EvansColson Special Commander (Got Evans?)

[MazdaFlyer]

Rescued this bike from an antique shop barn back in February. It is from mid fifties I believe and has quite a few random Schwinn parts. It still has the barn dust and needs to be cleaned to evaluate whether it gets new paint or not. From eBay and forum members I have sourced a tank, chain guard and headbadge for it, as well as some other parts. I'd like for this to be more of a rider bike. My other three build off bikes are rideable but have been used mostly for showing.

After my heart stint last Sunday, I have another week or so of taking it easy. So progress photos will be slow in coming. This was another bitter sweet day in that we sold MazdaFlyer. Parting with her/him after 14 years was sad.


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[bikedudeomaha]

nice starting point. glad to see you in this years competition.

 

[Glen]

Look after yourself. Rest up. Make plans. There's plenty of time.

Glen.

 

[Funkme]

Glad to see your in again...
I have enjoyed all your builds so far...

 

[kingfish254]

Hope you recover from the heart stint buddy.
I look forward to another great build.

 

[LukeTheJoker]

Nice frame, take it easy 3 months to go...

Luke.

 

[450redrider]

Glad to hear you're doing better we missed you at the bicycle swap meet. Can't wait to see what you do.

 

[The Renaissance Man]

Cool, another rider! Good well soon.

 

[HuffDaddy]

Cool! I agree with you on building a rider!

 

[MazdaFlyer]

Potential loose parts for EvansColson Special BOTEN bike.

More to follow...replacement MazdaFlyer.

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[LukeTheJoker]

Have to get Steve to change your name to NissanFlyer...

Luke.

 

[MazdaFlyer]

54-55ish EvansColson Commander tank with horn. It is probably from a 24" bike. The paint is too good to destroy. It fits reasonably well for a rat rod, it will be OK. Maybe a fillet spacer at best. Horn works great.

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[MazdaFlyer]

I did some demolition on the bike today and did the first cleanup with car wash soap and water. The fenders don't look too bad and the light rust and scum should clean up. The paint appears to be non original. I think it is repainted with an attempt at fading in black at joints and other places. If it wasn't so scuffed and scratched up I would retain it. Thinking I might try to match the reddish tank paint or repeat the copper with cream darts. Powder coating would be the easiest but I don't want to spend the money. A few progress pics follow.

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[MazdaFlyer]

Removed fenders, seat post, kickstand, fork and headset, crank, pedals and bottom bracket parts.

Original field color might have been red.

I have several paint options in mind. If I save the paint that's on it, I will have a crap rod. I don't see it as worthy of a second chance.


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[MazdaFlyer]

I think my next step is to make the chainguard look like the tank at least match the colors. I've found several versions showing the original chainguard paint schemes.

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[kingfish254]

Looking sweet so far!!!

 

[ifitsfreeitsforme]

great frame.

 

[MazdaFlyer]

great frame.

One Evans original ad showed the frame capable of supporting an elephant, so it should hold me.


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[MazdaFlyer]

Cleaned and sanded chainguard. Shot it with primer although I got in a hurry and will have to sand out a couple of runs.

Experimented with a few colors to match up to tank. I think I have a couple of close matches. I'll paint the guard horizontal in lieu of vertical.

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[LukeTheJoker]

Paint looks very close in the pics! Nice work!

Luke.