I've got a Western Flyer London Flyer that needs restored $30.00. nice english
style 3speed w/ baskets located in Quincy,Il

The black filled “arabesque” is 600, the gold that looks more arrow like is 105.

 

Many of the topmount shifters used different mounts on the frame, and some won’t cross over.

The bike I have that takes a Shimano topmount fortunately uses a waterbottle mount,

so any shifter will probably attach to it.

 

Also good is that they make mounts for the barrel adjusters that mount to shimano shift lever mounts,

and these might mount to the original block, maybe with a bit of modification.

 

If you’ve got a little time, and can send a pic of the mount that’s under the shifter mounting block I might be able to make you something

a bit slicker.

 

Steve B

 

From: Bicycle_Restoration@yahoogroups.com [mailto:Bicycle_Restoration@yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of will@...
Sent: Thursday, November 19, 2009 07:36 PM
To: Bicycle_Restoration@yahoogroups.com
Subject: [Bicycle_Restoration] Center mount, downtown shifter boss?

 

 

Hello everyone,

I'm tunning up a friend's bike an early 80s era Miyata. It has - if
memory serves me correctly - a full Shimano Arabesque group, which was
sort of the 105 of the day if I'm not mistaken. It's the friction
system with the fancy scrollwork.

Anyway, the friction shifters are just worn out, they don't hold a
tune. I'd like to upgrade her to an index system, but the shifter boss
is a problem. It's one of those center mount bosses. You can view a
picture of what I'm talking about here:

http://media.photobucket.com/image/top%20mount%20downtube/firstflightbikes/Parts/shift194.jpg

This guy is selling a Suntour version:

http://cgi.ebay.com/Suntour-Milax-Friction-Top-Mount-Downtube-Shfters-New_W0QQitemZ360196985236QQcmdZViewItemQQimsxZ20091010?IMSfp=TL091010153003r2191

The problem is that the central mount doesn't have standard downtube
shifter bosses - it only appears to work with the Shimano friction shifters.

Forgetting for a moment that some people prefer friction, has anyone
added modern indexed shifters to a frame like this using the existing
boss? I know I can go with a clamp, but I'd rather figure something out
to keep it as OEM looking as possible - the bike's owner is a stickler.

Thanks for any advice.

Regards,
Will

No virus found in this incoming message.
Checked by AVG - www.avg.com Version: 8.5.425 / Virus Database: 270.14.73/2513 - Release Date: 11/19/09 07:51:00

I recently picked up an old JC Higgins girls cruiser with a gas tank. I got
too many projects now so I'm just going to flip her.Her fenders and stuff still
look ok. She could be restored(the gas tank has a horn the bike has some rust,
butcould be a decent first excursion into bike restoration, I want $30.00 for
the bike and I will throw in 2 new whitewalls for another $30.00. I live in
Quincy Il. if you are looking to pickup or i can give you a local bike shop to
do shipping. my cel is 217-316-9369.

Hello everyone,

I'm tunning up a friend's bike an early 80s era Miyata.  It has - if
memory serves me correctly - a full Shimano Arabesque group, which was
sort of the 105 of the day if I'm not mistaken.  It's the friction
system with the fancy scrollwork.

Anyway, the friction shifters are just worn out, they don't hold a
tune.  I'd like to upgrade her to an index system, but the shifter boss
is a problem.  It's one of those center mount bosses.  You can view a
picture of what I'm talking about here:

http://media.photobucket.com/image/top%20mount%20downtube/firstflightbikes/Parts\
/shift194.jpg

This guy is selling a Suntour version:

http://cgi.ebay.com/Suntour-Milax-Friction-Top-Mount-Downtube-Shfters-New_W0QQit\
emZ360196985236QQcmdZViewItemQQimsxZ20091010?IMSfp=TL091010153003r2191

The problem is that the central mount doesn't have standard downtube
shifter bosses - it only appears to work with the Shimano friction shifters.

Forgetting for a moment that some people prefer friction, has anyone
added modern indexed shifters to a frame like this using the existing
boss?  I know I can go with a clamp, but I'd rather figure something out
to keep it as OEM looking as possible - the bike's owner is a stickler.

Thanks for any advice.

Regards,
Will

Hi Gang,

This is a bit OT, but Murray is a certified bike wrench who likes to build up
old lugged frames as fixies, so maybe it's okay.

