Rat Rod Patina Thunder Jet Pre-Ross Bicycle Schwinn Shelby Hawthorn Hiawatha

Description

This is an early 50s (1954?) Thunder Jet bicycle made for a very short time. In my research I have concluded that it was a bicycle company bought by the Ross bicycle company. I have seen the identical bike with Ross on the tank rather than Thunder Jet and plane. If you look on Google you will find a perfect example of an excellently restored Thunder Jet bicycle. This was a perfect candidate to do a Rat Rod patina paintjob with satin clear to capture and protect the patina look. The bike was originally black frame with white tipped fork and black fenders with red tank and chain guard. There is some remnants of the actual black and red on the lower sides of the frame, tank, and chain guard where they were protected from the elements. Then you have the beautiful mixture of rust and slight paint remnants and primer to give it that cool Rat Rod patina. I personally used my pinstriping skills to try and re-enhance the screening that was heavily faded. If it had been in a little better shape I would have left it. This bike has modern wheels and tires for practical ease of bearings and parts for if needed in the future. This also had a really big crank gear that would require the man of steel to pedal, but I placed a smaller gear for leisurely cruising. Old leather seat gave the bike the finishing touch for the looks it needed and is comfortable to ride on. I thought when I first found this bike that it was a Shelby or some Cleveland Welding bike but it was not. It was found to be even more rare than I thought. Let the pictures sell you!
MFD Chain Bike CORP Rockaway Beach New York