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.
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| Bill's 1960's Sears Cruiser Restoration - Bicycle Before |
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| Bill's 1960's Sears Cruiser Restoration - Bicycle Before |
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| Bill's 1960's Sears Cruiser Restoration - Bicycle Before Front Fender |
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| Bill's 1960's Sears Cruiser Restoration - Bicycle Before Front Wheel Hub |
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| Bill's 1960's Sears Cruiser Restoration - Bicycle Before Front Wheel Rim |
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| Bill's 1960's Sears Cruiser Restoration - Bicycle Before Handlebars |
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| Bill's 1960's Sears Cruiser Restoration - Bicycle Before Handlebars |
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| Bill's 1960's Sears Cruiser Restoration - Bicycle Before Stem |
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| Bill's 1960's Sears Cruiser Restoration - Bicycle Before Head Tube |
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| Bill's 1960's Sears Cruiser Restoration - Bicycle Before Front Fender |
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| Bill's 1960's Sears Cruiser Restoration - Bicycle Before Down Tube |
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| Bill's 1960's Sears Cruiser Restoration - Bicycle Before Seat |
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| Bill's 1960's Sears Cruiser Restoration - Bicycle Before Seat Tube |
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| Bill's 1960's Sears Cruiser Restoration - Bicycle Before Drive Train |
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| Bill's 1960's Sears Cruiser Restoration - Bicycle Before Crank |
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| Bill's 1960's Sears Cruiser Restoration - Bicycle Before Pedals |
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| Bill's 1960's Sears Cruiser Restoration - Bicycle Before Seat Area |
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| Bill's 1960's Sears Cruiser Restoration - Bicycle Before Rear Wheel Hub Area |
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| Bill's 1960's Sears Cruiser Restoration - Bicycle Before Rear Wheel Hub |
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| Bill's 1960's Sears Cruiser Restoration - Bicycle Before Rear Wheel Rim |
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| Bill's 1960's Sears Cruiser Restoration - Bicycle Before Rear Fender |
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| Bill's 1960's Sears Cruiser Restoration - Frame Before |
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| Bill's 1960's Sears Cruiser Restoration - Frame Before Head Tube |
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| Bill's 1960's Sears Cruiser Restoration - Frame Before Head Tube |
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| Bill's 1960's Sears Cruiser Restoration - Frame Before Head Tube |
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| Bill's 1960's Sears Cruiser Restoration - Frame Before Down Tubes |
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| Bill's 1960's Sears Cruiser Restoration - Frame Before Down Tube Strut |
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| Bill's 1960's Sears Cruiser Restoration - Frame Before Down Tube |
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| Bill's 1960's Sears Cruiser Restoration - Frame Before Seat Area |
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| Bill's 1960's Sears Cruiser Restoration - Frame Before Seat Tube |
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| Bill's 1960's Sears Cruiser Restoration - Frame Before Seat Tube |
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| Bill's 1960's Sears Cruiser Restoration - Frame Before Bottom Bracket |
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| Bill's 1960's Sears Cruiser Restoration - Frame Before Bottom Bracket |
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| Bill's 1960's Sears Cruiser Restoration - Frame Before Bottom Bracket |
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| Bill's 1960's Sears Cruiser Restoration - Frame Before Seat Area |
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| Bill's 1960's Sears Cruiser Restoration - Frame Before Seat Stays |
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| Bill's 1960's Sears Cruiser Restoration - Frame Before Chain Stays |
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| Bill's 1960's Sears Cruiser Restoration - Frame Before Drop Outs |
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| Bill's 1960's Sears Cruiser Restoration - Frame Before Fork |
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| Bill's 1960's Sears Cruiser Restoration - Frame Before Fork |
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| Bill's 1960's Sears Cruiser Restoration - Frame Before Fork Crown |
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| Bill's 1960's Sears Cruiser Restoration - Frame Before Fork Crown |
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| Bill's 1960's Sears Cruiser Restoration - Frame Before Fork Blades |
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| Bill's 1960's Sears Cruiser Restoration - Frame Before Fork Blades |
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| Bill's 1960's Sears Cruiser Restoration - Frame Before Fork Drop Outs |
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| 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.
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| Bill's 1960's Sears Cruiser Restoration - Frame Paint Stripped |
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| Bill's 1960's Sears Cruiser Restoration - Frame Paint Stripped Fork |
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| Bill's 1960's Sears Cruiser Restoration - Frame Paint Stripped Fork Crown |
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| Bill's 1960's Sears Cruiser Restoration - Frame Paint Stripped Fork Crown |
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| 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.
