I refurbish and sell bikes on CL too, but not on they scale you're doing it. I wish my wife would let the bikes take over but she treats them like some kind of alien invasion, not like the two wheel friends they are. As it is, space limits me to about 30 bikes, but I'm building a shed of sorts out of a truck shell to expand that just a little. :)

I have to commend you for finding something that makes you really happy and embracing it, many many people fail to do so even after nearly dying from a lemon sized brain tumor. I also love the idea of a reunion ride, how fun! Sometimes I wonder what happens to the bikes that leave here, especially the ones that leave as frames only.

Kemmer

Hey, I'm your crazy neighbor to the north! Welcome aboard from Tallahassle!

Since Vancouver is relatively small I see them from time to time. My friend said he say 3 downtown the other day within a 5 minute period (he could have been mistaken on some). But it's good to hear that people are still using them and that they have stood up over time. I occasionally see the owners riding them and they say they have had zero problems which makes me feel good about my worthiness as a mechanic.

Hello Guys!
It's Good to be here.......it's good to be anywhere.....
This sounds like a Great place with a Great group of people dedicated to the advancement and better understanding of all things bicycle.......Amen.

Yes I do like pie (as long as it has nuts in it).
I love Rootbeer, it's good enough for Snoopy so it's good enough for an old Squirrel.

Hey Kemmer, Tell your Wife you want an Old Travel Trailer for Christmas, nothing too fancy cause you can take most of the Junk out and use it for a shop and storage unit. It's mostly dry and warm in the winter.

I here Vancouver is a Very Nice town for Bicycles, good paths and stuff.

As far as Bikes go I have an Open mind and welcome any Information thats out there, it will make me better at what I love to do. I Re-Cycle because I love Bikes and enjoy Bike People (They're "Special").

I Hope "Bike Doc" can help me understand some of the bike problems I come across.

I have a 1940's Schwinn DX that I am trying to restore for an Old couple.
The Man's Father bought it for him in 1947 or 48 for his Birthday.
This bike has been sitting next to their front porch for Over 20 Years and has rusted to Almost nothing.
I suggested they just use it for a boat anchor but they didn't see the humor in that.
Everthing is toast except the frame, but.........the frame has more nasty pits then a Russian Chorus Line!
The welds look good but parts of the surface are pretty rough.
Is there a way to smooth out the surface with a filler that is easy to apply and will last?
Has anyone experimented with this sort of thing?
Thanks,
David

Hi David.

My folks are east of you, in Jacksonville, been there for almost 30 years now.
Used to be a nice quiet place but not any more!
One thing I might let you know, since you are a "red star" member you can post
adverts on the For Sale forum if you wish to do so, if you have any problem with this
send me a PM and we can handle them.

Marty

Red Star?.....Okay I'm Green
 

Thanks Marty,
So what does the "Red Star" Mean?
Soviet?
Good Paper?
Thanks,
David

Donating/upgraded membership.
Gives access to "the marketplace" where you can post for sale threads,
also you won't see all the advertising when you read the forums. You also get
a larger avatar (I think, used to be so anyhow).

and you are very welcome.

Your Right!
Hey I looked at your Info.
I'm selling a Serotta on Ebay now, small world.
It's an older Nova X that I found at a Thrift store.
I've never heard of them till I got this one, interesting bike,
I wish it was larger so I could keep it.
Thanks for the help.
David

yah, I saw your Serotta ad on CL. they are exceptionally nice
riding bikes, mine is a nova special, probably a bit newer than the one
you're selling.
me, I'd keep more "interesting" bikes, but then
I'm into Dutch bikes, a very obscure corner of the bike collecting
world.

marty

I would highly suggest sandblasting (it sounds as if the surface is rough to the point where beadblasting may not be sufficent) the frameset, and filling any damage in the frame with either silver solder (a more costly, labor-intensive route), or Bondo (cheap and effective, but it must be applied correctly with enough hardener).

-Kurt

Dunk it in a big tub of water and oxalic acid. I'm an oxalic acid acolyte now, having witnessed the magic myself.

First, welcome to the forums. Second, I am very new to bicycle restoration/rejuvenation but I do have a lot of experience with vintage car restoration, those in the know, please correct me if this inappropriate for bicycles.

You will have to clean the area, I recommend bead blasting. With cars, you have three choices depending on the extent of the damage. The preferred method is to fill the pits by using a tig welder and a filler rod. The method is very precise and if you do it well, it requires very little filing. Its best if the steel is at least 20 gauge and you are only doing a few square inches. For bikes, the heat is very precise and if you didn't fill too much at a time and cooled it immediately, it should not effect any brazing.

The next best method is filling with lead. Easy to melt, file and holds paint very well. I don't know how appropriate it would be for a lightweight bike.

The third method is the easiest but loathed by many - bondo. It works fast, it's non-toxic and can be smooth as silk. When it is coved with paint, only you and God know it's there. Similar to bondo is stuff called spray gray. Basically its a thick primer and 3-4 coats will get you .060-080". It sands like bondo.

Good luck with the project. Post some pics

Late 40's Schwinn - Beauty or Boat Anchor?
 

Thanks, I will check out some shops this week and have it blasted and then try the Bondo fix.
it sounds like the most straight forward way to do it.
Here's a Picture of the Bike I've named "The Titanic".
Hopefully I can send better pics soon.
Thanks!