Royce Union Skylark Cruiser

[AndyA]

Craigslist find at $10. First impression: this looks a lot like a military bike (except for the whitewall stripes). Let's take it the rest of the way to a military tribute! Strip it down, apply some olive drab paint, and see where the project takes us.

 

[wheelbender6]

I couldn't turn down a bike like that for $10.
I may do a military bike one day.
Can't wait to see yours

 

[AndyA]

Progress report: Got it broken down without incident. Everything seems sound. Since the rattle-can, outdoor painting season has recently ending here in north Jersey, I'm going with brush painting. Here's the frame with a coat of olive drab. It's not as flat a finish as I would like, but it will do. Preparation was a bit harder than imagined because the finish is powder coat. Spots where the finish failed had rust extending out with the powder coat coming off in flakes. Areas where the finish was sound were harder to sand to a paintable surface than if they had been painted.

 

[Karate Chicken Industries]

Here's the frame with a coat of olive drab. It's not as flat a finish as I would like, but it will do.

Maybe try a clear satin coat over it. I did that with some Lemmerz 1511 wheels on a VW beetle and they turned out great.

 

[ifitsfreeitsforme]

I can hook you up with some Army green grips for that project if you want.

 

[AndyA]

More parts painted. I'm gettin' to like this olive drab.

 

[wheelbender6]

Chrome don't get you home. Paint everything OD.
Ooops! Just noticed that the bike had no chrome. Sorry.

 

[AndyA]

Chrome don't get you home

Brother Wheelbender:
Words to live by... I just might stencil that in white somewhere on the bike along with a white patch on the bottom of the rear bumper, a couple of 5-pointed stars, a vehicle ID number, and "max speed 15 mph."

 

[MattiThundrrr]

When I rode a rat Honda, it was a joke about the cruiser customizer crowd

 

[AndyA]

Startin' to put bits back together. No chrome here, only olive drab.

View attachment 181728

 

[AndyA]

Some internet gremlins must have tore up my photo. Try again.

 

[AndyA]

Reassembly complete. Went for a test drive on a very mild winter day in north Jersey. It's a smooth rider! Even got a compliment when I stopped to chat with a fellow taking advantage of the weather by changing his car's brake pads in the driveway. Still need to get out the flat white paint for a patch on the rear fender and some Army stars and stenciled text.

To all you on the forum out there, I hope 2022 brings you much pleasure in bike wrenching.

 

[AndyA]

I can hook you up with some Army green grips for that project if you want.

Cousin Ifits:
You got any desert tan grips (different project)?
Thanks, Andy

 

[ifitsfreeitsforme]

Sorry no tan. Your bike looks great.

 

[Gordy]

Reassembly complete. Went for a test drive on a very mild winter day in north Jersey. It's a smooth rider! Even got a compliment when I stopped to chat with a fellow taking advantage of the weather by changing his car's brake pads in the driveway. Still need to get out the flat white paint for a patch on the rear fender and some Army stars and stenciled text.

To all you on the forum out there, I hope 2022 brings you much pleasure in bike wrenching.

View attachment 182094View attachment 182095

Great stuff. Well done! Looks fab!! Enjoy.

 

[AndyA]

I got around to finishing up with the addition of some functionality (front brakes) and some aesthetics (graphics). When appropriate and feasible, I like to add front brakes to complement coaster brakes. This greatly improves stopping power and convenience. The graphics are based loosely on those I've seen on jeeps and actual military bikes.

 

[Rat Pilot]

That is awesome!
Well done!

 

[wheelbender6]

The stencil lettering was a great idea.

 

[Walter Zoomie]

Very cool. I'd ride that any time.

 

[nevin]

your paint fits that era. EVERYTHING was paint bombed all the same. even though it's a simple job, it's truer to the original than most of the military themed bikes, cars, etc i've seen.

if you want to age the stencils, take some fine sandpaper or emory paper & knock some of the white paint back off so the drab shows through in parts.