Which Project Won't Start This Year?

[@spyderman1964]

Good update. If the rampside is missing the lower baffles you do not need to pull heads to get them installed. You do have to pull push rod tubes. Keep up the good work.

[@patcarbone1753]

Love your fleet!

[@slicedbread9003]

Bikes: your Motobecane can take wheels that would fit other bikes of the era. I'm guessing that it had 120mm between the rear dropouts. So, a wheel or hub with 120mm between the axle nuts would fit. Some people will carefully cold set (bend) the rear triangle to accept the next hub with up, which is 126mm. When going up in width, it is important that the dropouts are still parallel to each other. There are tools for this or you could make your own. For me, I am fine with 120mm and a five speed freewheel. Measure your Motobecane and see what you get. The Schwinn American should be a simple cantilever frame with a Bendix coaster brake rear hub. Assuming nothing is bent it is a simple bike to work on.

[@SealedBeamRallyTeam]

I brought the Pecan as i call it to the LBS to be sure. I forget the dimensions but it probably has the goofy 96mm OLD up front, which may have been the limiting factor. It had some Schwinn Approved 27" wheels jammed in there when I bought it, but they were messed up. The LBS found one set of Frenchie 700C wheels which would fit it perfectly, and that's the way I'd want to go for now. I can always build a better wheelset later if the bike still rides well. I loved riding this thing. Forget if it even has indexed shifting... I'm pretty well versed in the old Schwinns. Forgot to show my new to me bicentennial Stingray project! The American just needs the wheels laced back up but I did a bad job polishing one of the chrome rims so I might try to source another one... oh, and the fork has always been slightly bent backward. it's just BS that takes time and some searching.

[@WAWZDAT]

Good update but, you have too many toys. I think you will struggle to keep them all running just because they don't get used enough. I don't think you should keep that Sonett covered up so tight. It won't take long before it is full of mold.

[@SealedBeamRallyTeam]

I hope to have three fewer cars by the end of the year

[@MrWaalkman]

So you found a thermostat housing that would work for Mouse? And we had a '32 Case crank start. Batteries not needed nor included. :)

[@SealedBeamRallyTeam]

I had a local fab shop braze it back together at significant expense! Then i stripped the head threads again... I think this Ford might have a provision for a crank start. Might be something to look into!

[@MrWaalkman]

@@SealedBeamRallyTeam Ouch! But it should last in any case. Our Case had a magneto so it always had spark. We would shoot it with a bit of ether and it would start up on the 1/4 crank. Just be sure to fold your thumb in when you crank it lest you break it. And we had a coffee can over the exhaust stack which I never remembered to remove and I always had to run off to the side to make sure that I didn't get bonked on the head. :)

[@SealedBeamRallyTeam]

@@MrWaalkman They don't make em like they used to. Someday I'll have a prewar car to have the old school fun with... well, hopefully not get bonked with a coffee can!