be good.
On both the truss rod & shifter arm I'm not sure if I want to strip them down and polish them and finish with clear coat or just scuff them and paint them. If paint I may paint them with the accent color (oil rubbed bronze) that I'm using for the "decals".
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Three on the tree? Very cool!
Luke.
Luke.
Noun
3-on-the-tree
Alternative spelling of three-on-the-tree.(idiomatic) On an automobile (especially those produced from 1939 through the mid-1970s), a three-speed manual transmission whose gearshift lever is mounted on the steering column.
Example: Mother and Father learned to drive in a car with a 3-on-the-tree.
I had an old Toyota not long back with 4 on the tree, I loved it! Best bit about it was watching other people try to drive it! Specially with no syncros on first and rather worn on second!
Luke.
Manual transmission column shifters can be a pita to drive. First one I drove was a 53 Chevy woody wagon that had almost no floor left and didn't want to hit 2nd gear without a lot of finesse.I had an old Toyota not long back with 4 on the tree, I loved it! Best bit about it was watching other people try to drive it! Specially with no syncros on first and rather worn on second!
Luke.
I think this is going to be a blast to ride when done.
Luke any thoughts on paint or polish the shifter / truss rod?
Really not sure WFT, it might be best to wait till you have it all back assembled and see what the bike tells you then...
Luke.
Just trying to figure it out now because that truss rod is a pita to take off and on (fork needs ripped off and apart (2pieces below the bottom rase hold it).
If you can polish them up to look like chrome with the clear coat on, I say do it. The bronze will be cool on the decals but it may be too much of a good thing if used to paint the rods and shifter too...
Luke.
Luke.
Was planning on working on the bike right now but just picked up a womens middleweight huffy built (think I'm seeing remnants what looks like maybe a j.c.Penny's head badge sticker) parts bike for a great price and need to strip it down; parts take less floor space than full bikes & I'm getting a bit low on floor space atm. I'll post a pic of it shortly.
I'll get back to 3-on-the-tree (thinking that's its new name) tomorrow hopefully.
I'll get back to 3-on-the-tree (thinking that's its new name) tomorrow hopefully.
Priorities man, priorities! :banghead:Well no progress todayforgot I had to pull a transmission out of a car.
Just kidding, hope it goes well for you.
Luke.
