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      CommentAuthorVelo Cult
    • CommentTimeFeb 9th 2009
     
    This thread is for people building vintage bikes, touring bikes, townie bikes or cross bikes.

    Use this thread for two different things:

    1) post before and after pictures of your projects or even post ongoing photos throughout the process of your project bike build.

    2) post photos and ask for technical help for your ongoing bike build.

    i will post some of our recent projects soon to keep this thread moving.
    •  
      CommentAuthorVelo Cult
    • CommentTimeFeb 9th 2009 edited
     
    since the forum is slow i'll post up some of the shops projects.

    here is the Puch bike as we got it:


    and here it is after we made a commuter out of it. note the handlebar wrap that took over two hours to do. its green and black cloth tape with clear shellac. it got new hoods, bar tape, chain, pedals, rack, panniers, Panaracer city tires, tubes, and Planet Bike fenders. a tired old bike just got second chance.


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      CommentAuthorzen@zero
    • CommentTimeFeb 10th 2009
     
    That bike's awesome! I especially love the handlebar wrap!
    •  
      CommentAuthorVelo Cult
    • CommentTimeFeb 10th 2009
     
    thanks. i really like taking bikes that have been neglected for decades and giving them a whole new purpose and look.
    •  
      CommentAuthorVelo Cult
    • CommentTimeFeb 10th 2009
     
    i don't have before photos of this one but we just finished it. it's an old Specialized Sequoia designed by Merz. we got it totally neglected. it had no seat, no wheels, no handlebars and it looked like it had been buried in a dirty garage for decade or more. the bars are Nitto Noodles with white cotton take, clear shellac and finished with blue hemp twine.

    lets see other projects! even if they are not finished. dont forget to take before shots if at all possible!!





    • CommentAuthorTom@VC
    • CommentTimeFeb 10th 2009
     
    The Sequoia is beautiful. I think the cream color of the tape is classy. Chalk white would have been a little gaudy. I like the bar end plugs too, I wish they would have been a little cleaner but it works.

    For some reason I would like to put some paperboy racks on the back.
    • CommentAuthorProtorio
    • CommentTimeFeb 12th 2009
     
    Wow. That Sequoia came out great. Hopefully some people get great ideas. I'm working on a Trek 950 for my wife - slowly, since she's 4 months pregnant. I'll post a "before" photo soon. You guys will see it at the shop soon to pull parts off.
    • CommentAuthorthom
    • CommentTimeFeb 19th 2009 edited
     
    Here's a thread that's right up my alley! I'll post my favorite first, which has been into VC for a stuck pedal (if you were screwed into a crank arm for pushing 70 years, you'd be stubborn, too). The make is Runwell, from Birmingham, England, model unknown, year unknown, but probably circa 1930. Only things replaced were grips (which had nearly disintegrated), tires (had original Dunop War Grade tyres from WWII when bought), brake shoes for the front rod brake, chain, pedals, cotter pins on the cranks, and mudguards repainted. Bearings and cones needed grease, but were otherwise in fine shape. Single speed, Perry coaster hub in back. Original Brooks B66(?) saddle. Front wheel was chromed by previous owner, rear wheel has lost its original nickel plating. Bars/stem and crank arms still retain most of the original nickel. I did a pretty comprehensive job of documenting the work at my Old Bike Blog http://oldbikeblog.blogspot.com. I'll post my other finished project, and my current projects here soon.
    Before:
    The Runwell
    After:
    The Runwell in a More Civilized Setting
    •  
      CommentAuthorVelo Cult
    • CommentTimeFeb 19th 2009
     
    Very interesting frame. Nice resto!
    • CommentAuthorthom
    • CommentTimeFeb 19th 2009
     
    Thanks, that baby is a "Rigid Safety Frame." Here's an advert for a different model in the 1936 line. Click for big, and for an album of other Runwell stuff I've collected from the interwebs.
    From Runwell Bicycle Company, Birmingham, England
    • CommentAuthorDavbu4
    • CommentTimeFeb 26th 2009
     
    Spent last weekend cleaning up and fixing my wife's late 80's huffy mtb (she's had longer then me) and soon the upgrading on my univega mtb to get it to expedition ready, love to camp and love to ride so why not do both at the same time eh?
  1.  
    Im having a custom "french delivery bike" made that will be done in a few weeks. It will have all american made components. The theme of the bike is to just be bomb proof and be able to handle everything.

