"Helen Wheels" : ...Farewell, Good Summer...pg 7

[GuitarlCarl]

'53 Lincoln by Chicago Cycle Supply Company (Schwinn)

Carl.

 

[OddJob]

Chapter 2 of Helen Wheels:
"Oh the Stories This Could Tell"

So today it was 63 degrees when I awoke, and the first thought that came to me was, "Perfect paint stripping weather!"

Things move pretty fast here in the BACK40. And as I peeled through the layers of paint, the history unravelled in a kaleidoscope of colors!

First, the tools of the trade for this toxic task.

This curved edge scraper is a charm for this task!

And the skull and crossbones...

I knew there was green beneath the bad purple spray job. But then, as the Zip and scraper and steel wool did their stuff...Red and Cream and the Orange showed up.

There's a hidden history here, and I felt more like a clueless archeologist than a restoration worker as the layers peeled away.

And then, I added one more layer to this, now nearly naked, frame. Yes, primer is a color.

The cool breeze and mild sunshine filled temps are drying this nicely.

Can't wait for the next chapter to begin!

 

[OddJob]

Chapter 3 of Helen Wheels:
"The Color Green"

The color of my grandma Helen's Ford was one of the most intriguing parts about the car. It was 'green', but not a regular shade of green that had been seen on cars up to that point in time.

I have been on the internet a lot in the past 36 hours, and have found out some interesting stuff about her car, nonetheless of which is the unique color. And in true rat rod / non - traditional style , the color name is spot on:
Ford Anti-Establish Mint / #73948a Hex Color Code

The hexadecimal color code #73948a is a shade of green-cyan. In the RGB color model #73948a is comprised of 45.1% red, 58.04% green and 54.12% blue. In the HSL color space #73948a has a hue of 162° (degrees), 13% saturation and 52% lightness. This color has an approximate wavelength of 500.8 nm.

Now, I could have tried to find that color, or get it custom mixed, but this is a rat rod bike, after all. And as I mentioned to Guitarl a bit earlier, I've always wanted to do a 'fade' paint job on a bike. So after the primer hardened all day in that beautiful sunny weather, I got my wish.

Three shades of Rustoleum Gloss Enamel in (front to back) Grass Green, Emerald Green, and Hunter Green. (and Rat Fink Green)

And one last shot in that glorious July sunshine...

 

[handyandy1100]

Your grandma's car looks to be about the same green as the Dodge my grandpa had.

Sent from my Pixel 2 XL using Tapatalk

 

[handyandy1100]

Chapter 3 of Helen Wheels:
"The Color Green"

The color of my grandma Helen's Ford was one of the most intriguing parts about the car. It was 'green', but not a regular shade of green that had been seen on cars up to that point in time.

I have been on the internet a lot in the past 36 hours, and have found out some interesting stuff about her car, nonetheless of which is the unique color. And in true rat rod / non - traditional style , the color name is spot on:
Ford Anti-Establish Mint / #73948a Hex Color Code

The hexadecimal color code #73948a is a shade of green-cyan. In the RGB color model #73948a is comprised of 45.1% red, 58.04% green and 54.12% blue. In the HSL color space #73948a has a hue of 162° (degrees), 13% saturation and 52% lightness. This color has an approximate wavelength of 500.8 nm.

View attachment 100165

Now, I could have tried to find that color, or get it custom mixed, but this is a rat rod bike, after all. And as I mentioned to Guitarl a bit earlier, I've always wanted to do a 'fade' paint job on a bike. So after the primer hardened all day in that beautiful sunny weather, I got my wish.

Three shades of Rustoleum Gloss Enamel in (front to back) Grass Green, Emerald Green, and Hunter Green. (and Rat Fink Green)

View attachment 100166 View attachment 100170 View attachment 100168 View attachment 100169

And one last shot in that glorious July sunshine...

View attachment 100167

Can't wait to see the bike put back together. Looks cool so far.

Sent from my Pixel 2 XL using Tapatalk

 

[SwissGuy]

I really admire your dedication to this childhood revival build!
I probably would do something similar when I would get my hands on a piece of memory like this.
Keep those updates coming...

Gesendet von meinem K00Y mit Tapatalk

 

[sdframe]

You're making all of us green with envy, OJ. You've inspired me to grab a bunch of old spray paint cans and practice my fade technique. I'm watching with great interest, and I like to think that Grandma Helen is too.

 

[OddJob]

Chapter 4 of Helen Wheels: "Workin' at the Car Wash"

Since I started this renno of Helen's muscle bike, I had sent out an email to my Mom (grandma's oldest child, and right hand girl) and my two uncles, who I will refer to as Tucson and Flag as they live in those respective cities in Arizona. My uncles are only 7 and 8 yrs older than me, so they were like my big brothers growing up; my sports idols, and now in later years best friends that I hang out with in Arizona during the winters.

I had asked them for stories about the Torino and Helen, and any memories they might have of the car, and the ultimate coups, any pictures. My Uncle Tucson replied right away yesterday with this gem. The names have been changed to protect the guilty....


