1957 Schwinn Hornet Restoration

[cottagethyme]

This thread is documenting my 1957 Schwinn Hornet Restoration. The goal was to use everything on the bike as I found it, and do all the work. If a part was rusty, I cleaned it. I was not able to salvage the Cadet speedometer, the front basket, some Delta Rocker Ray parts and I am currently rebuilding the seat with what I could use. It was missing an AS seat bolt and a carrier reflector. I will add photos as the rebuild progresses. Here are some photos as I found it.

 

[redline1968]

looks like a great start.

 

[cottagethyme]

Frame

looks like a great start.

Come to find out, the 57 Hornet wasn't rust and ivory but maroon and ivory. I used WD-40 and 0000 steel wool, sometimes turtle wax and scratch remover with 0000. Light pressure and a swirl motion worked the best.

 

[cottagethyme]

Locking Fork

This is my first experience with a locking front fork. For those that have never had one, the lock is made by Yale, it locks in a 45 degree right position. Once locked you can remove the key. The key remains in the lock in the non-locked position.

The front fork bearings, stem and handlebars are now installed. The handlebars had a thick reflector tape on them. You can see it protected the chrome quite well. The same reflector tape is on the front fork. I have tried about everything that I have seen posted to remove it from the painted surface with no luck. I am open to suggestions.

 

[Rear Facing Drop Out]

Reflector tape

need to use a heat gun or maybe a super hot hair dryer. slowly work the whole thing til you get an edge up and it will peel off. The paint will hold....

 

[cottagethyme]

need to use a heat gun or maybe a super hot hair dryer. slowly work the whole thing til you get an edge up and it will peel off. The paint will hold....

I'll give it a go. Thanks for the interest.

Dave

 

[cottagethyme]

Reflector Tape Removal

need to use a heat gun or maybe a super hot hair dryer. slowly work the whole thing til you get an edge up and it will peel off. The paint will hold....

Thanks for the tip Rear Facing Dropout. A hairdryer on high with a little plastic scraper did the trick about 1/16" at a time.

Next up, the seat. I am hammering out an upper plate from one of my wife's well seasoned cookie sheets.

 

[cottagethyme]

Nearly Completed

Nearly complete now. Thanks for everyone's support and interest. I will post a few more once complete.

 

[cottagethyme]

Update on the 57 Hornet.

 

[snickle]

Damn thats like night and day! How did you get the rust off of the rims so well? WD & 0000 ?