1957 Western Cosmic Flyer
05-16-14, 01:45 AM
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1957 Western Cosmic Flyer
Hello! So this is my first post. I'm betting I'm posting in the wrong spot like a newb but please forgive me!
I live in beautiful Vancouver, British Columbia Canada and I recently bought a *what I'm guessing* is a late 1950's Western Cosmic Flyer. The thing is pretty cool, has headlights and lots of old chrome! However she's been better days. The original paint is a nice aqua marine but it's in pretty rough shape. I would like to repaint it green, yet redo all the original striping and logos/decals *some are ok, some are faded and others are completely gone*. I have two questions. A) being what are your opinions on changing an original paint job and B) is there any possible way to fix peeling chrome (like chrome spray paint) or should I just bite the bullet and get it redone? The value of the bike doesn't concern me because I plan on keeping it for as long as I can. Thanks for any info or ideas! Cheers
I live in beautiful Vancouver, British Columbia Canada and I recently bought a *what I'm guessing* is a late 1950's Western Cosmic Flyer. The thing is pretty cool, has headlights and lots of old chrome! However she's been better days. The original paint is a nice aqua marine but it's in pretty rough shape. I would like to repaint it green, yet redo all the original striping and logos/decals *some are ok, some are faded and others are completely gone*. I have two questions. A) being what are your opinions on changing an original paint job and B) is there any possible way to fix peeling chrome (like chrome spray paint) or should I just bite the bullet and get it redone? The value of the bike doesn't concern me because I plan on keeping it for as long as I can. Thanks for any info or ideas! Cheers
05-16-14, 04:38 AM
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My usual preference is to keep the original paint, it is only original once. But it is your choice. Depending on how bad the chrome is you might be able to make it look better by scrubbing it down with wadded up aluminum foil dampened in water (or WD-40 or Lemon juice). Rechroming small lots is prohibitively expensive.
Aaron
Aaron
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ISO: A late 1980's Giant Iguana MTB frameset (or complete bike) 23" Red with yellow graphics.
"Cycling should be a way of life, not a hobby.
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Webshots is bailing out, if you find any of my posts with corrupt picture files and want to see them corrected please let me know. :(
ISO: A late 1980's Giant Iguana MTB frameset (or complete bike) 23" Red with yellow graphics.
"Cycling should be a way of life, not a hobby.
RIDE, YOU FOOL, RIDE!"_Nicodemus
"Steel: nearly a thousand years of metallurgical development
Aluminum: barely a hundred
Which one would you rather have under your butt at 30mph?"_krazygluon
05-16-14, 05:21 PM
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Thanks! Yeah I did the wD40 and tin foil on the chrome and it did wonders, still some places where it's hard to get to. The handle bar is missing big chunks of chrome 
and I may need to replace the rims because I noticed a wobble lastnight while I was riding. It needs an overhaul cleaning wise
and I may need to replace the rims because I noticed a wobble lastnight while I was riding. It needs an overhaul cleaning wise
05-17-14, 06:32 AM
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Thanks! Yeah I did the wD40 and tin foil on the chrome and it did wonders, still some places where it's hard to get to. The handle bar is missing big chunks of chrome and I may need to replace the rims because I noticed a wobble lastnight while I was riding. It needs an overhaul cleaning wise
and I may need to replace the rims because I noticed a wobble lastnight while I was riding. It needs an overhaul cleaning wise Aaron
__________________
Webshots is bailing out, if you find any of my posts with corrupt picture files and want to see them corrected please let me know. :(
ISO: A late 1980's Giant Iguana MTB frameset (or complete bike) 23" Red with yellow graphics.
"Cycling should be a way of life, not a hobby.
RIDE, YOU FOOL, RIDE!"_Nicodemus
"Steel: nearly a thousand years of metallurgical development
Aluminum: barely a hundred
Which one would you rather have under your butt at 30mph?"_krazygluon
Webshots is bailing out, if you find any of my posts with corrupt picture files and want to see them corrected please let me know. :(
ISO: A late 1980's Giant Iguana MTB frameset (or complete bike) 23" Red with yellow graphics.
"Cycling should be a way of life, not a hobby.
RIDE, YOU FOOL, RIDE!"_Nicodemus
"Steel: nearly a thousand years of metallurgical development
Aluminum: barely a hundred
Which one would you rather have under your butt at 30mph?"_krazygluon
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