re-kindled an old flame

icyuod2 · Jul 23, 2010

i've made a lot of custom bikes, and yet this old mut of a western flyer x-53 has always been my fav ride.
for the longest time i left it as i found it. swimming in brushed on black and red paint, one side pinstriped with black tape . heck the former owner didnt even remove the plastic in some area's(the clear plastic, that keeps the pinstripe evenly spaced)

didn't matter much to me,i loved it just the same. this is what it looked like when i got it.

i changed the tires a few times,bars also but the ugly paint remained.

well early this year i got a flat tire. i have numerous bikes to ride so she got left to the way side.
this morning i decided to get on fixing the flat and going on an early morning ride.

got about as far as removing the rear wheel and decided it was time for my fav. treatment.
wire wheel, angle grinder and a can of krylon flat black bbq paint.
just for the record, imo an angle grinder and a wire wheel are the only way to strip a bike. zero metal removal, quick and easy. (just watch for flying wires)

1/2 hour and i was ready for paint.

the krylon is just as easy. no primer required,and ready to re-assemble in an hour (probably less if your careful)
so with a little time and effort, bam! back up and running in less than 7 hours.

the rear fender is actually chip guarded (was in pretty rough shape)
i imagen in time the rack and rims will be painted red and i'll try my hand at some white pinstriping. for now i'm just gonna enjoy riding her.

i don't imagen the sail boat will stick around, but i just haven't found a more suitable hood ornament yet.

texasbigjon · Jul 23, 2010

yeah icy, i gotta back you up on the paint stripping system!

i see people using toxic paint strippers,drills w/wire wheels,even hand sanding,and people get dejected because of the long process. high speed brass wheel gets the job done pronto! 8) ive even left the fenders on and used a chunk of all-thread to support them,where the axles go. then throw it on the old park stand and rotate it as you go! :wink: learned that one from the master himself.....uncle stretch!

John c · Jul 24, 2010

Cool transformation man, I dig it!

icyuod2 · Jul 24, 2010

texasbigjon said:
yeah icy, i gotta back you up on the paint stripping system! i see people using toxic paint strippers,drills w/wire wheels,even hand sanding,and people get dejected because of the long process. high speed brass wheel gets the job done pronto! 8) ive even left the fenders on and used a chunk of all-thread to support them,where the axles go. then throw it on the old park stand and rotate it as you go! :wink: learned that one from the master himself.....uncle stretch!

dam, that is a cool idea! thx bud.

John c said:
Cool transformation man, I dig it!

appreciate it! i can't wait till its got a little pin striping (nothing major, i like the old school clean and simple) and a worthy crown (fender ornament.)