Hey thanks for the invite - I was the lucky winner of the 1961 "Barn Find"
ebaysell gcrparts1 G167935 07/28/1961 Black Unrestored barn find original S.P. $499.00
Here's the details:
Picked up this 61 original 5 speed Corvette on Ebay - was a little pricey at $500 + Shipping but super original and essentially complete minus a usable rack and headlight. Even better, bike was built 3 days after I was born - 7/28/61 - had to have this one. The original paint is pretty shot - some light rust and many scratches and all the brightwork was covered with a good layer of rust. The original Mayweg rack was missing all but the side rails and needs replacement. The plan is to repaint entire frame, new decals and clean rest of components. Had the bike a little over a month and here is the progress:
Disassembled entire bike to bare frame - removed surface rust to clean metal on rear frame legs and will chemically strip balance of frame next.
Removed all rust on rims, crank sprocket, crank, derailleur, pedals, handlebars, neck, seatpost clamp. Fenders are stainless and will need some small dent removal and polishing. Restored entire base of seat - replaced springs, crash rail, painted carriage - will look to touch up vinyl cover but it looks pretty good now.
Before pics:
I obtained all of the decals and went with a Rustoleum primer/black lacquer/Clearcoat laquer. Figured I would play with the chainguard first - original was pretty bad with a gouges and bad chrome - I picked up an identical pink guard from a 61 girl's middleweight, stripped it and primed, sanded then 4 coats of black lacquer, decals and then clearcoat - looks pretty good IMHO - thinking of a few more coats as I can see the edge of the decal. Frame was sanded with 60 grit, cleaned with rubbing alcohol and now sits with a fresh coat of prime awaiting paint. Real happy with this so far - I grinded any surface rust and seems super smooth now after just primer.
Just won a correct Mayweg rack on the bay - steel parts are pretty rusty but should clean up nice. Just need a nice light now and new brake and shifter cables.