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| Bill's 1960's Sears Cruiser Restoration - Frame Painted |
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| Bill's 1960's Sears Cruiser Restoration - Frame Painted Head Tube |
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| Bill's 1960's Sears Cruiser Restoration - Frame Painted Head Tube |
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| Bill's 1960's Sears Cruiser Restoration - Frame Painted Down Tubes |
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| Bill's 1960's Sears Cruiser Restoration - Frame Painted Seat Tube Area |
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| Bill's 1960's Sears Cruiser Restoration - Frame Painted Bottom Bracket |
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| Bill's 1960's Sears Cruiser Restoration - Frame Painted Bottom Bracket |
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| Bill's 1960's Sears Cruiser Restoration - Frame Painted Seat Stays |
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| Bill's 1960's Sears Cruiser Restoration - Frame Painted Chain Stays |
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| Bill's 1960's Sears Cruiser Restoration - Frame Painted Drop Outs |
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| Bill's 1960's Sears Cruiser Restoration - Frame Painted Fork |
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| Bill's 1960's Sears Cruiser Restoration - Frame Painted Fork Crown |
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| Bill's 1960's Sears Cruiser Restoration - Frame Painted Fork Crown |
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| Bill's 1960's Sears Cruiser Restoration - Frame Painted Fork Blades |
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| Bill's 1960's Sears Cruiser Restoration - Frame Painted Fork Blades |
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| Bill's 1960's Sears Cruiser Restoration Headset Before |
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| Bill's 1960's Sears Cruiser Restoration Headset Polished |
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| Bill's 1960's Sears Cruiser Restoration Pressing Headset Cups |
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| Bill's 1960's Sears Cruiser Restoration Headset Cups Pressed |
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| Bill's 1960's Sears Cruiser Restoration Headset Bearings Packed |
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| Bill's 1960's Sears Cruiser Restoration Headset Complete |
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| Bill's 1960's Sears Cruiser Restoration Headset Complete |
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| Bill's 1960's Sears Cruiser Restoration Headset Complete |
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| 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.
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| Bill's 1960's Sears Cruiser Restoration Handlebars Before |
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| Bill's 1960's Sears Cruiser Restoration Handlebars Before |
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| Bill's 1960's Sears Cruiser Restoration Handlebars Before |
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| Bill's 1960's Sears Cruiser Restoration Stem Before |
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| Bill's 1960's Sears Cruiser Restoration Stem Exploded |
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| Bill's 1960's Sears Cruiser Restoration Stem Polished |
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| Bill's 1960's Sears Cruiser Restoration Stem Installed |
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| Bill's 1960's Sears Cruiser Restoration Stem Installed |
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| 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.
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| Bill's 1960's Sears Cruiser Restoration Seat & Seat Post Before |
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| Bill's 1960's Sears Cruiser Restoration Seat Post Before |
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| Bill's 1960's Sears Cruiser Restoration Seat Post Polished |
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| Bill's 1960's Sears Cruiser Restoration Seat Post Installed |
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| Bill's 1960's Sears Cruiser Restoration Seat Post Installed |
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.
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| Bill's 1960's Sears Cruiser Restoration Front Wheel Before |
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| Bill's 1960's Sears Cruiser Restoration Front Wheel Rim Before |
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| Bill's 1960's Sears Cruiser Restoration Front Wheel Hub Old Grease |
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| Bill's 1960's Sears Cruiser Restoration Front Wheel Hub Polished |
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| Bill's 1960's Sears Cruiser Restoration Front Axle Pieces Ready |
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| Bill's 1960's Sears Cruiser Restoration Front Wheel Complete |
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| Bill's 1960's Sears Cruiser Restoration Front Wheel Rim Complete |
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| Bill's 1960's Sears Cruiser Restoration Front Wheel Complete |
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| Bill's 1960's Sears Cruiser Restoration Rear Wheel Before |
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| Bill's 1960's Sears Cruiser Restoration Rear Wheel Hub Before |
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| Bill's 1960's Sears Cruiser Restoration Rear Wheel Rim Before |
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| Bill's 1960's Sears Cruiser Restoration Rear Wheel Hub Pieces Before |
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| Bill's 1960's Sears Cruiser Restoration Rear Wheel Hub Brake Pads Before |
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| Bill's 1960's Sears Cruiser Restoration Rear Wheel Hub Old Grease |
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| Bill's 1960's Sears Cruiser Restoration Rear Wheel Hub Before |
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| Bill's 1960's Sears Cruiser Restoration Rear Wheel Hub Polished |
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| Bill's 1960's Sears Cruiser Restoration Rear Hub Pieces Ready |
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| Bill's 1960's Sears Cruiser Restoration Rear Wheel Complete |
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| Bill's 1960's Sears Cruiser Restoration Rear Wheel Rim Polished |
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| Bill's 1960's Sears Cruiser Restoration Rear Wheel Complete |
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| 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!!
