Oldie newby questions.

[Finless]

I have decided to get back and do some cycling for the sake of my fitness.

I went to uncover my trusty old steed (acquired back in 1975ish) and "that'll teach me to store a bike outdoors only wrapped in plastic sheets". It's a real shame as this was a classic old style 5 gear drop handlebar racer which was made in Austria (or, at least, one bit of it was). It had Olympic rings on one decal and pin striping on the frame! Curse my SWMBO who insisted it got moved out of the shed so that she could .......

I was somewhat horrified when I went to my local (to work) cycle emporium to find it had closed down. Everywhere else only seems to sell these modern contraptions allegedly made for riding up mountains.

I would love to get my machine restored but there is nowhere local so, at the moment I can't make up my mind to try a self restore or buy another bike. Problem is; I want an old style bike like I used to have.

My very first bike got mangled when I got knocked off by a car. My second was a lovely Claud Butler in Blue but they have gone under and the name taken over.

The point of all this waffling is:-

1. Does anyone know of somewhere I could get a bike restored in Sussex (including paintwork)?

2. Does anyone know if you can still buy the style of bike I want new?

3. Any specialised on line bike auction sites?

Thanks in advance for your answers.

 

[Fab Foodie]

Welcome Finless

Some late night thoughts...

Was it a Puch Pursuit by chance?

Frames can be perfectly restored by a good re-sprayer of which there are several around the country, Vaz Finishes in London, Mercian in Derby, Argos Finishes in Bristol. They could probably restore your steed. Cost wise look at around £100 ish depending on extras likelug-lining, transfers etc (if available or similar can be fabricated).

Traditional style bikes are still available, specialists like Mercian (Derby), Bob Jackson (Leeds), Dave Yates, Roberts (S. London) have or will make custom designs as retro as you like. SJS do the Brevet which is very trad. but modern:
http://www.thorncycles.co.uk/brevetconical.html
They do other traditional style bikes but in a modern form.

Old Clauds/Holdsworths and many other classic 531 frames come-up for sale on Ebay every so often too.

Others will be along with more advice I'm sure, but look up those I've mentioned to get an idea of what is available.

 

[Finless]

Welcome Finless

Some late night thoughts...

Was it a Puch Pursuit by chance?

Frames can be perfectly restored by a good re-sprayer of which there are several around the country, Vaz Finishes in London, Mercian in Derby, Argos Finishes in Bristol. They could probably restore your steed. Cost wise look at around £100 ish depending on extras likelug-lining, transfers etc (if available or similar can be fabricated).

Traditional style bikes are still available, specialists like Mercian (Derby), Bob Jackson (Leeds), Dave Yates, Roberts (S. London) have or will make custom designs as retro as you like. SJS do the Brevet which is very trad. but modern:
http://www.thorncycles.co.uk/brevetconical.html
They do other traditional style bikes but in a modern form.

Old Clauds/Holdsworths and many other classic 531 frames come-up for sale on Ebay every so often too.

Others will be along with more advice I'm sure, but look up those I've mentioned to get an idea of what is available.

Thanks for the info.

It was only when I closely looked at the frame today that I realised that there may be some significance to the decals (what does decal stand for? Is it an accronym for something?) with the Olympic rings. Gold coloured frame with white pin striping. Some very nice details which I'd never noticed or appreciated before; even down to the tips of the forks being chromed.

I saw the name Vaz mentioned on ebay by someone selling a Claud Butler frame. I believe Vaz had done the respray.

It's such a shame because it is only my own carelessnes that has damaged a nice bike.

 

[Fab Foodie]

Finless...post a picture.
Internal frame corrosion is often more of an issue than external.

Mmm, Olympic rings, chrome, pin-striping, sounds nice.
Clauds had Olympic rings IIRC>

Take a search around here for classic bike info.

http://www.classicrendezvous.com/main.htm

 

[mr_hippo]

...(what does decal stand for? Is it an accronym for something?)

It is the shortened form of decalcomania - the process of transferring pictures or designs printed on specially prepared paper to materials such as glass or metal.

 

[Ludwig]

There is a good technical section on CTC forum. Also check classiclightweights and 43bikes etc. The world is your oyster....go for it!

 

[Smokin Joe]

A mid seventies five speed bike made in Austria...

Sorry to dampen your enthusiasm for a restoration project Finless, but even in it's prime your machine would have been strictly budget. It is highly unlikely to have had any rustproofing on the inside of what were probably cheap tubes and any attempt at respraying and restoring would be throwing good money after bad - alot of modern equipment would not even fit the frame. You would be better served by the cheapest road bike you could find in Halfords.

Yours is strictly a skip job.

 

[Finless]

Finless...post a picture.

Will do so. Not able to do until the weekend though.

Internal frame corrosion is often more of an issue than external.

Yes, it worries me but the area around the 'seat stem' looks fine.

Mmm, Olympic rings, chrome, pin-striping, sounds nice.
Clauds had Olympic rings IIRC>

Sadly, all the decals have peeled off and started crumbling into pieces. One can only assume it was produced as an "Olympic edition of bikes'? Hopeflly that may aid any future research I undertake (I'm quite keen to find out about it and, possibly, get it properly restored).

Take a search around here for classic bike info.

http://www.classicrendezvous.com/main.htm

Thanks v/much for the info.

 

[byegad]

I agree with Smokin Joe. There are a lot of bikes out there for less than the cost of a rebuild. Any of them would be a better ride than the one you've got.

 

[Finless]

A mid seventies five speed bike made in Austria...

Sorry to dampen your enthusiasm for a restoration project Finless, but even in it's prime your machine would have been strictly budget. It is highly unlikely to have had any rustproofing on the inside of what were probably cheap tubes and any attempt at respraying and restoring would be throwing good money after bad - alot of modern equipment would not even fit the frame. You would be better served by the cheapest road bike you could find in Halfords.

Yours is strictly a skip job.

It would ease my conscience somewhat if it were one of a billion ......

 

[Finless]

I agree with Smokin Joe. There are a lot of bikes out there for less than the cost of a rebuild. Any of them would be a better ride than the one you've got.

But 'new' does not have any nostalgia?

 

[Sh4rkyBloke]

... but it has safety.


Your choice, I guess. Can't say I'd be too keen on riding a bike which may, at any moment, snap due to internal rust...

 

[threefingerjoe]

Finless, I really have to agree with those who are recommending a new bike. If you haven't ridden in many years, you will be AMAZED at the advances made in bikes in the last 20 years! Gears shift PROPERLY these days...FAST and SMOOTH. Little additions such as ramps on the sides of sprockets and tooth "patterns" such as little twists in the cogs, and different heights of cogs help the chain walk up onto the next selected gear. Indexed shifters are ACCURATE and gear changes instantaneous. Brakes are FAR better than you remember.

If we'd had bikes like this during the huge bike craze back in the 1970s, (at least in the US), all of the bikes sold back then would have been RIDDEN instead of collecting dust in garages.

 

[zimzum42]

I got a 'classic' style frame from Bob Jackson, it's a beaut.......

I guess you could source authentic parts for it, would be more fun than buying it complete.

Are you going to go for suicide levers?

 

[Finless]

I got a 'classic' style frame from Bob Jackson, it's a beaut.......

I guess you could source authentic parts for it, would be more fun than buying it complete.

Are you going to go for suicide levers?

WTF are 'suicide levers'?

I'm confused about what to do. I my bike is one of billions made from cheap steel and ....... then I might just bin it. Perhaps I'll end up with 2 bikes?