Help with Bike rehab

[Winnie]

I'm not sure this is the place to post this, but if it isn't, I'm sure someone will let me know. ;)

I have a 1978 Peugeot that I want to rehab, and I want to try it myself. I have read somewhere on the web that trying to rehab a 30-year old transmission is a losing proposition, and that I should just convert to fixed gear. What do people think?

First order of business is cleaning. Many years ago, I was told to clean the gunk off gears with dish soap, which I have done with this bike (didn't work too well). When I mentioned this to a mech in one of the bike shops, I got a horrified stare. Web sites I have found still say dish soap. What's the right answer? Will these citrus degreasers that people have mentioned do the trick?

Can't tell what the components are except the rear derailleur says Simplex. What should I use to get the chain off?

Bike is in not bad shape: dirty but no rust, which is pretty good considering it went to Alaska and back with me. If I can make it usable again it would be nice.

Thanks for any advice.

[jvp]

Winnie, for the frame, a light spray with the hose and wipe it down. Just don't spray at the hubs or cranks. To get the stubborn stuff, you can try some citrus degreaser cut with water, also wd40 works well. Some parts may have to be removed, cleaned, and replaced. Keep up with the small parts! If the headset still feels firm and smooth it should be alright, same for the cranks and hubs. If any of those parts feel loose, sticky, clunky, etc. they probably need to be overhauled. Going fixed can be expensive because to do it safely you need a proper rear track wheel with fixed hub. But you can use your existing rear wheel if you want to convert it to singlespeed (permits coasting). If you want to keep it geared you may have to replace the freewheel and chain if they are worn out. Hope this helps, let me know if you need some help. John P. (John & Kady)!

[Winnie]

Thanks, John. (I figured it was you. The guy climbing the rock and Holden Beach were good clues).

[SPOKE]

Winnie,
given the age of the bike getting repair parts is a bit difficult especially if you want to get the rehab done quickly. i'd be willing to bet that the bike is in pretty good shape except for caked on dirt/grime. one thing that happens with time is the grease in the bearing assemblies usually dries out and no longer does it's job. in this case you really should disassemble the bike completely and clean the bearing assemblies. once you have the bike disassembled you can really clean and inspect the frame and all the parts. when you put the bike back together be sure to replace all the brake and derailleur cables and housing. this will be a huge step in making the bike safe to ride. be sure to have the wheels inspected and trued if necessary.
cheers..........Bill

[KarenG]

ok...slight thread derailment...do you guys know anything about taking brakes apart and rehabing them so that they don't "stick"?? have a lotus excelle with some sort of shimano brakes, but the front "sticks" when i try to attach cable...

anyone wanna help me get the friction shifters, brakes & chain on this bike so i can be done with it? :D

[jvp]

What do you mean by "sticks"? Both pads engage the rim when you apply the brake lever, but only one disengages when you release the lever? Or something else, like binding/too much friction?

[KarenG]

What do you mean by "sticks"? Both pads engage the rim when you apply the brake lever, but only one disengages when you release the lever? Or something else, like binding/too much friction?

something like that, then the lever doesn't go back to the original position. IIRC, the rear one seemed to work better than the front one. front one definitely not working as it should.

[Winnie]

RE: disassembling the bike.

Can this be done by me without professional tools?

[TracyW]

You probably have most all the tools you would need onhand already, but a kit like http://www.performancebike.com/shop/profile.cfm?SKU=22310&subcategory_ID=4218 would most likely be all you would need. Bicycles are pretty easy to figure out, if you take the time to try.

I think you can do it.

[esther-l]

You may want to check Sheldon Brown's website for information.
http://www.sheldonbrown.com/vrbn-o-z.html#peugeot

[chaproc]

I undertook such a project a couple of years ago with a bike of the same vintage. The most common question/comment I got was: "Why bother? Just buy a new bike. It will end up costing the same or less." It was something I wanted to do and it did end up costing more than I anticipated. But like the MasterCard commercial says the experience was priceless.
Spoke gave you some good advice about disassembling the complete bike. Once everything is taken apart go over the frame with a very bright light looking for any sign of rust and possibly attending cracks.
ALL the lubricants should be replaced as well as any bearings (found in the bottom bracket, wheels and headset). Some bearings are probably "pitted" and corroded from sitting around. Bearings are pretty cheap.
Just replace the headset, it's much easier than trying to rebuild the old one.
You WILL need some special tools that you are unlikely to have such as: cone wrenches (which are very thin as opposed to normal wrenches), headset and bottom bracket specific tools. You may be able to borrow the use of special tools from someone, particularly someone who can instruct you while using them. When it comes to the headset you will be ahead of the game just going to your LBS.
You more than likely have a cup and cone bottom bracket assembly as opposed to a sealed one. You may be able to find a suitable replacement sealed one but if you cannot there is nothing wrong with a C&C if you put it together correctly.
Your wheels are probably fine except for 2 things. The previously mentioned bearings and the spokes. The spokes, being under tension, do weaken with time. Although not catastrophic be prepared for some broken spokes somewhere down the line (most likely the rear wheel). After the 3rd spoke breaks rebuild or replace the wheel. Since they are probably 27 inch wheels your replacement choices are very limited (as are tire choices BTW).
You may can to change to 700c wheels/tires but you will probably have to change the brakes too (and maybe the brake levers too).
Replace all the cables and housings. There will be inevitable rust.
There is a wealth of information on the internet. If you find something you don't understand ask a wrench at your local LBS to explain it. Find some books. The best bet is go to the library. If yours is like mine whatever they have on their shelves regarding bicycles is probably the same vintage as your bike. This is most helpful, as newer books spend more time on suspensions, disk brakes, indexed shifting, etc. All stuff not pertinent to your needs.
The Sheldon Brown website (sheldonbrown.com) is an excellent source of information and parts. I found these sites helpful in sourcing hard to find/get/cheap parts: Loose Screws (loosescrews.com) and Yellow Jersey (yellowjersey.org). Google is your friend.
Good luck and remember, if you do go ahead, take your time and enjoy the moments, good or bad. Once you're done you will have something to be proud of.

[Winnie]

Thanks for all the input! So helpful!

[SPOKE]

RE: disassembling the bike.

Can this be done by me without professional tools?


i'm sure you can do it but you may have to purchase a few specific tools. you'll need tools to remove the crank arms, bottom bracket bearing cups, and wrenches for the headset bearing assemble. purchasing one of the tool kits from Performance is fine but i bet you can get a tool kit cheaper from Ed down at CycleLogic at 1211 Hillsboro St in raleigh near NC State.
cheers.........Bill

[gary smith]

Having been working on bikes since 1972 (also USAC certified since 1988) I have a little experence with bikes like the one you are working on. If the bike has had no servicing in a few years -- you will need to completely disassemble bike. Once this is done use a degrease on all bearings and components. Clean components with a mild soap/water solution to clean degreaser off of derailleurs and crank/chainrings and brakes etc.replace housing/cables and brake pads To make a long store short == be patient because it will take a while.

If you change the chain you may have to change the cassette. Feel free to e-mail me with any question @ www.iamnofred@aol.com

[campygoob]

If the the bike is truely French, then the BB, HS, RD hanger, and stem will require French parts. All are different from IT or ENG. If you are looking for someone to tear this down, PM me. I have been working on bikes for 35 years and have the correct tools.

Fred