Eldorado Rat - AKA Ellie

[Lybtech]

So here goes my first build. I've got a girls 24" Huffy Eldorado. My wife needs a rat so I decided to get this free bike from my dad's farm. I used to ride it around as a kid nearly 30 yrs ago. I think this thing is a 60's model, but not sure. Obviously not very desirable so it's a great starter project for me. The plan is to keep the paint (got to have a little rust :lol: ), bob the fenders, I've got an idea for a back rack, white grips, white seat, white chain, white tires, white pedals, headlight - maybe a couple of surprises!

Partially taken apart but set up to see the full bike before.

Yuck!

See some progress below!

 

[Lybtech]

After a couple afternoons this weekend disassembling and degreasing. I used "heavy duty engine degreaser" from Auto Zone. I liked the way it worked. I went through 1 can plus some WD40 and a little carb cleaner to clean off the years of grease. The carb cleaner isn't the best for cutting the thick grease. Stick with the engine degreaser ($3/can)

Rear done, Front not done

I'll be lucky to put this back together. I will probably need some help.

Ahhhhhh! Clean parts

A little help from my buddy Guinness!

Before

After a little scrubbing. The rust just won't go away, but It'll be nice a sealed in after some clearcoat.

Enough for now. Need to make some progress with the chrome. Going to try an Oxalic Acid bath. Thanks for the heads up from many RRB contributors. I've gotten a ton of ideas and know how from reading over the last 6 mos. Thanks to all. I'll try to keep this updated over the next 2 months.

 

[partsguy]

Let me know if you decide to ditch the grips.

This is a nice build and those wheels are a night and day transformation!

 

[Lybtech]

Let me know if you decide to ditch the grips.

This is a nice build and those wheels are a night and day transformation!

I'll keep that in mind. They are dark green with sparkles. Pretty cool. I don't have anything planned for them at this time, but let me get done with this build. Maybe we could trade something if I need some parts

The wheels took some work and I will put use Mother's chrome polish yet. Basically I used degreaser, WD40 and a mini copper wire brush and copper wire pad. A little aggressive if you are worried about minor scratches. These rims were pretty bad and there are still some pits and spots that don't look like they will come out.

 

[Georgeediii]

I like these frames. Mine came with a '64 plate on it but I don't know the actual production year.

http://www.ratrodbikes.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=21&t=41224

 

[Lybtech]

I have seen your topic before. That's a great ride. Mine's going to look a little rattier than that. Don't show my wife your post, she'll probably want your bike!

Here's another post on a Huffy build that claims to be 65'. Looks just like mine except mine is missing the tank/light.
viewtopic.php?f=6&t=11270

 

[Lybtech]

Started my oxalic acid bath tonight on the chrome and some other parts like the seat. Amazing results in a very short time. I'm leaving overnight and possibly all day depending if I get up early to do anything about it. Used one of the small tubs of wood bleach from Ace ($6 or $9). Mixed around 3 gallons of water with it and it's still plenty strong. If you just brush or rub the surfaces after soaking, the rust just falls off. Much of it has come off without any scrubbing whatsoever. I highly recommend this method. Forget the elbow grease. I worked away on my rims. I should have done this.

Next on the list is to order some parts, work on the rear rack, finish chrome polishing, clear-coat painted pieces, paint some pieces. Assembly????? Not sure I know how to reassemble the parts correctly yet.

BEFORE:

NOT DONE BUT ALREADY BETTER

Does anyone know how to change the dpi settings so I can make my pics smaller. Sorry they are so big, but I cant figure out in the code how to do it. There is either a small thumbnail or full size choice in photobucket. Any suggestions appreciated.

 

[inshane64]

Does anyone know how to change the dpi settings so I can make my pics smaller. Sorry they are so big, but I cant figure out in the code how to do it. There is either a small thumbnail or full size choice in photobucket. Any suggestions appreciated.

