Advertisement
If you have a new account but are having problems posting or verifying your account, please email us on hello@boards.ie for help. Thanks :)
Hello all! Please ensure that you are posting a new thread or question in the appropriate forum. The Feedback forum is overwhelmed with questions that are having to be moved elsewhere. If you need help to verify your account contact hello@boards.ie
Hi there,
There is an issue with role permissions that is being worked on at the moment.
If you are having trouble with access or permissions on regional forums please post here to get access: https://www.boards.ie/discussion/2058365403/you-do-not-have-permission-for-that#latest

Doing up an old bike!!

  • 11-09-2012 1:39pm
    #1
    FredsMom
    Closed Accounts Posts: 43 ✭


    Hey everybody,

    I am looking for a blog or how to guide for restoring an old bike...its not vintage old, only about 10 years old but its gotten quite rusty. I don't want to buy a new one but I don't even know where to start with fixing up my old one!


Comments

  • #2
    Seve OB
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 16,118 ✭✭✭✭Seve OB


    FredsMom wrote: »
    Hey everybody,

    I am looking for a blog or how to guide for restoring an old bike...its not vintage old, only about 10 years old but its gotten quite rusty. I don't want to buy a new one but I don't even know where to start with fixing up my old one!

    Large bottle of de-greaser, and a bucket of soapy water, some decent scrubbing brushes and a couple of cloths.

    Take about 2 hours of your day and clean the be-jaysus out of it, take the wheels off if possible to get into the small parts easier.

    Check the obvious, tyres, cables etc to make sure everything is ok and working, Lube up the chain, brakes etc and roll on out for a spin!


  • #3
    piston
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 523 ✭✭✭piston


    Start with Sheldon Brown.


  • #4
    spokesman
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 165 ✭✭spokesman


    retrobike.co.uk is a great source for info.:D


  • #5
    Frere Jacques
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 206 ✭✭Frere Jacques


    Regardless of book, the first thing I'd do is look at the state of the chrome on the wheels. If it is badly pitted then it will be like a cheese grater to any brake blocks. Replacing the wheels is normally not economically viable for a cheap run around. If it's only 10 years old though and an alright make, and stored in a relately dry spot you should be okay.


  • #6
    piston
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 523 ✭✭✭piston


    I would expect a bike of any kind of decent quality that is only 10 year old to have alloy rims.

    I would check tyres for splits and cracks (light crazing is usually nothing to worry about), check the brake and gear cables for fraying or rust, oil them well and make sure they're free to move. Ideally take the chain off and soak in diesel and clean it before applying oil, make sure the gears work and the brakes work. Check that the wheels and bottom bracket spin freely, that the freewheel block actually does freewheel and engages drives (leave bike on it's side and let a thin oil soak into the freewheel bearings around the bearing race), check the headset moves smoothly and has no play.

    If it were mine, I would pull all the bearings apart for a clean and a re-grease but that depends on how mechanically minded you are.


  • Advertisement
  • #7
    FredsMom
    Closed Accounts Posts: 43 ✭FredsMom


    Thanks for all the advice. At least I know where to start now!

    I used to live in the Netherlands and loved cycling but haven't done much since coming home! I cycled the western greenway at the weekend and it has spurred me on to get going again! It would take me to decide this when the winter is approaching!


Advertisement