RED STERLING 1941 WESTFIELD PREWAR TANK BIKE

[tanksalot]

I honestly had no intention of entering the build off this year due to other things I had to do. Then a series of events happened & the stars aligned. I found this bike screaming build me. I was told by the original owners niece, That the bike has been in the basement untouched since JFK was elected . The original owner had passed away recently & he was in his 90s. As you can see in the photos the bike was very dusty from sitting all of this time . The entire house had 1940 decor through out. As you can see the fork needs some help.

 

[tanksalot]

Here's the fork before being straightened & removed from the bike.( Yikes )

 

[tanksalot]

Here's the bike on June 9th .You can verify the time line on my face book page classic bicycle restorations if you like. Now I feel like I can say I'm fairly certain I can straighten most forks based on what this one looked like.

 

[tanksalot]

Put back together or so I thought ? With 1941 Correct original cross brace bars & a Rollfast Rack . I'm on the fence on the rack but the color is a perfect match.

 

[The Renaissance Man]

Great bike, looks like it'll clean up nice!

This pic looks like it was recovered from the Titanic!

 

[tanksalot]

Then this thing showed up at the Fitchburrg Ma Show on June 20th !What are the odds same badge even ! Both bikes where made 6 months apart ! ( Its not as nice as it appears in the photo frame has paint wear & has had white repainted in many places tires are done for ect. ) But exceptional gold mine parts bike for the Mens bike with awesome original paint wheels & guard for the Mens bike & maybe the light ? Plus has great Mens seat also ! (not in pic.)

 

[deven_science]

Ooh, that chain guard is definitely an upgrade from the one on the boys bike now. I like the rear fender better, as well, and would probably use it, complete with skirt guard. Nice find for your project.

 

[horsefarmer]

Wow! really nice finds.

 

[tanksalot]

Great bike, looks like it'll clean up nice!

This pic looks like it was recovered from the Titanic!

Its funny the way the bike was coated in dust. I was thinking Titanic when I saw the bike also...

 

[kingfish254]

Glad to see you joining the fun. Great cleanup work and awesome fork work!!!
I like the rack on there. Couldn't ask for a better color match.
I also agree with Deven's comments about the guard and fender.

 

[horsefarmer]

What color is that Brown or Dark Maroon Red? Sure looks awesome!

 

[tanksalot]

Its Maroon . My last one of these was Maroon also . But the last one of these I had turned so brown over the years. I auctially that that it was a brown bike at the time.

 

[tanksalot]

Choices in the making.

 

[tanksalot]

Progress ...

 

[tanksalot]

A Badge shot.

 

[LukeTheJoker]

Great bike!

Luke.

 

[OddJob]

Progress ...

Which tires are those? Huge whitewalls! Really fits your build well! Like everything about this build. Sweet!

 

[Funkme]

I was going to say.
Keep the rack,use the whitewalls,guard & fenders,and you will have a winner. But a nice set of his & hers matching bikes...

 

[tanksalot]

Which tires are those? Huge whitewalls! Really fits your build well! Like everything about this build. Sweet!

The white walls are GT from the late 1990s & they are still made.These where on a weathered bike I picked up so they look the part well & you can air the heck out of them.

 

[tanksalot]

People are telling me to change out the fenders. The problem is condition wise its a huge toss up.
Boys fenders: The front fender is missing a small bottom tail piece.
Girls fenders: For the rear skirt I need a spring & the single length rod (versus the V rod piece wire.) The white has been repainted over the original paint on the girls fenders. Girls fenders are a bit wider that's a plus.