The Renaissance Man
__CERTIFIED DIVER__ (Open Water & Open Dumpster)
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1953 Western Flyer X53
See the build journal HERE.
At 35 days, this wasn't my quickest build-off entry, but it still went by pretty fast! After skipping last year, I hated to miss out on another one this year.
The goal was to take one of three forsaken lifeless bikes and return it to service with a little modern flair. A restorod.
Most of the work on this bike was spent on things that don't really catch the eye in the finished photos. Things like resuscitating the rust frozen skip chain, repairing the badly bent 'non-repairable' pedals, relocating the factory welded chainguard bracket so that the lines look right, realigning bent forks, etc. But most of those were the necessary things needed to retain all of the original parts and make it rideable again.
In the end the goal was met. As I rode it for the first time (decades since anyone had put thier foot to the pedal) it was very satisfying knowing that it would once again be enjoyed in a second chance at life! It makes me wonder how the first kid that ever rode it must have felt!
It was never really meant to compete for votes. I've done that too. And even though it's nice, it's been fun just trying to get this done in the short amount of time allotted. It would still be waiting in storage otherwise.
I had actually given thought to not posting it here in the finished section but decided on Friday after it was finished to go ahead. After all, it is also nice to get the feedback from all of the other builders.
Good luck and thanks to everyone for making it fun!
-Jim
See the build journal HERE.
At 35 days, this wasn't my quickest build-off entry, but it still went by pretty fast! After skipping last year, I hated to miss out on another one this year.
The goal was to take one of three forsaken lifeless bikes and return it to service with a little modern flair. A restorod.
Most of the work on this bike was spent on things that don't really catch the eye in the finished photos. Things like resuscitating the rust frozen skip chain, repairing the badly bent 'non-repairable' pedals, relocating the factory welded chainguard bracket so that the lines look right, realigning bent forks, etc. But most of those were the necessary things needed to retain all of the original parts and make it rideable again.
In the end the goal was met. As I rode it for the first time (decades since anyone had put thier foot to the pedal) it was very satisfying knowing that it would once again be enjoyed in a second chance at life! It makes me wonder how the first kid that ever rode it must have felt!
It was never really meant to compete for votes. I've done that too. And even though it's nice, it's been fun just trying to get this done in the short amount of time allotted. It would still be waiting in storage otherwise.
I had actually given thought to not posting it here in the finished section but decided on Friday after it was finished to go ahead. After all, it is also nice to get the feedback from all of the other builders.
Good luck and thanks to everyone for making it fun!
-Jim
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