RogueSphere Cyclery - Lowrider Bikes, Customs, Old School and Rat Rods

Mid 70's Simpsons Sears Muscle

1981 Raleigh Canuck

Mid 70's Simpsons Sears Muscle

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Simpsons / Sears Mid 70's Muscle Bike

SOLD!

Local Pick-Up Only

Here is the Simpsons / Sears Muscle bike I have completed. It's been stipped down to just the frame here. I have determined that this bike was sold by Simpsons / Sears in Canada in the mid 70's. Since this bike is a Sears bike there is virtually no data on it available. It was not of the Sears Spyder line of bikes as I initially thought, but I do believe is very similar to the single speed Spyders that were available in previous years. The data I gathered was a by chance glance at a Sears Catalog from 1976 and there it was.

This bike will be reconditioned and rebuilt with new parts used for retro style bikes. Though this bike was designed with youth in mind, but it can easily be rode by any adult. In my opinion this is not common bicycle that can be easily found. It's because of this, I think that this bike has all the qualities that will make it a very cool addition to anyone's fleet.

Here is the frame completely down to bare metal. It looked as if it had been repainted several times by spray bombs/rattle cans as there were a few different layers of different colored paint. I am preping this bike for primer and several coats of Metallic Garnet Red paint.

The banana seat and sissy bar were pretty much destroyed from years of much loved fun! The pan was starting to show signs of disintegration as rusted chunks of it could be removed easily. The sissy bar, though pretty much intact, had tremendous wear from scratching which led to rust. The decision to replace it was not hard as there were several dents in the unit that cannot be repaired. I think I may go with a tall sissy bar to give it that over the edge cool look!

The wheels were in good shape. A simple tear down, clean and lube will bring them back to a running smooth condition. Aesthetically, these wheels needed help in the spokes department. The original spokes were bent in places and had long ago oxidized. So I had new stainless steel spokes cut and waiting for me to lace.

The fenders told the same story as the rest of the bike. After years of “fun love” they too had taken a beating. Rusted through, painted over to hide the rust, dents, bends and twist, these fenders had stuck it out.

Good job boys, now you can rest!

A new set of chrome is on the way!

Update October 25, 2008

This week has been all about collecting the new parts for this project and getting them ready. I decided it was time to sit down and re-build the wheels this bike will be rolling on. I wanted to keep the original wheels, but the spokes were completely oxidised. So a trip to see the guys down at the bike shop was in order. They cut me a whole new set of spokes and I was ready to rock.

Front wheel hub cleaned up after 32 years of service

Rear Hub Assembly

Both hubs re-assmbled and ready to back into service

All the tools of the trade ready to work some magic!

New stainless steel spokes and nipples will bring the wheels back into service. I start with lacing the one side of the wheel then repaet the pattern on the otherside. I continue going around the wheel turning each nipple a few turns until I get tension. From this point on, I will keep checking the "dish" of the hub in relation to the rim. I then move the wheel to the truing stand. I contiue going around the wheel increasing the tension to each spoke to the desired level while maintaining the lateral and radial "true".

The finished product!

Update November 1, 2008

Well things have been a little hectic this week as the good ol’ Edmonton winter starts to creep up on us. Today was however, beautiful outside and as optimal day to paint. So I got busy and prepared the frame and shot it with several coats of high quality primer. Weather permitting; I should be able to shoot the color soon. I have chosen a metallic garnet red for the frame which I think will stand out along with the chrome on the bike. This bike will be phenomenal when completed.

One of the final preps on the frame was the removal of the chain guard tab. The original chain guard had been cut in half for some unknown reason, which rendered it useless. I opted for a new aftermarket chain guard however the old mounting tab would be in the way. I removed the tab to allow space for the new guard.

Here you see the Sears Muscle cantilever frame on the right along with my Raleigh "Road Warrior" frame on the left.

Update November 19, 2008

Completed!

Well here is the frame painted with several coats of medium metallic garnet red. It really pops with that old school look.

This day is a lot like Christmas! I go through all the new parts I ordered over the past several weeks and get to open them. I started ordering parts for this project back in June, so this project took some time to get to this point.

I replaced the old rusted chain with a new chrome chain. I want the the chrome to bring out the red paint.

Here was something I was fortunate to stumble upon. I found this NOS (New Old Stock) speedometer and knew I was going use it for this bike. This item actually took this bike a step up from my original vision.

A new chrome chainguard to replace the chopped guard.

Brand new 3 piece crankset.

One of the most important elements of the old school muscle bike is the sparkle banana seat. I remember everyone could carry a passenger on a seat this long! I am betting no can do that anymore!

A new 42 inch long sissy bar.

Old school stem

New 16 inch V style handle bar

Front wheel mounted to a 20 inch springer fork. I finished the newly laced wheel with new whitewall tyres.

Here the bike is starting to take shape. I slip that spare seat on the seat post as a safety factor.

And now the finished product!

The Mid 70's Simpsons/Sears Hi Riser Muscle Bike *Brat*

Ok so I am calling this one a brat. When we were kids we all had muscle bikes. Though everyone had bikes of different makes and colors, we were all essentially on the same page. But there was always one kid that had that extra edge. He would get all the goodies on his bike. He would add something here or there that everyone would everyone would think was really cool, but we would be jealous. Sure, he was the kid that mowed lawns, and washed cars for his goodies. But we didn't care, he was always the spoiled brat!

So I decided to make recreate this Sears Muscle into the bike that I and all my friends wanted. As I mentioned before I found this bike in the 1976 Sears Catalogue, so here she sits, 28 years later. I hope you like it.