Thursday, September 22, 2016

Bill's 1960's Sears Cruiser Restoration

There is quit a story that goes with Bill's Sears Cruiser restoration but for now I am going to eave it until later.  We are just in the middle of the story and I don't want to ruin some of it going forward.  When the story is complete I will post the whole story.

For now I will say the Sears Cruiser will receive a total restoration with new paint, new tires, new handlebars, new grips, new seat and all new bearings.

The Sears Cruiser is rough, it has been outside for a time but I think it will turn out very nice.


Bill's 1960's Sears Cruiser Restoration - Bicycle Before

Bill's 1960's Sears Cruiser Restoration - Bicycle Before

Bill's 1960's Sears Cruiser Restoration - Bicycle Before
Front Fender

Bill's 1960's Sears Cruiser Restoration - Bicycle Before
Front Wheel Hub

Bill's 1960's Sears Cruiser Restoration - Bicycle Before
Front Wheel Rim

Bill's 1960's Sears Cruiser Restoration - Bicycle Before
Handlebars

Bill's 1960's Sears Cruiser Restoration - Bicycle Before
Handlebars

Bill's 1960's Sears Cruiser Restoration - Bicycle Before
Stem

Bill's 1960's Sears Cruiser Restoration - Bicycle Before
Head Tube

Bill's 1960's Sears Cruiser Restoration - Bicycle Before
Front Fender

Bill's 1960's Sears Cruiser Restoration - Bicycle Before
Down Tube

Bill's 1960's Sears Cruiser Restoration - Bicycle Before
Seat

Bill's 1960's Sears Cruiser Restoration - Bicycle Before
Seat Tube

Bill's 1960's Sears Cruiser Restoration - Bicycle Before
Drive Train

Bill's 1960's Sears Cruiser Restoration - Bicycle Before
Crank

Bill's 1960's Sears Cruiser Restoration - Bicycle Before
Pedals

Bill's 1960's Sears Cruiser Restoration - Bicycle Before
Seat Area

Bill's 1960's Sears Cruiser Restoration - Bicycle Before
Rear Wheel Hub Area

Bill's 1960's Sears Cruiser Restoration - Bicycle Before
Rear Wheel Hub

Bill's 1960's Sears Cruiser Restoration - Bicycle Before
Rear Wheel Rim

Bill's 1960's Sears Cruiser Restoration - Bicycle Before
Rear Fender

Bill's 1960's Sears Cruiser Restoration - Frame Before

Bill's 1960's Sears Cruiser Restoration - Frame Before
Head Tube

Bill's 1960's Sears Cruiser Restoration - Frame Before
Head Tube

Bill's 1960's Sears Cruiser Restoration - Frame Before
Head Tube

Bill's 1960's Sears Cruiser Restoration - Frame Before
Down Tubes

Bill's 1960's Sears Cruiser Restoration - Frame Before
Down Tube Strut

Bill's 1960's Sears Cruiser Restoration - Frame Before
Down Tube

Bill's 1960's Sears Cruiser Restoration - Frame Before
Seat Area

Bill's 1960's Sears Cruiser Restoration - Frame Before
Seat Tube

Bill's 1960's Sears Cruiser Restoration - Frame Before
Seat Tube

Bill's 1960's Sears Cruiser Restoration - Frame Before
Bottom Bracket

Bill's 1960's Sears Cruiser Restoration - Frame Before
Bottom Bracket

Bill's 1960's Sears Cruiser Restoration - Frame Before
Bottom Bracket

Bill's 1960's Sears Cruiser Restoration - Frame Before
Seat Area

Bill's 1960's Sears Cruiser Restoration - Frame Before
Seat Stays

Bill's 1960's Sears Cruiser Restoration - Frame Before
Chain Stays

Bill's 1960's Sears Cruiser Restoration - Frame Before
Drop Outs

Bill's 1960's Sears Cruiser Restoration - Frame Before
Fork

Bill's 1960's Sears Cruiser Restoration - Frame Before
Fork

Bill's 1960's Sears Cruiser Restoration - Frame Before
Fork Crown

Bill's 1960's Sears Cruiser Restoration - Frame Before
Fork Crown

Bill's 1960's Sears Cruiser Restoration - Frame Before
Fork Blades

Bill's 1960's Sears Cruiser Restoration - Frame Before
Fork Blades

Bill's 1960's Sears Cruiser Restoration - Frame Before
Fork Drop Outs

Bill's 1960's Sears Cruiser Restoration - Frame Before
Fork Blades
I chemically stripped the paint from the frame.  Below in the photos it after paint stripping and before media blasting.  The rust was pretty bad but it is not structurally bad.  There is some pretty heavy pitting and damage to the surface.  You can see the rust in the photos below.

