Blue bike

[idiotboy]

I wanna play! I skipped last year because the camera in my phone didn’t work so I had no way to document anything. Got a new old phone now so I’m in! I have no idea what I’m gonna build yet but it will be blue. Got 3 swap meet score frames to choose from, this Westfield

If I use this one it will keep its original paint, so blue bike. Next choice is this one, not sure what it is but got it for 40 bucks with a pair of wheels, a rack and truss rods

Also would keep its original blue color, lastly this bike

The truss rod was goofing up my focus but it’s badged Sam-Sco, someone painted this one blue already, if I use this one I’ll unpaint it and repaint it blue. So I guess step one is pouring a frosty beverage and staring at these things then figuring out what I have for parts, haven’t touched a bike with a wrench in 2 years, stay tuned...

 

[OddJob]

Welcome back, Schultzie! I like your approach... "So I guess step one is pouring a frosty beverage and staring at these things then figuring out what I have for parts ..."
If you are taking 'input votes', I say either 1 or 2, the curvy frames always grab me. A little light cleaning, maybe a varnish coat for sheen, and either of those two will be on track to an unprecedented three-time-winner of the OJ Award .

RaT oN~!

 

[Captain Awesome]

I'd go with that first frame

 

[Funkme]

oooh Eeny Meeny !!! The first 2 are similar, 2 has better curves, is older with lovely joins, but love the darts in 1. And the 3rd has a drag/fastback look.

 

[sandman]

drag/fastback look

The third one gets my vote . It looks fast even sitting still !

 

[Frankie plekhand]

Definitly number 3, that thing is sweet!

Verstuurd vanaf mijn motorola one met Tapatalk

 

[furyus]

I choose the Bultaco.

furyus

 

[kingfish254]

Can't go wrong with a Snyder built fastback frame!
I'll take Door Number 3 Monty!!!

Which reminds me of an early funny Jimmy Buffet song

 

[idiotboy]

After digging through some piles of parts, I’ve decided on the Westfield frame. I have the best stuff for that one, a Columbia springer fork and a good prewar skiptooth chain wheel, and I picked a few other potential bits, all subject to me changing my mind or the bike wanting something different of course

The first test fit of the first part was successful, now to buy some wood bleach and simple green...

 

[OddJob]

Wood bleach and Simple Green...hmmmmm. Please take us through the process and the chemistry as you go. That Westfield frame and Columbia fork make a great combo!

RaT oN~!

 

[GeePig]

Wood bleach - OK, you got my attention, what on earth will you be using that for?

 

[RustyGold]

AKA Oxalic Acid.

 

[Mesquite Hugger]

I'd go with that first frame

Loving the first one IF you keep that OG paint job!

 

[idiotboy]

Wood bleach - OK, you got my attention, what on earth will you be using that for?

Like Rusty gold said, wood bleach has oxalic acid, removes rust without hurting paint or chrome. I learned of it here, been using it for years with good results

 

[idiotboy]

Loving the first one IF you keep that OG paint job!

For sure, gonna clean it up a bit with soap and water and steel wool but it’s way too cool to mess with [emoji16]

 

[idiotboy]

Wood bleach and Simple Green...hmmmmm. Please take us through the process and the chemistry as you go. That Westfield frame and Columbia fork make a great combo!

RaT oN~!

No chemistry here my friend, I’m not that clever [emoji16] two separate buckets, headset and bottom bracket parts and such goes in the simple green to get rid of old grease, dirt and crud

.

. And the rusty hardware and fork parts go into a solution of wood bleach and water

.

An overnight soak, then a scrub brush and some warm water to rinse. Really crusty stuff can stay in the simple green longer, but the oxalic acid leaves a nasty yellow residue on parts if you leave them in too long, I learned that the hard way of course

 

[OddJob]

Ahhh, so you put them in Simple Green to start with, and then the wood bleach follows. What is your ratio of wood bleach to water, Mr Science?

And will / do you apply any scrubbing technique to this process? If so, your instrument of choice?

 

[kingfish254]

I always love seeing the results from OA baths but I have yet to do it myself.

Love the skippy sprocket man!!!

 

[dropstep]

I use purple power but it’s always great when you pull those old bearings out and they look shiny and new!

 

[idiotboy]

So this is what the fork looked like when I started

This is after an overnight soak in wood bleach

You can see the water line on this one, gonna flip it over til tomorrow

And all the bits and pieces, still need final cleanup but an improvement