In any case, I just interview Ian Murray who is a high-profile triathlete and
coach.  He is married to the famous movie star, Alexandra Paul.  I expected...
well I don't know what I expected, but it certainly wasn't the down-to-earth,
honest, funny answers he gave me about being a racer who is firmly dedicated to
using bicycles for transportation.  If you are interested, check out the article
here:

http://cycloculture.blogspot.com/2009/11/ian-murray-real-world-racer.html

Cheers,

Forbes

The Schwinn is different. If you have an older one, made in Chicago, then it's
good. The advantage to that is the cups and everything will be the same on all
the Chicago ones, so an old Varsity, even with a smaller or larger frame will
have interchangeable parts with yours. The chrome is good quality also, so even
if you find a rusty old varsity with no wheels, the chrome may shine up like
new. The best place would be yard sales and thrift stores, or scrap yards. As
for other headsets fitting, I think Schwinn used a different thread spacing. Old
suburbans, speedsters and other old Schwinns may have the same parts also, as
long as they are the Chicago models. I had thought about a chainguard on my
Varsity, but the frame didn't come with a front mount like the other Schwinns.

On a side note, I went with 26 x 2.125 tires on the Varsity front forks with
room to spare, but there isn't quite enough room on the rear, but the old
Schwinn 26 x 2 x 1 3/4 barely fit back there. 26 x 1.75 would be a good size if
you wanted your tires matching.

You just can't beat a good ol' Varsity...I ride a singlespeed-ed one, a '79. I have nice long cranks (175), Mary bars on a long-reach MTB type stem, mini-clips on 'rat-trap' pedals, front brake only, and a cushy MTB saddle, making it a really comfy town-bike. All I need now are some good fenders and a rain cape, and I'll be set. Oh, and add a chainguard. At some point, I'll tear it all down again and blast off the rattle-can paint job, and get it powdercoated. I'd like to have the frame & fork one color, and the fenders, stem, and chainguard a contrasting color...or maybe I'd just go the monochrome route. When I converted it to SS, I ground off all the cable guides and the kickstand mount (I put a Greenfield kickstand on it), but like a dummy, I took off the dang chainguard tab, too. Oh, well....that's what they make 'p-clips' for, I guess.

Which brings me to this question...is there some place I can get original-equipment parts for the Varsity, such as headsets and perhaps a new Schwinn Chicago headbadge? Will any 1" headset work on it?

Dave Hughes

---------- Original Message ----------
From: "BarryM" <barrymay@...>
To: Bicycle_Restoration@yahoogroups.com
Subject: [Bicycle_Restoration] Re: overloaded
Date: Wed, 18 Nov 2009 14:22:54 -0000

 

Yes, I've got a dozen or so hanging from hooks and 5 frames up in the rafters.
Coffee cans with parts all over and a big stack of fenders.

For this winter season, I wanted to have a nice heavy cruiser that I could just
ride without any maintenance problems, because I need to drop another 20 or 30
lbs. Luckily I came across a 71 Varsity in good shape and I plan on adding a 2
speed hub and upright bars to make a comfort bike.

--- In Bicycle_Restoration@yahoogroups.com, "chris m" <xcongamanx@...> wrote:
>
>     Does any body else here get overloaded with good bike projects and not
have the room or time for them.(retorical)What is on your winter wish list?
>

On flat terrain, I'd recommend singlespeeding it. For one thing, you won't need to buy nearly as many parts (no derailleurs, no shifters). I live in a fairly hilly area, and I ride singlespeed. And I'm a big-ish guy, too, at 6', 230#.
Maintenance is way simpler on a single speed bike, too. I simply found a drive ratio that I can live with on the moderate hills, and still give me a decent cruising speed on the flats. Turns out that's 44 teeth on the front, and 18 teeth on the BMX freewheel on the rear wheel. My bike is an old Schwinn Varsity frame with one-piece crank. I just put a 1/8" wide chainwheel on the crank, and 1/8" freewheel & chain. I just kept one brake, on the front. Really simple bike, very functional.

Is the crank a one-piece, or 3-piece, or...? Maybe you could put some photos up so we can see whatcha got there? Then we could probably make more intelligent recommendations for parts, etc.

