1959 Western Flyer 'Golden Flyer'

[The Renaissance Man]

This 1959 Western Flyer Golden Anniversary bike appears to have been rat rodded many years ago. It may have been someones attempt at building a Klunker, who knows? All of the unnecessary sheet metal was culled and the wheels where swapped for older drop center rims and Schwinn balloon tires. I believe the bars and stem may also be from a Schwinn and I'm not sure about the saddle. The drive line was converted over to a skip tooth chain ring, rear cog and chain. The rat trap springer has some cool looking original truss rods.

I like the brawny look of it!

 

[The Renaissance Man]

Someone drilled some extra holes in the rear dropouts. I'm pretty sure that the bike was originally black. It has a double top tube.

 

[dragnusa]

That fork is awesome

 

[horsefarmer]

Somebody had one of those bikes around here on C/L. Very ratty shape and with all the rusted/bent doo dads (and typical poor seller pics - you cant really see the bike frame that well. I'm amazed, what a neat frame design.

 

[The Renaissance Man]

That fork is awesome

I agree. It's a typical rat trap fork, but the additional truss rods really changes the look.

 

[Fv2]

Dig the fork, and it started out as a men's bike. Mounting one of your tanks might be tricky.

 

[The Renaissance Man]

Dig the fork, and it started out as a men's bike. Mounting one of your tanks might be tricky.

It actually came with a bug eye tank when it was new.

Here's one that @Smoopy's restored.

 

[The Renaissance Man]

I haven't taken the time to actually look very closely at this bike after bringing it home a day and a half ago. After comparing it to the picture above, I noticed that the right side fork truss is bent on mine.

The longer I looked at it the better I like it! I think I might bend the other side to match instead of trying to straighten the bent side!

 

[American Vintage Bicycle Supply]

I love that I can visualize your shop and your photo backdrop now. I've always admired how nice your photos come out.

 

[The Renaissance Man]

I love that I can visualize your shop and your photo backdrop now. I've always admired how nice your photos come out.

It's my version of @Rat Rod 's 'famous red wall'.

 

[partsguy]

These are hard to find and were beautiful when new. What a shame to see one in that condition. At this point, with all the missing parts and the dents and rust, I say chop away and build what you want!