The Brave Little Toaster

[DeFresh]

Hello all,
Few weeks ago I struck gold and came across an old Macargi Royal out for trash, I know its not a really old vintage but the bike was teetering on being "too far gone". It may not qualify for this build off but its what im building this winter and it will need alot of work. Completely locked up and rusted together, thing's had to be chiseled apart and the rot and rust was way worse then expected, when removing parts salt water poured out of the frame, so instead of becoming scrap, im saving her.... hence, "The Brave Little Toaster" lol I want a way to showcase the age and leave it with a vintage feel with all new parts.

 

[DeFresh]

Heres the frame all grinded to bare metal ready to be repaired and welded up, I heated and banged the seat post for an hour and its seized in, so ill be welding in a permanent non adjustable post, also going to sheet in the top area of the frame.

 

[DeFresh]

Heres the rust and rot repair (dont know if im posting incorrectly, this is my first time) just catching this up to speed on where I am currently in the build....

A few friends said "This bike is worthless" SO I filled in 2 holes with coins, one a quarter and 1 a nickle, NOW the bike is worth atleast 30 cents lol

This was just SOME of the welding this frame needed, she was basically toast ..... but i cant let go

 

[DeFresh]

And heres the added plate welded in the frame to put on the "Brave Little Toaster" branding

My Friends are starting to second guess the whole "worthless" thing

 

[Funkme]

Certainly not a vintage frame,but you have to admire and lauf at the rot... Just goes to show they don't make bikes like they use too.
A lot of work for 30cents... Hopefully holds and is rideable for another year...
Keep up the good work.

 

[The Renaissance Man]

That's some serious rust repair! Rat on!

 

[DeFresh]

Thanks for the feedback guys, Im going to keep posting... yesterday I rebuilt the headset with some new bearings and grease...

Now it turns hahaha

 

[DeFresh]

I threw on some random parts while I wait for some stuff to come in on order, Ordered 26x57mm wheels with a 2 speed kick back archer strumer hub anodized red with black spokes, to be wrapped with 26x3 Beach Bum tires and tubes. Im getting ready to paint and was planning on painting this bike grey, BUT the way she looks raw with all the age, I feel like its something that needs to be shown so im leaning towards a clear rust inhibitor, a adhesion promoter, and a heavy gloss clear. So now I stair at it with random wheels and tires I had layin around trying to decide if i want the rusty forks and handle bars to remain rusty to match the frame or paint the front end black?
So whats your opinion.....
should I perfect the frame and paint it grey or leave it like this pic and clear coat it?
and should I leave the fork, stem, and bars rusty to match the frame with clear or gloss black the front end?

 

[macncheese]

Lookin good. Glad this is allowed in the competition. Rat on!


PS - You're not the only one rescuing Bud Light promo bikes on the jersey shore!

 

[DeFresh]

Lookin good. Glad this is allowed in the competition. Rat on!


PS - You're not the only one rescuing Bud Light promo bikes on the jersey shore!
View attachment 68914

hahaha Awesome!! Love the sprocket!!

 

[tjwilson]

My vote is for leaving all of it rusty/aged. Good looking authentic patina is hard to come by.

 

[GuitarlCarl]

Similar to the grass covered VW... I've thought it might be fun to mix a dirt, latex and chia seeds slurry together and lather it on to a bike frame.

Merle.

 

[ifitsfreeitsforme]

I applaud your hard work. Keep it up. It's worth saving.

 

[kingfish254]

Great work on resurrecting that frame! Man you are making fast work on this bad boy. Looking good

 

[RustyGold]

The rot repair was epic...you should showcase it as best as you can...and, I believe that would be leaving it raw.

Jason

 

[OddJob]

Heres the frame all grinded to bare metal ready to be repaired and welded up, I heated and banged the seat post for an hour and its seized in, so ill be welding in a permanent non adjustable post, also going to sheet in the top area of the frame.

While everyone on her is acutely aware that I am more into preserving rust than repairing it, you sir are doing a bang up job!

And, I love the tenacity and pace of your work. Looking forward to your 'daily posts' of progress!
RaT oN !

 

[OddJob]

While everyone on her is acutely aware that I am more into preserving rust than repairing it, you sir are doing a bang up job!

And, I love the tenacity and pace of your work. Looking forward to your 'daily posts' of progress!
RaT oN !

 

[DeFresh]

Great work on resurrecting that frame! Man you are making fast work on this bad boy. Looking good

thanks man, Wheels are soposed to be delivered today. I run a dump truck co here in NJ and things are slow so this is my project at work/home where ever I am lol, I cant stop

 

[DeFresh]

The rot repair was epic...you should showcase it as best as you can...and, I believe that would be leaving it raw.

Jason

Awesome thanks man, Clear coating the bare metal.....its settled haha

 

[DeFresh]

Got some stuff in the mail today, 3 piece crank with american BB conversion, and a kickstand being that the stock one got hacked. got all the paint and the bike is hanging prepped for paint, being its going to be 50 degrees tomorrow, im going to give painting it a shot. I got some stencils made from a friend out of vynal to paint on the lettering, then blacking out the original handelbars, stem and forks, then heavy gloss on the whole thing. Patina it is.