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| Bill's 1960's Sears Cruiser Restoration New Handlebars, New Grips & Stem Bolt |
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| Bill's 1960's Sears Cruiser Restoration New Handlebar Grips |
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| Bill's 1960's Sears Cruiser Restoration New Handlebars & Grips Installed |
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| Bill's 1960's Sears Cruiser Restoration New Handlebars & Grips Installed. |
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| Bill's 1960's Sears Cruiser Restoration Schwinn S-7 Tires To Big |
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| Bill's 1960's Sears Cruiser Restoration Correct ISO Tire - To Big |
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| Bill's 1960's Sears Cruiser Restoration New Seat |
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| Bill's 1960's Sears Cruiser Restoration New Seat |
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| Bill's 1960's Sears Cruiser Restoration New Seat Installed |
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| 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!
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| Bill's 1960's Sears Cruiser Restoration Chain Guard Before |
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| Bill's 1960's Sears Cruiser Restoration Chain Guard Before |
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| Bill's 1960's Sears Cruiser Restoration Chain Guard Before |
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| Bill's 1960's Sears Cruiser Restoration Chain Guard Before |
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| Bill's 1960's Sears Cruiser Restoration Chain Guard Before |
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| Bill's 1960's Sears Cruiser Restoration Chain Guard Before |
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| Bill's 1960's Sears Cruiser Restoration Chain Guard Before |
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| Bill's 1960's Sears Cruiser Restoration Chain Guard Before - Spiders Nest |
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| Bill's 1960's Sears Cruiser Restoration Chain Guard Before |
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| Bill's 1960's Sears Cruiser Restoration Chain Guard Media Blasted |
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| Bill's 1960's Sears Cruiser Restoration Chain Guard Media Blasted |
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| Bill's 1960's Sears Cruiser Restoration Chain Guard Powder Coated |
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| Bill's 1960's Sears Cruiser Restoration Chain Guard Powder Coated |
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| Bill's 1960's Sears Cruiser Restoration Crank & Bottom Bracket Polished |
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| Bill's 1960's Sears Cruiser Restoration Crank Polished |
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| Bill's 1960's Sears Cruiser Restoration Pressing Bottom Bracket Cups |
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| Bill's 1960's Sears Cruiser Restoration Bottom Bracket Cups Pressed |
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| Bill's 1960's Sears Cruiser Restoration Crank Complete |
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| Bill's 1960's Sears Cruiser Restoration Crank Complete |
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| Bill's 1960's Sears Cruiser Restoration New Chain |
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| Bill's 1960's Sears Cruiser Restoration New Chain Installed |
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| Bill's 1960's Sears Cruiser Restoration Chain Guard Installed |
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| Bill's 1960's Sears Cruiser Restoration Rear Rack Before |
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| Bill's 1960's Sears Cruiser Restoration Rear Rack Before |
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| Bill's 1960's Sears Cruiser Restoration Rear Rack Before |
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| Bill's 1960's Sears Cruiser Restoration Rear Rack Before |
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| Bill's 1960's Sears Cruiser Restoration Rear Rack Blasted |
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| Bill's 1960's Sears Cruiser Restoration Rear Rack Blasted |
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| Bill's 1960's Sears Cruiser Restoration Rear Rack Powder Coated |
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| Bill's 1960's Sears Cruiser Restoration Rear Rack Powder Coated |
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| Bill's 1960's Sears Cruiser Restoration Rear Rack Powder Coated |
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| Bill's 1960's Sears Cruiser Restoration Rear Rack Installed |
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| Bill's 1960's Sears Cruiser Restoration Rear Rack Installed |
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| Bill's 1960's Sears Cruiser Restoration Front Fender Before |
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| Bill's 1960's Sears Cruiser Restoration Front Fender Before |
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| Bill's 1960's Sears Cruiser Restoration Front Fender Before |
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| Bill's 1960's Sears Cruiser Restoration Front Fender Before |
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| Bill's 1960's Sears Cruiser Restoration Front Fender Before |
