'59 Jaguar—rusty and dusty

[Cranky Chain Cycles]

This '59 Jaguar was a huge find. The owner only wanted $100. It belonged to her boyfriends grandmother who happened to be in the USAF. Personnel were given these to get around base. You can see remnants of the decals on the rear fender.
Details: she's rusty and dusty. The chain is stiffer than a ministers pecker. The chrome is rotted out on the stem and handlebars. The rear brake needs to be rebuilt. The button on the horn is seized so I don't know if the guts are there. The red primer is showing in spots like the chainstays.

Cranky Chain Cycles

NOT for sale. Not interested in parting out.

 

[GTs58]

And it still has it's light!!! That'll be a fun one to bring back.

 

[Cranky Chain Cycles]

Is the stem and handlebar salvageable without replating? Shops charge $250 minimum for chrome replating.

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[Oilit]

If that's the minimum, I'd wait until I had more than a stem and a handlebar. You can buy them off EBay for less than that.

 

[Cranky Chain Cycles]

If that's the minimum, I'd wait until I had more than a stem and a handlebar. You can buy them off EBay for less than that.

Exactly. As much as I’d like to keep it all original I’m pragmatic. It’s like trying to restore the tires– a waste of time and money.

So far I’d replace the tires, chain, decals on the tank, pedals etc. the decals on the chainguard and frame are in good condition. Luckily it looks like the rust on the racks is superficial.


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[razinhellcustomz]

Is the stem and handlebar salvageable without replating? Shops charge $250 minimum for chrome replating.

View attachment 1010737


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If your like me, take the stem off the fork and soak in some apple cider vinegar and get a can of rattle can chrome and paint till your hearts content. The bars should clean up with a wire wheel on a 4" angle grinder. Then apply same said instant chrome to the bars. Have fun and enjoy. Razin. P.S. I love the cheap bikes too. Got my DX for $75.00.

 

[schwinnlax]

A lot of that rust looks superficial and will clean up well in an oxalic acid solution. If the rust is really superficial and light, then buffing with 0000 steel wool will be quick and easy. The chrome on the stem and bars looks flaked and will not come back with cleaning. I'd either do as razin says or replace both. New replacement bars are cheap, and original stems can be found.

 

[Cranky Chain Cycles]

The restoration won’t happen any time soon. I’ve got a corvette and tiger that have first dibs.


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[vincev]

everything on the bike can be made to look better but not like new.I would sit back and decide exactly what you want the end result to be before running out and buying parts.Once you put a shiny new piece of chrome on it will stick out like a sore thumb and will look wrong.

 

[Cranky Chain Cycles]

everything on the bike can be made to look better but not like new.I would sit back and decide exactly what you want the end result to be before running out and buying parts.Once you put a shiny new piece of chrome on it will stick out like a sore thumb and will look wrong.

Balanced. That’s the look.


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