Rejuvinating a vintage bike - suggestions?

[Zen]

Where did you order the brake levers from?

Take your pick

The original stock cable sheath was white. You sure you want black?

[MomOnBike]

Yep, I want black. Half the original cable sheaths are still on the bike, which is why I want the black. The black just looks better to my eye.

For a long time I tried to maintain the brand-new just-out-of-the-box integrity of the bike, but I've finally decided that I don't want a museum piece, I want a working bike. There will be no hiding the age of either the bike or the rider, but hey, we can move with the times. We're cool that way.

I'll keep the down-tube friction shifters, though, 'cause I like them.

Oh, and Velo Orange has all sorts of stuff I need for this project. I asked too soon.

[Zen]

Velo Orange is a great little shop. All kinds of quirky stuff.

Here's you bar end plugs-
http://www.barplugs4u.com/catalog/it...89/1092427.htm

[MomOnBike]

Those were exactly what I was thinking about. However, on the home page there is a notice that as of August they are closed to orders due to illness. It doesn't look good. Hope springing eternal and all, I'll keep checking back, but I worry.

[sarahspins]

Yep, I want black. Half the original cable sheaths are still on the bike, which is why I want the black. The black just looks better to my eye.

I tried to reply earlier but my computer was being cranky.. those tektro levers are available almost anywhere that sells tektro - your LBS may even have them (VO obviously does too if you looked). MSRP is only around $25.. you can find them a lot of places for $18-20 online, but you have to figure shipping into that 'discounted' price. They're available in black too - so you could match them to your new cables

I swapped out my old yucky cables and housings for chrome. I liked how it looked and I wasn't particularly concerned with keeping anything 'original' looking... I just wanted a bike I'd enjoy.

[MomOnBike]

A cranky computer? Gosh, that never happens!

I was just about to buy the levers online when DH mentioned that I'd be better off ordering them through the LBS - in case I need a bit of a rescue. Good thinking. I'll be going down there as soon as I have an afternoon off.

I'm still getting the toe clips and elkhide barcovers from VO.

And as for the old cables and housings. The white always has bothered my eye. I'm glad I'm finally getting around to swapping them out. They were an aesthetic mistake.

Surprisingly, DH is almost as excited about this project as I am. I guess his old Schwinn is next.

[MomOnBike]

Well, the fix-up is coming along nicely. I'll post pictures when I'm done, right now all you'd see is bike parts scattered about my basement.

I think this project is blessed by the cycling gods - or someone. I had been trying to ignore the probability that the bottom bracket needed some attention. Finally, I gave up on the ignore part, loaded the bike into the car, and took it to the LBS for bottom bracket work.

Yep, it needed work - as in the whatchamacallit (what? that's not what it's called???) had stripped threads and needed replaced. The problem is, the bike is a rare-ish vintage model, built in England, and the part is no longer made. The wrench (I LOVE that guy) found the exact part in a dusty bin in the basement. I think he was as pleased as I was about that.

So now, all I gotta do is put all the parts back together in a bike-like configuration, take it to the LBS for final inspection, and ride off into the sunset - or somewhere.

I've never had so much fun.

[Zen]

That's a good man. Be sure to treat him well, maybe some good beer or brownies.

[MomOnBike]

I just realized that I haven't yet gotten around to posting pictures from this project.

I also now realize that I haven't taken a pic of the entire bike. Oops!

Anyway, what I'm showing is the elkhide bar covers, with pearl bling, and the cleaned up derailier. I'll get out and get a complete pic of the bike soon.

I took off the rack, the kickstand, changed out pedals, and basically went weight wienie on this bike. I have no idea why, it just seemed like a good idea at the time. I can always put the stuff back on if I decide I need it.

I'm toying with the idea of building up a wheelset now. The inside of the rims is showing some nastiness. That should be a good winter project this year.

Since this is no longer my main bike, I feel free to learn/play this way.