partsguy
Riding a '38 Autocycle Deluxe
Well folks, I got home, had some free time, the weather was nice, and so I decided to get down to business. I want to have this bike done, running, and back on the trails by this coming Spring (if Spring is defined by our crazy weather, then I'm far behind). First, a bit of a history lesson:
According to the BMX Museum, Titan was in business from 1984-1997. Not a very long life span. Titan was more famous in the BMX world, but they began to expand. Production of their first mountain bikes began in 1987. Judging from the many catalogs I own, Western Auto struck a deal with Titan in 1989 to produce some of their new mountain bikes for the Western Flyer line. This deal would be renewed until the 1994 model year. This bike, the Kodiak, was produced from circa 1991-1993. It may have been out in 1990 as well, but I do not have any resources for this year yet. I believe this Kodiak is one of the last bikes built when Titan was still an independent company, which means it is most likely a 1992. It could be a '93, but I'll have to really dig on this one. The differences between the two years is very subtle.
Anyway, here is what I am starting with; a true junkyard dog. He was found by accident while salvaging a 1974 Raleigh LTD at a scrapyard. The bike was under a pile of barb wire and chain link fence. I pulled it out with ease. Amazing what you can accomplish with a little adrenaline! The Raleigh and the Western Flyer were bought at scrap price: $13. The Raleigh was parted out for a nice pay out of about $70.
Parked just at the end of my Mtn/BMX area sits the treasure:
Note the iconic trait of the original Titan frames:
One of the shifters was replaced, but one of the originals remain. You can still make out "Western" on the label.
All in all, the frame is completely RUST FREE! I only wish I could say the same for the wheels. The wheels, cables, and possibly the entire transmission (cassette, gear shifter and all) will be replaced. They look as if they sat under water for 20 yrs, not on the road. The local bike shop does custom headbadges so I'll have them reconstruct a new badge for this. I have a 1988 Wildcat with a better badge to go off of. That will be posted later. All in good time.
Tomorrow, I get to TEAR DOWN! DEMOLITION IS TOMORROW, STAY TUNED!
According to the BMX Museum, Titan was in business from 1984-1997. Not a very long life span. Titan was more famous in the BMX world, but they began to expand. Production of their first mountain bikes began in 1987. Judging from the many catalogs I own, Western Auto struck a deal with Titan in 1989 to produce some of their new mountain bikes for the Western Flyer line. This deal would be renewed until the 1994 model year. This bike, the Kodiak, was produced from circa 1991-1993. It may have been out in 1990 as well, but I do not have any resources for this year yet. I believe this Kodiak is one of the last bikes built when Titan was still an independent company, which means it is most likely a 1992. It could be a '93, but I'll have to really dig on this one. The differences between the two years is very subtle.
Anyway, here is what I am starting with; a true junkyard dog. He was found by accident while salvaging a 1974 Raleigh LTD at a scrapyard. The bike was under a pile of barb wire and chain link fence. I pulled it out with ease. Amazing what you can accomplish with a little adrenaline! The Raleigh and the Western Flyer were bought at scrap price: $13. The Raleigh was parted out for a nice pay out of about $70.
Parked just at the end of my Mtn/BMX area sits the treasure:
Note the iconic trait of the original Titan frames:
One of the shifters was replaced, but one of the originals remain. You can still make out "Western" on the label.
All in all, the frame is completely RUST FREE! I only wish I could say the same for the wheels. The wheels, cables, and possibly the entire transmission (cassette, gear shifter and all) will be replaced. They look as if they sat under water for 20 yrs, not on the road. The local bike shop does custom headbadges so I'll have them reconstruct a new badge for this. I have a 1988 Wildcat with a better badge to go off of. That will be posted later. All in good time.
Tomorrow, I get to TEAR DOWN! DEMOLITION IS TOMORROW, STAY TUNED!