RRBBO13 1939-40 Elgin Sports Model No (1)3 - (Refurbished Eyes for Elgins)

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BUILD CHECK LIST: REVISED 6/12/2018
Get grips, coke or ball end. [emoji736]
Find tube valve caps. [emoji736]
Decide on final bars. [emoji736]
True up front wheel.
Install skip tooth chain. [emoji736]
Move Klaxon horn to bars. [emoji736]
Decide on method and install wheel bell activator. [emoji736]
Experiment with BLO on fenders, rack and chain guard.
Fix kickstand pivot, change out rivet for bolt. [emoji736]
Test ride, verify seat to be used, tweak rattles and or other observations. [emoji736]
Make Build Parts List.
Add chain-guard Bling from flea market. [emoji736]
Add chainguard Bling from flea market???[emoji736]
Do final photos.
Still a few things on the list to do, the BLO is probably next up. Getting some stuff ready for a swap meet in a couple of weeks.
Had another old Hawthorne bike cross my path last week, rusty but pretty solid old ‘55 Model.
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I really like the rigid bell antenna and fink topper.
Cool, functional, and fun!
 
I really like the rigid bell antenna and fink topper.
Cool, functional, and fun!
I did shorten the “antenna” rod, it’s about 12” above the bars. I gave some thought to adding one to the left side to balance things out like parade bars. I have another RF topper. I’ve already exceeded my original KISS goal on this one though.


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That's a really nice looking Hawthorne!
Thanks! Yah it again conflicts with my downsizing. It rides the way it is after I changed out the front tire and tube. It begs for a remake or cleanup. It’s probably going to a swap meet next week.


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Going to try making the rust and patina POP with some boiled Linseed oil (BLO) this coming week. Rub it in, buff and wipe it off, wipe it off again. Dispose of rags carefully.
Also have a couple of ideas for some “Elgin Sport(s)” tank graphics, subtle, yet prominent.
 
The rack, fenders and chainguard received theBLO treatment this morning. They have a little “pop” now, depending on light. Some other bike parts got a little second hand oil as wiping and buffing took place.
I also roughed out Elgin graphics Ver. 1.0, not satisfied that these are keepers.
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DETAILS, DETAILS AND MORE DETAILS...
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I need to get some audio of bell in action, it sounds like an old telephone ringing.
 
I feel like the name plates should be longer, not so square? Maybe it's the yellow outline that's throwing me off. Could that yellow be more of your blue color?

How about a light spray of Rustoleum Texture brown to 'age' that headlight body...I like how it fits your vibe, just maybe get it closer to the braces in appearance.

The bike up against the garage door background really shows off the green and blue hues well! Looking good!
 
I feel like the name plates should be longer, not so square? Maybe it's the yellow outline that's throwing me off. Could that yellow be more of your blue color?

How about a light spray of Rustoleum Texture brown to 'age' that headlight body...I like how it fits your vibe, just maybe get it closer to the braces in appearance.

The bike up against the garage door background really shows off the green and blue hues well! Looking good!
The light is/was NOS, I just don’t have the heart to change it’s look, but I’ve had the same thought that it is too shiny clean and stands out from rest of Bike.
I have limited graphics software and unsteady hand when it comes to trimming stuff freehand. Here’s another concept with multiple versions though. I notice I have some reflections hanging on. I have some old Elgin logos coming that I’m thinking will work better.
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And...
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I hate to keep using the garage door as a backdrop but it is convenient and when the light is right and shadows gone it serves well to provide a contrast in colors with out being busy.
Glad you noticed and appreciate the good words.


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I kinda like the rectangular one on the tank. What ever you choose I think the tank is all you need. repeating it one the chain guard is too much in my opinion. The guard already has the cool chrome accent.

Can you try pulling the colors from the head badge to use on the logo?
 
I kinda like the rectangular one on the tank. What ever you choose I think the tank is all you need. repeating it one the chain guard is too much in my opinion. The guard already has the cool chrome accent.

Can you try pulling the colors from the head badge to use on the logo?
Still have an old “Elgin” logo coming, plenty of time to finalize the graphics.
I agree on the either/or placement of something that says “Elgin”. I have two more of the Pontiac stars that I had in mind to use on the tank but the repetition didn’t look right and I didn’t want to drill holes in the tank.
I guess if I’d have put the stars on the tank then I would have put the graphic on the chainguard.
Hadn’t thought about using the headbadge colors in the Elgin identifier, sounds like an idea worth pursuing. Thanks.
WOW 5K views...need more comments though...Rat On!
Another thought would be to put ELGIN on the tank and “Sport or Sports” on the chainguard.
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I like the oval decal better than the rectangle, seems 'smoother', more flow. I agree with TRM on only one placement. I guess I'd like to see the stars on the tank, usually the logo / words would be on the chain guard?

The complimentary color of the garage door really does make it pop!

You're on to something here Ed....
 
I like the oval decal better than the rectangle, seems 'smoother', more flow. I agree with TRM on only one placement. I guess I'd like to see the stars on the tank, usually the logo / words would be on the chain guard?

The complimentary color of the garage door really does make it pop!

You're on to something here Ed....
Stars on tank won’t happen on my watch...oval looks OK but harder to cut smooth. I could have local Apple Graphix do them as they have a profile cutter. The colors in the prototypes are close to badge colors. I have a couple of other ideas to experiment with. Thanks for input!
I had several people trying to buy this bike last Saturday. I took it to a bike swap/show. I’m just not done playing with it yet. Also bothers me to hear them telling what they would change if it was theirs...it’s a project.
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New information dates this bike to be 1939 in lieu 1940. The rear Musselman hub is coded to be from 1939. My 1940 year came from Sears catalog reprints based on the straight seat tube, long tank and straight down tube. After finally looking at the serial number more closely it appears to have “MOD” code above the serial. So that appears to date the frame manufacture to 1939. I guess it still could have been a 1940 Model though. So now I’m calling it a 1939-40.
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Not much going on here. The Elgin went to a swap meet and show a couple of weeks ago. Several people wanted to buy it...just not done playing with it and it compliments my other two build off Elgin’s.
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