SWB0 GRRR.... Gonna Remain Righteously Ratty

[sdframe]

I wasn't going to enter this build-off, but two days ago I found a $20 skinny wheel "English Racer" in need of some love. I like the faded metallic red patina, the curved top tube and the brass(?) head badge.
Will try to retain the SA three-speed coaster brake setup if it works, or switch to a freewheel single speed setup. I have a perfect ratty leather saddle for it in storage, and a cool Nitto neck that'll fit. I may clear coat the existing finish with Effex. It WILL remain ratty.
Here it is, as bought.

 

[Wildcat]

It has a nice even patina. The rims aren't rusty and it has a Sturmey Archer 3 speed w coaster brake. It probably just needs new tubes and 26 x 1 3/8ths tires.

I had one of those with the curved top tube on my last ship while in the Navy. It was a 69 Hercules. The hub has the date on it in 2 digits. Yours is one of those branded Raleigh made bikes from the 60's or 70's. I can't tell what brand from the seat tube decal.

Mine was stripped down and I rode it all over Gitmo while we housed Haitians in the well deck of our ship for a month in 1992. The red paint was shining like new and all the chrome was excellent. I had to fly home on emergency leave and the bike was either left in Cuba or thrown overboard. Nobody knew nothin'!

 

[OddJob]

RaT oN~!

 

[sdframe]

The seat tube says Ross, but the head but the head badge and down tube say Armstrong.

 

[Captain Awesome]

The seat tube says Ross, but the head but the head badge and down tube say Armstrong.
View attachment 290203

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Ross Armstrong…

Good guy. Play pickleball with him on the weekends

 

[sdframe]

It has a nice stance as bought.

 

[sdframe]

Ross Armstrong…

Good guy. Play pickleball with him on the weekends

I hope he doesn't cheat.

 

[Wildcat]

I found a 64.

 

[sdframe]

I messed around with the rusted SA hub, and couldn't get it working. I think I'll go with my single-speed freewheel wheelset. The other parts that need to go are the fenders, bars, stem, grips, well-worn pedals, saddle and its short post.
Hasta la vista, nasty old parts!

 

[sdframe]

I found a 64.
View attachment 290210

So THAT'S what it's supposed to look like!

 

[ingola]

Check the threading that looks like a Raleigh frame

 

[Just_Greg_59]

NICE !!!!! I had an Armstrong 3 speed ages ago, lots of fun just to blast around on. Just the pure enjoyment of riding a bike.

 

[sdframe]

I began a complete disassembly and things went well UNTIL I tried to remove the crank set. It's cottered, and I could not hammer those dang pins out! Rather than risk damage, I decided not to service the bottom bracket. Additionally, it would not spin. It felt as though it was encrusted in gunk Turning it manually, it started to give a little, and began to loosen up! Then I did something I've never don before; I actually sprayed some WD-40 into the bottom bracket. It worked! I can't imagine what it looks like in there, but check it out:

 

[sdframe]

I'm gonna call the bottom bracket "good enough" for now. We'll see what the future brings.

So here's what the stripped down frame looks like:

I'll use oxalic acid on the chrome parts. I thought I'd use Effex on the old paint. I've done it before on old patina, and was quite happy with the result. However, I'm trying to do this build only with parts and supplies I have on hand. Guess what? I have boiled linseed oil on hand, so that's what it's gettin'.

 

[OddJob]

Looking good my friend!

Your WD40 did what it was supposed to; clean out old rust and grease that was binding. Since it appears you had success 'spraying' into the bottom bracket, maybe you could lube up those bearings with a 'spray grease' of some kind? Like garage door lube, etc. Or even Pam cooking spray. That way, after a long ride in the desert sun, you could wrap a tortilla around the bottom bracket and fry up a taco shell.

 

[twojs.bike]

Check the threading that looks like a Raleigh frame

 

[sdframe]

Thanks for the info!

 

[sdframe]

Looking good my friend!

Your WD40 did what it was supposed to; clean out old rust and grease that was binding. Since it appears you had success 'spraying' into the bottom bracket, maybe you could lube up those bearings with a 'spray grease' of some kind? Like garage door lube, etc. Or even Pam cooking spray. That way, after a long ride in the desert sun, you could wrap a tortilla around the bottom bracket and fry up a taco shell.

Great idea, Lee. I have some spray grease on hand. It couldn't hurt.

 

[sdframe]

Here are some of the parts I'll add, and the good news is that I had all of them on hand, in the true rat rod tradition.

(I'm going with the higher rise chrome bars.)

Somewhere I have a shiny chrome old school style frame-mount air pump. If I can dig it out, it'll add a little bling to this old rat.

 

[sdframe]

I removed some rust from the crank set, added my Nitto stem, and it's starting to shape up.

Now it's really coming along. I installed an old leather saddle, worthy of an old skinny tire Brit bike plus an alloy seat post, a new chain, higher rise chrome handlebars, the original front caliper and a smooth freewheel wheel set (alloy,) with matching 26 by 1 3/8 used street tires. I had to keep the well-worn pedals because I had none with 9/16 threads in storage. I did lube them up to spin freely.

I really like its stance!

Originally, it had that 3-speed coaster brake, so now I have to throw on a rear caliper for a bit more stopping power:

Here it is:

There's not much left to do. Here's my list:
-Brake cables and levers
-Grips
-BLO treatment, which I should have done before assembly. I'll be careful
-Maybe some bling. I have a chrome tube-mounted pump and a shiny brass bell I'm considering
- Remove rust from front caliper, which, of course, I should have done when I cleaned up the crank set. Okay, sometimes I do get ahead of myself. Don't tell me YOU haven't!