Bolens 1050 Restoration

[michelle]

Here is what has taken my hubby's attention lately, but it's looking pretty good, so I will deal with it.

When we picked it up:
http://i135.photobucket.com/albums/q142/bread320i/Tractors/DSCF0781.jpg
http://i135.photobucket.com/albums/q142/bread320i/Tractors/DSCF0782.jpg
http://i135.photobucket.com/albums/q142/bread320i/Tractors/DSCF0783.jpg
http://i135.photobucket.com/albums/q142/bread320i/Tractors/DSCF0780.jpg
http://i135.photobucket.com/albums/q142/bread320i/Tractors/DSCF0777.jpg

Tractor was torn down so that every single nut and bolt could be paint with "Gloss Leather Brown". I learned how to use a spray gun (and clean it "properly" :rolleyes:), which was kind of nice. I'm ready to paint a car now! :goof

Adam in the paint booth.
http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc4/hs613.snc4/59301_618038396138_219700023_35265767_5603011_n.jp g

Time to reassemble it:
http://i135.photobucket.com/albums/q142/bread320i/1050resto208.jpg
http://i135.photobucket.com/albums/q142/bread320i/1050resto209.jpg
http://i135.photobucket.com/albums/q142/bread320i/1050resto210.jpg

As it sits now:
http://i135.photobucket.com/albums/q142/bread320i/1050paint438.jpg
http://i135.photobucket.com/albums/q142/bread320i/1050paint442.jpg
http://i135.photobucket.com/albums/q142/bread320i/1050paint441.jpg
http://i135.photobucket.com/albums/q142/bread320i/1050paint439.jpg
http://i135.photobucket.com/albums/q142/bread320i/1050paint443.jpg

It's not going to be a perfect 10, but for our first restoration while keeping costs down, I am impressed with how it is turning out.


Any idea what car the hood ornament is from on the "before" pictures?

[jbiscuit]

Looks great. Where are you getting the decals from?

[michelle]

http://samsbolens.com/

Maple Hunter has them as well, but Sam's Bolens look a bit more accurate - something with the "O" in Bolens.

We have them already and they look great, but I know I am not going to be putting them on! I would never hear the end of it if they were not perfect.

[noeggs4u]

Very cool project. Have not seen one of those in years. Looks very nice.

[SSLEVO]

Looks good, are you guys planing on selling these when done or starting a collection? I have a 600rr motor in my garage i'm thinking about throwing in a tractor and making a pulling rig.

[SmokinRAM114]

ornament looks to off a '51 chevy

http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_i_AovfzNXgQ/TGtyjPz14tI/AAAAAAABRRw/lLFLFSE60uo/s400/chevrolet_49-54_Hood_ornament_4.jpg

[michelle]

Looks good, are you guys planing on selling these when done or starting a collection? I have a 600rr motor in my garage i'm thinking about throwing in a tractor and making a pulling rig.

Collection for the most part.

[Voodoo Chick]

Definitely a unique restoration, and seems to be coming along quite well.

[SSLEVO]

Want another one? lol
http://milwaukee.craigslist.org/grd/2093636889.html

[michelle]

Already looked at it. Not worth the price.

We just picked up another 1050 for $100 with Bolens wheel weights and mowing deck. Those weights alone go for over $100 on Ebay, but they will probably get cleaned up and painted and collect dust somewhere. (:

[-stew-]

Y'all have some weird hobbies...

[indyzmike]

I saw a bunch of nice lawn tractors at the Oak Creek Pioneer Days show. When restored, they look really cool. Nice job, looks like new. I like how they look with the huge generator hanging out the side. Is that one with the generator and starter all in one?

[PureSound15]

Yeah... just can't get into that.

[pOrk]

Yeah... just can't get into that.

x2

[Ricky Bobby]

x3 and i got a weird hobby :rolf

we also do smash these :thumbsup

[jbiscuit]

I guess its something to do during the winter but yea I wouldn't be able to spend money on something like this. Cuz what do you do with it once its all done?

