LaidBack - TransWorld Motobike Rat - Patinafication & Details - 85 Years

[MazdaFlyer]

Some cleanup, rack and stem. Both pretty crusty. A few bends in the rack need tweaking back into place.

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[handyandy1100]

Kinda partial to the wider 26". Those 700c's don't fill the fenders as well. Maybe some street tread 29ers? Same rim diameter as the 700c's, if you want the taller wheels.

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[arty dave]

I agree... those century tires are really nice (I'm jealous), but some fatter 700c tires would fit the fenders better. I think those century's come in 50 wide? Just checked - yes they do. So that would be cool. But the clay tires look good too. This would be a tough choice for me... but I think for myself I'd end up being more tempted by some fatty 700c's.
Or just get a 2nd TransWorld and have both. Easy

 

[KJV]

 

[LukeTheJoker]

I actually don't mind the 700c whitewalls, they suit the early look!
The brick tread looks much better than the Goodyear style though in my opinion...

just get a 2nd TransWorld and have both. Easy

^ That is the solution!

 

[MazdaFlyer]

That wheel cleaned up nice!
Both those tire choices seem a great fit for the bike!

Still need to open it up clean and repack it. The tire thing is getting complicated. Thanks!

That battery tube turned out great! Nice sizing, well hung...um, you know; well placed in the frame space. And matches the patina of the frame / fenders really well.

I like the overall look / color of the front tire as well.

Speaking of getting close to being done....you're moving right along on this one M.Flyer!

I agree looks pretty masculine all right. Anxious to clean the grit from frame and fork. Undecided on how to handle the fenders. They look good as is but don’t really match bike appearance.

Looks awesome!

Thank you TRM! Appreciate your approval.

Im getting that early 1900 motorcycle feeling from this. Very nice.
And definitely the wheelset with Fenix tires.

MotoBike it is, I’m liking the FeNIX tires as well. Mounting the rear one.

Kinda partial to the wider 26". Those 700c's don't fill the fenders as well. Maybe some street tread 29ers? Same rim diameter as the 700c's, if you want the taller wheels.
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This is where this whole bike gets complicated. More to be had in later post.

I agree... those century tires are really nice (I'm jealous), but some fatter 700c tires would fit the fenders better. I think those century's come in 50 wide? Just checked - yes they do. So that would be cool. But the clay tires look good too. This would be a tough choice for me... but I think for myself I'd end up being more tempted by some fatty 700c's.
Or just get a 2nd TransWorld and have both. Easy

Again it’s complicated from here on. I’m having similar thoughts and feelings. I do have another Motobike, it’s either an Elgin or an Excelsior. I have another thread where it is discussed in the forum.

It is a 26” wheel frame. So I could do the TransWorld as a faux 28” build and solve the wheel tire issue. I hate to buy another set of tires though.

Thank You. [emoji106]

I actually don't mind the 700c whitewalls, they suit the early look!
The brick tread looks much better than the Goodyear style though in my opinion...

^ That is the solution!

I suppose WW would be OK but I would like beefier width profile. And they would be somewhat period correct. I also like the brick tread.



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[MazdaFlyer]

As stated in the previous quoted posts this TransWorld build became complicated when considering the wheel size. It could be finished out either way.
If sticking with 26” dropcenter rusty patina chrome wheels I’ll use the the red clay FeNIX tires. There are other colors available.

If I go with 700c wheelset I’ll use the the skiptooth adapter cog to keep the 1” pitch drivetrain. The tires are the complicated part. I’d like to use 50mm/2” width tires. They get a little expensive and there are quite a few options and colors. Schwalbe and Continental have some options. Also Goodyear and Panaracer, now pictured.

I’ve used both brands. I like the tread pattern on the Continental RetroRides. I don’t like the reflective stripes.
I like the Red Clay color of the FeNIX tires. The Schwalbe brick tread tire ride well but also have the reflective stripe.
I have a set of Electra cream 50’s on my 1910ish Peerless. I guess I could do some trading around. The green Centuries would look good on my Peerless. Anyway it got complicated today.
Three more.

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[LukeTheJoker]

Too many choices... None of them bad...