I think they look ok on my screen. Just as big as the ones I post or anyone else.

 

[Lybtech]

Making a little progress tonight. I stopped by a welding shop and had them make a new rack out of the existing rack bars. Got the chrome out of the Oxalic Acid Bath. Left it in a bit long. I'll need to polish some of the unfinished metal parts with a wire wheel. I'll get the wheels put back together tomorrow and be able to mock it up a bit more properly. Ordered all of my parts from 36rustyspokes on ebay. I ordered tires, pedals, grips, chain, light and a front basket. FYI all Huffy builders that need end plugs for your rails on the frame, there is a seller on ebay that machines them out of aluminum (leadsledz is his name). They are $22 bucks with shipping. I figured not a bad investment.

 

[inshane64]

Lookin' good. Be proud, there is nothing wrong with a step-thru frame.

 

[Lybtech]

Not moving along with light speed, but I did manage to bob the fenders today. I also added a clearcoat over the frame. I used a 2 part process with some unconventional products. I used Gary Bowen's Super Fish Sealer and then put on the Super Fish Gloss over that. It's an aerosol product. I'll add some pics of the cans at some point. So here's where we're at.

Made a template out of some paper and then traced it where I wanted the cut.

I used a dremel tool to cut the fenders. Worked pretty good. Nice small precision tool. Slower than an angle grinder, but nice and precise.

And here is what the frame looks like with the fenders and the custom rack.

 

[Jake Sensi]

UNCLE JED WOULD BE PROUD. I'LL BE WATCHIN' SO...GET TA BUILDIN'!! PEACE

 

[Lybtech]

Got my parts in. Had to send the light back for a broken wire and switch. Heading to FL w/ the fam so I'll finish it next weekend.

 

[Lybtech]

Back from vacation and ready to get this thing done. 80 degree weather in denver makes me want to ride. Made a little more progress. Rode it around. Not a bad ride. Should be good around the neighborhood for the Mrs. More changes to come I added the fenders but this is the stripped Dow rat version. I'll be flipping the bars to the correct way, painting the rack maybe adding a front basket and maybe a light. I like the looks of it this way but I'm not the one who will be riding it. Too small anyway.

 

[SCHWINNRAY69]

Looks good, can't wait to see it with the fenders! 8)

 

[Lybtech]

OK. Way too long since I posted. But it wasn't because I was lazy in posting, it's because I've been lazy building. With such a simple build I should have been done ages ago. I STILL have the seat to finish. My goodness.

So here's where I'm at, 95% of the way there. The wife had a test drive, I made some adjustments and it should be good for around the hood. 24"'s is pretty small for an adult, but you all probably knew that already. I have another 26" in the wings so maybe I'll get to that one next.

Fenders on and bobbed, custom rack, cheap light - sucks, basically looks nice. Need an LED conversion. White tires, grips pedals. Notice the tube ends I found on ebay made by a machinist somewhere, white chain. I put a clear coat over the patina. Not sure what else at the moment but I'll get better pics later.

 

[noodlenoggin]

I like it. If your wife doesn't like it, mine would! :wink: Seriously, after my current project, I'm pretty sure my next will be a 24" for my wife.

 

[Lybtech]

I like it. If your wife doesn't like it, mine would! :wink: Seriously, after my current project, I'm pretty sure my next will be a 24" for my wife.

Sweet. I'll let her know that I can go ahead and get rid of it if she doesn't want to ride it. So much for her anniversary present :lol:

24" is pretty small but I think it's going to work. My wife is 5'2". Much taller and I don't think it would be that comfortable.

 

[Cliffy541]

Amazing work!!!! The before and after on the rear hub, and the overall transformation is inspiring! I love steel wool but I may need to look into some of the other prep work u did to bring new life to your bike. Thumbs up!

 

[Sinner4]

Nice Build, This picture took my breath away. Now I know what to do with all of those Lady's frames that I have.