Hello,
New here. I'm an amateur, beginning to restore a Ruttman Spyder with my grandson. I believe it to be very original. Serial number is 35313. The white Tecumseh HS50 serial number points to a build date in May, 1977. Bike is a long-frame, in black; 4-spoke 6" Ruttman alloy wheels; seat is all black, but with the same piping as I see on the black/white ones.
I have a few questions for the experts:
1) Is it normal for the bike to lean quite far on the kickstand? Tires are 4.10/3.50x6 front and rear. From what I read on this forum, there were only 2 lengths of kickstand on Ruttmans (is that true?), and this is definitely not the short 2-and-something inch version.
2) Was the frame available in any other color (besides black) in 1977?
3) It has a round "Ruttman Uglys" sticker on the chain/clutch guard. Would that be correct for the year? Did the factory put those on? Or would it have had a circular "Ruttman Cycle Dearborn Hts., Mich." decal? Or a rectangular "RUTTMAN MINI-BIKES" decal? I see all of these on eBay.
4) Any recommendations for white paint for the Tecumseh? VH1? And the plastic tank? I do have a blast cabinet and paint gun.
Thanks very much!
Mark in Virginia
PS. I know the rear fender isn't original.
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