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daz3210
Original Poster
5,000 posts
109 months
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Basically I have a bike that I have not used since I was at least 16 years old (so about 25 years plus).
I can remember my parents buying it for me from I think Makro. It is badged as a Puch. It is a road bike with small mudguards (maybe 6 inch long).
Tyres are probably goosed, due to age as are tubes.
Frame looks good.
I have a more modern road bike, but mother is saying dump the old bike.
Sentimentally I am thinking do the old girl up, but what is the PH opinion?
If I do go ahead what is likely to need doing? Bike has been inside most of the time, but certainly for the last couple of years has been outside under a plastic sheet. When I was riding it it probably did no more than a few hundred miles.
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castex
1,964 posts
142 months
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I think you like the bike. Go for it.
ETA: What needs doing? Trust your instincts. Tyres, tubes, grease, oil. If it turns okay it should be alright.
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prand
2,571 posts
65 months
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I'll do the honorable thing and suggest you get some old school handlebars to replace the drops and convert it to single speed! You will be a hero to all your skinny chino'd mates!
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prand
2,571 posts
65 months
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And that means, yes, do it up, will make a fun pub/ cornershop cruiser if you've already gog a modern bike fir the serious stuff.
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daz3210
Original Poster
5,000 posts
109 months
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What is meant by old school bars?
I don't know whether I will still like the bike or not. The tyres have been flat for years, the wheels still turn as do the pedals (I think). I guess if I get it back usable I may hate it in comparison with modern stuff.
How far do I need to go? Do I need to look at full cable replacement etc etc, or should I start with tyres and tubes? Will bearings in wheels and bottom bracket likely need attention? I realise this is difficult without seeing, but an opinion could be useful
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castex
1,964 posts
142 months
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Pump the tyres up and ride it. The cables will no doubt benefit from replacement as they'll stretch under tension. The rubber will leak air. Only a spin around the block will tell you if you want to go to the trouble.
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daz3210
Original Poster
5,000 posts
109 months
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castex said: Pump the tyres up and ride it. The cables will no doubt benefit from replacement as they'll stretch under tension. The rubber will leak air. Only a spin around the block will tell you if you want to go to the trouble. So do you think the tyres may even be useable?
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castex
1,964 posts
142 months
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daz3210 said: So do you think the tyres may even be useable? Sure, for a quick shakedown. Don't expect any grip though.
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daz3210
Original Poster
5,000 posts
109 months
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castex said: daz3210 said: So do you think the tyres may even be useable? Sure, for a quick shakedown. Don't expect any grip though. I was thinking they would be beyond even this
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castex
1,964 posts
142 months
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If they'll hold air for even a short time they'll allow you a feel of the machine, let you tap into those muscle memories from bygone days.
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VinceFox
14,098 posts
41 months
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prand
2,571 posts
65 months
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Sorry, i meant bars like North Road or moustache style to turn the bike into a bit more upright style. I echo suggestion of getting the bike going for a quick shakedown, then think how much you want to spend on restoring or changing it, as long as the tubes and tyres aren't completely shot and you don't push it you ought to be able to get a feel for the old steed. The bars I mention may well need new brake levers to fit so would be worth looking at replacing blocks and cables too. I mention single speed as i have had great use from my old mtb which is now my commuter/station/pub bike and the simplicity of getting on and riding is a cool feeling. It was great removing all the gear levers and deralliers as it is simple now to maintain too. I installed a tensioner and new rear cog and spacers ( about £17) from On One wihtout much trouble. The rear tensioner is necessary on an ex derraileur bike as you cannot tension the chain by sliding and adjust the rear axle in and out of the vertical dropout as you can do this on the horizontal 'dropout' on some older bikes or bikes designed for this in mind.
Definitley worth keeping as a project, as bikes are essentially simple creatures, and there's not many you can't get going with a bit of oil a stripdown and some minor spannering. my brother in law buys up old frames and bikes, resprays them and replaces and upgrades parts, he then Sells then on ebay for a fair profit so there is a good market for 'retro' bikes even if you just want to get rid of the bike as it is.
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Greg66
1,524 posts
47 months
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You may find out pretty fast that things like the seat post and bottom bracket are seized into the frame now. If you have to replace them, the cost of getting them out is likely to make this unviable fast.
Been there, done that. Sentimentality costs money. More than the bike is worth, most likely.
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Pupp
6,704 posts
141 months
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Post up a couple of pics... try and show the joints/lugs; any badges/transfers that might indicate tubing origin/quality; the headset, bottom bracket area, and seatpost - you'll get a more informed response then
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donfisher
322 posts
35 months
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daz3210 said: I was thinking they would be beyond even this Can't you just try to pump them up?
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Gizmoish
15,494 posts
78 months
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prand said: I'll do the honorable thing and suggest you get some old school handlebars to replace the drops and convert it to single speed! You will be a hero to all your skinny chino'd mates! Honourable? You philistine. Sacrificing a perfectly good old bike for this year's fad? It's like wallpapering the Sistine Chapel in Burberry because frescoes are passé...
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daz3210
Original Poster
5,000 posts
109 months
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Plan of action is called for I guess.
I'll dig the bike out from behind the shed this weekend, pump up the tyres and see what happens (they have been well flat for years, last time I moved the bike the flat spot it had been stood on stayed flat, and the tyre didn't sink on the new bit I stood it on), give it a bit of a dust down and take some pics.
I don't think I will use it for much more than pub running, but it will add a +1 to the number of useable bikes I have at my disposal.
Better than my mothers option, which is take it to the tip because you haven't used it in years.
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prand
2,571 posts
65 months
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Gizmoish said: Honourable? You philistine.
Sacrificing a perfectly good old bike for this year's fad? It's like wallpapering the Sistine Chapel in Burberry because frescoes are passé... Was not being totally serious, but i don't think switchin handlebars and removing gears is an irreversible task, and building a usable leisure bike from a old flame/frame is better than just letting it rot or binning it? I suppose in purist terms the OP should restore it to life as it was, but i think if you already have a number of bikes you should have one that performs a different function, and why not give it some different qualities and capabilities at rhe same time?
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HowMuchLonger
2,603 posts
62 months
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First we need some "before" photos.
Now an old road bike is the perfect winter training bike. If you are happy with a single speed then this would be ideal.
1) New chain
2) Single speed kit to replace cassette/derailure (if the rear wheel is an odd job then maybe just buy a new cheap one)
3) New saddle (possibly)
4) New brake cables (maybe new brake blocks as well)
5) Now take the after photos
Go riding
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daz3210
Original Poster
5,000 posts
109 months
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I have two bikes that are usable at the moment. A twelve year old MTB (one of the early Giant Boulders), and a new Giant Racer.
My thought was put it back to as was and ride it occasionally as I used to.
Two concerns I have are:-
1. It has a plastic saddle that does not look comfy.
2. I recall it has 26" wheels (I could be wrong on that though), how easy will it be to get suitable tyres.
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