Vintage bicycle restoration

[BikeGremlin]

I've translated one of the videos in the series for the latest vintage (retro) bicycle restoration.

I'm making this topic for any questions or comments related to the video(s), and if there is any interest, I might add follow-up translations from the series to this thread:

• Vintage bicycle restoration 01: disassembly [1209]
• Vintage bicycle restoration 02: frame preparation [1208]
• Vintage bicycle restoration 03: mounting the parts [1207]
• Vintage bicycle restoration 04: final touch [1205]
• Short version ("highlights")

Resources that could help with such projects:

• Shimano shifter housing length table (and cable routing tutorial) (article)
• Vintage bicycle frames with modern parts (article and a video)
• Front (fork) wheel dropout width ( vintage bikes-modern parts II ) (video)
• Widening rear dropouts (video in my native - Serbocroatian)
• Vintage road bike restoration - Shimano BioPace and uniglide cassettes explained (article)
• Unior frame and fork modular tool set (article)

Relja

 

[LectrikLoon]

I want to try restoring an old ten speed bike. Now that we have a guide explaining everything, it should work out better and less expensive. I went to a house where they advertised with a sign on the street corner that they had a garage sale of bikes. Bikes were piled up to the roof in the garage and the back yard was completely filled. The guy wanted over $100 for bikes that were not in very good shape and were not exceptional when new. Just normal Raleigh or Peugeot steel frame.
That's why he had no room in his backyard and garage. I pass by there several times per week. Maybe his wife has kicked him out by now and I can get a deal. On a bike.

 

[ajklmnj]

To introduce myself and share one of my projects, this is my vintage Rog Senior. The bike is nothing special even for its time, but I liked the colors and decals and it was 25€. Plus, working on something tied to Ex-Yugoslavia and my history makes me happier than working on e.g. German bikes.

The first three images are how I bought the bike.



The rest is how it looks today.



Here is what I did:

- Unseized rusted handlebar stem and seat post
- Cleaned and lubed every component and bearing

- Waxed and polished the whole bike and seat
- Added new brakes and bar tape
- Switched to 700c wheels which involved:
- Stretching dropouts to 135 mm
- Sourcing new rim brakes with a long enough reach
- Drilling holes for inset brake bolts and improvising with brake components to make them fit

- Switched to casette instead of a freehub

Currently I am changing the BB but am still looking for used pedals and chainrings that fit nicely with the bike.

Even with a mid-range frame that is 59 years old, this bike feels super light, nimble and fast.

I have a few other vintage restoration projects which I might share if interested.

 

[BikeGremlin]

To introduce myself and share one of my projects, this is my vintage Rog Senior. The bike is nothing special even for its time, but I liked the colors and decals and it was 25€. Plus, working on something tied to Ex-Yugoslavia and my history makes me happier than working on e.g. German bikes.

The first three images are how I bought the bike.

View attachment 359View attachment 360View attachment 361

The rest is how it looks today.

View attachment 362View attachment 363

Here is what I did:

- Unseized rusted handlebar stem and seat post
- Cleaned and lubed every component and bearing

- Waxed and polished the whole bike and seat
- Added new brakes and bar tape
- Switched to 700c wheels which involved:
- Stretching dropouts to 135 mm
- Sourcing new rim brakes with a long enough reach
- Drilling holes for inset brake bolts and improvising with brake components to make them fit

- Switched to casette instead of a freehub

Currently I am changing the BB but am still looking for used pedals and chainrings that fit nicely with the bike.

Even with a mid-range frame that is 59 years old, this bike feels super light, nimble and fast.

I have a few other vintage restoration projects which I might share if interested.

Hi and welcome.

That is awesome. I'm interested to see the other restoration projects (with as many pictures and details explained - especially the problems you've faced - as you care to share).

Feel free to make separate topics for each project, to keep any follow-up questions and answers more easy to follow.