So.... after another visit to my favourite bike shop I couldn't resist this little beauty. Picked it up for a tenner.....
I'm going to restore it, not chop it, but it does need some repairs to the rear mudguard, so that's the tenuous welding link.
I think it's about 50 years old. Get a...
Nice links, badersbus.
D'you know what, you really can't beat vintage bikes. I'm going to do down to that bike shop near me and get a nice old bike (50 year old job). I spotted a few when I was down there. I'm not going to chop it (sacrilege) but restore it as a nice stylish runabout.
Are those yours?!!! Outrageous!
I had the Brooks saddle (with springs), a front-mounting stem and a rear derailleur for.... TWO POUNDS!.
Got it from this place:
http://swansea.gumtree.com/swansea/65/34033865.html
They've got about 100 bikes, loads of frames and part-frames and loads of...
The neighbours think I'm nuts. Oh well. You're right about the rear ends, though. They make the job so much easier. I was going to make my own with pipes and stuff, but there's a bike recyclers not too far from here and I got a little mountain bike back-end. They got everything at this place -...
I made a fairly successful chopper bike last year...
So I cut it up.
Lookin' good... :whistle:
Stuck a new back-end on it (from a small mountain bike)
and voila....
Finished it! Rode it 24 miles on the Gower bike ride charity event. 5 miles to go then the inner tube shredded because I forgot to put a rim-tape on the wheel.
Of all the things that could have gone wrong (bike falling apart was quite high up the list), a trivial thing like stopped me...
Cut out the horrible red bar and stuck a new straight tube onto a plate.
Cut a stem, reattached it by bolting it through the top plate.
Chucked some motorbike handlebars in for good measure.
The forks have some serious lateral flex, so I'll have to make a brace just above the wheel. This...
My bike looked like this:
But now looks like this:
Observant readers will spot the red pipe from a B&Q trolley - I had it spare after I make a kayak trolley out of one. Trouble is, it's hideous, so will have to go. I'm goint to cut it out and put a nicer pipe joining the seat area.
So this guy signed for an item when the box was obviously knackered? Sounds a bit suspect. If a parcel arrived in an obviously ropey state I wouldn't have signed for it, or at least I'd have had a quick check first.
How do you get to know about these? Do they send you a letter?
I made sure to sign up when I was in my local MM. I had a catalogue, so I know I'm on the list.
I don't know if welding would work - aren't they made of an alloy (toffeeolium, I think:laughing:)
My bleed nipples have long disappeared (ooer missus).
For regular brake bleeding, my mechanic friend got me to press the brake as he just cracked off the brake hose at the top of each...
Yes, they are good. I also joined justkampers - their forums are good too.
Sounds similar. The chassis and the important looking bits all look OK though. Loads of little bits to do, though. I did 300 miles last weekend and it didn't fall apart after a 6 months idle, so fingers crossed for a...
You could try Google Sketchup. It's aimed primarily at 3D work. I've seen some nice stuff done with it.
It's free so it's got to be worth a go...
http://sketchup.google.com/product_suf.html