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1955 BLUE Radiobike Restoration

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Some updates. It is CRUNCH TIME...I want the blue and red bikes wrapped up for Friday night's big cruise-in.

- I got my new iPod, and tried out the transmitter. Transmitter is defective. Having another shipped over-night for Friday.
- Blue bike is back together and able to be ridden. Sadly, the Bendix transmission may need to be rebuilt. It will not stay in gear.
- I FOUND THE FABRIC material to finish my antenna. ALSO, the copper coil I ordered a month ago came in. Finally. It arrived in Cincy a couple weeks ago, but got sent to Florida for whatever reason and we know what happened there. I was less than pleased. Any who...this copper wire is the same exact diameter and type used in the original antenna. So excited to begin making these!

I also did a significant amount of body work on the rear fender. It was full of dents, lots of little dents. It is here that I really admire these hand-painted stripes. Pure art.

BEFORE:
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AFTER:

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My blue Radiobike missed it's big debut...the person who did the radio repair screwed up the speaker, the transformer would not clear the top bar just before the show. Needless to say, I will move forward with a restoration of the frame and fork, fix the slipping trans, and push to get my repop parts done. For now, this build will be on "pause"....
 
Next time find Google Groups and search for rec.antiques.radio+phono and find somebody in your area. But don't tell them I sent you...I plead the fifth.
 
Minor update:

Part production has occupied all of what little free time I have, but have made changes in my life to allow for more time. Here is the new antenna brackets I make. I shipped the first one this week. This blue Radiobike will also receive one!


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Hey guys! I have been VERY busy, but finally got this bike done. Here is what I have done:

1) Rear rim returned from plating, in the original polished clear zinc finish

2) Rear hub professionally rebuilt, with NOS axle and hub casing

3) Hub transferred to correct rim

4) New antenna parts made

5) Radio restoration wrapped up, NOS lock installed, speaker moved, missing clutch head screws replaced, etc.

I decided to leave the frame and fork paint alone. Once I got the bike together and saw it outside, I was very pleased with the results. The expense to redo the frame and fork isn’t worth the improvements to the bike. I think it looks GREAT!

Here he is! Ole Blue Eyes, Mr. Frank Sinatra on two wheels! Debuted this Saturday at a huge show called “White Trash and White Walls” in Fairborn, OH!

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Hey guys! I have been VERY busy, but finally got this bike done. Here is what I have done:

1) Rear rim returned from plating, in the original polished clear zinc finish

2) Rear hub professionally rebuilt, with NOS axle and hub casing

3) Hub transferred to correct rim

4) New antenna parts made

5) Radio restoration wrapped up, NOS lock installed, speaker moved, missing clutch head screws replaced, etc.

I decided to leave the frame and fork paint alone. Once I got the bike together and saw it outside, I was very pleased with the results. The expense to redo the frame and fork isn’t worth the improvements to the bike. I think it looks GREAT!

Here he is! Ole Blue Eyes, Mr. Frank Sinatra on two wheels! Debuted this Saturday at a huge show called “White Trash and White Walls” in Fairborn, OH!

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View attachment 845558
Beautiful job!!! Here's my Greenie!! Cheers...Bob
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