[michelle]

Eh, better than some unhealthy hobbies some people have. Not referring to people on BCM, but just in general.

Small engines are interesting things, that's for sure. Learning more and more about Wisconsin engines that I didn't even know existed until he started telling me what a Bolens tractor was.

[Cryptic]

Adam in the paint booth.
http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc4/hs613.snc4/59301_618038396138_219700023_35265767_5603011_n.jp g



Where is this paint booth? Is that air filters behind him?

[michelle]

At his work. He's a cabinetmaker, so that is their spray booth.

But yeah, that's a wall of filters.

[michelle]

Adam painted the engine recently and we bolted it back on to the tractor tonight. So much brown, but that's factory. Bolens liked the brown.

http://i135.photobucket.com/albums/q142/bread320i/DSCN1748.jpg

http://i135.photobucket.com/albums/q142/bread320i/DSCN1747.jpg

Gas tank.
http://i135.photobucket.com/albums/q142/bread320i/DSCN1750.jpg

http://i135.photobucket.com/albums/q142/bread320i/DSCN1757.jpg

http://i135.photobucket.com/albums/q142/bread320i/DSCN1756.jpg

[Windsors 03 Cobra]

Looks great, those old Bolens were great for romping with the high and low range transmissions. I can relate to the hobby and like to see them all fixed up.

I think Wisconsin Motors were made right on Beloit Ave in West Allis. The air cooled V4 "Screaming Wisconsin's" were great motors.

[jakedrew]

http://wausau.craigslist.org/grd/2107138349.html seen this on my local craigslist and thought I would share ?

[michelle]

http://wausau.craigslist.org/grd/2107138349.html seen this on my local craigslist and thought I would share ?

Thanks for passing the link along. That's a bit newer than he normally goes for, but I will forward it to my husband.

Here is where the tractor sits now. Decals are on and hood is attached.

http://i135.photobucket.com/albums/q142/bread320i/Bolens%201050/DSCN1799.jpg

Rear tires are older, used ones so they don't hold air consistently, so the back end is a little flat.

[Prince Valiant]

very cool michelle! Adam does great work...hopefully it carries over to the taurusi's too, lol.

[michelle]

very cool michelle! Adam does great work...hopefully it carries over to the taurusi's too, lol.

He seems to have lost interest in cars. On the plus side, he moved all of his tractor stuff into the basement, so the second garage is all mine! :banana1:

Except it's winter and cold in there, so somehow he benefited from a heated basement to work instead of my car being stored down there. :chair:

[jakedrew]

looks good.

[jbiscuit]

He seems to have lost interest in cars? Uh oh

[BadAzzGTA89]

He seems to have lost interest in cars? Uh oh

Yup and then women:rolf

[michelle]

He seems to have lost interest in cars? Uh oh

His plan is to go back and forth between hobbies (cars and tractors). His "racecar" hasn't been touched in a long time, but in his defense he is waiting for a company to finish developing and testing some coilovers and his transmission is in North Carolina getting the Wavetrac installed. A couple of key components to arrive and I can see progress continuing in spring.

And I imagine the first ride in my car with the blower might help too. :devil

[0TransAm0]

So does this tractor run? Looks good.

[michelle]

So does this tractor run? Looks good.

I sure hope so. :goof

He was working on the wiring last night, so he's getting closer to starting it.

[michelle]

It has spark, as of today. Adam wants to get new throttle and choke cables.

Howie was also downstairs helping him, so I decided to subject my poor beagle to some pictures with my cell phone. He was thrilled.

http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash1/hs772.ash1/166201_634419383508_219700023_35647780_4124623_n.j pg

http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/hs012.snc6/166201_634419388498_219700023_35647781_6117306_n.j pg

Adam had to help him out.
http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc4/hs1140.snc4/148264_634419548178_219700023_35647791_4737010_n.j pg

[jakedrew]

lol

[jakedrew]

this of interest? Has a snowblower attachment?http://wausau.craigslist.org/grd/2141427984.html

everytime I see bolens stuff I think of this post. :rolf