My 'new' pub bike- Elswick Hopper Safeway

[palinurus]

In likelihood more of a riding to the shops for cat food bike.

Elswick Hopper Safeway- late 70s I guess- needs tubes and tyres, saddle and- eventually- replacement cables (outers not in best condition although gears seem OK and brakes work perfectly well). Not too rusty- not that I'm going to be restoring it- I expect to be using it later today. Got to straighten out that front 'guard too. The few bolts I've undone so far have not been stuck.

Going to need a big wicker basket and some lighting- maybe a cheap bottle dynamo.

 

[palinurus]

Total outlay so far- two tubes, tyres aren't too bad, front one is the worst- some cracking of the sidewalls. Will sort these out when I find some bargain tyres.

Had a good going over today- mechanically there is little wear, as with a lot of bikes it probably hasn't seen much use. AW hub seems fine, once adjusted changes nicely. Most of the 'problems' are cosmetic and related to storage, the rims are rusty inside (not so much outside) but just in one place suggesting it hasn't moved in a long time. The chrome on the bars and other parts is a bit pitted and flaking off, the saddle is held together with tape and is waterlogged.

Rims are a bit pitted, not too bad on the braking surfaces. Wheels are true.

The hubs and chain set are good, gave 'em a bit of furniture polish and a wipe and they are nice and shiny underneath.

Just ridden it around the block- it's ready to go. Pub duties to commence tonight after the tour highlights.

 

[Pat "5mph"]

My kind of bike, favorite colour too
Will the guys not tease you showing up in the pub on a lady's bike?

 

[palinurus]

Will the guys not tease you showing up in the pub on a lady's bike?

Nah, I can get away with riding any kind of bike.

 

[MontyVeda]

In likelihood more of a riding to the shops for cat food bike.

Elswick Hopper Safeway- late 70s I guess- needs tubes and tyres, saddle and- eventually- replacement cables (outers not in best condition although gears seem OK and brakes work perfectly well). Not too rusty- not that I'm going to be restoring it- I expect to be using it later today. Got to straighten out that front 'guard too. The few bolts I've undone so far have not been stuck.

Going to need a big wicker basket and some lighting- maybe a cheap bottle dynamo.

T^he other day i was thinking about a "Show us your step-through/dutch/ladies bike" thread... but since i ain't got one, it felt a bit futile... but that is what i call a 'proper' bike.

 

[craigwend]

my first (road) 'racing bike' was a 'Elswick Hopper - Whirlwind' (in Gold)
it looked nothing like this (it only had 5 gears )

 

[Accy cyclist]

Total outlay so far- two tubes, tyres aren't too bad, front one is the worst- some cracking of the sidewalls. Will sort these out when I find some bargain tyres.

Had a good going over today- mechanically there is little wear, as with a lot of bikes it probably hasn't seen much use. AW hub seems fine, once adjusted changes nicely. Most of the 'problems' are cosmetic and related to storage, the rims are rusty inside (not so much outside) but just in one place suggesting it hasn't moved in a long time. The chrome on the bars and other parts is a bit pitted and flaking off, the saddle is held together with tape and is waterlogged.

Rims are a bit pitted, not too bad on the braking surfaces. Wheels are true.

The hubs and chain set are good, gave 'em a bit of furniture polish and a wipe and they are nice and shiny underneath.

Just ridden it around the block- it's ready to go. Pub duties to commence tonight after the tour highlights.

A nice looking bike, i love the colour! There's something about taking a bike down the pub it gets folk interested in bikes when they'd normally ignore them.

 

[mrbikerboy73]

My Mum had one of those I remember! Must have been late 70's/early 80's.

 

[palinurus]

I've been doing plenty of shopping with it but not enough riding to the pub. I like to ride it with my heels on the pedals- it feels right. I sit bolt upright and cruise around feeling like I own the road, if I see someone riding a fatbike I put on a slight sneer. This weekend I experimentally attacked some rust on the chrome with some scrunched-up foil- very worrying! don't want to end up doing any restoration.

 

[palinurus]

Check out my basket, yeah

I fitted it better at the weekend so the cable goes behind it.

 

[palinurus]

[QUOTE 3847241, member: 259"]Nice to see the back of that hideous saddle - oh, hang on...[/QUOTE]

eBay bargain, but unfortunately somewhat of a false economy. It does squeak in the proper way though.

 

[glasgowcyclist]

my first (road) 'racing bike' was a 'Elswick Hopper - Whirlwind' (in Gold)
it looked nothing like this (it only had 5 gears )

Did you cut a mudguard in two there?

GC

 

[palinurus]

Did you cut a mudguard in two there?

Those are Race Blades. Plenty of room for full guards, maybe someone had some kicking around in the shed.

 

[wisdom]

Heres mine.Didnt want to restore just maintain it.Well. guess what out came the metal polish.Here is a before the polish photo.It has a bottle dynamo so ready for shops and pub.

 

[iggibizzle]

Hey fellow elswick owner. Although mine is a puma. Ridden near daily. Same age I think. Late 70's anyway.