Dave Hughes
Austin, Texas

---------- Original Message ----------
From: "pillsmofo" <pillsoad@...>
To: Bicycle_Restoration@yahoogroups.com
Subject: [Bicycle_Restoration] RE: Restoration
Date: Tue, 17 Nov 2009 15:38:05 -0000

 

I'm going to restore this bike for use to and from campus at school.  So it will
be a road bike, mostly for commuting.  The frame had no name on it, i do know
it's a Korean frame.  I don't know if this information affects what kind of bike
i should be building.

I'm a complete novice.  How many speeds should i make the bike? I'm a heavier
set guy, i don't know if that should affect my decision.  I'll probably ride
this bike at the most 20 miles at a time on fairly flat terrain.

Any more tips?  This group has been a lot of help so far, thank you.

Kris

as anyone here can tell ya, restorations can get expensive.
Sheldon Browns site (simply google and type in sheldon brown or harris
cyclery)is a basic language encyclopedia of 'how to'.
Did you happen to see a name on the bike before you sanded down the finish?
Reason i ask is: If the bike is a big box product, you're not gonna want to
spend a ton of cash on it (and stuff like wheels and cranks and derailleurs CAN
get expensive)
Is it a one piece crank or 3 piece crank  (Sheldons site will explain)
Have you stripped the bike down to just the frame and fork?
If so, how much does it weigh (weigh yourself then weigh yourself holding the
frame and fork)
A heavy frame is a heavy frame is a...you get the idea.
You can lighten the wheels or the crank or the handlebars etc. but you're still
gonna have a pretty heavy bike.
Which brings me to my last question.
What's the intended use?
Single speeds are in fashion these days and if you simply need a townie bike you
don't have to worry about having stuff ripped off of, that might be the way to
go.
Rich Mc.

The bike was pretty beat up, i really wanted to just update all the parts.  I
don't know which parts to buy first. Pedals?  Handle Bars?  I want to be able to
buy a part and put it on as i get it, where do i start?

--- In Bicycle_Restoration@yahoogroups.com, "gary" <gkk1011@...> wrote:
>
> If it was sold through a bike shop, it would be of higher quality.  depending
on what it is or what parts are on it.  the good stuff lasts a long time and
they can be cleaned and polished up.  Pay most atteion to the drive train and
brakes of course.  Is it a multispeed bike?
>
> The best results i have had fron Spray paint are the rustoleum Appliance
enamels.  Not much choice in colors, but sets up pretty hard.
>
> Good luck
> Gary
>
>
>
>
>
>   ----- Original Message -----
>   From: pillsmofo
>   To: Bicycle_Restoration@yahoogroups.com
>   Sent: Monday, November 16, 2009 12:09 AM
>   Subject: [Bicycle_Restoration] First Restoration.
>
>
>
>   Hey,
>
>   I've always wanted to restore a bike. I found a cool old bike on the side of
the street, i've stripped it down to just the frame, i've sanded it and readied
it to spray paint it.
>
>   I'm clueless as to what to do next? I want to get all new parts for it, but
i want to buy and install them in a logical order. Any tips? Recommendations?
>
>   Thanks
>
>
>
>
>
>
> --- Get FREE High Speed Internet from USFamily.Net! --
http://www.usfamily.net/mkt-freepromo.html ---
>

----- Original Message -----

From: pillsmofo

To: Bicycle_Restoration@yahoogroups.com

Sent: Monday, November 16, 2009 12:09 AM

Subject: [Bicycle_Restoration] First Restoration.

 

Hey,

I've always wanted to restore a bike. I found a cool old bike on the side of the street, i've stripped it down to just the frame, i've sanded it and readied it to spray paint it.

I'm clueless as to what to do next? I want to get all new parts for it, but i want to buy and install them in a logical order. Any tips? Recommendations?

Thanks

--- Get FREE High Speed Internet from USFamily.Net! ---

Hey,

I've always wanted to restore a bike.  I found a cool old bike on the side of
the street, i've stripped it down to just the frame, i've sanded it and readied
it to spray paint it.

I'm clueless as to what to do next?  I want to get all new parts for it, but i
want to buy and install them in a logical order.  Any tips? Recommendations?

Thanks

Gary, nickle plating is about the easiest plating the average person can do.
Unless you're plating a full frame, there are kits that let you brush plate the
nickle. Caswell plating online has kits that let you zinc, copper and
nickle--well under a hundred bucks.

If you find the right frame/bike, buy it Then work the old plating down and redo
it yourself. It's not very difficult.