If you are trying to determine the genealogy of your bicycle by it's features, go to our Vintage Bicycle Price Guide
which details bicycle features, wheel sizes, brake types, etc., as well as showing a price estimate for your old bicycle.
If you are trying to determine the make and model of your bicycle, go to our Vintage Bicycle Picture Database
which details bicycle features, wheel sizes, etc., as well as showing a price estimate for your vintage bicycle.
| i just bought a 66 stingray at a yard sale for 10.00 someone painted this purple bike white with house paint ,iremoved 75% of this white paint to reveal the true purple(suprisingly the original paint is in good condition) what is the best way to take of the rest.i used a hi powered pressure washer but it still has some stubborn areas. any suggestions i would rather keep the original paint then have it repainted. any help would be greatly appreciated |
| When I was attempting to restore my bike, I found that you can *very* gently use some steel wool and wet scrub the stubborn areas. If you scrub too hard, it will damage the surface of the original paint, but with just the right amount of pressure you should be able to remove the most stubborn areas. I also found that it works better with a little soap also, instead of just water. Hope this helps! |
| I have a vintage 1968 crescent race frame I want to restore...its the classic orange checkered with the "varldsmastarcyckeln" on it etc...the frame is pretty beat up and some fool RTV'd his rear brake on it at some point. Anyway, the paint I can do, I gota buddy who owns a paint shop, but the decals are a different problem. I found a few shops that will do the work but they all insist I send the frame to them and pay them $400.00 to "restore" it, citing copyright laws that prevent them from selling me just the decals. I have done acid decals before, and I know the process of applying and curing them between the final paint and clear coat yada yada, I just want the decals. Any ideas? Im an architect/graphic artist so I could probably re-create these decals in illustrator or photoshop, so maybe a custom decal place could make them? help. thanks in advance. |
| Hello everyone, A friend of mine was cleaning out his Grandmother's garage and found an old bicycle, which he gave to me. From what I've gathered on this site, it's probably a 1963 Murray Skybolt. The serial number is 45011 237 95. I know almost nothing about bicycles, but since I've been trying to get this one in nice shape I've learned a lot. I took it to the bicycle shop on post and had them take it apart, then I cleaned the rust from all the parts, stripped the frame of rust and most of the old paint, and I'm currently trying to get the fresh coat of paint on. This has been QUITE a challenge. After looking at several photos online, I think I know how all the parts fit back together, but I still have a few questions: - Does it matter that there's rust inside the tubes, and what can I do to stop it? I bought a spray that converts rust into black primer, but it really hasn't worked all that well on other parts of the bike. It would probably be better than nothing, but perhaps there's a better option. - Which parts do I grease, and exactly what do I grease them with? I've got WD-40 but something tells me that won't be good enough. I also know that the bearings definitely have to be greased, but what about the other parts? Do the posts need to be greased before being placed in the tubes? - Are there really three washers in a row on my crank assembly? In each diagram I've seen there are two that have these tiny interlocking grooves, but I have a third that just doesn't seem to fit anywhere else on the bike, doesn't actually fit with the two interlocking washers, but DOES have a notch that fits a groove in the pedal arm...but it seems completely superfluous. - Though I got the rust off the chrome, the surface is rather pitted and tends to re-rust a little over time. Is there any way to keep the chrome from rusting all over again, or would I have to choose between having it rechromed or resorting to painting it as well? - Does anyone know if the Skybolt came in any color besides blue, or if any bikes from the 60s came in gunmetal? A few parts on the bike were so damaged they need replacing entirely, so since it won't be totally vintage anymore anyway, I chose to paint it a color I like better than bright blue. I just wonder if it happens to be acceptable for the time period anyway. Thanks in advance, I'm hoping to post some pictures of the finished product sometime in the next two weeks! |
| 1) I think most of Murray's girls' bikes of that period featured the metallic blue and chrome combination. Here's an example http://www.nostalgic.net/index.asp?S=arc/bicycles/spaceliner+girls%2Ejpg Murray made bikes for Sears (Flightliner, Spaceliner,) and a lot of other retailers like Gamble's, Western Auto, etc. Light green would work. Red was for boys... but your favorite color will make a nice custom job. 2) It already isn't totally vintage if you've removed the paint. Restoring correctly would require a spray booth and lots more, and isn't cost-effective. 3) you can wax or lightly oil the rusting chrome, but you can't make it new. Don't paint it. I suggest you try to put it in riding condition, and ride it with pride, even if it's rusty. (I've got one that age that has that problem...) 4) The inside of the frame probably won't get worse very fast. If the black stuff doesn't help, use the WD-40 there; it displaces moisture. 5) Use real grease. Marine grease, axle grease, bearing grease - even actual Phil Wood grease from the bicycle shop, if you can afford it. WD-40 ain't grease. Yes, grease the post and the stem, and everything that has threads. 6) The washer with the notch that fits in the pedal arm keeps the cone from turning when you tighten the crank assembly after you adjust the crank bearings. Install it first after the cone. 7) There's plenty of great maintenance info at the Park Tool website, and the public library probably has a bike service manual. I'm proud of you for attempting the job. Let us know how it goes. |
| I just bought a murray girl's skybolt bicycle that has been in a barn for forty years and in a bad "paint" condition. Is there anyway I can determine when this bike was made and at what location? Also is there any value in this bicycle |
| Hello I have a childs bicyle on the side of it reads astro flyer. Near the back of the bike I can only make out 33 flavors in red on the handle grips they read western flyer. I would like to restore the bike. Can you help me with information on the bike. ie price what kind of bike it is and the year. Sincerly Pam |
| Hi Pamela, I was searching for some info myself on MY Astro Flyer and I wanted to send you some pics if you"d like. This one was made by Western Flyer, which was Western Autos' brand and from what I can gather built in about '65. I could be off on the year, because I can't seem to find a chart(Just comparable pics). Mine's in good shape so let me know if you want to see pics, John |
| I have my dad's old bike. A red (candy apple-ish) eatons road king. It has Made in Hungary engraved on the down tube and had a black book carrier over the rear fender. The coaster brake arm says Super Granat. No other markings on the wheels. I'm guessing mid 60's or earlier. I'm restoring it and would like to know anything you might know about these bikes. I dont care about the value as I intend to ride it. I do need some parts so sources would be very appreciated. Thanks in advance :) |