Bird Sprite Restoration

[jackeo21]

It didn't take much arm twisting to go and get this little bike the other day.

This is my first USA built bike. Our domestically produced Tru-Test bikes have kept me busy over the years, so this is a neat change!

Time for something a little different, I thought.

My understanding is that this is a Bird "Sprite". Has anyone got an idea on production years for these bikes? Did they have a decal on the forks?

My Tecumseh HS50 has been in desperate need of a frame, so the 5HP Briggs will take a back seat on this one.

Todays efforts included:

• Stripping the frame down to assess any damage/bits that need attention
• Splitting the rims to replace the tyres. For some reason, it's got a 4" rim up front and a 5" on the rear.
• Having the top of the seat color matched, so I can paint the frame the same color. It's a sort of medium light blue, much like the "post thread" button.

The sprocket doesn't run true and has teeth missing. I've got a replacement, which I'll have my engineering buddy work his magic on. Nothing more frustrating than a chain that bucks because of a wobbly sprocket! The rear wheel bearings are also locked up solid. Out they go.
The frame also has a large dent under the seat rail. Looks like real precision clearance work has been done here. I'll cut this section out and weld in a new piece of tube to make things a little more presentable.

The next update should be a little more exciting, I'm trying to get this rebuilt before the new year. It's summer here in NZ, so there's no time like the present to get this thing done!

Also, how cool is the factory scrub brake! Hard to imagine they're very efficient, I suppose we'll see soon anyway.

- Jack

 

[Mikes440]

Here's a similar Bird that I built into a little hot rod...it was missing most everything original, including the scrub brake stuff, fender brackets, rims, etc...I didn't find a Bird Sprite fork decal available, so I built it as a JC Penney Foremost which were basically identical. Bird Engineering built them for JC Penney, I believe. There are decal sets available for them.

 

[manchester1]

Cool project.!!!

 

[willyb]

It didn't take much arm twisting to go and get this little bike the other day.

This is my first USA built bike. Our domestically produced Tru-Test bikes have kept me busy over the years, so this is a neat change!

Time for something a little different, I thought.

My understanding is that this is a Bird "Sprite". Has anyone got an idea on production years for these bikes? Did they have a decal on the forks?

My Tecumseh HS50 has been in desperate need of a frame, so the 5HP Briggs will take a back seat on this one.

Todays efforts included:

• Stripping the frame down to assess any damage/bits that need attention
• Splitting the rims to replace the tyres. For some reason, it's got a 4" rim up front and a 5" on the rear.
• Having the top of the seat color matched, so I can paint the frame the same color. It's a sort of medium light blue, much like the "post thread" button.

The sprocket doesn't run true and has teeth missing. I've got a replacement, which I'll have my engineering buddy work his magic on. Nothing more frustrating than a chain that bucks because of a wobbly sprocket! The rear wheel bearings are also locked up solid. Out they go.
The frame also has a large dent under the seat rail. Looks like real precision clearance work has been done here. I'll cut this section out and weld in a new piece of tube to make things a little more presentable.

The next update should be a little more exciting, I'm trying to get this rebuilt before the new year. It's summer here in NZ, so there's no time like the present to get this thing done!

Also, how cool is the factory scrub brake! Hard to imagine they're very efficient, I suppose we'll see soon anyway.

- Jack


View attachment 325770 View attachment 325771

thats going to be a fun project for sure... when we were kids all our bikes had scrub brakes they worked pretty good but had to press a bit harder when the tire got wet lol... i love that kickstand thats the real deal there! looking forward to seeing your build come along :thumbsup

 

[jackeo21]

Here's a similar Bird that I built into a little hot rod...it was missing most everything original, including the scrub brake stuff, fender brackets, rims, etc...I didn't find a Bird Sprite fork decal available, so I built it as a JC Penney Foremost which were basically identical. Bird Engineering built them for JC Penney, I believe. There are decal sets available for them. View attachment 325775 View attachment 325776 View attachment 325777 View attachment 325775 View attachment 325776

That's one sharp looking bike! Nice! That's the first I'm hearing of the Foremost, appreciate the info

 

[jackeo21]

More progress today!

I contacted a local crowd who specialise in blasting and dipping solutions. We talked options, I settled on having the bike dipped. I prefer the finish of blasting, but I have some frame repair to do anyhow and wanted to try an option I haven't tried.

So, here's a 'dipped Sprite!



I found a moment after work to make use of the small sandblasting cabinet we've got in the shop. I'd stripped my HS50 down a few months ago and sort of just left it all in bits on the work bench while other jobs took priority. An issue I had with the HS50 was that it had a 1" output, which on its own isn't all bad, but someone had busted the flywheel nut threads.

No worries, I sourced a super nice, 3/4" output crank in perfect shape, so things are shaping up nicely. The block, head & crankcase blasted up super nice. I've given the bore a light hone, just need to cut the exhaust valve seat, lap the valves back in and start putting it all back together. The plastic tanks I have available are far from nice, so I'm rolling with a good steel tank I collected eons ago.

Making moves!

 

[Mikes440]

That will be a fun winter project!! I'm looking for my next one!! I like your '68 Coronet or Super Bee also!!

 

[jackeo21]

Working on the bike in between breaks at work is a challenge, however I feel my efforts are beginning to pay off...

Prepped and primed the frame and bars, which revealed the extent of the pitting across 80% of the steel.

Spent some time filling the pitting before another few coats of high build primer. Which has thankfully smoothed things out!

Aiming to give it the final prep and paint on Monday! In the mean time, I figure I should get busy putting the engine back together, else I'll be pushing myself around Flintstones style (and making the putt-putt noises for the full effect of course!)

Here's the bike after its first helping of primer.

 

[jackeo21]

That will be a fun winter project!! I'm looking for my next one!! I like your '68 Coronet or Super Bee also!!

Good luck with the search! Thanks! It's a Coronet deluxe, post car. I've not long completed a 440 & 727 conversion. Going by your username, I assume you're no stranger to the mopar world?