I then worked in the media blasting cabinet.  I just gave it a light blasting and removed the rust.  I did not want to go overboard with the blasting and smooth everything out because that could thin and weaken the frame.  It will not be perfectly smooth for powder coating but its a trade off in the end.     


Bill's 1960's Sears Cruiser Restoration - Frame Paint Stripped

Bill's 1960's Sears Cruiser Restoration - Frame Paint Stripped
Fork

Bill's 1960's Sears Cruiser Restoration - Frame Paint Stripped
Fork Crown

Bill's 1960's Sears Cruiser Restoration - Frame Paint Stripped
Fork Crown

Bill's 1960's Sears Cruiser Restoration - Frame Paint Stripped
Fork Blades Rust

Over all I am happy with the new paint.  I love the blue, it is called "Cream Soda Blue" and has a great metallic flake to it.  The flake doesn't show up well on photos.  The powder coating isn't perfectly smooth because it is a little thick to try to smooth out some of the rust damage.  But overall it looks good, shines great in the sun and will be very durable.  Perfect for a bike that will be rode a lot.

When you look close in the photos you can see areas where the frame surface was very rough from the rust damage.
Bill's 1960's Sears Cruiser Restoration - Frame Painted

Bill's 1960's Sears Cruiser Restoration - Frame Painted
Head Tube

Bill's 1960's Sears Cruiser Restoration - Frame Painted
Head Tube

Bill's 1960's Sears Cruiser Restoration - Frame Painted
Down Tubes

Bill's 1960's Sears Cruiser Restoration - Frame Painted
Seat Tube Area

Bill's 1960's Sears Cruiser Restoration - Frame Painted
Bottom Bracket

Bill's 1960's Sears Cruiser Restoration - Frame Painted
Bottom  Bracket

Bill's 1960's Sears Cruiser Restoration - Frame Painted
Seat Stays

Bill's 1960's Sears Cruiser Restoration - Frame Painted
Chain Stays

Bill's 1960's Sears Cruiser Restoration - Frame Painted
Drop Outs

Bill's 1960's Sears Cruiser Restoration - Frame Painted
Fork

Bill's 1960's Sears Cruiser Restoration - Frame Painted
Fork Crown

Bill's 1960's Sears Cruiser Restoration - Frame Painted
Fork Crown

Bill's 1960's Sears Cruiser Restoration - Frame Painted
Fork Blades

Bill's 1960's Sears Cruiser Restoration - Frame Painted
Fork Blades
 The headset was first to go on the Sears Cruiser.  It cleaned and polished very nice.  Packed in new grease the headset spins very nice.  I like the polished chrome with the new paint very much.

Bill's 1960's Sears Cruiser Restoration
Headset Before

Bill's 1960's Sears Cruiser Restoration
Headset Polished

Bill's 1960's Sears Cruiser Restoration
Pressing Headset Cups

Bill's 1960's Sears Cruiser Restoration
Headset Cups Pressed

Bill's 1960's Sears Cruiser Restoration
Headset Bearings Packed

Bill's 1960's Sears Cruiser Restoration
Headset Complete

Bill's 1960's Sears Cruiser Restoration
Headset Complete

Bill's 1960's Sears Cruiser Restoration
Headset Complete

Bill's 1960's Sears Cruiser Restoration
Headset Complete
The handlebars are going to be replaced, they are to far gone.  The stem cleaned up and polished beautifully.  I am going to replace the bolt that clamps down on the handlebars, the original is just to far gone.  I like very much how the stem looks installed.

Bill's 1960's Sears Cruiser Restoration
Handlebars Before

Bill's 1960's Sears Cruiser Restoration
Handlebars Before

Bill's 1960's Sears Cruiser Restoration
Handlebars Before

Bill's 1960's Sears Cruiser Restoration
Stem Before

Bill's 1960's Sears Cruiser Restoration
Stem Exploded

Bill's 1960's Sears Cruiser Restoration
Stem Polished

Bill's 1960's Sears Cruiser Restoration
Stem Installed

Bill's 1960's Sears Cruiser Restoration
Stem Installed

Bill's 1960's Sears Cruiser Restoration
Stem Installed
 The seat is going to replaced.  The seat post and binder look rough but after a good cleaning and polishing the seat post and binder turned out great.  I really like the Cream Soda Blue even more as the shiny chrome goes on. 