    The builders name is Allan Wanta. He is a local framebuilder that has a lot of experience and is actually affordable. REALLY affordable. He also makes custom racks. Hit us up at the shop if you want his info.
    • CommentAuthorevster
    • CommentTimeMar 6th 2009
     
    This is not so much of a "project" per se as it is a new acquisition that I'd like to make some mods to. I scored this bike earlier this week on Craigslist for super cheap. It's a steel-frame Trek 720 Multi-Track made in 1991. Not exactly a thing of beauty, but it seems highly functional and not too likely to get stolen if I happen to leave it locked to something for a while. I plan on making it my bomb-proof, do-it-all kind of bike for the city and even some light trail riding.

    So I had a couple questions for all of you bike aficionados out there...

    1.) I noticed the wheels are slightly out of true. I can see a slight amount of wobble when I look down at the wheel as I'm cruising along, but it does not seem to affect the handling or the overall ride. Should I be concerned about this, or can I just leave it alone? I checked the spokes and none of them are loose.

    2.) Would it be a lot of work and/or money to convert this thing to a 1x7 setup? I'm thinking about some kind of bash-guard on the outer chainring, a new, slightly larger chainring in the center, and then losing the granny gear and the front derailleur. Is there more to it than that? All of the chainrings are bolted on so they should be easy to remove in theory, but I've never done this type of stuff before.

    Thanks in advance for your help. This website is awesome and I check it out frequently, just don't always have time to post!

    Trek 720 Multi-Track
    •  
      CommentAuthorVelo Cult
    • CommentTimeMar 6th 2009
     
    you're wheels are fine but it's always nice to have true wheels. a bike shop can take care of that before it gets any worse. you certainly don't want it rubbing against the brake pads and slowing you down. ALL bikes bought used should get a full tune up and usually new brake pads, chain, cables and probably seat and grips. sometimes a deal isn't so much a deal when things get added up ya know. we can certainly let you know though.

    as for the 1x7 that can be done. you need a bash guard on the outside of the chainrings and a device on the inside that keeps the chain from falling off that direction. from there adjusting things and removing the front shifter and derailleur.
    • CommentAuthorevster
    • CommentTimeMar 6th 2009
     
    Thanks for the quick response Velo Cult!

    If I have time this weekend I'll bring it by the shop. I gave the bike a mini tune-up on my own and everything seemed to be in good working order. Some of the cables are a bit rusty so I plan on swapping them out eventually, but for now they work fine. The dude who owned it before me actually put new shifters and grips on it. It shifts perfectly and the ride is quiet, but one of the brakes is a little squeaky. Any advice for fixing that? I think I've heard you just get in there and sand it with some sandpaper??
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      CommentAuthorVelo Cult
    • CommentTimeMar 6th 2009
     
    first things first with a bike that old: change those brake pads. they have gotta be hardened after all these years. if the squeak is still there than ask my mechanic when you go in the shop. there's a pretty strait forward fix but it's a little hard to type out. it has to do with the adjustment of the pad.
    • CommentAuthorProtorio
    • CommentTimeMar 16th 2009
     
    Here's my current project - Rawland mountain/cyclocross/all-rounder 650B/700c adventure bike. I hoped to finish it during my Spring Break, but here I am back in my office surrounded by bike parts. Just need some cable end stops and then I can lace it up and take it through the canyon. More when its finished this week.

    Photobucket
    •  
      CommentAuthorVelo Cult
    • CommentTimeMar 16th 2009
     
    nice, i've always had a thing for orange bikes.
    •  
      CommentAuthorVelo Cult
    • CommentTimeMar 16th 2009
     
    how about a Nitto fillet brazed and chromed stem? sure would be sexy on that. :face-smile:
    • CommentAuthorProtorio
    • CommentTimeMar 16th 2009
     
    This is on the red side of orange, or the orange side of red. I like to think of it as orange, because its a great color for a bike.

    Oh yea, great idea on the fancy stem. I think I'll save my pennies for a Schmidt...the stem on there now is a second-hand Nitto UI-5GX. Sky - let us know how the vintage race went.
    • CommentAuthorthom
    • CommentTimeMar 20th 2009
     
    This is finally starting to look enough like a bicycle again to do a post on it. It's a 1955 Huffy Sportsman, made entirely by Raleigh in their Nottingham works. Almost every part is stamped with "Raleigh Industries" and the chain ring is the "R.I.N." variety, for Raleigh Industries Nottingham. I redid the paint on the top tube, chain stays, and fenders. The one-piece bars/stem are off a J.C. Higgins because I had to destroy the original stem to get the stem bolt unstuck (long story, it was no great loss, the original stem was in pretty bad shape, but I saved the bars). I've obviously got some more to finish, but I'm really happy at how it's coming along, so I had to share. I'll post again when it's finished.

