Rare Huffman Twin Flex dual springer

[kingfish254]

This is a fun puzzle to watch come together. I can really relate to the re-engineering of the rear end.

 

[Endlesschain]

That tab on the rear is to attach a trailer to haul trophies.

Hahahahahahahaha I like it

 

[Endlesschain]

That is just painful to look at.
How could someone do that to such a rare bike?

To be fair though, the hack up looks pretty old in it's self
If the seller pulled it out of a barn like that "years ago" who knows how long ago it was flipped
I mean it can only be so old, cause of the welds, but 60s or 70s are not out of the question.
It could have only been like a 20 or 30 year old bike when it was done.

I know no one would bat an eye at hacking up nearly anything from the 80s or 90s today. (nearly)
But 30 years from now I'll bet there'll be a one or two dudes even on RRB kicking themselves about what they've cut up and wish they still had.

klein and cannondale bikes of the 80's-90's are awesome,but I have seen some hacked and trashed,Klein paintjobs?some are awesome and then some random guy light sands and paints over it with house paint, WHO DOES THAT?

 

[Dr. Tankenstein]

First off, I have always liked the twin flex Huffman's, definitely 'outside the box' thinking for it's time.

As for that tab, it may be nothing (stock that is). I haven't seen on any other ones, maybe it was part of the 'customization' phase of it's life. :roll:

Restored,

or otherwise...

Great job resurrecting this classic!

Keep up the great work.

Cheers,
Dr. T

 

[kingfish254]

First off, I have always liked the twin flex Huffman's, definitely 'outside the box' thinking for it's time.

As for that tab, it may be nothing (stock that is). I haven't seen on any other ones, maybe it was part of the 'customization' phase of it's life. :roll:

Tank, actually it is on the photo above from teh one at Star bike. Look past and in front of the hub to the inside on the left pivot point. There is that tab hanging down with the coaster brake attached to it. I did something similar on Flexy with a stainless bottle opener.

 

[Dr. Tankenstein]

I see it now, I missed that the photo in question was looking at the INSIDE of the left chainstay/seatstay, not the OUTSIDE of the right. I now see the blur of the right side, got it, it's the brake arm strap.

Cheers,
Dr. T

 

[1918 Ranger]

The top of your seat tube is hacked off also. Here is a pic of mine:

If you need measurements let me know.


Here is a pic of the serial number on the back of my fork also.

With this question raised on the seat post tube my dilemma is what to do. Re weld an extension back or leave alone and use the quill style lucky seven post? I'm leaning to leave alone and use the quill style post. What do u guys think?


1918 Ranger

 

[ohdeebee]

Technically the seven post is not correct. Of the two flex's I've owned and the others that I've seen, none had a seven post. To find a donor frame shouldn't be an issue and this bike is worth the extra effort to bring it all the way back to what it should be.

 

[highwheelerboy25]

Technically the seven post is not correct. Of the two flex's I've owned and the others that I've seen, none had a seven post. To find a donor frame shouldn't be an issue and this bike is worth the extra effort to bring it all the way back to what it should be.

i agree 100%!

 

[1918 Ranger]

More progress this week

Forks are shaping up nicely. Thanks Keith

All I can find on a s/n.

Frame still coming together

I do have a donor for a proper seat post. Will be added soon

Highwheelerboy25 laced up my wheels etc. thanks Josh. Looks awesome.

1918 Ranger

 

[ohdeebee]

Is that a C9 on the back of the fork? That would make it a '39. I can't make out the serial on the bottom bracket. Also, the rear brake arm is post war.

 

[1918 Ranger]

This weeks progress. The frame has the seat post tube repaired back to an original shape. Other metal work done and primed. Some more sanding and prime ring left but near ready.

Last step before:

And now

This small brace bar where the rear fender attaches had to be replaced and repaired.

1918 Ranger

 

[Toeslider]

More inspiration from the Bicycle Museum of America:

 

[kingfish254]

Framework is coming along great Ranger!

Sweet museum picks too.

 

[1918 Ranger]

More inspiration from the Bicycle Museum of America:

Yea thanks for these pics. The stripes outline were still on my frame and look pretty much like those on this one. Good to see another one as we pull this one together.


1918 Ranger

 

[1918 Ranger]

Is that a C9 on the back of the fork? That would make it a '39. I can't make out the serial on the bottom bracket. Also, the rear brake arm is post war.

Do the pre war arms say, "new departure brake" on them?


1918 Ranger

 

[ohdeebee]

Is that a C9 on the back of the fork? That would make it a '39. I can't make out the serial on the bottom bracket. Also, the rear brake arm is post war.

Do the pre war arms say, "new departure brake" on them?


1918 Ranger

Yes. And I believe it is the smaller earlier arm in '39. Like this one:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/PreWar-New-Depa ... 35c1e77d67

 

[1918 Ranger]

Long springer seat pre restoring

1918 Ranger

 

[ohdeebee]

Here are the '39 Huffman catalog scans. Keep in mind there are at LEAST 3 variations of the mens TANKED Twin-Flex. This is just the Huffman catalog. The Firestone version is most common and is most likely what your bike is (mine is a Firestone). The Dayton/National models are more dressed than the Huffman model and the Huffman model is more dressed than a Firestone model. They did come tankless as well although nobody seems to build them that way.

 

[highwheelerboy25]

hey rob, i saw a bike just like yours. it had a goofy-looking banana seat on it though. . . . . . . . . .