The Little Aerocycle that Could: A Pretty Camelback Who Dreams to One Day Have a Tank

[New Mexico Brant]

The Little Aerocycle That Could: A Pretty Camelback Who Dreams to One Day Have a Tank
Here is a project that came to me in May of 2017. The two Aarons (@ratrodz and @VintageSchwinn.com ) had bought the bicycle at an obscure Pennsylvania auction. I picked it up on their behalf on my return trip from Spring Brimfield. After loading the bicycle in my car I knew I wanted to own it. Still to this day I am not sure what attracted me to the bicycle; it was an ambitious project! The tank was long gone, and someone had cut off the top bar, flipped it and turned the little Aerocycle into a girl's rider. During the bike's history, the frame, fork, rack, and fenders had been painted with two coats of over paint. I guess part of me wanted to save the ole' gal as she was destined to be parted; the guys had already pre-sold the original rear light when I fetched the bike from the auction.

Here is how the little Aerocycle looked when I picked her up:

Here are a couple images of paint removal test areas May 2017:

Image of the light that that went elsewhere:

 

[New Mexico Brant]

After the paint test spots produced positive results I then disassembled the bicycle. The black and chestnut colored overpaint layers were completely removed from the frame and fork.

The frame post paint removal:

The frame was then sent off to the Aerocycle ninja master Cliff Mote to be properly corrected. Cliff did a fantastic job with the sex reversal surgery:

 

[New Mexico Brant]

The paint removal on the fenders was tedious and very time consuming. The chestnut paint came off just fine, there was an additional layer of silver paint that tried my patience. Once completed everything was sent off for a cosmetic refresher. The weld areas on the frame of course were the primary issue of concern. The guard and the rear rack still need paint to be removed...it feels like it never ends.

Here is the little Aerocycle as of a couple days ago:

I am thrilled with the results of the repainting on the weld spots! A huge shout-out to Tom Clark for his assistance.

 

[markivpedalpusher]

Brant - The bike looks fantastic. Very well done on bringing this one back to life. Nice save!

 

[cyclingday]

Wow!
Amazing transformation!
Who woulda thunk? Lol!
Cliff and Tom are the go to guys for sure.
Something tells me, that we will be seeing that bike complete in all its glory, in the not too distant future.

 

[catfish]

Nice work.

 

[Autocycleplane]

Anyone know what year(s) the cool fork stop bracket was used on the Aerocycle like the one above?

 

[ZE52414]

What a transformation! Great work. What did you use for stripper on the house paint?

 

[raidingclosets]

Anyone know what year(s) the cool fork stop bracket was used on the Aerocycle like the one above?

I personally believe that they were all equipped with them from the factory, but occasionally you see them without (I believe this is due to them breaking off). I have a 1934 and 1936 and one bike has one that’s broken off and one is still present.

 

[bobcycles]

HA i remember that auction I bid pretty high on that thing but got stomped by Aaron