Bicycle Restorations, Builds and ...

[elcoholic]

Not mine, but I thought you'd enjoy this beautiful De Rosa bike I saw in an antique shop a couple of weeks ago. Pity I didn't get better pictures.

 

[Wildcat]

This is not so much "restoration" as it is some long-overdue cleanup. I had just gotten myself a new Specialized Crosstrail Disc at the end of June, but was still keeping an eye on Craigslist. I had this Magna thing here for my daughter to ride--typical chinese department store bike, which I had gotten for my older daughter who banged it up a bit. The cracked shifter housing pretty much rendered it useless.

So, this Specialized Crossroads Sport came up for sale, and the owner claimed it was "really clean." It did not look so clean, but the major stuff (cassette, chainrings, brakes, shifters, frame) all were intact. I made the deal, took it home and beginning that afternoon, I disassembled things a bit (wheels, seat, brake cantilevers, etc.) and started a cleaning.

The worst of it was surface rust. There were only a couple of things which were a bit pitted--the quick-release levers for the wheels. Beyond that, everything cleaned up with a very fine wire brush and the Dremel, and rubbing compound. It had the original seat, which had some latex paint specks on it that were removed with a light application of Goof Off, which unfortunately dulled it a little in spots. I lightly lubed up the cantilevers but did not touch the chain (yet--it is getting the full cleaning and lube in the spring).

Prognosis?

I have a feeling this was a "wife bike." You know, the heavy duty cyclist husband buys his and hers bikes. He rides a few thousand a year; she goes around the block a few times and it's parked for years. The only flaw I found on the frame was a very tiny paint nick, which you would never see unless I pointed it out. Everything else polished up nicely. I rubbed out the frame with rubbing compound (Meguiars, as I had it on hand). The end result?



If it weren't for the old style Specialized lettering, it would nearly pass for brand new. Yes, I have replaced the red bottle cage with a silver version! Borrowed that from my old Schwinn. I also swiped the pedals from the old Schwinn, as they were the metal Specialized pedals and were a bit ratty. (If I can disassemble them, I will clean and polish those also.)

What did I need to replace? When I filled the rear tire, the tube leaked out nearly all the air within a minute. I knew the tire was dry-rotting a little, but it was worse than I thought. I bought two new Bontrager H2 (700c) tires , and replaced the one bad tube (the other was fine).

The handlebar stem was weird--when I took it for a test ride, it started to fall forward. Tightened it, still falling. Turns out Specialized had this "Ride Right Comfort System" stem which used a plastic bushing to cushion the handlebars. That dried out. No parts available. A $22 Sunlight 25.4mm stem got 'er fixed up. She prefers the upright riding style, so I set her up that way.

I did tweak the brake adjustments, but the derailleurs were set perfectly and needed nothing.

Showed my bike dealer the photos--we are guessing mid to late 90s.

This is a Small sized frame--she has short legs, and this fits her nicely. The only other thing I will replace is the seat. It is too soft and springy, and also slippery. Now I just need to get her out riding more. She's never been out to the local rail trails. Great place to start. Just hard to find time when she's here on weekends.

 

[ecandle]

You guys have some real eye candy to look at.


I thought I'd share one of my favorite bits I have found- A pair of the old school Merckx Adidas!

Pedals are Campy C-Record. About period accurate for the frameset it's on.


Very cool , I have never clipped in before , my shoe size is 15.5 , I hear that it's the way to go.

and when I ride, I do feel...... cannibalistic!

 

[ecandle]

This is not so much "restoration" as it is some long-overdue cleanup. I had just gotten myself a new Specialized Crosstrail Disc at the end of June, but was still keeping an eye on Craigslist. I had this Magna thing here for my daughter to ride--typical chinese department store bike, which I had gotten for my older daughter who banged it up a bit. The cracked shifter housing pretty much rendered it useless.

So, this Specialized Crossroads Sport came up for sale, and the owner claimed it was "really clean." It did not look so clean, but the major stuff (cassette, chainrings, brakes, shifters, frame) all were intact. I made the deal, took it home and beginning that afternoon, I disassembled things a bit (wheels, seat, brake cantilevers, etc.) and started a cleaning.

The worst of it was surface rust. There were only a couple of things which were a bit pitted--the quick-release levers for the wheels. Beyond that, everything cleaned up with a very fine wire brush and the Dremel, and rubbing compound. It had the original seat, which had some latex paint specks on it that were removed with a light application of Goof Off, which unfortunately dulled it a little in spots. I lightly lubed up the cantilevers but did not touch the chain (yet--it is getting the full cleaning and lube in the spring).

Prognosis?

I have a feeling this was a "wife bike." You know, the heavy duty cyclist husband buys his and hers bikes. He rides a few thousand a year; she goes around the block a few times and it's parked for years. The only flaw I found on the frame was a very tiny paint nick, which you would never see unless I pointed it out. Everything else polished up nicely. I rubbed out the frame with rubbing compound (Meguiars, as I had it on hand). The end result?

View attachment 660675

If it weren't for the old style Specialized lettering, it would nearly pass for brand new. Yes, I have replaced the red bottle cage with a silver version! Borrowed that from my old Schwinn. I also swiped the pedals from the old Schwinn, as they were the metal Specialized pedals and were a bit ratty. (If I can disassemble them, I will clean and polish those also.)

