Project Mania 2

Here's a quick progress report. I've been concentrating on the Lotus while I wait on the construction of a set of 700c wheels:

I replaced the narrow handlebars and brake levers that were originally mounted on the Lotus. The old Shimano 600 levers showed some battle scars.

I was going to remove the brake levers and throw them in my parts pile until I noticed that they were attached to the bars with a nut. There just wasn't enough space to get a socket in there. I threw them aside and moved on.

My package from Velo Orange arrived this afternoon with a pair of MKS Touring Pedals, a brass bell and a very nice replacement set of brake levers. I like the look of the non-aero brake levers.

Since I'll be switching from 27" wheels to 700c, I decided to replace the original Shimano 600 brakes with a pair of long reach Tektros.

I rode over to Half Priced Books this weekend and bought a few maintenance books. I was looking for old books because all I work on are old bikes. I struck gold with this 1986 book from Bicycling Magazine, the repair guide in the center was published in 1972. The Park Tool repair guide is practically brand new, it was printed in 2008.

Getting Started

I've been looking forward to working on my wife's bike. The plan today was to remove everything from the frame so I can clean it and get it ready for powder coating. The first sign of trouble showed up almost immediately when I discovered that the seatpost is stuck in the frame.

 I don't know if it was forced into the seat tube or if it's rusted in place. I sprayed some light oil in the tube but it hasn't budged. I read Sheldon's recommendations for fixing this problem. I'll try heating the seat tube with a hair dryer. Some penetrating oil should help.

Everything else came off with little fuss untill I got to the cranks. The bolts that attach the crank arms stick out too far to allow my crank puller to be screwed into place.

I messed up a crank arm the last time I tried this. I'll probably have my LBS remove the cranks for me. They can remove the bottom bracket while they're at it.

This old bike originally came with 27 inch wheels, I'm going to update it with 700c wheels so that we'll have plenty of tires to choose from. I plan to build up a set of 700c wheels on a 126mm 7 speed hub. Me and my wife really like the look of the Shimano 600 EX components and wanted to keep them. I'll have to replace the original brakes with some long reach brakes so that the pads will reach the smaller 700c rim. I noticed that the front brake has a recessed bolt while the rear brake is the old nutted style. I'll probably drill out the rear hole on the brake bridge to accept a recessed bolt.

The reflector mount is shaped at the attachment point to fit the brake bridge. I might keep this and adapt it for use with a blinkie light.

I didn't realize until a few days ago that new brakes would not mount to an old bike without some minor frame modification.

I'd like to have the frame powder coated at the beginning of January.  

Univega Sportour Mixte

I've been searching Craigslist for the last couple of weeks looking for a bike for my wife. I was wanting a mixte or an interesting 3 speed. My wife could care less, she just wants something pretty. I found her a frame but it's not real pretty, at least not yet. It's a Univega Sportour mixte circa 1981 or 82. It's got some really interesting Shimano 600 EX or "arabesque" downtube shifters, and derailers. It also came equipped with SR crankset and Dia-compe brakes. The frame itself is  much lighter and higher quality than I had expected. 

I will probably have it powder coated sometime soon and re-install the existing components. I'll be posting my progress.