Bill's 1960's Sears Cruiser Restoration
Seat & Seat Post Before

Bill's 1960's Sears Cruiser Restoration
Seat Post Before

Bill's 1960's Sears Cruiser Restoration
Seat Post Polished

Bill's 1960's Sears Cruiser Restoration
Seat Post Installed

Bill's 1960's Sears Cruiser Restoration
Seat Post Installed
 The wheels are rough but I think they will come back a long ways.  The front wheel spins very gritty.  The rear wheel also spins very rough and the coaster brake does not work.  I broke the wheels down and started the cleaning and polishing process.

The wheel hubs polished beautifully, the rear hub looks amazing.  The wheels rims polished very nice considering where they started.  The rims will require some maintenance to stay shiny but that just a few times a season.

The rear caster hub works very well now that it is restored.  Both wheels spin great!  I am very pleased with the results.
Bill's 1960's Sears Cruiser Restoration
Front Wheel Before

Bill's 1960's Sears Cruiser Restoration
Front Wheel Rim Before

Bill's 1960's Sears Cruiser Restoration
Front Wheel Hub Old Grease

Bill's 1960's Sears Cruiser Restoration
Front Wheel Hub Polished

Bill's 1960's Sears Cruiser Restoration
Front Axle Pieces Ready

Bill's 1960's Sears Cruiser Restoration
Front Wheel Complete

Bill's 1960's Sears Cruiser Restoration
Front Wheel Rim Complete

Bill's 1960's Sears Cruiser Restoration
Front Wheel Complete

Bill's 1960's Sears Cruiser Restoration
Rear Wheel Before

Bill's 1960's Sears Cruiser Restoration
Rear Wheel Hub Before

Bill's 1960's Sears Cruiser Restoration
Rear Wheel Rim Before

Bill's 1960's Sears Cruiser Restoration
Rear Wheel Hub Pieces Before

Bill's 1960's Sears Cruiser Restoration
Rear Wheel Hub Brake Pads Before

Bill's 1960's Sears Cruiser Restoration
Rear Wheel Hub Old Grease

Bill's 1960's Sears Cruiser Restoration
Rear Wheel Hub Before

Bill's 1960's Sears Cruiser Restoration
Rear Wheel Hub Polished

Bill's 1960's Sears Cruiser Restoration
Rear Hub Pieces Ready

Bill's 1960's Sears Cruiser Restoration
Rear Wheel Complete

Bill's 1960's Sears Cruiser Restoration
Rear Wheel Rim Polished

Bill's 1960's Sears Cruiser Restoration
Rear Wheel Complete

Bill's 1960's Sears Cruiser Restoration
Wheels Complete

Bill ordered some no parts for the Sears Cruiser.  New handlebars, new handlebar grips, new seat and new tires and tubes.  I also added the new hardware for the stem.  I installed the new handlebars, handlebar grips and the new hardware to the stem.  Makes a huge difference in the looks of the Cruiser!!  
Bill's 1960's Sears Cruiser Restoration
New Handlebars, New Grips & Stem Bolt

Bill's 1960's Sears Cruiser Restoration
New Handlebar Grips

Bill's 1960's Sears Cruiser Restoration
New Handlebars & Grips Installed

Bill's 1960's Sears Cruiser Restoration
New Handlebars & Grips Installed.
 The tires photoed below ended up being the wrong size.  They are Schwinn S-7 size which the inside diameter is about an inch to big and they would have been to big to fit the fenders.  I installed some tires I have around the shop for now that fit the ISO but they will also be to big for the fenders but they will help with makes the Sears Cruiser easier to move around.  We are waiting on the new tires to arrive.

Bill's 1960's Sears Cruiser Restoration
Schwinn S-7 Tires To Big

Bill's 1960's Sears Cruiser Restoration
Correct ISO Tire - To Big
 I like the saddle a lot, it looks great and will probably feel great riding.  The white is like the original but a much nicer looking shape and quality.  Looks fantastic installed!

Bill's 1960's Sears Cruiser Restoration
New Seat

Bill's 1960's Sears Cruiser Restoration
New Seat

Bill's 1960's Sears Cruiser Restoration
New Seat Installed

Bill's 1960's Sears Cruiser Restoration
New Seat Installed

I have been modifying y media blasting system.  The old system took more time to keep running then I spent blasting.  I completely rebuilt it and am currently working on a bigger cabinet.  The new set up works fantastic!

With the media blasting system overhauled I blasted the chain guard.  The chain guard was rough with some pretty deep rust pitting.  A little time in the media blasting cabinet and it looks perfect.  I powder coated it the Cream Soda Blue and it is like new!!  I love this stuff!

Bill is going to pinstripe and stencil Sears onto the chain guard,  I can't wait to see!

