Refurbishing Very Old Bike

[Miranda]

I was having a gear pondering moment the other day about my bikes while standing in my garage. Only people here on TE would understand such day dreaming lol.

I have a road bike (my main riding), a hard trail mtb, and had forgotten about this old blue beauty in the pics.

She was my last ride before I got a driver's license, and finally returned to biking a couple years ago. Not exactly sure when I got her. At least 25 years young.

Well, since my mother threatened to curb side junk her one day several years ago, she landed up on my garage ceiling as you see her here. I don't know if she's even fixable. I need to take her into the lbs after I sweet talk DH into getting her down (he's not a bike guy... like, omg! another bike?!). He too wanted to dumpster/charity sale donate her to the school. His old bike sold in the home garage sale. Mine did not. Maybe it was Karma? Destiny? It secretively made me glad, she has a lot of memories. Those loves I had with her have all been re-discovered many years later. Almost makes a girl want to cry like a Hallmark greeting card, doesn't it? Gheez...

My riding delima has been this lately... what to use for just a spin with the kids, and lesiure. The kids are elm school aged and have fixed gear coaster brake bikes now. I can barely coast that slow on my road bike. My mtb is too nobby. I was just to the point of switching out the tires (or even considered a beach cruiser, comfort bike) on the mtb to something smoother for paved riding. Then I found some new places to mtb. Single track mud hole trails that the bike is really made for "as is".

The bike is a Huffy brand, Omni-10, 10 speed. Then called a "speed bike". One of my friends told me that I might not even be able to get it overhauled due to the age. For the $, he said just go to Walmart and get a cheap bike to ride with the kids. I know the tires must be dry rotted at least. It has some rust on the non-painted metal. But, not awful all the way through. I know my friend is right probably, but gosh, the thought of riding her again kinda makes my heart go pitter patter pedal .

Any thoughts from others that have revived an old and true friend? Thanks

[Tuckervill]

What makes you think she needs to be fixed? The gears look fine. The chain probably needs to be lubed. If you're just going to tool around with the kids, this bike will do fine, even if it doesn't shift well through all the gears--as long as the brakes work!

It's not a GREAT vintage bike--it has a one piece crank, which is a mark of cheap bikes. It's probably very heavy, too. But for what you want to do, who cares?

Put some new tires and tubes on (less than $30) and ride her!

Karen

[Miranda]

What makes you think she needs to be fixed? The gears look fine. The chain probably needs to be lubed. If you're just going to tool around with the kids, this bike will do fine, even if it doesn't shift well through all the gears--as long as the brakes work!

It's not a GREAT vintage bike--it has a one piece crank, which is a mark of cheap bikes. It's probably very heavy, too. But for what you want to do, who cares?

Put some new tires and tubes on (less than $30) and ride her!

Karen

I know for sure she was a cheap discount store chain bike. She came in a box, and my dad put her together. Funny, he was bad about losing parts of projects. Part of the gear cables are held to the frame by a wire twisty. I can remember thinking though, "this is the bomb" lol. Tires and tubes for $30 would be worth it. Being cheap, I do remeber the shifting being hard. As you say, with the kid riding, there's not a lot of shifting going on.

[F8th637]

Oh and how, to everything about your post!

Yes, only we would understand and like you my husband wanted me to sell/donate the mixte that is currently at my LBS getting a new chain, cassette, and some upright handlebars. . . shhhh. By the way, you should totally check out that mixte thread. It is full of beautiful old bikes. If that doesn't really want to make you get serious about converting your old baby then nothing will. I'm converting the 12-speed mixte I picked up from a family in the area that has to be about 20 years old. Bikes are resilient especially if made of steel. I bet if you took it for a tune-up and put some new tires and maybe an upright handlebar she'll be good as new and perfect for the leisure spin you speak of. Mine is going to be a Euro-esque "beater" bike that will get me to the grocery store and will ride in the rain. I may even ride her on the trail with my non-riding friends. Oh, the possibilities! Don't give up on her!

[mimitabby]

GREAT MIXTE!

I hope you get her new tubes and tires. And grease the chain and lube anything that squeaks!

[Miranda]

Oh and how, to everything about your post!

Yes, only we would understand and like you my husband wanted me to sell/donate the mixte that is currently at my LBS getting a new chain, cassette, and some upright handlebars. . . shhhh. By the way, you should totally check out that mixte thread. It is full of beautiful old bikes. If that doesn't really want to make you get serious about converting your old baby then nothing will. I'm converting the 12-speed mixte I picked up from a family in the area that has to be about 20 years old. Bikes are resilient especially if made of steel. I bet if you took it for a tune-up and put some new tires and maybe an upright handlebar she'll be good as new and perfect for the leisure spin you speak of. Mine is going to be a Euro-esque "beater" bike that will get me to the grocery store and will ride in the rain. I may even ride her on the trail with my non-riding friends. Oh, the possibilities! Don't give up on her!

Thx so much for that link! What a great thread. It absolutely does give me the extra motivation to revive her now.

[Miranda]

Well, have not taken my blue belle to the lbs shop yet, next week likely, but think she needs more than tires and tubes. When she came down off the hooks for closer inspection I think she needs new wheels too. Initially, I thought the brake pads were hitting wrong and needed an adjustment. But, I think the wheel rims are bent. When I suspend the tire, and give it a spin, it periodly rubs. I think if it was just the brake pads, it would rub the entire revolution of the wheel. It hits and misses. Thinking that means damage. Drats. Will just have to see what the lbs has to say soon.

[DebW]

Could just need a wheel true. But, because of it's age, it's possible some spoke nipples are frozen. An overhaul should be possible, but take it to someone with patience who will oil the nipples and give them time to loosen. Also, with a 25 year old bike, if you plan to ride this very much, get all the bearings repacked in grease - old grease ceases to be grease. This kind of overhaul might cost you $150, or do it yourself for the learning experience. Alternately, drip oil into anything that moves and just enjoy riding it.

[Zen]

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That upside-down bike was making me dizzy.

[SouthernBelle]

But now every thing else is upside down!

And who tied it to the floor?

There's a lightbulb on the floor. That's dangerous.

[OakLeaf]

and upside-down gas cans. Very dangerous. I liked it better the first way!

[Miranda]

BWAA WHAA HA HA !!! Thx for straightening my girl out. Looking at that pic and then walking into my garage gives me vertigo lol.

Here's a pic of her off the hooks.


Here's a family pic. Oldest to youngest, left to right.


The younger siblings were jealous, so had to take their pics too.

Mtb... happy to be wedged in a tight brush spot.


Roadie girl... upset she's bringing up the slow rear.


The MIXTE didn't need to be stood up against the bushes because she's got a *kickstand* wooooo.

[Tuckervill]

I don't think that's a mixte, is it? Because the top tube doesn't go all the way to the rear hub? I can't be sure.

Karen

[Zen]

No mixte, step-thru. Or according to Trek's designers, "staggered".

[Miranda]

I don't think that's a mixte, is it? Because the top tube doesn't go all the way to the rear hub? I can't be sure.

Karen

No mixte, step-thru. Or according to Trek's designers, "staggered".

This is then true by design, she's not a true mixte (I won't tell her though). A step through, or meant for ladies. I guess I could more readily whip my leg about her to ride wearing a skirt, vs the my current road bike. Regardless, I think a cycleskort is about as close to wearing a skirt on any bike that I would come. I don't even own one atm, but maybe getting one to ride blue belle would be in order.