 

[MazdaFlyer]

Thinking about getting a pair of Continental Retro Rides or Ride Cruisers, 700x50 or 700x55 in Brown/Brown. I need to take a couple of measurements. If I don’t use them on the TransWorld I have another bike I could use them on.
The Retro Rides have been discontinued and replaced be the Ride Cruisers. Same appearance different puncture protection. Appears to be some of the older ones on eBay. Less graphics on sidewalls also.
Guess I’ll break it down again and clean up the frame and fork and see what I actually have paint/patina wise.

The colors in various listings seem to vary so it’s somewhat of a crapshoot as to what the actual color is. This last one is from the Continental web page.

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[Dr. Tankenstein]

fingers crossed they are the darker brown....
I have a pair of cream Retro Rides in 26 x 2.1.

I like the way they roll, the construction quality is top notch


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[OddJob]

+1 on the Conti Retro Rides! And I'd go with the darkest brown you can find. Think it will really complement your color scheme on the bike.

I had those Conti's on my Desert Rat-ified Columbia. They rode great, and are being appreciated now by another g-Rat-ified customer in Phoenix, AZ.

Also, I didn't like the reflective stripe or graphics either. Used some 'Plaid' (grey / brown) acrylic lightly applied with a cloth to age the sidewalls a bit.

Before the aging:

And after:

The brown tones (mine were the 'clay' color) take on a look of crispy - glazed tires that are really old. You could get an acrylic that would be close to whichever tire color you end up with.

 

[MazdaFlyer]

Found the decals.

Tore the bike down, ready to clean up frame and fork. Lots of rain in forecast next 14 days or so. I’ll have to find a dry window.


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[KJV]

 

[MazdaFlyer]

Too many choices... None of them bad...

Like I said it’s complicated. Actually there are few others that would work.

fingers crossed they are the darker brown....
I have a pair of cream Retro Rides in 26 x 2.1.
I like the way they roll, the construction quality is top notch
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I’m assuming the lighter color is what they really are. I’ve contacted the seller to try to verify what they actually have. The Faux Pedersen bike I did has the brown in 26”x2.000”. They are somewhat funky in reality, not really a brown.

+1 on the Conti Retro Rides! And I'd go with the darkest brown you can find. Think it will really complement your color scheme on the bike.

I had those Conti's on my Desert Rat-ified Columbia. They rode great, and are being appreciated now by another g-Rat-ified customer in Phoenix, AZ.

Also, I didn't like the reflective stripe or graphics either. Used some 'Plaid' (grey / brown) acrylic lightly applied with a cloth to age the sidewalls a bit.

Before the aging:
View attachment 95742

And after:

View attachment 95743

The brown tones (mine were the 'clay' color) take on a look of crispy - glazed tires that are really old. You could get an acrylic that would be close to whichever tire color you end up with.

The browns ones I used on my Faux Pedersen bike are the lighter color. The other options are cream or black.

Thank You, get to building. See you changed your name.


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[MazdaFlyer]

Had a break in the rain. Impatience is an issue with me, I gathered up my WD40, steel wool, couple of brass brushes, rags and gloves and got to it.
BEFORE:

AFTER:

FORK AFTER:

Looks like the paint stays intact.


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[Chad T]

That looks great. Just WD and steel wool? Like the black wheel with skinny whitewall. Would be interesting to see the bike with those on the front and rear.

 

[MazdaFlyer]

That looks great. Just WD and steel wool? Like the black wheel with skinny whitewall. Would be interesting to see the bike with those on the front and rear.

Thanks. Yes WD40 and #0000 steel wool along with small brass brush, wipe down with cotton rag. I’ll probably hit some of it again and seal it up with some boiled linseed oil. Apply the oil with rag rub in, buff off before it dries. Wipe off all excess or it will dry tacky. Dispose of rags in covered container.
I’m curious also as to how the bike would look with the 700c wheels. Still want to source a wider tire. I’ll need to widen the fork slots to 3/8” or file flats on the axle. The truss rod axle holes will also need enlarging. The fender braces will be OK as the back one fit OK.

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[LukeTheJoker]

Really looking forward to seeing this one at the end, I have a feeling it is going to be awesome!

 

[MazdaFlyer]

A little etching primer on the tank. Forgot to do the clamps. Light sanding.

And a coat of black satin, maybe some red accents. I’ll distress it some to look like the frame hopefully.

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[KJV]

Lookin Raticool

I will be starting to sand
On my build.. Wednesday
05-22-19.