P.R.G.

I'll forgo the introductions and such as you probably won't hear from me again if my poor old bike isn't worth saving. I have a '84 Hutch Pro Raider I got when I was 9 way back when. My parents decided to retire to FL and I grabbed the various things of mine at their place today. Unfortunately, I realized a: they tossed out my 1964 Gibson tube amp and some time in the last year or two, they moved my poor old Hutch under the porch and voila, after surviving beat up but almost completely rust free for over 20 years, rust city. The chain, seat post are goners and the rear rims has bent for since probably 1990. Everything spins and moves well. None the bolts were seized with rust and came loose with no effort, as I had to remove the wheels and loosen up the neck to pivot the bar to get it into a car trunk. Without further ado, thanks in advance and here's the pictures(thumbnailed, click for a bigger image)...

The bike, mostly original with the Hutch Tioga spider and Hutch Donut Clamp. Neck replaced with a Redline @ 1986. Cheapo brakes replaced with a good Diacomp MX way back when too.


The handlebars and seat post have taken the brunt of the rust. Grip's are some beat up ODI Mushrooms I believe, shouldn't be had to source.


Surprisingly still working Diacomp, I expected the cable to be seized. Note bottom tube rust.


Crank's finish is shot, would probably replace with some Redline's, (always wanted those when I was a kid.) The sprocket and original Tioga Hutch spider look like they will clean up nice. The big concern is the rust, that only seems surface rust by the bottom bracket.


So anyway, this bike has a great deal of sentimental value to me. Is it worth saving? How involved is rust removal? Should I media blast it? How much does chroming the frame cost?
The plan would be to replace the crank, grips, seat tube, rim and get some replacement decals after getting the frame, fork and bars squared away. Everything else is in suprisingly good shape. I think I can get new bars too.

XLR99

Go scope around the Classic & Vintage forums for abit & search oxalic acid. It can do some pretty impressive de-rusting. You can get some off ebay for cheap & soak everything to de-rust it, then shoot linseed oil inside the tubes. That looks like a lot of surface rust but it should be salvageable, just . The chrome will be pitted, but you can do a good clean up and ride it.
If you're thinking about rechroming, not sure about that but maybe take it over to a local powdercoater and get their opinion. (also, if you're thinking powdercoat or something, don't do the linseed oil til it comes back)

Fizzaly

ive used that oxalic acid before it did a pretty impressive job for me

jsharr

yes it is. Oxalic acid, as mentioned and some steel wool will get the frame back in shape. Repack all the bearing, new tubes and tires and new brake cable and pads. Maybe a new chain. Here is a before and after of a Redline I rebuilt for my sons.

toytech

ANY Hutch is worth saving, Oxalic acid will do a pretty amazing job, it may even be worth it to replate the chrome. Hutch bikes are one of the grail bikes for just about every vintage bmx nut. Don't cut off those old Mushroom grips either...

RobE30

I wish I still had my Hutch.... It's been gone for many years

spats

Totally worth saving.

SHREDTHECITIES

repeat this........ANY HUTCH IS WORTH SAVING!!!!!

STEEL WOOL IS YA BEST FRIEND!!!!

jjgli02

any loved bike is worth saving! get dirty and bring her back to life!

Street rider

Get that steel wool out and give it a second chance to live.