Restoring Vintage Bike advice

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Originally Posted by warneral

I have another question. I noticed the mafac racer centerpulls - the springs are rusty. Is tehre a way to replace them? It seems like a simple enough part (part 458 shown in the first diagram here http://www.sheldonbrown.com/harris/mafac.html)

I have a junk bike (rusty motobecane mirage from the same time) and the Weinnman 999 centerpulls are in nicer shape so I suppose I could try that - but I'd rather restore the original parts if possible.

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Try using WD-40 and a welder's toothbrush on it before you pitch it. Sometimes things can come back pretty well, especially something like that... after using the welder's toothbrush, if you really really want it to shine for some reason, hit it with the 2000#grit sandpaper and you should be good to go.

oh and don't use steel wool on aluminum EVER. The fibers tend to embed themselves in the aluminum and cause electrolysis marring/pitting/nastiness after a while. Sandpaper is always the way to go, unless you're working on electronics, but that's a whoooole different ball of wax.

Here are some pics -

Can we no longer edit OP's? I would have put it there if I could.

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5148/...e3d90325_z.jpg
Henry is annoyed that I brought ANOTHER bike home ;)

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5173/...45280992_z.jpg

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5224/...829759cd_z.jpg

Based on a google search, it sounds like the Weinmann brake calipers are a little easier to install/dial in. I think I'll just use those on this bike since they appear to be in good shape. Plus it will make my impetuous junk bike purchase a little more worth-while ;)

That picture with Henry is so cute! Both he and the bike are fantastic. I hope you get it rideable.

Henry does look like he's furrowing his brow at your purchase. Great pictures.

You should have seen my dh ;)

I also brought this up in the vintage & classic folder at bike forums. I am getting overwhelmed thinking of wiring, taking apart, etc. I'm *this* close to taking it to these guys for a classic overhaul. It wouldn't fix my issues with the wheels but I'm thinking it would be easier for me to work an extra day or two to pay for this. I'm so impatient. I bought this bike so I could better understand these things, I really should just do it myself right?

Here's the service menu.

http://uphillgrind.net/home/bike-sho...e-repair-menu/

Do it yourself. It's one thing to just work OT and pay someone else to do it, it's so, so different doing it yourself and knowing intimately what went into your project. Maybe let the professionals do a final fine-tuning if you're really unsure of yourself in setting the derailleurs or some such, but the detailing/restoration you can easily do yourself, I think.

I agree. Do it yourself. That smug feeling you'll get is really worth it - oh, and you'll know the bike. But I really can't stress that smug feeling enough.

Look at it this way, you could work at your soul-destroying job for someone else, or you can expand your mind and your life and work on your bike. Which would you prefer? (I'm assuming your job is soul-destroying, it might not be. In which case, I'm thrilled for you.)

The bike is beautiful. It wants your loving attention.

LOL Mom you had me laughing at my desk (b/c it is mainly true). I'm still weighing my options and appreciate all advice to date. Either way I'm learning and understanding a lot just talking about bearings/packing hubs/etc :)

Oooh, lovely dog!

And I want to take that bike home with me!
:D

The dog is a sweetie. :)

Well I did work an extra 10hr this week which would have paid for an overhaul until I found out instead of our normal $5k+ return in taxes we have to pay that much due to the stocks we bought, etc etc. So at this point, everything that is done to that bike WILL have to be done by me no matter how many extra hours I have to work LOL. I don't really think this bike is very practical for my lifestyle (we live in a bedroom community with no place to really ride) but I love the looks of the bike and it was only 70 bucks and a lot of effort to obtain her so I think she'll just slowly be worked on as I can afford the tools and parts.

ha. This thread is convincing me that I really don't want to work on the vintage mixte I have in my shed. It's supposed to be my ride 3 miles downtown to have coffee bike and it's fully functional. I just want to pretty it up.

But I've already got all the tools to work on modern bikes and have built a few... so investing a lot of money, time, and parts on a bike to ride 3 miles seems silly.

I will buy it pretty tires and grips. A new seatpost and a saddle. That's all it gets. Maybe I'll sand the rust.

But it's not getting new wheels!

! I almost listed mine on CL last night! I don't know what I'll do with it. Seeing this makes me want to hold on to it
http://www.flickr.com/photos/2708990...ream/lightbox/

Oh! Sexy! Dunno how I'd feel about the saddle suppository, but the REST of everything is beautiful!

yeah that saddle puzzles me. Could it be she hadn't upgraded the seatpost and was stuck with that positioning?