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As my earlier post revealed, there is some machining required on my front end. A good friend owns Milwaukee Mold Industries and has agreed to tackle this for me. There are a number of machining events that will be taking place over the next few weeks: handlebar work, repairing the broken off top fork tube, machining new lower rocker studs, and machining the lower fork rockers to once again be in tolerance for studs and axle. I’m thrilled this is moving along. Thanks MMI! 

Here is the left bar after MMI was able to remove all of the rusted grip sleeve off. 

Here is the right sleeve removed that was frozen on. 

Initial steps to locate the repair on the fork tube. 

Every little event that keeps this project moving along is monumental, in my mind. I was like a little kid when the rear tire and inner tubes showed up! I carefully unraveled the wrap on the tire. I inflated the inner tube over the rim (just for fun). And then just sat back and gazed. So close yet so far. 

Removing the riveted on belt brackets from the old rim will be a huge task, as will attaching to the new rim. 

But for now, I am happy all rear wheel parts are here. 

Just received the rear wheel back from Buchanans after they laced up the new rim. Rim by McRoberts. Original hub. So now the next major step is to grind out the belt pulley bracket rivets on the original rim. Then mount the old pulley and brackets to the new rim using screws rather than rivets. Then remove old pulley and mount the new Joe Turner wooden pulley. All sounds nice and easy, but actually pretty complicated process. But I’m up for the challenge. 

Well this was my first attempt at a “clincher” rim. A little tricky to mount correctly. 

I received some advice from others who are familiar with these rims. So away I went and practiced mounting the tire on and off a few times. I knew I might need to do this on the road sometime. The only tools I used were these tire irons. 

And time for the inner tube and carefully mounting the tire as to not pinch the tube. Success! 

Inflated to 20 psi and gave it a spin! 

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Small accomplishments go a long way! This is one of them. I had the stock seat and seat post. The seat post was originally rusted in the frame. After getting it out and the frame prepared, I could install the short horizontal seat post. I was able to locate a cast seat post clamp at the Wauseon swap meet but still needed the knurled inserts. Was able to find these at the local bicycle shop. So the seat is on! 

So it was time to work on the forks. Had to figure a way to slide the dust sleeves (thin sheet metal sleeve slid over the top forks). They were rusted on like everything else has been. So a few weeks of soaking to no avail. Time to call on some friends. With some “massaging” the left sleeve came off unscathed. But the right side sleeve was obviously a home made repair. Upon removing it we discovered why the repair was made! Time for some heavy machining to make this repair! And so it goes.

 

Christmas came early! My wooden belt pulley arrived today. This is the easy part! Preparing the wood, drilling the holes, mounting the pulley, attaching a leather strip around the outer surface is just a few of the steps to complete! 

Still working in removing the handlebars. This is now a huge roadblock to the momentum I have had recently. Still soaking in Kroil and today I tried applying some acetelyne heat to no avail. So I went on to the right side handgrip sleeve. First to remove the end screw. Lots of Kroil and heat and it moved about 1/8″! Perfect 

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And then more heat and Kroil it moved even more. 

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But then it locked up and would not move anymore, then “SNAP”. Screw broke off. Only the third screw that has not came off in tact so far. 

So while this continues to soak, I’ll move to the rear rim. Lots of work to be done! 

Front spokes done and rim is as true as it will get! 

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Next is to install the clincher tire. Here it is  1/2 on.