Anyone else sometimes like them simple?

[dougfisk]

Autocycles, Bluebirds, and Twin-Flexes are OK I guess... but I kind of like them like this. - A 1938 Shelby Flying Cloud. I am as much rider and tinkerer as I am collector. I ride 8 to 9 miles a day (with the dog) without fail. This is now one of my two daily riders. I have put about 50 miles on it so far. It rides very smooth, quiet, and relaxed.

Everything is original but the tires, grips, and pedals. The bike is a lower-end "unequipped" model and likely did not come factory delivered with a chaingaurd. It came to me with a period correct generic chrome plated Wald chaingaurd, that I ditched in a hurry. I found this period correct aluminum one on Ebay.

Pedals are are 50's vintage Schwinn because one of the original Torrington 8's is bent.

Grips are new reproductions in the correct style.

Original Lobdell long-spring seat. These springs are stout - much more so than the Troxel on my bomber...

Original rims, spokes and nipples, taken apart and cleaned up one by one. :shock:

 

[dougfisk]

This style chainwheel was pretty much unique to Shelby during this era.

The bottom bracket is worn out on nearly every prewar I see. I always restore to perfect mechanical operation.

Original 37 dated Morrow hub needed only the adjusting cone and bearings for same replaced.

Better shot of the original double butted spokes and 3/4in 2 flat nipples.

I have left the original drop stand off for now, as I ride a lot and don't really like them.

 

[OldRider]

Now that goes to show you that a bike doesn't need all the bells and whistles to look and ride beautifully......what a stunner! My Firestone is the same thing, low end model with nothing on it but what you need. These barebones babies rock!

 

[37fleetwood]

I'm with you Doug,
I do like some of the deluxe bikes but sometimes simpler is better...

 

[dougfisk]

I'm with you Doug,
I do like some of the deluxe bikes but sometimes simpler is better...

Hey, whadaya mean; yours is loaded up.... look at that headlight!

 

[rollfaster]

simple

hey doug,that shelby is absoluty beautiful.most of my bikes are simple and sweet.i love the look of a base model bike as well as a fully decked-out model.love the patina.:o

 

[Boris]

For whatever reasons, I like my bikes pretty simple and working class. Personally I don't go in for what would have been the rich kids bikes. Unless of course, a Colson would be considered a rich kid's bike.

 

[dougfisk]

...Personally I don't go in for what would have been the rich kids bikes. Unless of course, a Colson would be considered a rich kid's bike.

When I was a youngster I thought ANY NEW bike was a rich kids bike...

 

[37fleetwood]

Hey, whadaya mean; yours is loaded up.... look at that headlight!

Whatever Mr. Chrome Truss Rods!

 

[vincev]

dougfisk,In answering your question.Yes I do like sometimes simple.Thats why I find Dave amusing.Thats as simple as you can get.When it comes to bikes I do like the bikes the rich kids had though.