MBBO Re-Factored... (Crazy Lady)

[metalchewy]

Picked up this Higgins Flightliner flightless Haven't figured out the year yet, but I think she's from 62 or 63.

She's got a lot of rustina with a bit of patina. Started as a metallic blue and has become the lady you see now.

Some Wald Crazy bars were thrown into the deal as a 'Goody'. I was drooling over them the second I saw them and extatic they came with the 3 bikes and 2 frames I got from a good friend. He doesn't let bikes go often so I jumped on the deal when given the chance.

Tried putting a springer on it. It's a no go, so will have to figure out a fork soon in order to get this crazy girl rolling.

This will be a 2 of 3 MBBO bobber style build.

 

[CRASH]

Those are neat bars!

 

[metalchewy]

Those are neat bars!

I had never seen this version of this bar until they were handed to me. First thought was, those will look good on a muscle bike...

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Today I took a minute to pull the tank to assess the damage.

The innards for the electrical are rusted to almost nothing... ever ready batteries look like they are from the 80s.

Gonna take a bit of work to make the tank light up.

 

[Wildcat]

Free flashlight!

 

[metalchewy]

Put a fork on her last night. Today I went to the rim pile and found one that fit the old fork.

Not a flightliner fork, but will do until I find a better option.

 

[Bike from the Dead]

That old Murray is certainly going to make one crazy muscle bike! Can't wait to see it come together!

 

[metalchewy]

That old Murray is certainly going to make one crazy muscle bike! Can't wait to see it come together!

Agreed. She's a ratty crazy little thing. Still haven't washed her

She's near the end of the contract for Murray built JC Higgins. I know she's from the early 60s, but can't find enuff info to get a year. Need a sears catalog from 60-63 to find the catalog number 47050 to know for sure.

I found a Chrome Red fork for her.

Not rusty like the rest, but will do better than the 30s fork. Picked up some nuts from ace for the wheel and pulled a quill stem out of a box.

Need a seat post clamp and a chain, and a different back tire and she's a rider.

 

[metalchewy]

Figured it out. She's a 61 Flightlimer. Sold for $58.95

 

[metalchewy]

Sun through my pines lasts about 5-10 minutes at sun-up.

 

[metalchewy]

Cleaned up the rod around the rack.

And the guard.

 

[metalchewy]

She's a rider

 

[Pondo]

Those handlebars are wild!

 

[metalchewy]

Those handlebars are wild!

I think so too. She's a wild and crazy ride.

Still trying to figure out proper adjustment for my reach and wide shoulders.
---‐--‐--------------------------.

With the frozen seat post all I really need a seat clamp for is to secure the rack. It rattles a bit when I ride.

I cut this off of a custom that I went seat post delete on.

Planning to straighten the cut on the band saw and fit it in as the seat post and rack mount.

 

[metalchewy]

cut square, will clean it up and smooth it with a file or the dremel.

Pulled the bulbs and found some LEDs I had on the shelf. Looking for the battery holder I had for two AAs.

Should be plenty for 20+ hrs of light. Need to figure something out for the lense.

 

[metalchewy]

I started the disassembly of the rusted out components in the tank. Couldn't get one screw loose on the battery holder and will need to drill it out.

Planning to use AAs instead of Ds with LEDs should provide hours of light.

Switch came out easily enuff and put it in some dawn and water to try to free up the button..

The 5 minute soak loosened up the switch slider, but also softened up the pressed/glued paper backing and a terminal came off.

Took it further apart and I found I could put a new back on it with the contacts to make it work.

Then I found some vintage switches on ebay and ordered a replacement.l for a couple bucks.

 

[metalchewy]

Tried clearing up the light back plate. Not pleased with the result. Will report it with something shiny.

Switches came.

Perfect fit for the holes. Long button.

Trimmed it down to original size.

 

[metalchewy]

Tried some silver foil and couldnt get it to lay right. Tried chrome paint. Also not impressed. Removed it before it cured.

Little wire brush cup on the dremel

220, 600, 1000 and some 1600 grit wet/dry sandpaper

Emory on the polishing wheel next. Then will see if I need to sand more.

 

[metalchewy]

Put it on the polisher and got.it as shiny as I can.

Put the positive tank side circuit together. Couldn't find my solder, so I used butt splices on the switch. Added a plug for easier disconnect from bezel.

JBWeld quickest to hold down the battery holder to metal on the bracket. Just needed a solid place to mount it so using the stuck in bracket worked out.

Switch installed and interstate batteries added.

Bezel side circuit put together. Used an eyelet on the negative, rather than trying.to ground.to the tank. Waterproof switches so they won't corrode.

Installed the tank. Wiring tucked in pretty well.

Bolted together. Not sure I like those bulbs. They are what I had in the box.

Edit. After dark. Bright. One side brighter than the other. Need to add a new crossover wire.

 

[metalchewy]

 

[Pondo]

Wow, the lighting came out great! Shouldn't have any trouble seeing or being seen on that one.