Western Flyer CL last week

[Greystoke]

I happened to come home early and just on a chance, checked CL and spotted this. Fortunately, only about 15 minutes from home. Someone else was on the way to look at it when I bought it. Sorry if you are on the forum. Believe or not, I actually had the tires hold air overnight until the tubes blew through the sidewalls by morning. Someone chopped the front fender off 1/2 way. I will see if those ones Jeff (Simpleman) will fit. I always wonder if a bike like this should be restored, ratted, left like it is with new tires or what. Is there a criteria for when not to repaint or modify in order to keep value? Either way, not a bad bike for $55. I gotta stop buying these bikes so I can save some money to fix them up. Three bikes in three weeks. Stop me before I buy again! Brian

 

[ish]

Is there a criteria for when not to repaint or modify in order to keep value?

Put simply, unless the original paint is completely shot, don't repaint.

 

[Metal Militia]

nice deal. scrub the heck out of it and roll with the original finish.

 

[deorman]

While I would agree w/leaving the original paint alone, especially the frame and tank, the real criteria is what YOU want to do w/YOUR bike. 8)

 

[LIVE TO RIDE]

Dude with scores like that why the heck would you stop??!! Let me know if your not down for the next one and I'll buy it instead!haha

 

[Rustinkerer]

You stole it for $55 :shock: !! If I had one like that, I'd throw some tubes & tires on, clean up and regrease, and find a fender for the front and try to match it to the bike! That's just one tinker's opinion... ~Adam

 

[Greystoke]

Thanks Rustinker, I pretty sure that's what my plans are. I'm going to buy those fenders Simpleman had for sale to replace the front one. I'll try to paint it like the rear one. The fenders and guard were actually red but they are rusty and red now. The black (I was told it really is deep blue!?) is rusty too. The wheels are the worst though. I am going to sand and wire brush them and paint, probably black just for a contrast with new whitewalls. I did a search on this site for rust removal but haven't found much for rust removal off of painted surfaces, just Navel Jelly for chrome. This will be a fun just for crusin' around town on. Unique enough but not good enough for someone to want to steal on a whim. Going to lock it up either way. Thanks again, Brian. PS. I noticed that many of the forum members tend to want a certain style, year or brand of bike. I'm really hooked on tanked fat tire bikes. Got my Schwinn for fun, my Columbia to restore but I'm going to look mainly for the older tank bikes from now on if the price is right.