TRADITIONAL Errand Boy

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Joined
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Location
Lakeland fl.
Picked up this I think its a 58 Firestone 500 at a swap meet a while back. Nothing special but it's my oldest bike to date and the only one with it's original tank.
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My plan is to clean up the frame some put it back together and add at least a rear basket possibly one on the front. First thing I wanted to make sure I could fit these tires on the fork but they rubbed a little.
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I haven't crimped a fork before but seen it done here. So I grabbed some vice grips, a bolt, and a piece of angle iron and squeezed tighten a little and repeat in different spots.
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Finally got enough room to clear the tire.
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With that out the way I went ahead and gave most of the parts a good washing. Just washing cleaned up the frame pretty good.
Before
IMG_20240630_114328748_HDR.jpg

After
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Not sure if I want to do a OA bath or just some BLO or some kind of clear. I definitely want to do something with the inside of the tank halves before the rust eats thru forgot to get pics though.
 

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I like that blue/green. The frame cleaned up great. Glad you were able to make room for the tires too.
That bike looks like a great survivor. It should spruce up nicely.
 
POOL PARTY!!!
Pool Party Swimming GIF by TLC
 
Love the bike. I really dig the old graphics on the 50s bikes. I think you could clean the tank with very good results with an OA bath.
I spent a part of Sunday getting the pool ready 🤣 Come on over, the water's fine.
View attachment 271573
Something big enough for the frame is what I am missing. Will have to check out some kids pools I have a tote big enough for the other parts but not big enough for the frame.
 
My pool doesn't totally fit a frame too well, either. It's bendy so I stuffed it in there.

There is some give to those little pools.
I can still remember when I was about 12 or so, my brother pissed me off and was walking away from me. I looked down at my little sisters upside down pool, and thought "That would make a cool giant frisbee". I launched it at my brother and it landed on top of his head and proceeded to ring his head just like a horseshoe spins on a spike. I immediately turned tale and ran away laughing the whole way until he caught me. It remains one of the funniest things I have seen in my life. :D :D :D
 
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