Western Flyer Swap Meet Purchase

Pictured below are what I brought home from the recent swap meet. The bike in the back I purchased. It’s a Cleveland Welding Company built bike, I assume a Western Flyer from the early 50s, I really don’t know and don’t care enough to research it. The other frame and the basket were given to me and the handlebars were from the swap’s Free Pile.

Swap meet scores.

I just love the patina on the Western Flyer. The frame and the wheels have been painted multiple times. I was anxious to get it in working order and wanted to do so with minimal effort. I put on a rear tube, tire and a seat that I had and installed the handlebars that I picked from the free pile. Surprisingly other than the crusty chain which I oiled, everything else moved freely. I took it for a spin and it rode pretty well. The wheels are a little out of true.

The front tire had air in it when I received the bike and I didn’t think to inspect it. It wasn’t until I returned home from my ride that I noticed the shape it was in.

Cracked Goodyear.

I swapped out both tires with a matching pair of Schwinn Typhoon Cords I had. I also had a rear fender I wasn’t using although it’s not the peaked style that’s on the front and original to the bike. I attempted to paint and distress the fender using colors of paint I had on hand. While in the garage it looked like I nailed it but once outside in the sunlight I could see the color was off. I’ll have to work on that.

The tires I installed not much better than the original. New rear fender not quite a match.

I think I’ll ride this bike (with my fingers crossed that nothing breaks) on our monthly old bikes group ride this Sunday.