Firestone 500...not a build, just some tweaking

[IronDio]

Picked this bike up from a Pawn shop last fall. It is pretty awesome!

But, I can't leave well enough alone...so, a few changes:
That oh-so-sweet seatcover had to go. Somebody named "MICHEAL L." decided his name needed to adorn the faded seat beneath (sorry no BEFORE pic), so, I renewed it a bit with some of my secret weapon, Tulip Fabric Paint from, ironically enough, Micheal's...

Then, those handlebars...I just didn't like how straight they are...they didn't flow at all...
Put some nice wide half-moon bars on it

MUCH better!
That shed some light on something that always bugged me, but I couldn't put my finger on it...that stem!

What the heck?! It's so straight up and down! I think it would look alright on a bike without a headlight like this one, but it just looks funny to me. So, I ordered another stem that will move the bars forward a bit.
Also in the works, a layback seat post and a set of whitewalls are sitting in the garage waiting for it. I got plain sidewalls with the thoughts of possibly getting a Firestone stencil and lettering the tires...maybe the back of the seat where "MICHEAL L." used to be...
We'll see!

 

[Terry66]

Pretty bike....looks familiar....Mine now has a killer horn and a set of red jeweled parade struts!

 

[HuffDaddy]

That's a great looking bike!

 

[IronDio]

Pretty bike....looks familiar....Mine now has a killer horn and a set of red jeweled parade struts!

Wow! Your's is in awesome shape! I was bored at work and googled the bike and was checking out that same pic yesterday. Lol. The tires I bought are even the same style your's. That was the pic that cemented the whitewalls in my mind.

 

[Terry66]

Mine was crap when I got it. I mean it was toasty. I bought a '63 Huffy from Jeff (Simpleman) and used the crankset, fenders, wheels, stem, bars, etc. My tins have some surface rust here and there, but I didn't want to damage the graphics. I cleaned it up the best I could. It was my first vintage bike. I found my headlight at a swap meet. Looking at yours, I don't think mine is correct.

You have a killer bike. I'd love to see more pics of the tank!

Here is mine when I got it...

 

[IronDio]

Mine was crap when I got it. I mean it was toasty. I bought a '63 Huffy from Jeff (Simpleman) and used the crankset, fenders, wheels, stem, bars, etc. My tins have some surface rust here and there, but I didn't want to damage the graphics. I cleaned it up the best I could. It was my first vintage bike. I found my headlight at a swap meet. Looking at yours, I don't think mine is correct.

You have a killer bike. I'd love to see more pics of the tank!

Thanks! Here's some shots of the light and tank...

 

[IronDio]

Got my stem in the mail today...
Put it and the seat post I made on it. Here's a profile shot before (for reference), and after:

Seat looks a bit tipped forward in the "after" pic, but when I sit down, it levels out. I think it was just what it needed!
Next...the tires

 

[IronDio]

Been slow going on this project with school and all...got a repair stand now so that might help speed things up $35 shipped on ebay!
Got a whitewall on the front, figured I'd wait for the stand to arrive before I do the rear. Added a different seat too.

 

[sleepy]

That bike is turning out great...I like the subtle changes. 8)

What size is your front whitewall tire?

 

[IronDio]

That bike is turning out great...I like the subtle changes. 8)

What size is your front whitewall tire?

Thanks!
It's a 26" x 2.125"

 

[sleepy]

It's a 26" x 2.125"

Nice! Looks like what Terry66 also has on his....really fills out the wheelwell. 8)

 

[IronDio]

It's a 26" x 2.125"

Nice! Looks like what Terry66 also has on his....really fills out the wheelwell. 8)

Yeah, the tread looks pretty much the same too. I have to play with the fender a bit to try to minimize the rubbing...they REALLY fill them out! lol

 

[IronDio]

FINALLY got the rear tire mounted! Took half the time with the new stand!

Had to move the tire way down in the dropouts to clear the fender! need to shorten the chain now a bit!
I don't remember these tires being a problem on the Oriole...it's the identical frame and fenders, just painted instead of chrome...but, my mind isn't what it used to be either! lol