1968 Orange Krate

[Unchained]

I don't really have the space for this bicycle, but it was very cheap and I figured I'd just clean and flip it, but it may stick around, the plans for this one aren't clearly outlined yet. I wouldn't mind having a smaller, lighter bike to mess around with. The seat is an incorrect seat I am using in place of the battered original untill I figure out what will be done with this bike. The pegs are a period pair I have had for a while and are something I added. The chrome is actually not too bad once its cleaned, as can be seen on the handlebars. The original tires were on this bike, unfortunately they are pretty well destroyed. The rear was a red line slik, and the front was a 16 inch s-7 superior. The shifter/derailleur setup is slowly being fixed- you can only get 3 out of 5 gears to stay in gear. The fornt wheel is jsut for the picture, I am working on the drum brake wheel later today if all goes well. I like this one, but it will porbably be resold because of the lack of space and because I have other projects on hand. Thanks for viewing my first Fresh Find post.

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[bits n pieces]

that is a cool find! the lady down the street from me has an orange crate im hoping to get one day, her husband used to ride it around when he was a kid, hes owned it since new but has passed on a few years ago. it is mint except the tires dryrotted so bad they crumble in your hand! id like to see yours fixed up, it deserves it!lol!

 

[Unchained]

I hope you end up owning the orange Krate you described. Thanks for the commet, this thing has certainly served its time outside in the cold :lol:

 

[necessaryevil]

Awesome find! KEEP ALL OF THE ORIGINAL STUFF! Don't throw the tires or seat away, keep everything. What's the serial number start with? The bars look like 68.

 

[Unchained]

Nothing will be discarded, not to worry. :wink: I haven't checked the serial number- where is it on a Krate? I've never owned a Krate before and wouldn't know where to check. I didn't see one in my cleaning it, but also wasn't looking. if it means something, the original seat was white with orange stripe/ "S" accent, which is 1968 only, correct? I thought that in 1969 they switched to an orange seat with white stripes.

 

[necessaryevil]

Yes, the white seat/orange stripes is 68 only. The serial number is on the left rear dropout, should have two letters in the beginning, second letter should be a "D". Please take a pic or list the serial number.

 

[Unchained]

Ok, I will be sure to do that- I may even get the chance later this afternoon.

 

[schwinnmesa]

:shock: Super-Cool Krate. :mrgreen:

 

[necessaryevil]

Any luck finding the serial # yet?

 

[Unchained]

Yes, I just haven't had time to post it, and won't untill this weekend unfortunately. It is going to be one CRAZY week from this point on.

 

[Unchained]

Hey necessaryevil,

I think I've got the serial number. Does "HD43178" sound correct for this year? It was a little rusted it up in amoung the letters and there could be one more letter hidden by a bolt head, but it sure looks like the serial number reads HD43178.

I've made a little progress on this one, but not all that much. New tires and tubes are an absolute must if I'm going to ride this one- the seat also must be replaced, it's trash. I was going to rebuild it but the pans are totally rusted out and flaking pretty good. I'm thinking about the money I'd spend on a real seat and and tire set, and being that this bike is so complete, I'd go authentic, and therefore I think this bike will be on hold for the moment. The plan now is to get it cleaned and polished as best I can this winter, and then buy tires next summer and finish it up. The bike now has all new cables and housings and shifts through most gears. Does anyone have tips for cleaning the aluminum hubs + brake levers? They're not pitted or deeply corroded but are pretty dirty and faded all the same. I'm thinking I may have to carefully wet sand them with super fine grit paper. Is there a better way to clean them than what I have in mind? I think the calling of this Orange Krate is a car show cruiser. ...But only after a serious cleaning. :shock:

 

[necessaryevil]

August '68 is what you have. As for the aluminum parts, don't sand them or use any kind of brillo pad on them. Get some Naval Jelly or even just use some automotive rubbing compound, then finish it off with some aluminum polish. The Naval Jelly will help out all of your rusty chrome parts also. Good luck with your project, post some progress pics soon.

 

[Unchained]

great! Thanks for the advice and the info, its greatly appreciated. I have plenty of compound, so I will definitely try that. All the better if I don't have to sand anything.