Pass the oven cleaner, please: Western Flyer X-53 (well, mostly)

Rat Rod Bikes Bicycle Forum

Help Support Rat Rod Bikes Bicycle Forum:

This site may earn a commission from merchant affiliate links, including eBay, Amazon, and others.
Joined
Sep 13, 2006
Messages
1,470
Reaction score
4,627
Location
southern PA
Rating - 100%
2   0   0
Recent find, in as-found condition:
IMG_2011.JPG


IMG_2012.JPG


IMG_2013.JPG


IMG_2014.JPG


IMG_2018.JPG


IMG_2019.JPG


IMG_2021.JPG


IMG_2022.JPG


IMG_2035.JPG


IMG_2036.JPG


This one came with it. I may try and use some odds and ends off it.

IMG_2004.JPG


Definitely sticking with the frame, tank, and rack/crash bars. (Edit: Yes, the rack-on-a-rack has to go. I may go pick that off right now as it sits in the garage lol.) I have been reading up on methods of removing spray bomb abuse while leaving the original paint. I think it's a bad sign that the tank flaked easily to bare metal in a few spots (unless it's a section where the tank was chrome. Hmmm, need to do more research), but I hope to uncover some saveable paint/patina. The color scheme will help me determine year, as well as the Murray serial number database on the Cabe.

I am thinking that correct springer forks for this thing are unobtainium, so I'd be happy to get a hold of any vintage springer that would look close to correct. Same goes for the guard; this is one of those no-name Schwinn knockoffs that is so incongruous with this bike that it's killing me. And as cool as the Monark light and fender are, I want to swap them out for something a little less heavy-looking. The headbadge seems to be wrong too, but it's the right brand and it's cool enough that I can run with it.

As for all the other incorrect bits and pieces (crank/sprocket, rear fender-to-rack hardware and reflector, the plethora of headlights, et cetera), well, it should be interesting to just pick away at them little by little as I find stuff that looks more correct.

Dang I want to ride this thing.
 
Love it. Killer score with the deep monark fenders too
 
Recent find, in as-found condition:
View attachment 279468

View attachment 279469

View attachment 279470

View attachment 279471

View attachment 279472

View attachment 279473

View attachment 279474

View attachment 279475

View attachment 279476

View attachment 279477

This one came with it. I may try and use some odds and ends off it.

View attachment 279478

Definitely sticking with the frame, tank, and rack/crash bars. (Edit: Yes, the rack-on-a-rack has to go. I may go pick that off right now as it sits in the garage lol.) I have been reading up on methods of removing spray bomb abuse while leaving the original paint. I think it's a bad sign that the tank flaked easily to bare metal in a few spots (unless it's a section where the tank was chrome. Hmmm, need to do more research), but I hope to uncover some saveable paint/patina. The color scheme will help me determine year, as well as the Murray serial number database on the Cabe.

I am thinking that correct springer forks for this thing are unobtainium, so I'd be happy to get a hold of any vintage springer that would look close to correct. Same goes for the guard; this is one of those no-name Schwinn knockoffs that is so incongruous with this bike that it's killing me. And as cool as the Monark light and fender are, I want to swap them out for something a little less heavy-looking. The headbadge seems to be wrong too, but it's the right brand and it's cool enough that I can run with it.

As for all the other incorrect bits and pieces (crank/sprocket, rear fender-to-rack hardware and reflector, the plethora of headlights, et cetera), well, it should be interesting to just pick away at them little by little as I find stuff that looks more correct.

Dang I want to ride this thing.
So jelly, but happy for you on your acquisition…😁
 
Rims look good. I think a beehive springer will work if you can't find an X53 springer.

Both bikes have hubshiners, that's good luck.

Rollfast chain wheel on the ladies Murray.
 
Rims look good. I think a beehive springer will work if you can't find an X53 springer.

Both bikes have hubshiners, that's good luck.

Rollfast chain wheel on the ladies Murray.
Ahhh, the rims. They are definitely not original. The good news is that they match on both bikes. But they are newer replacement units. Both rear hubs are Histop. These are on the X-53; the ones on the girls' bike are not exactly the same but similar.

IMG_2041.JPG
IMG_2042.JPG
IMG_2043.JPG
IMG_2047.JPG


They will certainly work to get me started. I have this crazy idea about putting a Shimano 3CC wheelset on this; it's currently on a bike I bought pretty much to rob the wheels from. I found an article yesterday that said the X-53 weighs SEVENTY SIX POUNDS as originally equipped. That seems insane to me; but there's no doubt that this thing is HEAVY, and having a low gear to get rolling would certainly be beneficial. In fact, the chainwheel you mentioned on the girls' bike is definitely a candidate for this, since it looks kinda like the Murray/Western Flyer one and is on the smaller side. I didn't know it was a Rollfast; that makes me even more inclined to use it. I will never understand how they built big heavy bikes like this and sold them to little kids who weighed barely as much as the bike and then set them up with 52/16 or similar gearing.

Hub shiners are good luck? I'll take it. 😁
 
that thing is great. I dig the mods, especially the rack over the rack. I think I'd clean/lube/tune it up but leave it as is.

edit: omg, just saw the bent screws. creative.
 
Wow, great score! I'd love to luck into one of those some day but it will be fun watching you fixing this one up and enjoying it. Congrats!
 
Recent find, in as-found condition:
View attachment 279468

View attachment 279469

View attachment 279470

View attachment 279471

View attachment 279472

View attachment 279473

View attachment 279474

View attachment 279475

View attachment 279476

View attachment 279477

This one came with it. I may try and use some odds and ends off it.

View attachment 279478

Definitely sticking with the frame, tank, and rack/crash bars. (Edit: Yes, the rack-on-a-rack has to go. I may go pick that off right now as it sits in the garage lol.) I have been reading up on methods of removing spray bomb abuse while leaving the original paint. I think it's a bad sign that the tank flaked easily to bare metal in a few spots (unless it's a section where the tank was chrome. Hmmm, need to do more research), but I hope to uncover some saveable paint/patina. The color scheme will help me determine year, as well as the Murray serial number database on the Cabe.

I am thinking that correct springer forks for this thing are unobtainium, so I'd be happy to get a hold of any vintage springer that would look close to correct. Same goes for the guard; this is one of those no-name Schwinn knockoffs that is so incongruous with this bike that it's killing me. And as cool as the Monark light and fender are, I want to swap them out for something a little less heavy-looking. The headbadge seems to be wrong too, but it's the right brand and it's cool enough that I can run with it.

As for all the other incorrect bits and pieces (crank/sprocket, rear fender-to-rack hardware and reflector, the plethora of headlights, et cetera), well, it should be interesting to just pick away at them little by little as I find stuff that looks more correct.

Dang I want to ride this thing.
Congratulations on your great find. Those are very cool. Regards Old Guy ( AKA ) #DataDiggerDon
 

Latest posts

Back
Top