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| Bill's 1960's Sears Cruiser Restoration Front Fender Before |
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| Bill's 1960's Sears Cruiser Restoration Front Fender After |
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| Bill's 1960's Sears Cruiser Restoration Front Fender After |
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| Bill's 1960's Sears Cruiser Restoration Front Fender After |
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| Bill's 1960's Sears Cruiser Restoration Rear Fender Before |
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| Bill's 1960's Sears Cruiser Restoration Rear Fender Before |
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| Bill's 1960's Sears Cruiser Restoration Rear Fender Before |
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| Bill's 1960's Sears Cruiser Restoration Rear Fender Before |
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| Bill's 1960's Sears Cruiser Restoration Rear Fender Before |
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| Bill's 1960's Sears Cruiser Restoration Rear Fender Before |
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| Bill's 1960's Sears Cruiser Restoration Rear Fender After |
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| Bill's 1960's Sears Cruiser Restoration Rear Fender After |
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| Bill's 1960's Sears Cruiser Restoration Rear Fender After |
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| Bill's 1960's Sears Cruiser Restoration Rear Fender After - Tight Tire Fit |
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| Bill's 1960's Sears Cruiser Restoration Fenders After |
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.
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| Bill's 1960's Sears Cruiser Restoration Basket Before |
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| Bill's 1960's Sears Cruiser Restoration Basket Before |
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| Bill's 1960's Sears Cruiser Restoration Basket Before |
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| Bill's 1960's Sears Cruiser Restoration Basket After |
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| Bill's 1960's Sears Cruiser Restoration Basket After |
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| Bill's 1960's Sears Cruiser Restoration Basket After |
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| Bill's 1960's Sears Cruiser Restoration Basket Installed |
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| Bill's 1960's Sears Cruiser Restoration New Clamps for Basket |
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| Bill's 1960's Sears Cruiser Restoration New Tires Installed |
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| Bill's 1960's Sears Cruiser Restoration Bicycle Complete |
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| Bill's 1960's Sears Cruiser Restoration Bicycle Complete |
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| Bill's 1960's Sears Cruiser Restoration Bicycle Complete |
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| Bill's 1960's Sears Cruiser Restoration Bicycle Complete - Handlebars |
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| Bill's 1960's Sears Cruiser Restoration Bicycle Complete - Stem & Handlebars |
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| Bill's 1960's Sears Cruiser Restoration Bicycle Complete - Head Tube |
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| Bill's 1960's Sears Cruiser Restoration Bicycle Complete - Fork & Fender |
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| Bill's 1960's Sears Cruiser Restoration Bicycle Complete - Front Wheel Hub |
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| Bill's 1960's Sears Cruiser Restoration Bicycle Complete - Front Wheel Rim |
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| Bill's 1960's Sears Cruiser Restoration Bicycle Complete - Stem |
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| Bill's 1960's Sears Cruiser Restoration Bicycle Complete - Head Tube |
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| Bill's 1960's Sears Cruiser Restoration Bicycle Complete - Front Half |
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| Bill's 1960's Sears Cruiser Restoration Bicycle Complete - Down Tube |
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| Bill's 1960's Sears Cruiser Restoration Bicycle Complete - Seat |
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| Bill's 1960's Sears Cruiser Restoration Bicycle Complete - Drive Train |
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| Bill's 1960's Sears Cruiser Restoration Bicycle Complete - Crank |
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| Bill's 1960's Sears Cruiser Restoration Bicycle Complete - Seat |
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| Bill's 1960's Sears Cruiser Restoration Bicycle Complete - Rear Rack |
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| Bill's 1960's Sears Cruiser Restoration Bicycle Complete - Rear Wheel Hub |
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| Bill's 1960's Sears Cruiser Restoration Bicycle Complete - Rear Wheel Hub |
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| Bill's 1960's Sears Cruiser Restoration Bicycle Complete - Rear Wheel Rim |
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| Bill's 1960's Sears Cruiser Restoration Bicycle Complete - Rear Fender & New Reflector |
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| Bill's 1960's Sears Cruiser Restoration Bicycle Complete |
Thank you for looking!
John Z.
