WHNJ701 4,165 #1 Posted February 21, 2019 a 1957 bolens super ride a matic. why is it super? because it has the k160 in it not the k90. I purchased this a few years ago been always wanting any early bolens. I bought basically sight unseen by a few photos. a friend of a friend etc.. had it and we purchased a few tractors that day. I was committed to buy it and as soon as I saw it I knew I was in trouble. I have a tendency to buy the worst possible project tractors and this definitely is one of them. once I got it home I cleaned did a really good inventory of what I needed, partially dissassemmbled it for storage and searched for parts which is a nightmare for one of these. the k160 is in great shape however it needs a coil, a rare bendix style $$$!. the biggest hurdle is the missing belt guard which are non existent. a true 57 style would be near impossible to repro without certain skills and stamping skills. I designed a simple style one more of the looks of a 58 but will work on mine. which i decided now it's time to start on. this week I reassembled it decided it's time to start again getting this project going. I love a challenge this definitely one. 8 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
WHX?? 48,815 #2 Posted February 21, 2019 (edited) K160 Jabel? Sure it's not a 161? No matter a good non WH to have in yer herd. Not to steal your thread guy but I haunt GTalk the same as you.... but lookit what I scored... I KNOW you been lookin!! Seems I got your penchant for picking the worst project tractors tho! Edited February 21, 2019 by WHX22 2 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
WHX?? 48,815 #3 Posted February 21, 2019 (edited) Now back to your Bolens... what do you mean about it needs a coil? I might be able to help. PM sent... Edited February 21, 2019 by WHX22 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
formariz 11,987 #4 Posted February 21, 2019 (edited) That Bolens is probably my favorite tractor. There is just nothing else like it. @buckrancherhas a beautifully restored one. Its in another post here somewhere. Here it is in this thread. Edited February 21, 2019 by formariz 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
WHX?? 48,815 #5 Posted February 21, 2019 Great thread Cas ..thanks for digging it out Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
WHNJ701 4,165 #6 Posted February 21, 2019 58 minutes ago, WHX22 said: K160 Jabel? Sure it's not a 161? No matter a good non WH to have in yer herd. Not to steal your thread guy but I haunt GTalk the same as you.... but lookit what I scored... I KNOW you been lookin!! Seems I got your penchant for picking the worst project tractors tho! yeah buddy those amigo's got one cool drive set up on them. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
WHNJ701 4,165 #7 Posted February 21, 2019 no its definitely a k160 engine, very similar to the k161, it's got totally different coil setup. a company used to repro them, some old chainsaws and boat engines used them. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
WHNJ701 4,165 #8 Posted February 21, 2019 1 hour ago, formariz said: That Bolens is probably my favorite tractor. There is just nothing else like it. @buckrancherhas a beautifully restored one. Its in another post here somewhere. Here it is in this thread. thanks for the link, he did an awesome job on it. I will have to contact him. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
formariz 11,987 #9 Posted February 21, 2019 I cant take my eyes off of that thing. He has also somewhere here some information on that coil. I believe he ran into similar obstacles during restoration. But then there are no obstacles to Brian. Only something else to execute perfectly. 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Chris G 3,296 #10 Posted February 21, 2019 Thats a nice bolens. Have had one of those on my want list for awhile now. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
oliver2-44 9,752 #11 Posted February 21, 2019 1 hour ago, WHX22 said: Seems I got your penchant for picking the worst project tractors tho! I resemble that remark! Both of you have cool project we want to see more pictures of. A round nose Bolens is on my list. The Amigos are also really cool. I thankfully walked away from one for sale on GT talk a few years ago...missing way to many pieces. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
WHX?? 48,815 #12 Posted February 21, 2019 10 hours ago, oliver2-44 said: ...missing way to many pieces Agreed Jim & always the problem when you have that cool odd ball tractor in your herd....and the fact that there are no dedicated sites like RS here to find the pieces to the puzzle. Best one can do is wander the flea markets at shows hoping you find something or make your own parts. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
WHNJ701 4,165 #13 Posted February 21, 2019 making your own parts is fun! I don't regret buying this one, I only know of 2 of these in nj, for what I spent on the tractor and tracking parts down I would have been better off trying to locate a complete or finished one and having it shipped. but that wouldn't be any fun! most people looked at this when it for sale passed on it and wanted to chop it up for parts. I realized it was restorable. in the end it's a hobby I am going to have way more into this one than its value. 1 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
formariz 11,987 #14 Posted February 21, 2019 Two years ago there was one for sale here in NJ in Sussex county on Craigslist. It was a complete running tractor with original patina ,never touched. I came close to buying it and I regretted it ever since for not doing it. It was $550.00 and again a complete running tractor. The biggest issue for me at the time was basically that I would have to move into the shed with it. That one would stick out like a sore thumb. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
WHNJ701 4,165 #15 Posted February 21, 2019 25 minutes ago, formariz said: Two years ago there was one for sale here in NJ in Sussex county on Craigslist. It was a complete running tractor with original patina ,never touched. I came close to buying it and I regretted it ever since for not doing it. It was $550.00 and again a complete running tractor. The biggest issue for me at the time was basically that I would have to move into the shed with it. That one would stick out like a sore thumb. was that a 57? I do remember seeing one up that way. the one I wish I bought was in mass, 100% barn find original paint etc... that went pretty high. what drives me nuts is I know where a 59 bolens that has been sitting for decades, the property and contents are in an estate legal battle. it's about 10 minutes away! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
WHNJ701 4,165 #16 Posted February 21, 2019 here's a few more pics of some of the parts I tracked down, the oil bath airfilter, same as an early cub cadet, look carefully at the kohler muffler, it's reversed!! a set of NOS hub pawls not something you grab at the parts store. attached is the coil and how it mounts up. I did find a great kohler k160 engine manual too. a good friend found me some narrow rims that will work, I still have to shorten for the short spindles. it's s 3" wide rim. I have to order bushings for the 1" shaft. I will keep this post going as it s l o w l y moves along! 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
WHNJ701 4,165 #17 Posted March 10, 2019 so over the last week or so I took my drawings traced it out on sheet metal, cut it out, made some bends, (that little harbor freight bench break works great) clamped the 2 parts together and welded it up. it test fits perfect. a belt guard for one of these is next to impossible to find and I am sure it's a high dollar item if one did come up online. I am happy with the results. this was a big hurdle to get over for this project. next is to finish the front rims 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
"Manic-Mechanic" 1,194 #18 Posted March 15, 2019 (edited) On 2/21/2019 at 5:27 PM, jabelman said: here's a few more pics of some of the parts I tracked down, the oil bath airfilter, same as an early cub cadet, look carefully at the kohler muffler, it's reversed!! a set of NOS hub pawls not something you grab at the parts store. attached is the coil and how it mounts up. I did find a great kohler k160 engine manual too. a good friend found me some narrow rims that will work, I still have to shorten for the short spindles. it's s 3" wide rim. I have to order bushings for the 1" shaft. I will keep this post going as it s l o w l y moves along! I see the narrow axel you mentioned, never seen one that narrow! More of a challenge, cool. Your doing a great job, lot's of fun time! Edited March 15, 2019 by oldman Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
