55 Monark Rocket Tank

[mpr455]

Hey Guy's I Found Some Pictures Of An Original 50's Monark Rocket And I Noticed That The Tank Had Some Elaborate Stripes With The Word "rocket" Inside The Stripes. My Rocket Had Some God Awful House Paint Brushed Over The Original Finish. So I Brushed On A Thin Layer Of Aircraft Paint Remover And Waited About 15 Minutes Then Blasted The Paint Off With A Pressure Washer. Guess What ? The Original Lettering And Color Is Underneath In Fairly Decent Shape. Kind Of Like Finding A Fossil. Now I Will Take Some Tracings Of What Is There And Put It Into The Computer, Clean It Up And Make A Paint Mask. The Original Colors Are Maroon And Creme That I Will Have Matched At The Local Autobody Supply. I Have To Strip The Fenders Next To Get The Dimensions And Shape Of The Stripes On The Fenders.-big Mike

[bairdco]

cool! a few years back, i bought an old roadmaster from the 30's with about 4 layers of housepaint on it. i could actually peel the paint off in strips, and the original paint was in excellent condition. i mean, for a 70 year old bike. pinstriping, everything was still there. i felt the same way, it was like i was un-earthing some hidden treasure.

[Mike GeniuS]

Here's a pic of my rocket build - an actual rocket tank-im-restoring-

if you need more pics let me know.

Originally Posted by mpr455

Hey Guy's I Found Some Pictures Of An Original 50's Monark Rocket And I Noticed That The Tank Had Some Elaborate Stripes With The Word "rocket" Inside The Stripes. My Rocket Had Some God Awful House Paint Brushed Over The Original Finish. So I Brushed On A Thin Layer Of Aircraft Paint Remover And Waited About 15 Minutes Then Blasted The Paint Off With A Pressure Washer. Guess What ? The Original Lettering And Color Is Underneath In Fairly Decent Shape. Kind Of Like Finding A Fossil. Now I Will Take Some Tracings Of What Is There And Put It Into The Computer, Clean It Up And Make A Paint Mask. The Original Colors Are Maroon And Creme That I Will Have Matched At The Local Autobody Supply. I Have To Strip The Fenders Next To Get The Dimensions And Shape Of The Stripes On The Fenders.-big Mike

[Mike GeniuS]

Oh, the rack on the back, is also hand pinstriped from the factory.

[Mike GeniuS]

http://motorbicycling.com/f14/im-res...hen-24803.html[QUOTE=Mike GeniuS;230221]Here's a pic of my rocket build - an actual rocket tank (original paint)[IMG]

if you need more pics let me know.
Im trying the linkback thing.

[Mike GeniuS]

Looks like it's even the same color as mine. cool. my dad got this one brand new in 1950. so it may be a little older than you think. If you ever find out how to identify the exact year, please let me know. please keep me posted on the build, & i'll do the same.

[Mike GeniuS]

Originally Posted by mpr455

Hey Guy's I Found Some Pictures Of An Original 50's Monark Rocket And I Noticed That The Tank Had Some Elaborate Stripes With The Word "rocket" Inside The Stripes. My Rocket Had Some God Awful House Paint Brushed Over The Original Finish. So I Brushed On A Thin Layer Of Aircraft Paint Remover And Waited About 15 Minutes Then Blasted The Paint Off With A Pressure Washer. Guess What ? The Original Lettering And Color Is Underneath In Fairly Decent Shape. Kind Of Like Finding A Fossil. Now I Will Take Some Tracings Of What Is There And Put It Into The Computer, Clean It Up And Make A Paint Mask. The Original Colors Are Maroon And Creme That I Will Have Matched At The Local Autobody Supply. I Have To Strip The Fenders Next To Get The Dimensions And Shape Of The Stripes On The Fenders.-big Mike

Hey Here's some original paint, have the rear rack, too.(also painted on from factory.) Their not pictured here, but what are the 2 rods on the front for for? I have them, but I think i'm missing the top mount. The only thing not original on this bike is te sprocket.(my dad said he changed it in 1965.)
http://motorbicycling.com/attachment...ct0122-50-.jpg

[Mike GeniuS]

Originally Posted by mpr455

Hey Guy's I Found Some Pictures Of An Original 50's Monark Rocket And I Noticed That The Tank Had Some Elaborate Stripes With The Word "rocket" Inside The Stripes. My Rocket Had Some God Awful House Paint Brushed Over The Original Finish. So I Brushed On A Thin Layer Of Aircraft Paint Remover And Waited About 15 Minutes Then Blasted The Paint Off With A Pressure Washer. Guess What ? The Original Lettering And Color Is Underneath In Fairly Decent Shape. Kind Of Like Finding A Fossil. Now I Will Take Some Tracings Of What Is There And Put It Into The Computer, Clean It Up And Make A Paint Mask. The Original Colors Are Maroon And Creme That I Will Have Matched At The Local Autobody Supply. I Have To Strip The Fenders Next To Get The Dimensions And Shape Of The Stripes On The Fenders.-big Mike

One more thing, the pinstripes on the fenders & rear rack are BABY BLUE & YELLOW(TAN) If you have any Questions on the actual color or anything else, I can talk to the original owner(my dad). Feel free to contact me @ mikesagenius@gmail.com

[Allen_Wrench]

Now that is a sweet ride!

[silverbear]

Originally Posted by Mike GeniuS

Hey Here's some original paint, have the rear rack, too.(also painted on from factory.) Their not pictured here, but what are the 2 rods on the front for for? I have them, but I think i'm missing the top mount. The only thing not original on this bike is te sprocket.(my dad said he changed it in 1965.)
http://motorbicycling.com/attachment...ct0122-50-.jpg

A couple weeks ago I removed the pedal crank from an early 50's Monark Deluxe before shipping the frame off to Fasteddy in BC. You're welcome to it if you want it. I can send a photo of it if you want to see if it matches the original. Not sure how well it will clean up. Skip tooth chain got sent off to Louie McMan and I'm using the front fork for part of a leaf spring front suspension for my "Indian" Worksman. This old Monark gets around...
SB