I originally thought of simply shooting a coat of primer over the rattle canned finish and doing a quickie job. I am so glad that I took the time to chemically strip her down to see the true beauty of the front triangle. I'll strip the rear triangle down when I have time later this week. These early frames were not powder coated so I want to keep it real and have a nice stock (correct) color shot on her now.



One of the totally cool things about the Early Matthews frames is the fact that the Bottom Bracket is not simply a piece of tubing but rather a rolled piece of steel that is formed and welded into a tube.



You can't help but appreciate the craftsmanship that went into designing, jigging and welding up these frames in the early 1970s.



Really nice welds for that era.





This thing was pretty much box stock when I received it but had been stripped of paint and rattle canned baby blue (with a gray rear triangle). Here are all of the parts I have waiting for her. I changed the cranks to 1970 Schwinn diamond cranks (as the guy who "restored it" has put some 1990s Mongoose cranks and a Wal Mart front tire on her) and I am grabbing a matching Carlisle Aggressor MX 200 tire off of one of my donor bikes. Notice the original Carlisle puncture resistant tubes still there.

I remember her when she was just a baby. I would look at her through the pane glass giving window giving it goofy smiles and pointing at her hoping that someday I would have one of my own.

I know that she had a hard life and had a lot of up and downs in her life. She's been considered a winner and she's also been down in the mud. Yes, she has sagged in places and her luster was diminished, but deep down she knew someone out there would find her desirable. For a few years she probably felt unloved as younger ones came into the scene. But now, she met the right person to make her feel like a winner again. Glad to see you are taken care of her Ken. She deserves a good home.

wow, what a BILF (bike id like to fly)

looks great for a 31 year old.

you mean a "m i l f" (Monoshock I'd .....)

[ May 10, 2006, 01:35 PM: Message edited by: Reilley1 ]

I was really hoping to see a hottie, but that will do
for now.
Do you have one of her assembled?

~" Fat bottomed girls they'll be riding today
So look out for those beauties oh yeah "~

I remember these and thought they were the coolest bikes around when I was so young. My neighbors older brother had one and we use to borrow it and crash it and had the greatest of times.

Oh bugger!
Thanks for the inspiration to finish mine. Looks like a lot of fun.

As someone who grew up riding bikes and motorcycles, my dad would razz me about wanting a Matthews (or Yamaha or Kawasaki BMX). Something about why the hell would you want a motorcylce with out an engine LOL.

Might I ask, what does she weigh?

(Oh and I will admit I actully thought I might see a pretty girl here...more laughs)

Wow !! Nice drop outs for 31 !!!! Grips still look firm too !!!!! LOL !!

quote:

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Might I ask, what does she weigh?

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Frame (with shock), Forks, and Bars weigh as much as my entire Carbon road bike.