Just got a Worksman!

silverbear · #1 09-11-2009, 05:53 PM

For a long time I've wanted a heavy duty paper boy Worksman Cruiser. I just never could afford one. And I've never seen one except on the internet. So I watch eBay and once in a very great while a used Worksman cruiser comes up until now selling for more than I can afford. Several days ago I found one on eBay that looked perfect for my purposes. I got it for 68.00 and will pay another 40.00 for shipping. It is missing some things and the front wheel may need to be replaced (the replacement a heavy duty Huffy with the drum brake), but I have several Wald handlebars to choose from and a nice wide Worksman seat... or if I can get the post to fit I have a restored 1940 Elgin seat which I stitched up in black elk hide. I have a set of Wald cruiser fenders on hand already. After that I'll need to replace the chain (missing) and do whatever is necessary to prepare it for a HT engine. I have a couple of questions maybe one of you Worksman people can answer. This is not going to have the frame altered to make it into a board track racer reproduction, although it will certainly look old. That said, is there any problem fitting the front mount? Will the stock pedal crank clear the muffler or will I need a wider crank (or shorter)? I believe I read somewhere that the pedal chain is wider than a regular cruiser bicycle chain. Is that so and what size is it? I really like my old Schwinn American Flyers and am partial to older bikes with heavy frames made in the USA, But I am really looking forward to this kinda beat up Worksman Cycle. I even like the name. This one is going to be my "Iron Horse" and may get the Indian fender light if it looks right. So cool. Doing up old bikes is just the best... turning that proverbial "pig's ear into a silk purse". (For you young people that's an old saying) I'll be watching for the UPS man like a little kid at Christmas.
Silverbear

skjjoe · #2 09-11-2009, 05:56 PM

i was watching that on fleabay nice bike you scored there

Kevlarr · #3 09-11-2009, 06:04 PM

Nice and the $40 shipping is icing on the cake! Why can't more people ship bikes for $40 flat rate????

silverbear · #4 09-11-2009, 07:09 PM

I just realized that I have a set of banged up 1940 Elgin fenders, chain guard and also the original fender skirts. Along with the Elgin seat I have just about everything I need to finish off the Worksman as a much older bike. It won't be a board track racer, but it will be the way I like it, different and all mine. The Iron Horse will be my winter project. For now I'll just try to put it all together to see how things fit and if I like it that way. You should feel how heavy fenders from 1940 are. Good metal. It will be a challenge getting the dents pounded out. Boy, is this going to be fun!
Silverbear
Silverbear

azbill · #5 09-11-2009, 07:59 PM

excellent score !!!
gonna be a nice winter build

don't forget pics as you go...I/we will be looking over your shoulder as it comes together

silverbear · #6 09-11-2009, 08:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by azbill

excellent score !!!
gonna be a nice winter build

don't forget pics as you go...I/we will be looking over your shoulder as it comes together

As long as you don't look too closely, Bill... I'm not as skilled as some of you guys and don't have much in tools anymore. On the other hand I'm careful in what I do and unless you need to weld or fabricate machined parts, a lot can be done with simple hand tools, a little know how and not too much money.I like looking around at what I have and imagining what will look good and what won't Sometimes you don't know until you try it. Sure, I'll post pictures as I go. You guys can keep me out of trouble that way.
Silverbear

motorhedfred · #7 09-11-2009, 08:47 PM

So you're the one that outbid me!!!!! I was stuck at work and watched it slip away, but couldn't raise my bid...DAMN IT !!! Do something good with it silverbear. I'm glad someone here got it instead of someone that doesn't know what's good about them.

silverbear · #8 09-11-2009, 09:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by motorhedfred

So you're the one that outbid me!!!!! I was stuck at work and watched it slip away, but couldn't raise my bid...DAMN IT !!! Do something good with it silverbear. I'm glad someone here got it instead of someone that doesn't know what's good about them.

While I'm awfully glad to have gotten it, I'm also sorry you didn't. You had visions of your own on what to do with it. So, here's hoping you find another. I'm realizing that this is a good way to build a bike if you enjoy this and have the time. I paid good money for at least one of my Americans which was in nice shape... you have to pay for that, of course, but then you pay again if you turn around and change the wheels, the seat, don't like the handlebars and so on. So why not buy the frame you want and then add to it with exactly what you want and can afford? At least you end up with a bike that really suits you and which you know inside out to be good quality. A good, strong frame is the foundation as I see it. No doubt there were some who looked at the auction picture I posted and thought, " For what he spent I could buy a brand new cruiser at WalMart and a few hours of engine installation later be all done, plus have shiny new paint, spiffy chrome fenders, new tires, etc." All that is true. But this Worksman will still be solid fifty years from now while the bike from Walmart will be dust in the wind. A couple of weeks ago I saw a nice Pope frame go for
around fifty bucks. They're out there. I hope you find your bike, Motorheadfred.
Silverbear

**2door** · #9 09-11-2009, 10:48 PM

Congrats, Silver B.
Keep us posted with progress photos. That will be a solid build and its in the hands of someone who knows what to do with it. You lucky man. Have fun, ride safe.
Tom

motorhedfred · #10 09-12-2009, 08:02 AM

Ouch!.....My bike IS a WalMart bike....Point Beach to be exact. But, no harm no foul...as I said, I'm very glad it will be in the hands of someone who appreciates it. I had visions of a drop loop mod, Monark style springer and a shift kitted 4-stroke. I'll get there. I think I'll just put a 2-smoke ring-a-ding on mine and enjoy it beore passing it on to someone else. Completed motored bicycles are bringing a decent price around here.

Enjoy brother....make us proud.

MHF