Bettys bike.

[woodtickgreg]

I found a vintage rear rack for the Betty build at the ann ann arbor bicycle swapmeet.

It got a trip to the glass bead cabinet at work.

And now it's ready to go to powdercoat.

I also found the correct rear light to go with the rack. So after it was powdercoated I installed it and mounted them both to the bike.

Look from the rear.

Then it got new white leather look vinyl grips

And a new white Springer seat with rail.

Installed new white bow pedals.

Here's how it looks so far.

 

[woodtickgreg]

Next I need to build the rear wheel but I have to prep the rear hub first. It's going to get a vintage Bendix 2 speed kickback hub. I have drilled it out to accept heavier 11 gage spokes. Here's what it looked like before cleaning, inspection, and repacking with fresh grease.

 

[woodtickgreg]

I finally got a nice evening to work on the hub after work with no rain and 70 degrees so I could work on it outside in the driveway and enjoy the weather. So the teardown begins.

A wire brush, a plastic brush, and a container with some mineral spirits was all that was needed to clean the petrified grease.

This is the coaster brake clutch disc assembly.

This is the only part with loose balls, the rest are caged.

Here you can also see a special tool I made to remove and install and adjust an internal lock nut. I use it often.
These are the brake disc, they show no major wear.

 

[woodtickgreg]

And here it is all cleaned up. There was almost no wear on this hub, quite remarkable for something that is probably 50+ years old. Only thing I need to do yet is repaint the 3 red bands before I lace the hub into the rim.

 

[woodtickgreg]

I got the rear wheel all laced up and true.

I mounted a new tire, tube, and rim strip on the wheel and installed it on the bike.

Installed a new nickel plate look chain.

Copper plate on the crank looks cool with everything else.

Installed the chain gaurd with new stainless steel hardware.

She got a new brass bell, ring a ding ding!

Almost done, I hope to get the decals on over the holiday weekend and get it all adjusted to fit Betty. I also want to get some pics of it outside in the sun, the purple really looks nice in the sun.

 

[woodtickgreg]

So heres the decal pics.
Frame decal.

Fork decal.

Both.

Seat tube decal.

And since my girls name is Betty and I named this bike after her I figured this was appropriate.

It's on the rear fender.

 

[woodtickgreg]

And the obligatory living room pics, complete with Stanley the cat.

 

[woodtickgreg]

Here's a before and after pic. This wasn't a restoration but a full custom build.
It started with a 1953 girls Schwinn Spitfire.

And it ended up being the Betty. Springer fork, vintage 2 speed bendix kickback rear hub, 11 gage spokes, vintage rear rack, all powdercoated and with all new stainless steel hardware.

 

[FOMOGO]

Love it. You did a really nice job on the bike Greg, and the Boopster on the back fender is perfect. I'm sure your Betty will love it too. Cheers, Mike

 

[woodtickgreg]

Heres my Betty with her new Betty.

And we did a local bike nite show with both our rebuilt cruisers. It was fun hanging out with all the local collectors and bicycle people. I have known most of them for years.