cruhr1 2016 build off entry*vintage class *1969 Rupp Chopper*

capguncowboy

capguncowboy

Well-Known Member
#41
#41
cruhr1 said:
Thanks capgun! It was even worse than I originally thought. Much of that paint could be scratched off with a fingernail so it was definitely time to fully restore it. I was quite surprised how well that wheel half cleaned up. All I can say is they must have used some really good chrome back then. All that rust is just sitting on the surface. There are a few tiny black specs where it ate through the chrome but by the time the aluminum center hubs are bolted back in they will not be noticeable and the other two halves are much better than the one I cleaned up already.
Click to expand...
I've owned a few late 60s Rupps. The steel they used was really high quality, and the chrome plating held up better because of it.
 
buckeye

buckeye

Well-Known Member
#42
#42
Agree, you are making the right decision.
She's been rode hard and put up wet, literally.

Should he a sweet bike when you are done.
 
cruhr1

cruhr1

#44
#44
buckeye said:
Agree, you are making the right decision.
She's been rode hard and put up wet, literally.

Should he a sweet bike when you are done.
Click to expand...
Thanks buckeye! I agree it will be a nice bike to have when done. The only thing up in the air is where to send that chain guard for chrome after I find someone to tig weld the cracks. As of today my seat has arrived in the hands of Karen so she can work her magic on it:thumbsup:
 
cruhr1

cruhr1

#45
#45
Some more progress

Today I finished cleaning up and reassembling the front wheel. I think it came out great considering how bad it looked when I got the bike. I usually don't have time to work on my project during the day but I have to take 14 hrs of continuing education to renew my contractors license. Perfect opportunity to work on the wheel during the boring online videos:laugh:

I was originally going to paint the frame but after checking on the cost of all the supplies I decided to go with powder coat. I know that's not the way they were originally but the bike will get ridden and it'll hold up better.

Here are some pics of the front wheel.






 
capguncowboy

capguncowboy

Well-Known Member
#46
#46
cruhr1 said:
Today I finished cleaning up and reassembling the front wheel. I think it came out great considering how bad it looked when I got the bike. I usually don't have time to work on my project during the day but I have to take 14 hrs of continuing education to renew my contractors license. Perfect opportunity to work on the wheel during the boring online videos:laugh:

I was originally going to paint the frame but after checking on the cost of all the supplies I decided to go with powder coat. I know that's not the way they were originally but the bike will get ridden and it'll hold up better.

Here are some pics of the front wheel.






Click to expand...
:thumbsup:
 
OND

OND

#54
#54
cruhr1 said:
Today I finished cleaning up and reassembling the front wheel. I think it came out great considering how bad it looked when I got the bike. I usually don't have time to work on my project during the day but I have to take 14 hrs of continuing education to renew my contractors license. Perfect opportunity to work on the wheel during the boring online videos:laugh:

I was originally going to paint the frame but after checking on the cost of all the supplies I decided to go with powder coat. I know that's not the way they were originally but the bike will get ridden and it'll hold up better.

Here are some pics of the front wheel.






Click to expand...
..............:bowdown::bowdown:.....NICE !!!
 
buckeye

buckeye

Well-Known Member
#55
#55
I am getting ready to shine some of those rims up.
I can only hope mine turn out half that nice.

Secrets of your cleaning method?
 
cruhr1

cruhr1

#56
#56
buckeye said:
I am getting ready to shine some of those rims up.
I can only hope mine turn out half that nice.

Secrets of your cleaning method?
Click to expand...
I used some alumabrite wheel acid for the center hubs then finished them with mother's mag and aluminum polish applied with number "000" steel wool then wiped with a clean rag. The chrome rings took a while. For those I started with water and the same "000" steel wool and that took off the small specks of rust. For the large areas where the rust seemed like it was a little thicker I actually took a small flat screwdriver and tediously scraped the rust until i could just start to see the chrome underneath. This is tricky because you don't want to scratch too deep. After I had most of the thick stuff scraped off I finished with the mother's polish and steel wool. It took a lot of time and my fingers were sore but it's well worth it when they turn out nice. As bad as my wheels looked they are only a couple of small areas where the rust ate through the chrome leaving some small black specks but once the wheels were put back together those spots aren't noticeable. The most important part is make sure you don't use too course of steel wool or you will end up with dull rings. I would stick with "000".
 
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cruhr1

cruhr1

#58
#58
Here is both sides of the rear wheel and a pic of both wheels together. I'm happy with how they turned out. Next up while I wait for my frame to get powder coated and Karen to make my seat, I'll start getting the engine cleaned up and ready for paint. Then the only thing left to do before I can reassemble is to paint that engine and get that chain guard chrome redone. No plans to wear a red nose here!





 
cruhr1

cruhr1

#59
#59
This weekend's project is going to be getting this engine stripped and painted. I did work on degreasing it some tonight. These are the before pics. Lots of grease to remove.





Good bye to this custom sticker. Although it's a bit humorous on this little engine.

 
cruhr1

cruhr1

#60
#60
Engine parts painted and cleared.

I got my engine parts painted and cleared today. I ended up taking the block to the car wash to degrease it which removed most of the paint of as well. Prior to painting I lapped the valves and replaced all of the gaskets and sealed the fuel tank nuts with epoxy.






 
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