    Huffy/Raleigh Reassembly #5

    1955 Huffy/Raleigh Sportsman
    •  
      CommentAuthorseabass
    • CommentTimeMar 20th 2009
     
    Wow Thom, that looks really nice. I never would've guessed 1955 if I only saw the top pic.
    • CommentAuthorthom
    • CommentTimeMar 20th 2009
     
    Hey thanks, that's just what I like to hear! Been working on it since November, so I'm *really* happy it's finally coming together, and so well. Still waiting for something to go horribly wrong...
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      CommentAuthorVelo Cult
    • CommentTimeMar 20th 2009
     
    fun project. are you going to restore the chainguard too?

    it's probably just me but i like it when the rear fenders make perfect circles. i would space out the bottom end of the fender near the bottom bracket so the fender doesn't kick out like that.

    do you have the original chrome pump? i love the look of those bikes with original pumps.
    • CommentAuthorthom
    • CommentTimeMar 20th 2009
     
    Chainguard is done, just not on the bike yet. Didn't turn out as well as the rest, but better than it was, for sure.

    The fender is a concern for more than just aesthetic reasons, as I think the tire is going to rub on the *back* of the fender when the bike is under weight (esp. since this will be rear-load grocery bike when finished). I'm thinking rather than space out the end near the BB, as you suggest, I'm going to have to somehow extend the rear braces to force the back of the fender out away from the tire a bit more. I've had luck on another bike using metal plumber's tape (the kind with the holes) to create a brace extension, but the way this one is set up, I don't know if that'll work.

    Alas, no pump, but repros are available, although I don't know how well they work. I especially like the look of a chromed pump on a black bike, very classy. I might have to try to source a NOS or other original to finish it off.
    •  
      CommentAuthorVelo Cult
    • CommentTimeMar 20th 2009
     
    who makes a repro pump for the old English bikes? i may want to get some in the shop.
    • CommentAuthorthom
    • CommentTimeMar 20th 2009
     
    Not sure who makes them, or how good they are, but Menotomy has them here:

    http://OldRoads.com/bikepart.html

    and Yellow Jersey has them here (bottom of page):

    http://www.yellowjersey.org/eastbits.html
    •  
      CommentAuthorVelo Cult
    • CommentTimeMar 20th 2009
     
    they're pretty cheap. at that price i would guess they aren't all that well built. still great for "the look" though.

    -S
    • CommentAuthorProtorio
    • CommentTimeMar 24th 2009
     
    Hey, Thom - said this on flickr - but that thing came out reall niiiiice.
    •  
      CommentAuthorseabass
    • CommentTimeApr 1st 2009
     
    I found a cheap frame/fork that I'd like to clean up and convert into something. It's an '86 Ross, so there's a little rust (could be much worse), but my biggest concern is this dent on the right chainstay.

    What do you guys think? Is this something I can more or less ignore, or should I look into repairing/reinforcing this somehow?

    Photobucket
    •  
      CommentAuthorVelo Cult
    • CommentTimeApr 1st 2009
     
    that dent was put there by the factory to give more clearance for the chainrings. most frames have some sort of indentation there for this. it's fine. i'd say bring it to us to be sure everything its "true" and then go get it powder coated.
    •  
      CommentAuthorseabass
    • CommentTimeApr 1st 2009
     
    Hah, good news, thanks...I thought that might've been the case, but some scuffs around it made me think otherwise. I'll definitely get it cleaned up and have you guys take a look at it.
    • CommentAuthoryoshi
    • CommentTimeApr 10th 2009
     
    Just cleaned up a craigslist Nishiki mixte for my wife.
    She shined up real nice (the bike not my wife).
    3n73o93l4ZZZZZZZZZ945484f6ede32bb1de0
    Nishiki_Mixte
    Just bought some SKS fenders for it and I think it's ready to go.
    I'm really looking forward to putting a child seat on it in a year or so!
  2.  
    Nice build!
    •  
      CommentAuthorVelo Cult
    • CommentTimeApr 10th 2009
     
    sweet build you got going there. fenders will really finish off the look. other cool things would be a wicker basket up front, brass bell and nicer quality and larger tires. man, i dig mixte bikes!
    • CommentAuthorhakki
    • CommentTimeApr 17th 2009
     
    so here's my two projects for spring / summer. Hope to have them both done by fall race season 99 deda tubed hakkalugi frame and a 98 Tange Tubed team bike
    Photobucket

    so frame project is 1st. She just came bak from paint, thanks to Alan Wanta

    Photobucket

    Photobucket

    Photobucket

    so to clarify, I was raised in Sonoma County and Ibis were always the Holy Grail to me. I love cx and cx bikes more than anything, so yes I have 3 of them. 2 will race, 1 I commute on but may set up to race as well
  3.  
    I signed up and introduced myself here but didn't bookmark the page and of course, i always think "i just myspace velo and ask what the site it" when I'm no where near a computer. Anyway! I have a couple of bikes that I'm SLOWLY working on. Two questions- where the heck can I get a french threaded bottom bracket in San Diego, not a phil woods please. Next, where can I go to fully understand a internal 3 speed hub. I'm looking for a sturmey archer one and once I do....I'd like to know how to fix it if need be and where to get wheel build help.

