Restoring Vintage Bike advice

[warneral]

I just purchased via CL a bike that is nearly identical to this only mine is 1975, 1 year older due to the plastic bulky headbadge:

http://forums.teamestrogen.com/showt...=peugeot+mixte

It included pump, rack, fenders, generator & lights and a bell. Also it has the same upright handlebars.

Are there good websites to teach someone the basics of vintage restoration?

I have a LOT of questions - if anyone has the patience/knowledge to help me, I'd appreciate any and all

* Wheel size - these are 27" steel rims. I want to replace with aluminum but don't want to spend a lot of $. In general, would many of the 80's 10 speeds have 27" wheels? I was thinking it might be a cheap way to get a hold of 27" wheels.

* Chain - should I buy a new chain? How do I know what size to purchase? Should I jsut take it to the shop?

* Stem lowering - is there a certain name for the wrench that would help me loosen the bolt for the stem?

* Brake Pads - how do I know what type of brake pads to purchase?

* Changing out cables - are there any DIY websites that show the basics of cable changing?

* Small rust spots - I have a few small rust spots (nothing major) - how should I treat them

* Mother's Mag - I have some chrome polish that has a name like that. I know I can use it on chrome, but what is the best way to clean the painted surface?

[Kitsune06]

I'll answer the couple I can...

As far as running new cables, you can usually get info on that from the parktools website. I'm not sure if you're going for a period-correct restore or a modernization, and that might only make the difference between teflon/ptfe lined cable housings or not. If you're just changing the cable and leaving the housing, try finding some ProGold cable/chain lube. Very, Very good stuff, I've used it on motorcycle cable housings and always use it on my bikes. The solvent dries and leaves the actual lubricant on dry, but the solvent will work rust and crud out of the housings for you. Don't be afraid to use it VERY liberally.

small rust spots- If they don't bother you, gently oil or wax them and leave them be. If these are on the steel of the frame and it bugs you, go to your local everything-store (kmart, fred meyer, walmart, whatever) and get a multi-pack of sandpaper if you have a lot or a couple pieces of extra xtra fine grit if there is only a little here or there. (We're talking 600-1000 grit) Tear off a bit and fold it over and over on itself 'til you've got an eraser-sized bit of it and just go to town on those spots down to bare metal. If you like the worn look of bare metal, use a touch of clear nail polish on it. You could also use colored nail polish to touch up the spot with a color similar enough to your frame color. If the rust is on a highly polished bit of steel or where it used to be chromed, there's a great product called 'nev-r-dull' that is very nice on chrome and with a little elbow grease, gets rid of rust really well. In a pinch, though, you could probably use WD-40 and crumpled aluminum foil.

Paint cleanup- This depends on how bad it is. If it's badly oxidized and scratched, and you really feel like going nuts, touch up your scratches as above, let the paint/polish dry really well, then take 2000 grit sandpaper, put water and a little soap in a bowl and wet-sand 'til you get a nice, even dull grey haze. Then use coarse and fine rubbing compounds and finish with Nufinish car wax. If you don't feel like going crazy, Nufinish all by itself should do well, too.

The above is just the product of spending the last few years restoring 30-40 yr old motorcycles to showroom condition, but it ought to work on bicycle paints as well. That Mother's Mag&Aluminum polish is INCREDIBLE stuff. Love it, love it, love it.

[warneral]

Thanks for the tips! I'm looking forward to playing around with this bike this summer

[tangentgirl]

You've probably come across Sheldon Brown's site before, but just in case...

http://www.sheldonbrown.com/

[Xrayted]

You've probably come across Sheldon Brown's site before, but just in case...

http://www.sheldonbrown.com/

Hehe. I was just going to post that. RIP Sheldon. I've learned so much from him. I can actually set my own derailleurs and everything now.

Also, what Kit sed. I've seen her work. She's learned a lot about how to make stuff shine and look showroom again, on a tight budget. I'm amazed everytime I see her "barn finds".

[MomOnBike]

From my experience: Just grab a wrench and start playing. Cultivate the nice people at your LBS and when you have a question, ask them.

I restored my bike during the winter months, so when I wandered into the bike shop with a confused look on my face they had time to help me.

Yes, 27 inch wheels were still standard in the '80s (don't ask how I know). I'd look any old wheels over Very Carefully. After all, Stuff happens to wheels. (I'm thinking about learning how to build wheels. A project bike is good for that kind of learning.)

It's possible you'll want a new chain. If so, you probably also want a new 10 speed cluster because of tooth wear. On a budget, I think I'd just clean and lube the chain and see how far it gets me. Unless things are really worn, you can ride the bike until the budget allows for a shiny new chain/cluster.

Brake pads are still pretty standard. The specific kind you put on is your choice. The trick is to put them on so they don't squeak. Mine squeak.

As for tools, and their names, I do what my Dad taught me and call all of them "that G%%$ D@**#$ doohicky." It works for me, and Dad was a darned good mechanic.

I have a copy of Zinn and the Art of Road Bike Maintenance. It got me through the changing out cables and a lot of other things. You do need special cutters for cables, so unless you are planning on doing a bunch of bike work, it really is best to go to the LBS and have them cut the cables for you.

Two sites I found for parts that you don't know you need (yet) are:

http://www.loosescrews.com

for small thingamabops, and

http://www.velo-orange.com

for the bigger stuff.

Also,

http://www.parktool.com/blog/repair-help

can be a big help.

Good luck with the restoration. I know I learned more by just getting my hands dirty than I ever learned any other way.