Western Flyer.....reproduction??
- Thread starter ratrodtrikes44
- Start date
Western Flyer was a brand name, they didn't make the bikes. Murray made those bikes. They may have been new in 1981, but not repros. That was the latest offering.
They look to be good riding bikes and in decent shape. If they are, 50 bucks each isn't a bad price.
They look to be good riding bikes and in decent shape. If they are, 50 bucks each isn't a bad price.
I'd pay that. Even just for two piles of parts, it'd be worth it, but I like that they match. And it's not a hundred, it's ninety five, I'd pull those chicken cages off the step through and sell them for five.
Picked them up today.....they need some cleaning and lube but I figured that.
Need some cleaning advice. Included 4 pics. Seat pic, tried some bleach, fabuloso...
not really working. Painted fenders(rust) tried soapy brillo, worked a little but don't want to ruin.
Chainguard...no idea! Brillo working on rims but the pic shows the worst spot. Woman's bike going to be tougher than the men's. Took off rear baskets, rack was broken in a few spots, no big deal.
Will keep going, welcome your suggestions..Thanks!
Need some cleaning advice. Included 4 pics. Seat pic, tried some bleach, fabuloso...
not really working. Painted fenders(rust) tried soapy brillo, worked a little but don't want to ruin.
Chainguard...no idea! Brillo working on rims but the pic shows the worst spot. Woman's bike going to be tougher than the men's. Took off rear baskets, rack was broken in a few spots, no big deal.
Will keep going, welcome your suggestions..Thanks!
The chrome and paint look like the corrosion has eaten through them, but that's normal for bikes that age. A good cleaning and scraping the rust off the chrome is about all you can do. They will look better in this original condition than with new chrome and paint, imo.
I would use a small brass wire brush on the chrome to remove all the flaky rust. Then I would use a scrubbing pad (not scotchbrite which would take off a layer of shine) with some dish soap to go over the chrome and painted areas. Then I would use paste car wax over everything chrome and painted. A couple coats will bring out however much shine there is. That should make both bikes look as good as they will get in original condition. The patina left on the fenders and wheels should look great.
The most important tip is in the language.
Stop calling it rust, it becomes a desirable design element, when you say patina.
Stop calling it rust, it becomes a desirable design element, when you say patina.
Done.....a lot more work than I thought! Should have looked at more closely when I got them.The most important tip is in the language.
Stop calling it rust, it becomes a desirable design element, when you say patina.
Rims were really rusty but hours of scrubbing made them a little better(women's better than men's)
Looks like nothing was ever greased...sluggish and noisy...fixed that. Took off rear baskets...rack was broken in a few places. Replaced seats, like my black Mesinger and she likes the Schwinn seat.
Took apart men's rear coaster assy...heck of a time getting back together! Need kickstand for men's as it is bent and wobbly. Replaced front tube, has newer tires which was good, adjustments,cleaning, lube, etc. Looks like they were sitting for awhile! Going to tackle squeaking pedals...maybe new chain. Think I am okay, have not done this much on a bike in awhile...
guess is was worth it...right? Maybe some Rat Rod touches?
Found stuff in my box to add......also put back original saddle.
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Bike is kind of hard to pedal. I know, single speed, fat tires.....took apart rear hub, greased, spun by hand...seemed ok. Also greased bottom bracket, cleaned and lubed chain. Front wheel spins freely...
raised seat to get better leg extension... Just feels sluggish, maybe so used to riding my nice smooth Raleigh Sports 3 speed. I just feel like I had a leg workout riding around a few blocks.
raised seat to get better leg extension... Just feels sluggish, maybe so used to riding my nice smooth Raleigh Sports 3 speed. I just feel like I had a leg workout riding around a few blocks.