1947 CWC Comet clean up

[DonChristie]

This is a late 46/Early 47 CWC Comet in original paint. I got it from a lady who was selling it for the original owner. I drove 8 hrs to get it. He bought the bike new when he was 15, for his paper route in Chicago. It was his pride and joy! It looks like its all original. All I plan on doing is cleaning it up, grease it and make it roadworthy. And of course, ride it! So I thought on this resto I would log how I prefer to do it it through a post. Heres pics of how she looked when I got her.

 

[DonChristie]

I know some would say, just remove the basket and leave it. I just cant do that! I have to meticulously clean everything! But she does look way better without it!

 

[DonChristie]

She is complying with me getting to know her better. She gladly gave up her pedals and gland nut on her crank! Rims almost fell of by themselves!

 

[jimbo53]

I know some would say, just remove the basket and leave it. I just cant do that! I have to meticulously clean everything! But she does look way better without it!

View attachment 1352401

View attachment 1352402

That is a BEAUTIFUL original bike! Nice get!

 

[CWCMAN]

Original paint? Looks like the underside of fenders are a maroon color. Also the chain guard screw visible in the picture above is painted over.

 

[1953BelAir]

Very nice Don, well worth the drive to pick it up. Can’t wait to see it cleaned up.

 

[DonChristie]

Yep! Upon closer inspection, it is indeed a repaint. Kinda bummed about that. Looks like it was redone awhile ago. Still going to clean it up and ride her!

 

[Rides4Fun]

Awesome find and I bet the drive to and fro was smiles for miles! To me, the repaint shows just how much the bike was valued in the past. Seems like that is often overlooked with modern-day stuff!

 

[DonChristie]

I always like to cleanup the painted parts first.

 

[tacochris]

I was talking with someone about that just yesterday....Sometimes when the repaints are old enough, they develop a patina and character of their own so I find that helps me make peace with that. In your case, by what red is showing, it doesnt look like they prepped it very well before the repaint so you may be able to remove the blue and have a semi-decent original paint foundation to blend and work with. Its always a gamble though...it could be solid under there or rough and patchy. My old Columbia paperboy special had 4 thick coats of paint but it took me a week and I had it back to the original black and even brought out the chain guard decals....