52 World Traveler… estate sale find

[borgward]

I put a magnet to them and it stuck. They are magnetic, I thought magnets wouldn’t stick to SS.

 

[borgward]

There are many kinds of stainless steel. They are usually not magnetic but there is one type that is.

 

[72 rover]

These are 24 gauge in thickness. I’m not sure what the 1955 stainless steel fenders are.

 

[WillWork4Parts]

I'm pretty sure your steel/chrome fenders are original. I've got a blue one too with the same patina on the fenders, maybe worse. I think it's a 52 as well, I'll have to pull it out and get some pictures.

 

[72 rover]

Like you guys had mentioned.. these fenders will clean up fine. I’m not too worried about how they will look. They don’t have too many dents on them.

 

[GTs58]

I use a $4 cotton buffing wheel from harbor freight, variable speed drill and turtle waxes chrome and rust removing polish. Makes the work easy and does a great job. These fenders are in great looking shape.

 

[bobcycles]

I like how this bike is getting all this attention....these lightweights have been over looked and undervalued
for WAY too long! A Beauty!

 

[SirMike1983]

I think they're kind of overlooked as well. The frames are relatively laid back and more appropriately sized for an adult than many of the more sought-after heavyweight bikes. The paint, chrome, and finishing quality are all pretty good. Manufacturing quality is also pretty good on the precision parts. The brakes are reasonably good for sidepull calipers from that period.

These are on the heavy side for a three speed, but they're not so bad as to be a problem. Throw a 22 tooth cog on the back instead of the stock 18 and they move along reasonably well.

"Comfortable" riders is how I would describe these bikes.

 

[72 rover]

I finished working on the fenders. They came out better than I thought. The World Traveler is coming along nicely.

 

[rennfaron]

If you're interested, you can get those braces to shine up really nice. I first use a scotch scouring pad. Then sometimes will go over it again with aluminum foil and vinegar (steel wool and wd40 works as well, but so much easier to hold onto a ball of aluminum foil), to smooth out the aggressiveness of the scouring pad and get rid of any remaining rust. Then followed up by rubbing compound or polish. It's tedious, but makes a big difference in the overall look. Kiss your fingerprints goodbye first .