>
>>
>>
>> Maybe I'll get lucky in a thrift store, as I did four weeks ago when I
>> picked up this gem:
>>
>> http://www.flickr.com/photos/64004640@N03/9687129253/
>
>
>It looks great, Chris!
>
The rear derailleur (Suntour VX) was worth more than what I paid for the
entire bike. Had to boil the chain and freewheel in used motor oil for two
hours to get the rust off, in the meantime making a couple of tools to get the
rear derailleur apart as the lubricant had dried to the consistency of varnish.
Almost discarded the pedals (MKS model 11) until I learned that they were OEM
and direct replacements cost $37. Spent a couple of days carefully
straightening out the minor damage and cleaning out all the corrosion.
The rear wheel was OEM, but the front wheel was a very valuable French
assembly with a Wolber alloy rim and Maillard non-sealed hub. I managed to
find the proper rim (Araya alloy) and hub (Suzue), and I'll build a new front
wheel as soon as the hub arrives in the mail.
Little remained of the saddle, and it was replaced with a used OEM one
that I luckily found on eBay. It does need some repair of the paint, but that
goes without saying.
This might seem a lot of work and outlay for a 31-year-old bicycle, but
the results so far show that it's worth the effort. It rides much nicer than I
had expected, and it's one of the classics of the American cycling boom of
30-40 years ago. And it's only half my age.
Chris
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