Spring has finally sprung! 
After a loooooong drawn out winter I was really Jonesin' to get outside and play with some rust.
I bought this 68 Screamer a smidge over a year ago. I immediately parked it in my bike stable for safe keeping for a later date.
I plan to preserve ,and NOT restore, this beauty....
Here is what I have to work with......
As you all can see , it is certainly complete and original
I started the tear down and cleaning process..... Feels so good to be outside again!
I will clean up the original paint as best I can with rubbing compound and wax . I never like to strip and repaint ( not my style )
To me, preserving and showing it some love is all the " restoration" it needs.
Once the paint is cleaned up to " polished turd " status , and the chrome is polished, it'll have GOBS of character ( very much my style
)
The bare naked frame .... Paint is pretty smoked ( read: only original once! ) but after some lovin it'll shine....some
I set the frame off to the side for now, I threw some elbow grease into cleaning all the bearing and cups.
Everything is MADE IN USA in the bearing department..... 46 years of service and STILL perfect after cleaning ( Hear that China?!! )
The rear derailleur was kindda scuzzy ..... after some patient cleaning and scrubbing it looks pretty nice!
....before
....and after
I started to clean up the rear 5 speed cassette.... You want a good exercise in patience ? Clean a 46 year old boys muscle bike rear cassette covered in grease , grass , cob webs , dead spiders , and vines woven throughout.....
all cleaned up ( somehow I didn't get a before shot though )
I really quickly passed a greasy rag over the bike to knock off the scabs , didn't do anything with rubbing compound yet.
Already showing signs of life !
I still have a ton to do yet , packed everything in a box and cleaned up the garage floor.
That was all my 38 year old back could handle , crouched on the floor for 1 day
5 hours today with Oldies crankin on the radio , grease , rust , and the smell of PB Blaster. The best way to spend a day off from work!
Stay tuned.....
After a loooooong drawn out winter I was really Jonesin' to get outside and play with some rust.
I bought this 68 Screamer a smidge over a year ago. I immediately parked it in my bike stable for safe keeping for a later date.
I plan to preserve ,and NOT restore, this beauty....
Here is what I have to work with......
As you all can see , it is certainly complete and original
I started the tear down and cleaning process..... Feels so good to be outside again!
I will clean up the original paint as best I can with rubbing compound and wax . I never like to strip and repaint ( not my style )
To me, preserving and showing it some love is all the " restoration" it needs.
Once the paint is cleaned up to " polished turd " status , and the chrome is polished, it'll have GOBS of character ( very much my style
)
The bare naked frame .... Paint is pretty smoked ( read: only original once! ) but after some lovin it'll shine....some
I set the frame off to the side for now, I threw some elbow grease into cleaning all the bearing and cups.
Everything is MADE IN USA in the bearing department..... 46 years of service and STILL perfect after cleaning ( Hear that China?!! )
The rear derailleur was kindda scuzzy ..... after some patient cleaning and scrubbing it looks pretty nice!
....before
....and after
I started to clean up the rear 5 speed cassette.... You want a good exercise in patience ? Clean a 46 year old boys muscle bike rear cassette covered in grease , grass , cob webs , dead spiders , and vines woven throughout.....
all cleaned up ( somehow I didn't get a before shot though )
I really quickly passed a greasy rag over the bike to knock off the scabs , didn't do anything with rubbing compound yet.
Already showing signs of life !
I still have a ton to do yet , packed everything in a box and cleaned up the garage floor.
That was all my 38 year old back could handle , crouched on the floor for 1 day
5 hours today with Oldies crankin on the radio , grease , rust , and the smell of PB Blaster. The best way to spend a day off from work!
Stay tuned.....
