First Restoration Project

[Python]

Got this bike for £5. Needs quite a bit of work on it but I've been wanting to do a restoration for quite some time.

Hopefully I'll be able to get the bike running again and my friend can have it. It has some rust pitting so it will have to be stripped to the bare metal and resprayed. Probably the worst part of the bike are the wheels. I'm not sure if they'll clean up or not and it needs a new derailleur and chain (among other things). Some of it is salvageable with a good clean. Wish me luck

It's a Falcon Sorrento so probably dates from the 1970s/1980s.

[uforgot]

Looks fun, Python! I did the very same thing and you will learn so much. When you come up against a brick wall, just post here, and someone will know!

[DebW]

I remember the Falcon. We sold one for $99.95 in 1973. It was the lowest-priced 10-speed we carried. A bargain and a nice bike to boot. I haven't heard of the Sorrento though. That derailleur looks like a Huret Alvit. Have fun with your Falcon. Be sure to repack all the bearings: hubs, bottom bracket, headset. I've done a cotter pinned crank and frozen bb cups recently, so ask if you need help. Popuki Nui is a great resource on frame restoration.

[Python]

OK. First and very important question. What's the best thing to get a rusted nut and bolt out - short of dynamite. There's going to be quite a few stubborn screw-in things to come off yet

[Tuckervill]

There's this stuff in a can called ...blanking out here.... something catalyst. When you spray it on the rust just starts running down. Leave it on for a while, and then try the nut again. You get it at auto parts stores.

Also from the Cranky & Vintage board at bikeforums...the easiest way to remove rust from the derailleur is with wood bleach, or oxalic acid. It's powdered, in a tub. Mix a little with water and soak the part. Don't leave the part in too long because it will start to oxidize, but that rd will take a few hours, probably. The rust just wipes right off. Then use a little chrome polish to shine up the parts.

If the rims are rust, you can use a plastic baby swimming pool to soak them. It doesn't take much wood bleach, about a tablespoon in enough water to cover the rim. Of course, the stronger you make the concoction the quicker it will work, but I'd rather it work slow in case there's a chance it could damage the part.

It's a lot of fun to see all the parts returned to their former glory. Good luck!

AH! I remembered! Penetrating Catalyst! That's what the stuff is called. Comes in an aerosol can.

Karen

[Python]

Thanks for that. Only snag is I live in the UK and a lot of stuff you get over there we can't get here, or it's called something else.

Picked up a product called Rust Eater today so maybe that's something similar.

Also found the exact colour of paint I want - in our local model making shop