Bill's 1960's Sears Cruiser Restoration
Chain Guard Before

Bill's 1960's Sears Cruiser Restoration
Chain Guard Before

Bill's 1960's Sears Cruiser Restoration
Chain Guard Before

Bill's 1960's Sears Cruiser Restoration
Chain Guard Before

Bill's 1960's Sears Cruiser Restoration
Chain Guard Before

Bill's 1960's Sears Cruiser Restoration
Chain Guard Before

Bill's 1960's Sears Cruiser Restoration
Chain Guard Before

Bill's 1960's Sears Cruiser Restoration
Chain Guard Before - Spiders Nest

Bill's 1960's Sears Cruiser Restoration
Chain Guard Before

Bill's 1960's Sears Cruiser Restoration
Chain Guard Media Blasted

Bill's 1960's Sears Cruiser Restoration
Chain Guard Media Blasted

Bill's 1960's Sears Cruiser Restoration
Chain Guard Powder Coated

Bill's 1960's Sears Cruiser Restoration
Chain Guard Powder Coated
 Before I can install the chain guard I have to install the crank and chain.  The crank came back a long ways.  I wish the arms would have turned out a little better but they are not bad.  Installed the crank looks great!

Bill's 1960's Sears Cruiser Restoration
Crank & Bottom Bracket Polished

Bill's 1960's Sears Cruiser Restoration
Crank Polished

Bill's 1960's Sears Cruiser Restoration
Pressing Bottom Bracket Cups

Bill's 1960's Sears Cruiser Restoration
Bottom Bracket Cups Pressed

Bill's 1960's Sears Cruiser Restoration
Crank Complete

Bill's 1960's Sears Cruiser Restoration
Crank Complete
 I tried saving the original chain but it was just to far gone and the cleaner I got the chain the more it stretched.  I installed a new chain in gold.  It looks good on the Cruiser and best of all works perfect.

Bill's 1960's Sears Cruiser Restoration
New Chain

Bill's 1960's Sears Cruiser Restoration
New Chain Installed
I love that sharp point at the back of the chain guard!


Bill's 1960's Sears Cruiser Restoration
Chain Guard Installed
With the media blaster working so much better I tackled the rear rack.  I like how the rear rack was made to fit the bike.  The rear rack is however very rough to start.  I stripped the paint first and then worked with the blaster.  I stripe the paint first because it is easier and faster and keeps my blasting medium cleaner.  The rear rack blasted beautifully and powder coated even better!!  I couldn't be happier with the rear rack!  It looks fantastic installed!!  I installed the chain guard and rear rack with all new stainless hardware, it just deserved it.

Bill's 1960's Sears Cruiser Restoration
Rear Rack Before

Bill's 1960's Sears Cruiser Restoration
Rear Rack Before

Bill's 1960's Sears Cruiser Restoration
Rear Rack Before

Bill's 1960's Sears Cruiser Restoration
Rear Rack Before

Bill's 1960's Sears Cruiser Restoration
Rear Rack Blasted

Bill's 1960's Sears Cruiser Restoration
Rear Rack Blasted

Bill's 1960's Sears Cruiser Restoration
Rear Rack Powder Coated

Bill's 1960's Sears Cruiser Restoration
Rear Rack Powder Coated

Bill's 1960's Sears Cruiser Restoration
Rear Rack Powder Coated

Bill's 1960's Sears Cruiser Restoration
Rear Rack Installed

Bill's 1960's Sears Cruiser Restoration
Rear Rack Installed
The fenders are very rough but I think I can save them and make them look pretty good too.  I started by cleaning the fenders very deeply.  I then removed all the rust I could with brass brushes.  With the brass brushing done I blasted the inside of the fenders and the fender struts with walnut shells.  Finally I worked through all the polishing wheels grits.  Overall I am very happy with the results of the fenders.  I think they are amazing considering where they started!!  They are just squeezed on the tires for now to see how they look in photos.  I will be able to install them with the new tires.

