Elgin bicycles

[ny_drunx]

Hi I'm Jack from NY, I have been looking at this forum for a while now... and I thought that I would finally join. And, below are pictures of my work in progress; a 1936 Elgin Oriole. I've been debating on the paint color scheme for a long time, I was thinking that I could get some ideas from others here.

 

[bombshelterbikes]

Welcome! This place is great - you will find a great community here.

HOWEVER....I CAN'T believe you stripped that original paint from that sweet Elgin :shock: :shock: !!!!!

"They are only original once!"

With that out of the way, I think that paint is entirely personal. Check out some of the RRBO #5 finished bikes...you will see a huge spectrum of fun stuff. Do what makes you want to RIDE it!

:mrgreen:

 

[ny_drunx]

Thanks a lot!! It seems like everyone here has fun... And as far as the paint goes, I have always wanted to do something with the Elgin but I never knew what. I finally got a vision in my head, and it didn't include the original paint in it. I have had the Elgin for a bunch of years now, and I said go big or go home; and I did. My wife even commented on how I messed it up by stripping it, she was thinking more of the resale value. I wasn't. I can't wait to finish it!!!

 

[user 135]

It is your bike to do as you please. I like when people do what they want.

 

[John c]

Welcome Jack! Where in NY are you from? Your Elgin has so many of the real early hawthornes characteristics! I think black and brass would look cool on that bike!

 

[Jsheetz]

Great looking bike!! those elgins look good pretty much whatever you do to them, however if it were my i would go board track style with it and maybe throw some fat franks on. but thats me. good luck with the build, i am looking forward to seeing what you come up with!

 

[outskirtscustoms]

Thanks a lot!! It seems like everyone here has fun... And as far as the paint goes, I have always wanted to do something with the Elgin but I never knew what. I finally got a vision in my head, and it didn't include the original paint in it. I have had the Elgin for a bunch of years now, and I said go big or go home; and I did. My wife even commented on how I messed it up by stripping it, she was thinking more of the resale value. I wasn't. I can't wait to finish it!!!

I will say what needs said here,
RESALE VALUE ONLY PLAYS A FACTOR IF YOU CAN BRING YOURSELF TO EVER SELL IT!
I been offered $200 for my Huffy rat and turned it down. I don't care if I could buy a brand new Santa Fe for $85, the paint for $6, and the other parts for $10, and pocket $99 dollars for the trouble, I don't want to sell it. I told him I'd build him one for $200, but this one is mine.

 

[ny_drunx]

Thanks guys for all the greetings and input about my Elgin, I really appreciate it. I have so many options to choose from when it comes to a new paint scheme, I just have to see what "fits" me. And as to where I am in NY John, I'm in Rochester. It's between Syracuse and Buffalo, if you didn't know already =).

I still might go with the flat black, black mag rims w/whitewalls. Chrome fenders & seat post. The light that was on it is pretty much shot, someone cut the cable coming out of it and the generator is missing... so I don't know if I am going to get a new one or what.

I love being part of this forum already, everybody is so awesome... and their bikes are amazing to look at. I hope mine will be too!

 

[yeshoney]

Hi,
Don't get rid of any origianl parts. The light looks like an original "tea cup" light and if you look at the glass may even have an "Elgin" script on it. If it does and it is not cracked it could be worth $100 or so to the right buyer. Your pedals look like red-block pedals. Are they original? If so they could be worth a few $$ too. Original paint is only original once and sometimes they are worth saving, other times the need to customize just over comes you and once you start you can't stop. By the way that tank is not correct for that year Elgin. That is an earlier tank. In my opinion you should see if you can trade that one for one that is the right size.

Joe

 

[Spokeshave]

Welcome ! We need more fellow New Yorkers here.
Jeff

 

[outskirtscustoms]

Just to get you inspired My huffy rat proves you don't need a big budget to have a sweet bike. If you need help, creative advice, or just need a good laugh ask anybody here, the guys are great. You'll always get razzed a bit for taking away from originality but they always seem to like the end results. Here's my Huffy rat and my next mongoose project.

 

[Road Master]

Welcome! And I won't give you any crap about being from NY. I moved to the midwest after 20 years in the Finger Lakes and there was a readjustment period. I couldn't understand half of what they were saying and they didn't realize there was a state hooked on to New York City. I sold a bodyless 38' Bluebird to a friend of mine that had great visions - anything you do to an Elgin works here. Have fun!

 

[jaydub]

Welcome .."Jack"..I wont rag on you for removing the fairly decent Original paint.. :wink: Now that its gone :shock:
Have you looked at any of the Gray tones or Black and Gray....?..Sorry I like Original paint..LOL But thats why we live in United States of America..We can do this..haha

 

[ny_drunx]

Simply WOW!! I never even thought that I would get a responce from anyone on my Elgin. And now that I have, all I can say is... I am so impressed with this forum; I can say enough how great everyone here is!!!

Now let me answer the Q's....

I thought the tank looked different from all the 36-37' Elgin's that I have seen.

I believe the pedals are original too, red block ones. Amazing, but they don't fit my final vision. I have a pair of black bear claw pedals
I want to use on it. I'm not sure if I want to let the light, or the pedals go for any ammount of cash.
And, as for the tank.... I thought about going tankless.

The light does have Elgin engraved on the lens.
And it's not cracked.

Yes, we need more New Yorker's here... and I'm glad "most" people know where Upstate NY is. Everyone thinks I am from NYC when I say
I'm from NY.