1961 Tiger - latest find and good story

[coasterbrakejunkie1969]

rear wheel cleaned up and ready to roll now.
I’m reminded that I still dislike cleaning wheels
View attachment 1853765

View attachment 1853766

View attachment 1853767

View attachment 1853768

looks fantastic, your fingers must be killing you

 

[OptimusJay]

Damn straight they are

 

[OptimusJay]

Most of the “smalls” and chrome parts are cleaned up so started in on the painted parts, front fender and chainguard to start. It’s cleaning up nicely. Sometimes I get bummed when the paint isn’t all in better shape but then I try to put it in perspective they these bikes were used and some more than others. And also, I’m doing this for fun so need to keep that in my mind too.

Also, for the local city license stickers, I’m going to keep the 2 on the seat mast but the one near the head tube I’m thinking of removing (see pic). I forget what I’ve done in the past for removing them. Is a heat gun still the preferred method or soaking in a solvent (?). Would like to remove that before I start cleaning up the frame.
Jay

 

[coasterbrakejunkie1969]

heat gun still the preferred method

Yes and a plastic scraper. You can use some solvent to finish cleaning the adhesive that is left over.

 

[OptimusJay]

Yes and a plastic scraper. You can use some solvent to finish cleaning the adhesive that is left over.

Thanks Coaster!

 

[coasterbrakejunkie1969]

Thanks Coaster!

Sometimes the paint has not faded or discolored beneath the stickers but I prefer to take them off.

 

[OptimusJay]

Sometimes the paint has not faded or discolored beneath the stickers but I prefer to take them off.

I almost always take them off too but 2 of them are on the checkerboard decal and are dated 61 and 62 so I’m certain than decal looks great underneath but the part exposed is quite faded. And I’m not sure how easy it would be to take the stickers off a decal without damaging the decal. So those will have to stay this time.

 

[Rivnut]

Leave the stickers on the checkerboard. I only say that because the new checker board decals are tissue paper thin and do not come off the backing paper without tearing. I tried two of them. The last one looks okay from a distance but upon close inspection, you can see where I had to piece it together.

 

[CURTIS L LINDGREN]

Great progress and cleaning on this bike. I'd say you're heading in the right direction . Lookin' good !

 

[OptimusJay]

Just about done with this one. Only need to clean the chain and she should be ready to roll again. Overall pretty pleased. Back section of rear fender is pretty “used” but it still presents nice and is good for another few decades.
Only changes I made from how I received it are:
-Added the correct front rack
-Replaced 70’s reflector pedals with non-reflector pedals (mid to late 60’s so not exact but much closer)
-replaced newer seat with a middleweight red and white S (again, probably mid 60’s. The original would have been the pebble grain but those are hard to find).

Jay