Bill's 1960's Sears Cruiser Restoration
Front Fender Before

Bill's 1960's Sears Cruiser Restoration
Front Fender Before

Bill's 1960's Sears Cruiser Restoration
Front Fender Before

Bill's 1960's Sears Cruiser Restoration
Front Fender Before

Bill's 1960's Sears Cruiser Restoration
Front Fender Before

Bill's 1960's Sears Cruiser Restoration
Front Fender Before

Bill's 1960's Sears Cruiser Restoration
Front Fender After

Bill's 1960's Sears Cruiser Restoration
Front Fender After

Bill's 1960's Sears Cruiser Restoration
Front Fender After

Bill's 1960's Sears Cruiser Restoration
Rear Fender Before

Bill's 1960's Sears Cruiser Restoration
Rear Fender Before

Bill's 1960's Sears Cruiser Restoration
Rear Fender Before

Bill's 1960's Sears Cruiser Restoration
Rear Fender Before

Bill's 1960's Sears Cruiser Restoration
Rear Fender Before

Bill's 1960's Sears Cruiser Restoration
Rear Fender Before

Bill's 1960's Sears Cruiser Restoration
Rear Fender After

Bill's 1960's Sears Cruiser Restoration
Rear Fender After

Bill's 1960's Sears Cruiser Restoration
Rear Fender After

Bill's 1960's Sears Cruiser Restoration
Rear Fender After - Tight Tire Fit

Bill's 1960's Sears Cruiser Restoration
Fenders After
I am working on the front basket and the Sears Cruiser will be done well of course the tires too.

I did my best to straighten out the basket but it was so stretched out that areas where much longer then original.  Its descent now and cleaned up nice.  It is not original to the Sears Cruiser, it does not fit in the forward direction at all that is why it was originally installed backwards and with galvanized fence hardware.  I used new rubber lined P clamps to isntalled the basket, a much cleaner and nicer look.  Over all I am ok with the baskets.

Bill's 1960's Sears Cruiser Restoration
Basket Before

Bill's 1960's Sears Cruiser Restoration
Basket Before

Bill's 1960's Sears Cruiser Restoration
Basket Before

Bill's 1960's Sears Cruiser Restoration
Basket After

Bill's 1960's Sears Cruiser Restoration
Basket After

Bill's 1960's Sears Cruiser Restoration
Basket After

Bill's 1960's Sears Cruiser Restoration
Basket Installed

Bill's 1960's Sears Cruiser Restoration
New Clamps for Basket
The new tires that fir the fenders finally arrived and I installed them. They look great installed, I wish the extra big tired would have fit with the fenders because that was a mean look but still a good looking set of tires.

Bill's 1960's Sears Cruiser Restoration
New Tires Installed
This was one of the more challenging test rides a break in rides I have had in a long time.  Took a lot of adjustment in the chain and chain guard area.  Worked out about six squeaks and had to fine tune the fender fit.  Now the cruiser rides really smooth!  The coaster break works great too, it is possible to lock up the wheel and skid if needed.  I am thrilled with the looks of the Cruiser and can't wait to see Bill pin stripe it and and stencil the letters in.  The "Cream Soda Blue" turned out fantastic.  I am super pleased with the results of the Sears Cruiser and am very very proud of the work that went into it.
Bill's 1960's Sears Cruiser Restoration
Bicycle Complete

Bill's 1960's Sears Cruiser Restoration
Bicycle Complete

Bill's 1960's Sears Cruiser Restoration
Bicycle Complete

Bill's 1960's Sears Cruiser Restoration
Bicycle Complete - Handlebars

Bill's 1960's Sears Cruiser Restoration
Bicycle Complete - Stem & Handlebars

Bill's 1960's Sears Cruiser Restoration
Bicycle Complete - Head Tube

Bill's 1960's Sears Cruiser Restoration
Bicycle Complete - Fork & Fender

Bill's 1960's Sears Cruiser Restoration
Bicycle Complete - Front Wheel Hub

Bill's 1960's Sears Cruiser Restoration
Bicycle Complete - Front Wheel Rim

Bill's 1960's Sears Cruiser Restoration
Bicycle Complete - Stem

Bill's 1960's Sears Cruiser Restoration
Bicycle Complete - Head Tube

Bill's 1960's Sears Cruiser Restoration
Bicycle Complete - Front Half

Bill's 1960's Sears Cruiser Restoration
Bicycle Complete - Down Tube

Bill's 1960's Sears Cruiser Restoration
Bicycle Complete - Seat

Bill's 1960's Sears Cruiser Restoration
Bicycle Complete - Drive Train

Bill's 1960's Sears Cruiser Restoration
Bicycle Complete - Crank

Bill's 1960's Sears Cruiser Restoration
Bicycle Complete - Seat

Bill's 1960's Sears Cruiser Restoration
Bicycle Complete - Rear Rack

Bill's 1960's Sears Cruiser Restoration
Bicycle Complete - Rear Wheel Hub

Bill's 1960's Sears Cruiser Restoration
Bicycle Complete - Rear Wheel Hub

Bill's 1960's Sears Cruiser Restoration
Bicycle Complete - Rear Wheel Rim

Bill's 1960's Sears Cruiser Restoration
Bicycle Complete - Rear Fender & New Reflector

Bill's 1960's Sears Cruiser Restoration
Bicycle Complete

Thank you for looking!
John Z.