    I'm sure you guys will know.

    Thanks!
  4.  
    By the way, when will there be a co-op or do it yourself place here or is there one? I really like doing things myself....but don't have nearly enough tools.

    Are there any? Can we open one? (big dreams!)

    ANGIE!
    •  
      CommentAuthorWilliam
    • CommentTimeApr 20th 2009
     
    <blockquote><cite> trudtildeath:</cite>I signed up and introduced myself here but didn't bookmark the page and of course, i always think "i just myspace velo and ask what the site it" when I'm no where near a computer. Anyway! I have a couple of bikes that I'm SLOWLY working on. Two questions- where the heck can I get a french threaded bottom bracket in San Diego, not a phil woods please. Next, where can I go to fully understand a internal 3 speed hub. I'm looking for a sturmey archer one and once I do....I'd like to know how to fix it if need be and where to get wheel build help.

    I'm sure you guys will know.

    Thanks!</blockquote>

    VC
    or
    Tom at www.oldbikeblog.blogspot.com.

    They can tell you about internals of 3 speed hubs.
    • CommentAuthorevster
    • CommentTimeApr 22nd 2009
     
    Just a minor project here, but I promised I would post some pics.

    After a lot of planning, waiting, and a bit of frustration this afternoon, I finally added a basket to my Redline 925. I was super stoked to put it to use this evening for some grocery shopping. Big thanks to everyone at Velo Cult for their help with this, both in the tech talk thread, in the shop, and on the phone! It might look a little kooky to some, but I dig the added functionality.

    Basket

    Loaded Basket

    One thing I learned on this trip is that a cargo net is pretty much a necessity to make this thing functional. Good thing I had one.
    •  
      CommentAuthorVelo Cult
    • CommentTimeApr 22nd 2009
     
    nice, i love it. it's not kooky at all!

    im going to get more of those in stock. it's just a good minimalist size.
    •  
      CommentAuthorWilliam
    • CommentTimeApr 23rd 2009
     
    I dig the top tube sticker.
    • CommentAuthorsurlygurl
    • CommentTimeApr 24th 2009 edited
     
    Just got this off ebay (sans pump) and need to do a little work on it. First thing is new wheels, they're steel so I'd like to swap them out for aluminum ones. If anyone has a set they want to sell (27") let me know. A few other changes may come down the road, the saddle has a couple of tears so that may be replaced and as much as I love keeping things original, the feel of those grips bug me. The bottom bracket and cranks could also be upgraded. Sheesh, it's really turning into a little money pit, isn't it? But it IS cute...
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      CommentAuthorVelo Cult
    • CommentTimeApr 24th 2009
     
    the one piece bar/stem combo, stainless fenders and "Universal" center pull brakes are HOT!
    • CommentAuthorTom@VC
    • CommentTimeApr 25th 2009
     
    Starting a project this weekend.
    Hopefully I will have some pics to share soon. :face-smile:
    • CommentAuthorProtorio
    • CommentTimeApr 25th 2009 edited
     
    Nice mixtes/step-thrus! 650B conversion on those might be fun down the line if you have enough bottom bracket clearance.

    With a very, very small chance of rain this weekend, I threw some woody fenders on the Quickbeam. They are really easy on-off and flexible. Of course, this morning is sunny! Let me know when you guys want clouds or rain again, and I'll just take them off. Viola.

    Photobucket
    •  
      CommentAuthorVelo Cult
    • CommentTimeApr 25th 2009
     
    we once stocked those fenders in the store. if others are into them we'll do that again. i think they're pretty cool looking.
    • CommentAuthorthom
    • CommentTimeApr 28th 2009 edited
     
    @ surlygurl: whatcha doin' with those 27" steel rims when you take them off? Ahem, hint, hint...

    And cottered cranks are thuper thexy, so I hope you keep them.
    • CommentAuthorsurlygurl
    • CommentTimeApr 28th 2009
     
    surlygurl: whatcha doin' with those 27" steel rims when you take them off? Ahem, hint, hint...


    Considering how heavy they are, I suppose I could use them for bicep curls.

    Seriously...I may wind up selling the bike, I haven't decided if I want to put more money into it. And I'm horribly obsessed with the Soma mixte. (WHAT is with my fixation with mixtes???) If I keep it and can find some used aluminum rims, the steel ones are history.
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      CommentAuthortawnya
    • CommentTimeApr 29th 2009
     
    surlygurl:(WHAT is with my fixation with mixtes???)


    That's going around these days.