The Rail 7

[Dr. Tankenstein]

OK, here's my entry......
I've been wanting a musclebike for a while now, so this will be my excuse to add one to the stable.

I always liked the frame on the Huffy Rail, so I decided to build a 'big boy' version. Huffy made the Rail 1, Rail 3 and Rail 5.....so a Rail 7 was the 'natural' way to go. That, and I have a Nexus 7 laced up.
Since I'll have to widen the frame, I'll enter this in Class 2.

Here's my inspiration(s)l
Mostly this,

With a little bit of this (I know, NOT a Huffy, but I had one as a kid)

First gear mockup:
I'm not using this seat, got a Messinger 'Long John', like on the Columbia. But, here's the frame, fork and bars.

Going with a 24x3 Fatti-O on the rear and a Kenda 26x1 3/8 on the front.

I think this double-clamp vintage BMX stem will work well with the triple tree fork and twin top tubes. It's black now, but I'm pretty sure there's chrome underneath..

Got a family vacation coming up soon, so it may be a slow start, but I'll pick up speed as I go through the 'gears'.

Looking forward to the fun!

Cheers,
Dr. T




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[The Renaissance Man]

Should be fun!

 

[kingfish254]

I like your thinking Tank!

 

[LukeTheJoker]

Oh yeah! This is going to be cool!

Luke.

 

[CRASH]

Did I miss it? What's the frame your using? It's a 26" frame you'll be elongating? If so... THAT'S FREAKING COOL!!!!

I have been obsessed with restoring a Rail for a couple years and just finally got one. But it won't be for me. I can't wait to see yours!

 

[Schwinnspastic]

Cool start, I have always liked the Rails its my favorite Huffy !
Mark

 

[Dr. Tankenstein]

CRASH,
I'm using a mid-60s Silver Jet frame because of it's overall similarity to the Rail frame. I will be spreading the rear stays to accommodate the rear tire, but not stretching the front section (I'm not that skilled).


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[Jaxon]

This is going to be a cool build.

 

[Dr. Tankenstein]

Thanks Jaxon, I sure hope so!
Told you there was chrome under that black paint! This is what 15 minutes aircraft stripper did to it, I swear I didn't even polish it! Let's hope this is a sign of more good luck to come.

Here's a shot of my awesome grips and awesome seat.

Here's the seat beside a traditional banana seat, it's a little shorter, which is perfect for the 'chopper' hints the bike will have.

Here's so close ups of the tag under the seat and the embossed 'Messinger' logo. Can you tell I dig this seat? I need to thank 'terry66' for passing it along to me after purchasing it from 'yeshoney' and deciding to go a different direction with it's intended bike.

One last shot for tonight, looking down over the top tubes and feelin' the 'Double Vision' trip (cue up the Foreigner).

Cheers for tonight all!
Dr. T


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[The Renaissance Man]

That stem cleaned up nice!

 

[LukeTheJoker]

Thanks Jaxon, I sure hope so!
Told you there was chrome under that black paint! This is what 15 minutes aircraft stripper did to it, I swear I didn't even polish it! Let's hope this is a sign of more good luck to come.

Here's a shot of my awesome grips and awesome seat.

Here's the seat beside a traditional banana seat, it's a little shorter, which is perfect for the 'chopper' hints the bike will have.

Here's so close ups of the tag under the seat and the embossed 'Messinger' logo. Can you tell I dig this seat? I need to thank 'terry66' for passing it along to me after purchasing it from 'yeshoney' and deciding to go a different direction with it's intended bike.

One last shot for tonight, looking down over the top tubes and feelin' the 'Double Vision' trip (cue up the Foreigner).

Cheers for tonight all!
Dr. T


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Wow! That cleaned up really nice! Love the Long John seat!

Luke.

 

[Dr. Tankenstein]

Got a Huffy chainguard from A.S.BOLTNUT that looks like a 26" version of the one from a Rail.

Rail:

Mine:

Well, soaked the rusty crank for a couple of days in vinegar and the rust came off, but so did the chrome! Hahaha!
Before:

After:

As much as I like 'raw' look, maybe not on this one (got plans for a 'raw' bike in the future though), but I'm looking into a deal on a replacement era-correct crank and ring.......stay tuned.

Cheers,
Dr. T


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[Schwinnspastic]

I don't think the vinegar bath had anything to do with the chrome loss !
Coming right along Dr.T !
Mark

 

[whitefiretiger]

Just be glad your chain ring didn't look like mine did for my Impala.

 

[Dr. Tankenstein]

Yeah, 60s Huffy chrome ain't no Schwinn chrome!


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[whitefiretiger]

Yeah, 60s Huffy chrome ain't no Schwinn chrome!


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And it only got worse over the years.
Just tried cleaning up a newer (80s-90s "chrome" chain ring that stripped bare with 0000 steel wool

 

[Dr. Tankenstein]

I don't think the vinegar bath had anything to do with the chrome loss !
Coming right along Dr.T !
Mark

Me either, I was just kidding around.
I've left chrome in vinegar for a week before, it just came out shinier......


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[Jamie825]

Does the vinegar work well what kind do you use white or apple how long do you usually let it soak?sorry if it seems like interigation

 

[whitefiretiger]

White vinegar is known to remove rust.
Good trick for parts small enough to soak.
I've thought about figuring out a way to soak bike frames in it but so far no luck.

 

[LukeTheJoker]

I

White vinegar is known to remove rust.
Good trick for parts small enough to soak.
I've thought about figuring out a way to soak bike frames in it but so far no luck.

I think I have seen someone on here did a frame in a bathtub...

Love that chainguard Dr T!

Luke.