1966 24” Otasco Flying-O muscle bike build

[Rat Pilot]

So, I’ve changed course and decided against building my daughter a purple muscle bike using my 20” Sears Ted Williams bicentennial bike. Ted is going to get a refresh and keep the patriotic red, white, blue scheme.

I waffled back and forth initially on this bike and that one, but I think she’ll end up being happier on a 24” bike even though it will be a touch too big at the moment with the banana seat. That won’t be that way long.

I decided to build this 24” Murray-built Otasco Flying-O bike for a few other reasons as well. The now defunct Otasco stores were one of my favorite as a kid. We had one in town and it’s where I got several other bikes for Christmas - and most memorably - it’s where my Manco Flying-O go kart came from when I turned 12.

Anyway, I’m starting with this clean 24” cruiser I picked up last month. She’s been riding it, and she likes the bike already.

 

[Rat Pilot]

Reserved for finished pic.

 

[Rat Pilot]

I first test fitted the nanner and since I went with longer 18.5” seat, it fits the bike fine.

 

[Rat Pilot]

I ended up with this Huffy 24” girls 3 speed when I bought all the bikes last month, so after confirming measurements, I found the fork would work on this one with add a front brake and narrow 24 X 1 3/8 tire. The fork is raked a little more and looks really tough on there. I’m planning on getting 24 x 2.125” for the rear, so it should really cool with bigger diameter narrow rim on front a smaller diameter wide wheel on the rear.

If I get brave later I may try to lace a wide rim onto the 3 Sturmey Archer hub, because it does work really well.

 

[Rat Pilot]

I bobbed the rear fender and cut down the front fender, and this will be the final mockup because tearing it down. I wish I had a ducktail 24” rear fender, but it still looks pretty good. I may go with a pair of chrome fenders later, but for now I’ll roll with it like this.

 

[Rat Pilot]

This one came apart without too much of a fight.

 

[Rat Pilot]

The tires came in. The fat n skinny whitewalls looks pretty good!

 

[Rat Pilot]

I sprayed a little of the candy purple today, and it looks awesome! In fact, I can’t really capture the actual look of it with my phone. You can see the metallic flake through it coming from the silver base coat.

I started with the rear fender first, and totally screwed it up, but I finally figured out how to spray it. It is really thin and easy to get thin/light spots and even easier to sag/run. I had to strip the rear fender, so I’ll redo it later this week when I try to tackle the frame. The frame is going to tough to get even coverage without missing something or running something I expect! Wish me luck!

 

[Rat Pilot]

Paint is done! I’m really happy with the purple candy paint. It’s a beautiful color. I’m going to stripe the guard and put Flying-O on it.
I have one happy little girl after getting it out in the sun and showing it to her.

 

[Rat Pilot]

It’s gonna be a cool looking bike!

 

[Rat Pilot]

A little closer.

 

[Rat Pilot]

I made a little progress today. I got the crank, pedals, and new chain installed. I also installed the front brake, but I have to get a cable for it. I put the headbadge on and I started working on the graphics for the chainguard.
It’s coming together quite nicely.

 

[Rat Pilot]

I got the guard finished today. I’m a brake cable away from being done with this one.

 

[Rat Pilot]

I’m calling this one done! I got the brake finished up and I have one happy little lady! (Of course she was riding it before I got the front brake cable! )

 

[RichBarr]

Super nice frame. Love the color on it.