TRADITIONAL Errand Boy

[Brian macumber]

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.

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.

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.

Finally got enough room to clear the tire.

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

After

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.

 

[OddJob]

Cool build for July! Got a good vibe to it.

 

[kingfish254]

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.

 

[Uncle Shish]

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.

 

[kingfish254]

POOL PARTY!!!

 

[Brian macumber]

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.

 

[Uncle Shish]

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.

 

[kingfish254]

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.

 

[Pondo]

Awesome bike! This will be a cool build for sure. If you don’t want to go the OA route you could try WD40 and steel wool. I’ve had decent results with that.

 

[Uncle Shish]

Awesome bike! This will be a cool build for sure. If you don’t want to go the OA route you could try WD40 and steel wool. I’ve had decent results with that.

Pondo is absolutely right on this method. My build off bike tank and frame this year were done utilizing this technique. I had heard horror stories of red bikes turning pink in the OA.