1959 Schwinn Rat Rod

[schwinnmesa]

I'm starting with a bike that I found on craigslist for $6.25 (four bikes for twenty-five bucks, haha). It's a '59 Schwinn and I love it.

Photo taken 30 June 2011.

 

[deorman]

Classic. 8)

 

[schwinnmesa]

Gross seat. It just needs to be cleaned up; I'll save my Brooks for something else.

Uh oh...

Turn up the radio! It's going to be a long day. :roll:

Love these grips!

 

[schwinnmesa]

Classic. 8)

Thanks mate. 8)

 

[schwinnmesa]

Decisions, decisions... :lol:

I'm going with these though!

 

[schwinnmesa]

I have the original front fender but not the matching rear fender. It's a rat though so who cares? I'm going to put a rusty one on the rear thanks for my '71 Hollywood parts bike.

Hammer anyone? :lol:

I love my Park bike stand!!

What a mess!!

Mismatched fenders, oh well... welcome to rathood.

Looking great with those black rims!

 

[Rockit!]

Watch out for snakes!!!

 

[schwinnmesa]

Need a chain guard! The bracket had a leftover screw stuck in one of the holes and it was missing the head! It had to use a drill and the vice to get it out. It was worth the work; I like chrome chain guard -- nice and ratty!

Vintage electrical tape, anyone? :lol:

 

[schwinnmesa]

Watch out for snakes!!!

Haha, yeah... that one doesn't bite so I think I'll be fine. :lol:

I saw a great plains rat snake yesterday though! :|

 

[schwinnmesa]

I had to swap handlebars since the other ones had a big slit in them by the stem. These ones are okay and still vintage. What I like about this bike is that every part on has been free -- not much WD-40 needed. I guess staying up in the attic for years worked... all you need is a roof over their head!

 

[schwinnmesa]

I noticed the rear reflector was lacking some character so even though it isn't a teardrop reflector, it's still beggin' for the "S"!!!

I went inside to look for my X-acto knife... can't find it! So I impatiently got a silver Sharpie and drew the "S". It looks horrible, I know... I could have done way better if I had the time but I want to finish this bike today!

 

[schwinnmesa]

Here are some pics of how it looks now. I'm starting to change my mind about the rear fender... I should paint it black. Maybe I should find my X-acto knife and do a cool design back there too.

It's almost done but not quite; I have to get that rear fender black and with the white stripes!

I might as well polish the chrome since I wouldn't have to worry about the chrome rear fender anymore. That's why I didn't want to polish the chrome at first; I didn't want the shiny rear fender taking away from its charm. That sucker's turning black!!!

 

[schwinnmesa]

I really wanted to finish this bike today since I started the project this morning but with the fender deal I will have to wait.

 

[SCHWINNRAY69]

Looks done to me, although a black fender would look COOL :mrgreen: Keep up the good work, great color combo there :wink:

 

[schwinnmesa]

Thanks Nick. The rear fender is now finished and looks way better. This bike is complete!!!

 

[CCR]

classy looking ride there !!! i was kind of liking the mismatched fender, it sort of had a gasser look to it, don't mind the change a bit though either time for some skidmarks !!!

 

[SCHWINNRAY69]

COOL 8) Looks great with the fender painted :wink:

 

[schwinnmesa]

time for some skidmarks !!!

Hehe, thanks guys.

Link to finished thread:
viewtopic.php?f=60&t=42849&p=417237#p417237