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1955 BLUE Radiobike Restoration

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Complete, re-finished tank. [emoji173] it!!

The knob is on loan, CAD designs will be started next week, according to dad.

ALSO...the lock cylinder works!
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I am researching on how to build a correct battery pack for this, and thought it would be beneficial to other owners if I posted what I found here.

In order to build a 90V A-B battery pack, here are a few OEM model numbers to reference for sizes and specs:

RCA VS064
Eveready 729
Burgess 4TZ60

SOURCE: http://antiqueradios.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=15&t=218547

Info on dimensions and battery box labels: http://www.antiqueradios.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=146627

Instructions on building said battery box "guts". Appears to be called a "farm radio battery" in some circles: http://143.95.77.243/~elmphoto/radios/Build A Farm Radio Battery.pdf

Battery Packs for the Zenith Trans-Oceanic portable radio are similar, but not quite a match. However, I also found this useful. This source from a friend: http://143.95.77.243/~elmphoto/radios/radio11.htm

RIP...RadioShack. Looks like some holders are still on their site: https://www.radioshack.com/pages/search-results?findify_q=battery holder&findify_limit=24&findify_offset=0&findify_filters[0][type]=category&findify_filters[0][name]=category1&findify_filters[0][values][0][value]=D Battery Holders
 
Update:

1) Nearly all sheet metal parts are finished. the only exception is the chain guard, which needs to be repaired. Lots of dirt, grime, and drops of house paint came off and now they really do shine!

2) I have started on the mechanical work. The sprocket is finished, the crank will likely be replaced. It is straight as an arrow but the chrome is totally gone on one side. I will have a replacement shortly. The bearings are soaking in degreaser right now.

3) I fear I will not find suitable replacement rims before my deadline, I have began to dismantle the back wheel that came with this bike and a donor wheel from a burned-up '55 Dial-A-Ride. I hope these can be re-plated in time.

4) I need to find someone who has the tools and ability to braze and weld. I need to have the rack repaired and a new mounting bracket put on the chainguard

5) I am on the fence, again, about repainting the frame and fork. I have pushed this down the bottom of my priorities list. Because, I have bigger issues on this bike to fix before I even think of doing that. this will be the last thing I do before final assembly.

Also, finding the CORRECT size of rod to use in my repop antennas has proven to be a challenge. No progress as of yet. I would like to find parts sources here in the USA if I can. I prefer American-made parts on an American Classic!
 
CAD designs for the tuning knob are almost done, then I can obtain quotes.

Most of the bearings and hardware have been cleaned, but some had to be replaced. Like these rusty and mis-matched ones. One rusty Hartford, and one rusty Wald. I had some nice Hartfords in the shed from the '86 Huffy I parted out last week. [emoji4]

I also got the spokes ordered for the back wheel. I saved many, many nipples from the old junky wheels and the ones that were still good have cleaned up flawlessly! NOW I NEED THE HOOPS!

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Not sure about that, 'tho a red 1955 single-speed Radiobike was featured in Back to the Future Part II...@2jakes has a good screenshot of that!

The movie scene of the Red Radio-bike in BTTF2 was less than a second.
This was as good as I could get. But if you know about Radio-bikes, you can spot the radio knobs on the tank.
The rear carrier if I’m not mistaken is the battery pak. Not 100% on this though.
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Doc Brown has just arrived at Biff’s garage looking for Marty.
Seconds earlier Marty had jumped into the rear seat of Biff’s cool Ford.

I don’t know why I telling this...I know that my pal partsguy knows this by heart! :tongueclosed:
 
The movie scene of the Red Radio-bike in BTTF2 was less than a second.
This was as good as I could get. But if you know about Radio-bikes, you can spot the radio knobs on the tank.
The rear carrier if I’m not mistaken is the battery pak. Not 100% on this though.
View attachment 646817
Doc Brown has just arrived at Biff’s garage looking for Marty.
Seconds earlier Marty had jumped into the rear seat of Biff’s cool Ford.

I don’t know why I telling this...I know that my pal partsguy knows this by heart! :tongueclosed:
It appears as 'tho I am wrong about the Radiobike. It appears the one in the movie is a 1956 model, it sports the different tank graphics. Could be a '57 also.

They REALLY have created a paradox in the space-time continuum! [emoji33]

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Parts, parts, PARTS...


HERE ARE MY SCORES FROM LAST NIGHT! Sadly, the cranks were close but no cigar. I THINK the rims are chrome, not the original nickle or zinc finish. I'll be using them as a backup, in case I don't find originals in time, which is a distinct possibility. The lock cylinder for the red bike is sweet! I am excited to find the repop dealer tag [emoji16]

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Where I stand now, nearly everything in this pic is done!

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