It has been a while since I did any kind of posts pertaining to my old bike hobby in which I indulge so much time in. In the last two years, I have rebuilt one bike, and have rebuilt/ customized/ repainted another one. They are both the same model Schwinn bicycle, but two different years.
I just finished basically restoring a Radiant Blue Schwinn 1959 Mark IV Jaguar, back to factory specifications. This is a factory equipped Sturmy-Archer 3 speed internal gearing hub, with thumb shifter bike with hand brakes. It entailed a partial repaint of the frame, and a total stripping, and repainting of the horn tank, and chainguard. The bike was totally ripped down. All the parts were totally cleaned one part at a time, and the bad parts were replaced as needed with period correct parts that I got over friends on old bike forums, eBay, and bicycle swap meets. It involved getting replacement decals for the tank and chainguard, as well as pinstriping for the tank. Banging dents out of the original stainless steel fenders is always fun,(not!) It also involved using a 1958 parts bike to get some of the sorely needed parts that are not being reproduced, and I had to find nice original parts for, such as these correct bolt through bow pedals. Unique to 1959 are these Italian made "CEV" brand headlights. These are the most difficult items to find in any condition, let alone in this nice of shape, without paying through the nose for it. I found this one for five bucks in a headlight grab box bin at a bicycle swap meet last year in Trexlertown. Correct style rear reflector is a reproduction piece that Schwinn, themselves reissued in 2003. I was able to find an automotive touch up spray can paint that was an absolute match for this candy blue metallic paint.You cannot tell the difference where the new paint stops on the frame, and where the original paint starts, it blends in that nice! This is a very beautiful, fully functional "new" 1959 bike again! It has all new cables, with aftermarket period correct blue and white cable wrap, as well as correct reproduction Schwinn Westwind whitewall tires, like these bikes were equipped with when new.
Here are images of the blue 1959 bike.
Jim.
This Bike looks great! I also have a 59 Jaguar that I've restored but was forced to use a wrong shade of blue, what did you use here it looks great!
ReplyDeleteMr. Ed, I used Duplicolor's "Perfect Match" spray can paint series Chrysler PB 3 "Intense Blue Pearl". It is a dead on match to the 1959 Schwinn Radiant Blue paint. It blends wonderfully with the existing paint on the frame, it is that even a match. It is a very high quality lacquer paint that dries very fast, and is easy to use. Any good auto parts store carries this stuff.
DeleteJim.
Oh my god! a friend of mine has a Dodge Neon that color! I never would have imagined that the answer was pretty much right under my nose! It always bothered me that I was able to get "hard to find parts" pretty easy but something as simple as matching the color proved to be so hard, Thank you so much as now it will look as it was meant instead of "Sail Blue" by Rustoleum LOL, I mean it looks ok but we can be pretty picky here in Chicago when it comes to our beloved Schwinn bikes!
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