X-53 True Barn Find

[Brian]

Talking with a friend in a local store over the weekend and got a lead to an old bike he saw about a year ago. The persons name he gave me sounded familiar. Took a ride to the persons home today and turned out to be a friend that I hadn't seen since high school. Which was quite a few years back!
Anyway, he brings me to his barn and pulls out this Western Flyer X-53!!!! Time and plenty of rust has taken its toll on this bike but it's still solid and can be revived. Incorrect seat and front fender is roached but this will be a true survivor. He basically gave it to me. Awesome day to say the least!
Wanted to share with you guys.

 

[Evans200]

Cool bike. Even cooler story. Congrats!

 

[Dale Alan]

Congrats,nice find . Cool story too,funny how that worked out.

 

[Kato]

Congrats - awesome to hear stories like that !!!

 

[mike j]

Yeah, what these guys said and more... great bones & nice score, good luck with it

 

[eeapo]

Awesome find, glad you got to see you old friend after many years gone by.

 

[2jakes]

Talking with a friend in a local store over the weekend and got a lead to an old bike he saw about a year ago. The persons name he gave me sounded familiar. Took a ride to the persons home today and turned out to be a friend that I hadn't seen since high school. Which was quite a few years back!
Anyway, he brings me to his barn and pulls out this Western Flyer X-53!!!! Time and plenty of rust has taken its toll on this bike but it's still solid and can be revived. Incorrect seat and front fender is roached but this will be a true survivor. He basically gave it to me. Awesome day to say the least!
Wanted to share with you guys.

Great bike & I appreciate you sharing your story.
The X-53 was my first bike I got for Christmas.
My mom & uncle put it on layaway from a Western-Auto Store.
I left to join the military & never kept track of what happened to my bike.

30 years later, I found one at a old bike repair shop downtown.
But instead of $59.95, the bike was now being sold at $600.
I put a down payment & eventually got it.
For me it was worth it because it is part of my youth.
I like to think it’s the same bike.
Not many kids in my neighborhood rode such bikes back then.

It’s all complete except for the tires.
Do you know what brand of tires came with your X-53?
Thanks.

 

[Brian]

Great bike & I appreciate you sharing your story.
The X-53 was my first bike I got for Christmas.
My mom & uncle put it on layaway from a Western-Auto Store.
I left to join the military & never kept track of what happened to my bike.

30 years later, I found one at a old bike repair shop downtown.
But instead of $59.95, the bike was now being sold at $600.
I put a down payment & eventually got it.
For me it was worth it because it is part of my youth.
I like to think it’s the same bike.
Not many kids in my neighborhood rode such bikes back then.

It’s all complete except for the tires.
Do you know what brand of tires came with your X-53?
Thanks.

My understanding is that "davis" tire originally came on these bikes. The X53 that I just got doesn't a look like it's been touched since manufactured. Other than the wrong seat and missing fender light. It has the Carlisle Lightning Dart tires

 

[vincev]

Cool story ! I think every "barn find" story should be accompanied by a picture of the barn.

 

[stoney]

Congrats, great bike. Glad it worked out.