"It was an extra hot Saturday afternoon. I believe it was Carrie & Dave Adams wedding in Austin. Helen & Diana (my aunt, Tucson's wife) were in the back seat of the Torino, Flag & I in the front. She didn't like driving thru the car wash, so asked me to drive it thru on the way to the wedding. In the middle of the wash, the track stopped moving!
It kept spraying water, nobody came to our aid, and there was a car in front of us. We sat there in the heat, all of us drenched in sweat. I couldn't stand it and bolted out of the car, looking for a way out. Shortly, Flag bails too. Our suits wet from the spray.
It took some time, finally out comes the Torino. You should have seen the gals!! Diana didn't want to go into the church looking like this, but Helen insisted on being early so we could sit towards the front. Darrel (Helen's brother) sat behind us and asked if it "had started raining?".
For years after that I threatened to drive Helen thru the car wash. Her answer was, "Sure, let me grab my swimsuit"."


So now you have a little more insight into my wacky relatives, which may explain a lot.

I started in on the 'wash' of some of the parts to put back on Helen Wheels this morning. @SwissGuy asked for updates, here you go my Euro cycle-nut! @handyandy1100 , it's coming together slowly, but surely! And my desert dwelling buddy @sdframe , I appreciate your kind words. FaDe oN~!

To get the grips cleaned, I used this aerospace product that prevents UV ray damage, repels dirt and grime, and restores color and luster to
old plastics, vinyl, and rubber. I first used it on the ancient sidewalls of my Fisher CR-7 mtb resto in last year's BO #13.

Before 303....

And after 303....

Got the cranks cleaned up a bit too and new grease and installed. I'm not going for 'brand new' here. More like the 'vintage clean' of a bike that has been well cared for, but seen it's share of use over the past 50 years.

Stay tuned!

 

[ParkRNDL]

(snip)

To get the grips cleaned, I used this aerospace product that prevents UV ray damage, repels dirt and grime, and restores color and luster to
old plastics, vinyl, and rubber. I first used it on the ancient sidewalls of my Fisher CR-7 mtb resto in last year's BO #13.

View attachment 100198

Before 303....

View attachment 100199

And after 303....

View attachment 100197

Hey, I use 303 on my car's convertible top, works great. Never occurred to me to use it on anything bike related. I guess you have to be careful not to get it on tire treads or pedal blocks? I'd think it would be slippery...

 

[handyandy1100]

Is it like ArmourAll?

Sent from my Pixel 2 XL using Tapatalk

 

[restodave]

Is it like ArmourAll?.

Sent from my Pixel 2 XL using Tapatalk

It's like, and in many respects superior, to ArmourAll. The exterior plastics on my '03 Mustang look showroom fresh and I've been using 303 on it since it was new. I tend to use ArmourAll on my interior stuff and Formula 303 on exterior plastics, rubber, etc.

It's pricey stuff, but a little goes a long way. I'm almost through that bottle I bought in '03.

 

[RustyGold]

Aerospace 303 is WAY better than armor-all. It, as the bottle says, is a protectant and revitalizer (armor-all destroys)...it can be used on exterior or interior, doesn't hurt paint, etc. But, the best part for me, is I think glossy armor-all makes everything look cheap...303 dries to a nice satin sheen. No weird reflections onto your windshield from your dash and such.

Now some actual value added content...



There is one that has been for sale on my local CL for a couple months...I've resisted the urge...so far .

 

[OddJob]

@RustyGold , you found it! That sure looks like my bike. And if that first photo is the CL listing one, it looks like it's in excellent shape.

I can't see a year anywhere on the ad. Does the CL listing have a make / model / year of the bike?

 

[handyandy1100]

Aerospace 303 is WAY better than armor-all. It, as the bottle says, is a protectant and revitalizer (armor-all destroys)...it can be used on exterior or interior, doesn't hurt paint, etc. But, the best part for me, is I think glossy armor-all makes everything look cheap...303 dries to a nice satin sheen. No weird reflections onto your windshield from your dash and such.

Now some actual value added content...

View attachment 100251 View attachment 100252 View attachment 100253

There is one that has been for sale on my local CL for a couple months...I've resisted the urge...so far .

Are those catalog pages saying someone can stand on the training wheel frames and ride?

Sent from my Pixel 2 XL using Tapatalk

 

[The Renaissance Man]

Nice work on the fade job! Looks good!

 

[OddJob]

Nice work on the fade job! Looks good!

Thanks man, yeah it turned out well for my first attempt. Pretty gassed about it !

 

[OddJob]

Moving along. Taking the seat and sissy off Four-Gone Conclusion ( 4spd hub already cannibalized for Trans- RaT) to use on Helen Wheels. Almost looks like a bike...

The 'interior' will be similar to the dark greenish black that donned the door panels and seats of Helen's Torino.

.

 

[RustyGold]

@RustyGold , you found it! That sure looks like my bike. And if that first photo is the CL listing one, it looks like it's in excellent shape.

I can't see a year anywhere on the ad. Does the CL listing have a make / model / year of the bike?

That first pic was off thecabe, it isn't the one for sale locally. The local guy is a Schwinn guy through and through, I've bought some things from him in the past...good guy. The one he has if off CL at the moment...but it was just listed as old kids cruiser, or something like that...no badge, pieced together from other bits. It started me down the road to find the above info...it looks like Columbia made pretty much that same bike from the late 50s to the earliest of 70s .

 

[RustyGold]

Are those catalog pages saying someone can stand on the training wheel frames and ride?

Sent from my Pixel 2 XL using Tapatalk

Both ads refer to them as step plates...so, just for mounting purposes I would reckon (but you can be assured there were plenty of kids that did ride on them )

 

[OddJob]

She's a roller!