What did I need to replace? When I filled the rear tire, the tube leaked out nearly all the air within a minute. I knew the tire was dry-rotting a little, but it was worse than I thought. I bought two new Bontrager H2 (700c) tires , and replaced the one bad tube (the other was fine).

The handlebar stem was weird--when I took it for a test ride, it started to fall forward. Tightened it, still falling. Turns out Specialized had this "Ride Right Comfort System" stem which used a plastic bushing to cushion the handlebars. That dried out. No parts available. A $22 Sunlight 25.4mm stem got 'er fixed up. She prefers the upright riding style, so I set her up that way.

I did tweak the brake adjustments, but the derailleurs were set perfectly and needed nothing.

Showed my bike dealer photos--we are guessing mid to late 90s.

This is a Small sized frame--she has short legs, and this fits her nicely. The only other thing I will replace is the seat. It is too soft and springy, and also slippery. Now I just need to get her out riding more. She's never been out to the local rail trails. Great place to start. Just hard to find time when she's here on weekends.

Very nice write up , wife bike or not that's going to be a darn nice commuter trail bike , good job .

 

[ecandle]

heres my baby. mid '70s Apollo. had a dark green one in '72. this is the closest I can find to it. new tires/tubes and brake pads. a couple drops of oil. I love riding this thing. takes me bake 40 years.

Beauty!

 

[ecandle]

As my handle suggests, I like bikes. Here are a couple of pics of some of my bikes that I've restored.

1987 Ross Mt. Hood. Roller cam brakes front and chainstay rear=totally rad. The stem isn't original, but is just so cool that I had to put it on there. This is my favorite mountain bike.


1973 Peugeot U08. Completely custom build with cotterless cranks, 700c, fat Pasela tires, 6 speed indexed drivetrain, etc.



Finally, some American made, fillet brazed goodness. My 1970 Schwinn Super Sport. Wasn't original when I got it, tried to keep it faithful to original.

The Ross is amazing , they all are very nice , I'm thinking of doing a bike like the Ross , it's amazing that these early mtb bikes are so collectible, seem like yesterday they came out .

 

[2011etec]

In 1975 I bought a ten speed John Deere.I actually bought it from the tractor dealer.Best 10 speed I ever own.I wonder who actually made it?It was in a dark green color not deere green .

 

[ecandle]

Univega Nuovo Sport I just picked up today, I'm going to try and get it done today. Cranks and headset left to do

In 1975 I bought a ten speed John Deere.I actually bought it from the tractor dealer.Best 10 speed I ever own.I wonder who actually made it?It was in a dark green color not deere green .

Any chance you have a picture?

 

[ecandle]

In 1975 I bought a ten speed John Deere.I actually bought it from the tractor dealer.Best 10 speed I ever own.I wonder who actually made it?It was in a dark green color not deere green .

Any chance you have a picture?

 

[ecandle]

Oops

 

[likebike23]

Thanks for the compliment @ecandle. I was psyched to get that bike, the early mountain bikes do have a following, me included . I love chrome bikes too, so this was a good score. I'm also a fan of Univega bikes, good value. I have a Univega Gran Turismo touring bike that is real nice. I hope to see some pics of your new Nuovo Sport when you're done.

 

[Wildcat]

Very nice write up , wife bike or not that's going to be a darn nice commuter trail bike , good job .

I just have to get my daughter out to ride it more. Thing is, my idea of "ride" doesn't even start until I've done 25 miles; I don't even know if she could go 10. It's worse because of her schedule, my riding hours are usually when she's at school, and when we're in the neighborhood here, it's too bike-hostile to attempt any decent rides.

 

[ecandle]

I just have to get my daughter out to ride it more. Thing is, my idea of "ride" doesn't even start until I've done 25 miles; I don't even know if she could go 10. It's worse because of her schedule, my riding hours are usually when she's at school, and when we're in the neighborhood here, it's too bike-hostile to attempt any decent rides.

Ride even 2 miles , you will be amazed if you do this, get over that first week of having a sore backside, you go 5, 10, ++++ , I have ridden coast to coast , it's unreal how far and efficient a bike is, plus you feel so good after getting places even if it's the store down the road.

 

[Wildcat]

Ride even 2 miles , you will be amazed if you do this, get over that first week of having a sore backside, you go 5, 10, ++++ , I have ridden coast to coast , it's unreal how far and efficient a bike is, plus you feel so good after getting places even if it's the store down the road.

She's just not here, or available, enough to do much longer than a few miles. After years off, I did over a half century last summer, and plan on working up to a couple of lengthier rides this summer if I'm available. Plus, it will help when I hike with a buddy up Cadillac Mtn. at Acadia this summer.

 

[2011etec]

Any chance you have a picture?

not unless theres one on the net.

 

[2011etec]

Amazingly enough heres the bike .Just imagine turned down bars and no fenders.

 

[Dynacophil]

long time no read....
last year was a bad cycling year, but this year will be more productive

I start with a project for my son one, who is studying in Graz after 7 years as Boatbilder. I build upfor him a suisse Titan-Roadbike. Nothing superficial... just italian Falck steel.
came to me like this...

the stem was stuck in the fork, seatpost needed brutality either...
I hasd it blasted and a epoxy grounding...

 

[Dynacophil]

next step I made decals in winter...

first layer of basic paint

 

[Dynacophil]

after 2 more layers I clearcoated 2 times...

 

[Dynacophil]

next days I'll do the fork, and on Easter I wanted to start to build it up with a Shimano 600 6208