OK...Thanks! Will try to get tomorrow!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.
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.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!View attachment 138243View attachment 138244View attachment 138245View attachment 138246
Thanks for the information.....doing it right now!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.
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.![]()