fordmike65
Riding a '37 Colson Imperial
Attn Mods. Please escort this gentleman off the premises at once. Thank you.
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So who prefers to "Preserve the Crust"?
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rusty_apache
Finally riding a big boys bike
They’re only original once and I love when they show their age.
Call it street cred if you want.
I have been rehabilitating antique vehicles for almost a half century and am finally about to paint one of them that lve owned for 27 years, a 1961 Comet coupe.
The nice thing about my rusty Apache and other crusty rides is you never worry about scratches and high end European cars give you a wide berth. Especially the ones that are computerized.
One day I might cosmetically refurbish my Wasp because there is so little paint and nickel left but the others will be left alone.
We are just temporary caretakers!
Call it street cred if you want.
I have been rehabilitating antique vehicles for almost a half century and am finally about to paint one of them that lve owned for 27 years, a 1961 Comet coupe.
The nice thing about my rusty Apache and other crusty rides is you never worry about scratches and high end European cars give you a wide berth. Especially the ones that are computerized.
One day I might cosmetically refurbish my Wasp because there is so little paint and nickel left but the others will be left alone.
We are just temporary caretakers!
57pack
Look Ma, No Hands!
I was given this 1937 Westfield 26” girls bicycle a few years ago. The original owners family had it in their barn for fifty plus years. It was removed from the barn after hurricane sandy flooded the barn and they were cleaning out the post storm debris. I just replaced the tires, tubes, and liners. Cleaned and greased up bearings and chain. Added the reflector and rear rack as I had them laying around for years. It will remain rusty and crusty.
cyclonecoaster.com
Cruisin' on my Bluebird
PlasticNerd
Cruisin' on my Bluebird
This ones staying crusty and in polished , just need a rusty crusty rear drop stand! Using this one so it won’t fall over 
bobcycles
Riding a '38 Autocycle Deluxe
My 'crust' philosophy....
If you own a NICE bike...a deluxe bike, rare even ....but it's rusty and totally hammered
You are doing nothing for the bike leaving it as a rust pile.
Do the bike justice and bring it back to glory with a competent restoration.
If you own a no biggie bike, unequipped base model etc...
that's rusty, incomplete ...ugly..... beat.. Make a 'rider' out of it...and enjoy the rust!
Or if there's sufficient demand? part it out.
I have a higher "rust tolerance" if it's an extremely rare bicycle that is complete...
and not so far gone that the paint details are still recognizable... and the components
are mostly all there.
As a rule, I don't have the luxury of owning a giant pole barn where rusty bikes can
be stored and languish unridden or enjoyed. Los Angeles being what it is $ wise
to live here... the philosophy is somewhat governed by the $ per sq. footage to survive here.
I collect NICE unrestored originals... and I restore Rusty deluxe bikes back to former glory.
One thing to note....Now that modern retro bikes resembling classic balloon bikes are everywhere
the crusty bikes will often garner more Lookie Loo attention than nice unrestored originals....
which, sadly, to most every typically blind American consumer, appear to be just another retro bike.
If you own a NICE bike...a deluxe bike, rare even ....but it's rusty and totally hammered
You are doing nothing for the bike leaving it as a rust pile.
Do the bike justice and bring it back to glory with a competent restoration.
If you own a no biggie bike, unequipped base model etc...
that's rusty, incomplete ...ugly..... beat.. Make a 'rider' out of it...and enjoy the rust!
Or if there's sufficient demand? part it out.
I have a higher "rust tolerance" if it's an extremely rare bicycle that is complete...
and not so far gone that the paint details are still recognizable... and the components
are mostly all there.
As a rule, I don't have the luxury of owning a giant pole barn where rusty bikes can
be stored and languish unridden or enjoyed. Los Angeles being what it is $ wise
to live here... the philosophy is somewhat governed by the $ per sq. footage to survive here.
I collect NICE unrestored originals... and I restore Rusty deluxe bikes back to former glory.
One thing to note....Now that modern retro bikes resembling classic balloon bikes are everywhere
the crusty bikes will often garner more Lookie Loo attention than nice unrestored originals....
which, sadly, to most every typically blind American consumer, appear to be just another retro bike.
Mark Johnston
Finally riding a big boys bike
All I did with this bike is replace the chain, tires, bent front axle, and serviced the bearings. I love it just the way it is, too far gone to clean up, but too original to mess with.
rusty_apache
Finally riding a big boys bike
A good cleaning and a coat of Waxoyl is doing SOMETHING for a rust pile. It makes it useful again and arrests the oxidation process. I think what you are describing is just outright neglect.
fordmike65
Riding a '37 Colson Imperial
^^This^^ is what this thread is about. Leaving it pretty much as found. Installing parts that are missing or broken is OK too in order to get it rolling and complete. Not swapping better parts or piecing it together. My Colson looked just like this and I added the missing lights, bars, dropstand and pedals with pieces that matched the rest of the bike. Paint (or rust) was left alone. I suppose you could apply some wax to help seal it, but I decided not to. I like the crusty, chalky, crispiness of its look. I'm not worried about it further deteriorating because as rusty as it is, it's gonna out live me. Then someone else can enjoy it as I left it....or blast away the years of crust and paint it up if they like. I just ask they not post pics of it restored in this thread or talk about how much they don't like crusty bikes and prefer them shiny.
Last edited:
mr.cycleplane
Riding my Motorbike
dude-is that regular or thin crust...wait a minute-are we talking pizza? 'whiffing fumes'....I can relate.....
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