La Bruja Roja - 40's Higgins Build

[slacker]

I finally got time to tear into the Higgins I bought during the Superbowl.

I decided to call it La Bruja Roja or The Red Witch. Why? Cuz it needed a name and that is all I could think of.

This will probably be more of a resto-rod than a build, but the pics had to go somewhere.


Here we are on Superbowl Sunday. You can't really tell at this angle, but the fork is bent. All the chrome is painted silver. The wheels are much worse off than they look. Pretty heavily rusted. The seat is pretty much gone. The fenders are remarkably straight, and not too much bird poop! It is barely a rider, but it sure is pretty.

We'll just pop off that bent fork. Time to work my magic! Luckily we have a old drain pipe in the basement floor that is the perfect size for straightening forks. I've done about 10 that way. I'm sure it isn't the recommended method, but it works. Strange, but the bird poop seems to be even worse.

Here we have the frame and straightened fork. I still want to do something to bring back the paint. Possibly a light rub and wax? I'll be very careful over the red/white areas. Now to think about components. Bring back the fenders? Ditch the rack? I have a peaked chrome rear fender that might work! So many decisions.

All of the chrome parts after a good cleaning. The chrome came back pretty good. Much better looking than the awful silver brushed on paint! On the bright side, the silver paint saved the chrome. Thanks? :lol: I may run those drag bars or the original Torrintons, dunno.

Here we have the Dead Raccoon Wheel Set. There was a dead raccoon on them when I picked them up. Aside from that, they are in amazing shape. I plan on cleaning the hubs, but leaving the rims as they are. Too shiny would look odd. Especially after the rest of the chrome takes on a bit more patina, as I am sure it will.

The Goodyear All Weather tires are in great shape, but I might go with a set of red tires. I think it would really set off the red in the frame. I am also considering red pedal blocks, for exactly the same reason.

That's all for now. Off to Ann Arbor for parts and inspiration. :mrgreen:

 

[jesusfreak86]

that a great bike i love if i were you i would not lose the rack and i would keep the fenders on it just clean it up and ride it.its the bomb

 

[bikebuilder]

With it being that nice and complete I would agree with Jesus. Just clean it and keep everything. Awesome bike!

 

[slacker]

...I would agree with Jesus...

Sorry, but that just made beer fly out my nose. I don't often see those words in print on a forum.

I am not so crazy about the rack. It kinda lends a "granny" feel to the bike. I may put the fenders back on. Not sure. The peaked Chrome fenders I have are pretty cool. I did a couple of quick mock-ups with both the Torrington and drag bars. Didn't have time to take any pics.

One thing for sure, I am getting a Brooks B-73 for it. If I don't loose all of my cash in Ann Arbor. :roll:

 

[bikebuilder]

Sorry, but that just made beer fly out my nose.

I hope your computer is okay. Those sound like good mods, I look forward to seeing it.

 

[user 135]

Cool frame. Sounds like a perfect plan. Black tires may go better as the red's may clash.

 

[ratina]

I would put the fenders and rack back on, it looks good with them. I like those original Goodyear tires too

 

[slacker]

We'll see on the red tires. I can always use them on something else if I don't like them on the Higgins. Cman, you are right about the reds possibly clashing. I guess I won't know until I see them next to each other.

 

[slacker]

So I got some red tires at the Saline show. Time to throw a few parts on the Higgins!


The tires aren't as perfect match, but not too shabby. The girlfriend agrees, and she went to art school! I think I may keep these bars. I like! The grips clash bad, however.

Added the chain guard. Yuppers. This is also a keeper. I'd kinda like to find a decal. Not even sure what I am looking for.

I am still not crazy about these fenders. I think I may leave them off for that light and airy summer look. I still haven't thrown the rack on. I might not.

Here we have the Torrington bars. Meh. I still haven't found an angle I like.

I threw a seat on just for kicks. Not bad, but I have my eye on a Brooks B-73. I just have to sell a few parts to make it work.

 

[sensor]

off to a good start :mrgreen:
yeah the torrington like those are a pain to get the right angles to flow with everything but it just takes some playing around with them..

 

[Simplicity Nut]

Very nice bike! I really like that frame. I didn't know that color scheme came on old bikes. I was mistaken that someone recently came up with a color scheme like that. I also think the red tires look good on it. Keep it up!

 

[slacker]

I didn't know that color scheme came on old bikes. I was mistaken that someone recently came up with a color scheme like that.

I am amazed at some of the older paint schemes. Even in the 20's there were some crazy color combinations. Funny, but you never think of 20's-30's bikes as being so vibrant. Some are verging on garish. Unforunately a lot of old bike pictures I have seen are black and white. :roll:

 

[LIVE TO RIDE]

Man im not understanding what your talking about ,your original seat looked brand new!Still had the packing string on it.haha.Your bike is comming along pretty nice.Im thinkin some old bars with the cross bar.I like the red tires by themselves but I still havent put them on one of my bikes,because the red is a off red thats hard to match.maybe some black quickbricks would work on it.No I just looked again,I think its the grips are too dark for the OG red,black bottle grips.

 

[slacker]

So, I was going to give up and buy a newer seat when I stumbled upon a good donor seat. It was sitting in a pile of rusty parts out on an old farm. And the price was right, free.

Here is the spring other hardware mounted on the seat. I found a guy who refinishes seats in my area. He is supposed to be good and cheap. I cant wait to see his work!

Glamor shot of the chain soaking.

I got the truss rods banged somewhat into shape, and that brings the Higgins that much closer to finished.

 

[noodlenoggin]

Cool lookin'! I have to agree with you...those original fenders look great with the narrower original tires, but just don't work with the fat red tires.

 

[Rustinkerer]

Nice! I have a similar ride, but someone went nuts and painted it "wake up yellow"! I haven't taken it completely apart to see if I can tell what color it was. Plus, all the chrome is peeling off, but the price was right!

~Adam