Fixing an old bike

[powla]

Hello all

I've just been offered an old bicycle with gears and brakes not working. Haven't picked it up yet so no idea of the kind of bike or general state. I've already got a mountain bike that I use daily but wanted something that I could learn maintenance on and hopefully get going again. Too afraid to maintain my current bike myself in case it goes a bit wrong!

Thing is no idea where I would start. I thought of stripping it completely and starting from there. Are there any good books that would show me how to completely overhaul a bike? I'm a visual learner so would benefit from lots of pics! Is it expensive to get all the tools / parts I need as I don't have lots of money to buy an entire workshop?

I know there is a diy bike maintenance workshop in Brighton called Cranks which will help anyone make repairs to their bike for a donation, so feel like I have a bit of back up if I need some help

Anyone done this and any tips?

Thanks

 

[accountantpete]

Hi Powla

The best bet is to stick to one area at a time. If you strip the bike in one go then it's sometimes a struggle to remember what goes where when you come to re-assemble.

YouTube videos are a great help although the age of the components may make them a little different to deal with.

I'd start with the hard parts - taking the cranks and bottom bracket off and checking that the seat post comes out.

good luck.

 

[hubgearfreak]

Are there any good books that would show me how to completely overhaul a bike?

this website has all you need to know; http://www.sheldonbrown.com/

 

[tyred]

What type of bike is it? Some on here will no doubt point out that it will cost you more than the bike's worth and not to bother but ignore them. It's a great way to learn, you have the satisfaction of doing the work yourself and saving something from the scrapyard and it needed cost you a fortune if you don't want it to.

Shouldn't be too difficult to sort the brakes. Make sure the cables are free, pads good, a drop of oil on the pivots of the calipers and handles and work some oil into the cable as well.

Gears can be more interesting but it is probably cable/adjustment related again. If it's an old road bike, pay attention to the piece of cable outer which passes over the bottom bracket. If this is sticky, the bike will change gear itself. Single speed is an option if you have horizontal dropouts.

You should find all you need to know on www.sheldonbrown.com and ask lots of questions here.

 

[PpPete]

One tip.....Don't take wheels/tyres off first.

Chances are you may have at least one the following "stuck" ... .or at least difficult to remove:

Pedals
Bottom Bracket
Seapost
Quill Stem

If so you'll want the leverage/friction on the ground that the tyres can give you to hold the rest of the bike while you apply the relevant tool.

 

[Rhythm Thief]

If you're a visual learner then your best bet is probably just to get stuck in and see how you get on. The great thing about bikes (especially older ones without suspension or hydraulic brakes) is that it's very obvious how everything works, and you can work it out by looking at it and thinking a bit. And once you know how it works, you're halfway to being able to rebuild it. Just take your time, buy a good set of allen keys, a pair of pliers and 8, 9 and 10mm combination spanners and perhaps a chain splitter. Any other specialist tools like a crank puller or a bottom bracket remover you can buy as you need them or borrow from someone.

 

[tyred]

The other very useful tool to have if you're taking something apart and unsure how it will go back together again is a digital camera to take lots of photographs so you have a reference.

As a fan of film photography, this is probably the only time I will advise anyone to use a digital camera!!!

 

[powla]

Thanks for the encouragement and will def take it all on board. Love the camera idea, cos knowing me I won't have a clue what I've just done.

Am hoping this will be a good learning experience for me so will keep you posted

 

[Deleted member 1258]

Its worth having a look at this site here

http://bicycletutor.com/

 

[gbb]

Hi Powla....dive in and give it a go, but don't start adjusting derailleur screws etc until you know you have to.
I just did a BSO with a chain so rusty it was rigid, i had to soak it in WD for 2 days just to get it to go round the cassette A further soaking with WD, wipe then soak in engine oil, the chains fine now.

If you're just playing with it to make it work, you can usually get away with spending very little. It just depends on whether you want to make it work..or make it a good bike

Assess each area...are the cranks or BB loose..if not, leave them alone.
Chain off and look for wear on the casette and chainrings. I've done some BSOs that looked well worn on the drivetrain, but oiled and cleaned....they can run OK.
Brake cables off....run some WD down the outers, see if the cables look ok, rub a little grease along them, they'll usually work again.

Same with the gear cables.

Check the steering, you may want to adjust the headset. Again, even with a stiff steering you can usually strip and grease, re-assemble and it'll be ok.

Wheels ? firstly check the hubs run free...its not a hard job to strip, clean grease and adjust wheel hubs, just a bit of practice.

99% of the BSOs ive given another life to never wanted the derailleur adjustment screws adjusting. Most people are too afraid to touch them so they're usually ok.

All the above (and more) is to just make an old bike work.,,not look good. Its a good way of practicing.

 

[swee'pea99]

Its worth having a look at this site here

http://bicycletutor.com/

+1. Your first port of call. Oh, and don't take it all to bits just for the hell of it. Start off by finding out what's bust and fixing that. No point making extra work for yourself...learn what you need as you go along.

 

[Rhythm Thief]

[quote name='swee'pea99'] Oh, and don't take it all to bits just for the hell of it. Start off by finding out what's bust and fixing that. No point making extra work for yourself...learn what you need as you go along.[/QUOTE]

Good point. The whole reason you're rebuilding it is to make it work better (which is very satisfying). If it already works well, leave it alone until it doesn't.

 

[Landslide]

I've already got a mountain bike that I use daily but wanted something that I could learn maintenance on and hopefully get going again....
...I know there is a diy bike maintenance workshop in Brighton called Cranks which will help anyone make repairs to their bike for a donation, so feel like I have a bit of back up if I need some help.

Might you be able to come to an arrangement where they help/instruct you with the maintenance, then you gift the bike to them to sell/recycle etc. once you know what you're doing?