Time to give up?
- Thread starter MysterySandwich
- Start date
So I've decided to buy a Huffy Cranbrook (bronze), sand it down and paint it to be black or grey. Also purchase a cheapo kit off eBay ($130ish).
From what I've read, it should be a quite easy build (especcially as the motor fits right on) -- any one there to say that's a bad idea?
From what I've read, it should be a quite easy build (especcially as the motor fits right on) -- any one there to say that's a bad idea?
There's a high probability that you'll have more frame problems if you use a Huffy!
You might also need some of the universal u bolt mounts since most modern cruisers have the large down tube.
Just keep an eye out on CL, be patient deals always come up.
I almost picked a complete Felt Red baron for 65 bucks !... almost
Just keep an eye out on CL, be patient deals always come up.
I almost picked a complete Felt Red baron for 65 bucks !... almost
. . . damnit.There's a high probability that you'll have more frame problems if you use a Huffy!
Yeah, I've also been looking on craigslist, just put up a wanted ad.
I doubt I'll be able to find a GOOD deal though, just a decent deal.
Just keep an open mind, you never know when a lump of coal is hiding a diamond
Just because a bike is rusted or neglected doesn't mean it can't be brought back to life
Although sometimes, a diamond is handed to you on a silver platter if you wait long enough
Just because a bike is rusted or neglected doesn't mean it can't be brought back to life
Although sometimes, a diamond is handed to you on a silver platter if you wait long enough
I like that...
well I just got an email for $120, 1960's Huffy with this picture.... if I can get thme to go to $100, should I go for it or be patient?
PS. I'm partially colorblind and it gets worse on electronic screens -- is that red or brown?
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ocho ninja & VIKTR have really good points, a lil patience & granted, some luck and you'll find a bike far better than a $100 wallyworld special.
I got this '43 Rollfast for the same price as a Cranbrook;
...and last summer I got this '41 Elgin for a whopping $35 at a local flea market;
Good luck hunting, they're out there
edit: That 60's Huffy isn't bad, better than most new bikes for the money - I'd want to wheedle them down a bit given it's not that old or collectable (& I'm cheap) but on the other hand it seems really clean & in good shape... if it's that or a box store bike I'd go for it, they'd prolly talk down some in any case. The 60's are tricky as it seems that's when some bikes got a lil flimsier/cheaper in construction methods, but that's defo before Huffy turned to total cheese - I'd want to look at it close before throwing down me pennies, but I'm like that w/everything lol
...& it looks red to me
I got this '43 Rollfast for the same price as a Cranbrook;
...and last summer I got this '41 Elgin for a whopping $35 at a local flea market;
Good luck hunting, they're out there
edit: That 60's Huffy isn't bad, better than most new bikes for the money - I'd want to wheedle them down a bit given it's not that old or collectable (& I'm cheap) but on the other hand it seems really clean & in good shape... if it's that or a box store bike I'd go for it, they'd prolly talk down some in any case. The 60's are tricky as it seems that's when some bikes got a lil flimsier/cheaper in construction methods, but that's defo before Huffy turned to total cheese - I'd want to look at it close before throwing down me pennies, but I'm like that w/everything lol
...& it looks red to me
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Wow, those are good deals... I'll pass on this Huffy and wait, maybe check out my local flea market this saturday (although I've heard they sell stolen bikes )
and thansk for the advice vktr, will keep that in mind
)and thansk for the advice vktr, will keep that in mind
Just to add, I have found some killer deals at thrift stores. My much better half laughs at me for not being able to drive past a Salvation Army or the like. Once found a 1950 cruiser for $8. It was marked down as it was missing the left pedal.
It never hurts to keep your eyes open. I just hauled a twenty incher out of the local creek. When the water level went down a bit after raining buckets for a few days, it showed its handlebars.
The frame & paint were in good shape. The tires still had tread and held air. But the seat was all torn up. So: new seat, adjusted chain, pulled weeds out of everyplace, cleaned her up (girl's bike) and greased her up. And then I brought in my beautiful third daughter, Kassandra, who'd outgrown her old bike. She ADORED it. I adjusted it for her, and let her try it out. More adjusting and so forth. Now she rides it around and loves it dearly. And it cost me nothing. Nil. Zip. Zilch. Nada. Well, it cost me a new seat, a tube of grease, and an elbow of grease.
The frame & paint were in good shape. The tires still had tread and held air. But the seat was all torn up. So: new seat, adjusted chain, pulled weeds out of everyplace, cleaned her up (girl's bike) and greased her up. And then I brought in my beautiful third daughter, Kassandra, who'd outgrown her old bike. She ADORED it. I adjusted it for her, and let her try it out. More adjusting and so forth. Now she rides it around and loves it dearly. And it cost me nothing. Nil. Zip. Zilch. Nada. Well, it cost me a new seat, a tube of grease, and an elbow of grease.
If you have a metal recycling dealer (in Kansas City, Kansas, USA, the place is 1153 S. 12th St. Kansas City, KS 66105) that takes aluminum, and you watch the line of vehicles going in, you'll see plenty of bikes about to be sold for scrap. (In fact, many bikes are stolen just for the scrap value of the Al frame.)
If you see something you can use that's not too deep in a load, you can make the thief, err, seller an offer easily more than the scrap value.
If you see something you can use that's not too deep in a load, you can make the thief, err, seller an offer easily more than the scrap value.
I agree with nehmo, I hang aroung the local scrapyards evertime I get a chance. You can buy bikes from scrappers for pennies on the dollar! $5 bucks for a frame is better than 3 cents scrap price so the scrappers will almost always deal. I once saw a guy buy a whole trailer load of at least 50 bikes for $50 bucks. I was so mad he beat me to it!
Don't give up!
Don't give up!
