Pics of my Iver Johnson rebuild

[PhilipJ]

Here are some pictures of my IJ rebuild/preservation. I've cleaned and polished the frame and nickel plated parts. I also polished the head badge (it looks new). I cleaned and conditioned the seat with Lexol. The bearings and chain were in good shape they just needed some cleaning. I've been working on the front rim. It was in bad shape. I sanded it and removed the old glue. I still have to work on the rear wheel/rim and then stain the rims.

Cheers,
Phil

P.S. I apologize to all the patina lovers out there!

 

[DonChristie]

Don't apologize for that! She looks beautiful! Is that og paint? Looks to me you have kept it original and unrestored. The bare polished Metal will eventually rust on you. Find something to put on/over the Metal to prolong the Rust. Badge is amazing! Will you ride the bike?

 

[PhilipJ]

Thanks for the kind words. The paint is original. There are a few dents on the frame but overall it's in good shape. I waxed the frame so hopefully that will help it from rusting again. I was wondering how to protect the bare metal parts so it doesn't rust again. Any advice from the Cabe members would be helpful. Also, any advice on cleaning and protecting the spokes. I've used steel wool and that removed a lot of the corrosion.

I do plan to ride it. I did a Century ride this past summer on my high wheel at the Wheelmen meet in Louisville, KY. Next year I plan to do a safety bike century ride on the Iver Johnson.

Cheers,
Phil

 

[GiovanniLiCalsi]

Your Iver is looking good!
It will be nice to see it together again.
Are you going to use Robert Dean tires?

 

[Iverider]

I LIKE IT! I WANT IT!

What size frame is that anyway? Looks like a 22" or so?

You could paste wax the bare metal or maybe get a rust inhibitor like they use on wood shop equipment (it doesn't leave an oily residue)

With paste wax, you'll have to reapply occasionally, but it's impermanence is kind of nice in that you don't have to strip clear coat EVER.

Where are you located anyway? If you're near Louisville, we could have an Iver ride sometime. I'm just north between Indy and Bloomington.

 

[Machine Age Victim]

Beautiful, love the first shot.

 

[willswares1220]

That's going to be one beautiful machine when your done with her.
I like it that you just polished up the nickle instead of replating.
Also, just cleaning up an original unrestored leather seat to leave that history.
The unrestored ones look interesting and still have their original patina left!
Also it saves $$$$$$$$

 

[Balloontyre]

Welcome to TheCabe!!!

P.S. I apologize to all the patina lovers out there!

Great bike Phil, looking good, the headbadge though... like defacing a collectible coin in my opinion.
Respectfully

 

[PhilipJ]

I live in Northern Missouri. I would love to meet up with other people that are into antique bicycles. The Wheelmen meet in Louisville this summer was the first Wheelmen meet I have attended. It was great fun and I learned a lot about bicycles. The only problem is it fed my urge to purchase more bicycles.

Thanks for the feedback about using paste wax. I'm going to give it a try.

I'm going to put Robert Dean tires on it. Hopefully I can order them next week.

Cheers,
Phil

 

[PhilipJ]

To each their own!

I collect antique coins (Roman and Greek) and I would never remove their patina. But I view bicycles differently. If I was going to hang the Iver Johnson on the wall and just admire it I would leave the patina. But I think a bicycle is a functional piece of art that, if possible, should be ridden and well maintained.

If I'm going to ride her I want her to be clean and in good working order!

I'm sure this mindset is also due to one of my other hobbies. I'm a private pilot and in that world corrosion can be deadly!