So it begins

redchaser · Jul 28, 2011

Not really a rat rod, but it's my first bike project. I had never thought about doing a bike build until recently. I was visiting a bike shop in downtown Lafayette that sells old and new and is a bit of a bike museum. They have a few restored Stingrays hanging from the ceiling (including the most beautiful Orange Krate ever), and seeing those old muscle bikes got me thinking about the Western Flyer Buzz bike I had as a kid. I have a lot of memories on that bike (including cutting off a toe) and got the idea to get an old Miss Buzz to restore for my little girl. I found a bike out of Texas and just got it in, she's rough but all there

Last night I broke her all the way down, and bagged small parts by category, bottom bracket, headset, etc. to keep it all together

For the most part I'm restoring to as close to original as I can, except for the color. My little girl loves all things pink so I'm going to have it painted pearleceant pink. I've got replacement decals ordered and will have them applied to the base coat and clear coated over. I'm getting everything re-chromed and will probably even unlace the spokes and get them done too. I'll replace the cones and bearings in the bottom bracket and headset to smooth it up a bit, and will overhaul the wheel bearings too. I'm going to try to re-cover the seat, if that doesn't work out I'll be looking for another.

I'll keep you posted on progress, and if anybody comes across some 20x1.75 inch Western Auto whitewalls please let me know. Also will be looking for western auto muscle bike style hand grips in either pink or white.

jaysmo · Jul 28, 2011

looks like you have a great start with the clean canvas.....dam you lost a toe on a bike. :shock: ouch... well i will wear shoe no more flip flops for me... :mrgreen:

DonQui · Jul 28, 2011

That's a nice bike to start with good luck.

redchaser · Jul 28, 2011

jaysmo said:
looks like you have a great start with the clean canvas.....darn you lost a toe on a bike. :shock: ouch... well i will wear shoe no more flip flops for me... :mrgreen:

Yep, just before my 8th birthday I was riding barefoot under our carport, I rode too close to the post that supported the carport, my left foot hit the post, the pedal hit my foot and chopped off the second to smallest toe.

ADRNLN · Jul 28, 2011

redchaser said:
jaysmo said:

looks like you have a great start with the clean canvas.....darn you lost a toe on a bike. :shock: ouch... well i will wear shoe no more flip flops for me... :mrgreen:

Click to expand...

Yep, just before my 8th birthday I was riding barefoot under our carport, I rode too close to the post that supported the carport, my left foot hit the post, the pedal hit my foot and chopped off the second to smallest toe.

That's a crazy freak mishap!