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Post by george on Sept 7, 2019 5:06:16 GMT -5
I feel a bit disappointed. I knew this was pending, but now I have to face it. Have an old Crescent brand "hybrid" street bicycle that I have kept&used for some 40 years. Rear rim is a little wobbly, was barely visible but rim brake did not work well. Tried to align it by adjusting the spokes, alignment became worse. I did this before on another bike successfully, but this time, the spoke adjustment was jammed, corroded. I showed it to a bike repair shop but they said would not do it. Have to find a similar rim(stainless steel), or have someone re-spoke it. Could get another bike for the cost..
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Post by ShrimpBrime on Sept 7, 2019 15:48:26 GMT -5
George, what do you mean by "hybrid"?? part gas part pedal bike like an old moped?
Wish I still had my bike. It was a 1987 Schwinn Predator Freeform EX. Very fist released with a Gyro on the neck. 20 bucks at a Garage sale. Totally customized it myself as a young teenager. Stripped the paint to revile the all chrome frame. Made the color scheme white on chrome. White GT mag rims with white GT tires to match, octopus hand grips and white pedals. Removed the sprocket from the crank and painted a black and white spiral on it. Haro handle bars. Removed all the brakes off of it, monster pegs front and rear. Did a lot of street tricks with it. totally fun bike. My old man got pissed off at me about something stupid and he cut the bike up with a torch. Never forgive him for that shit..... Anyways, to get just the frame for that bike is 700 bucks now give or take (last time check was a couple years ago) I'd hate to see the selling price of the original bike.
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Post by Bones on Sept 7, 2019 15:52:34 GMT -5
Most likely along the lines of a Vespa or something similar I'd have to guess without more info ATM. EDIT: I looked it up and it's a bike with a small motor made/mounted into the bikeframe. Nice.
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Post by ShrimpBrime on Sept 7, 2019 19:30:44 GMT -5
I seen some 2016 model where the motor was mounted at the crank. He said old, I wonder how old. what year? edit it said 40 years, lemme look again.
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Post by dr4g00n on Sept 8, 2019 9:57:51 GMT -5
I think he's referring to the type of hybrid as in a mix between a mountain and a road bicycle, not that it's a moped type bike.
If it's going to be expensive to fix I'd just look for a new one, even the Walmart specials nowadays have Shimano gear sets(albeit not high quality), aluminium frames & disk brakes for not that much.
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Post by george on Sept 9, 2019 11:29:23 GMT -5
I think he's referring to the type of hybrid as in a mix between a mountain and a road bicycle, not that it's a moped type bike. If it's going to be expensive to fix I'd just look for a new one, even the Walmart specials nowadays have Shimano gear sets(albeit not high quality), aluminium frames & disk brakes for not that much. Yes it is more like a road bicycle, perhaps the correct word would be city bike. Anyway think I give up on trying to fix this one and find another one 2nd hand that is in a good shape. Parts for bikes of this age are not easy to find or cheap if they are new. 27 inch rims. Shimano UG hub.
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Post by george on Sept 18, 2019 12:37:09 GMT -5
Found a 2nd hand bicycle, 21 speed, Raleigh Sierra brand, city bike, 28 inch rims, disc brake. Seem like it has hardly been used at all. Weird thing is, I cannot find one mention&photo about this specific model on the internet and it is not a very old model. It had two problems. Front tire punctured, easy fix. The tougher issue was the seat post was seized into the bicycle frame, all the way down. Thought this was a piece of cake, boy was I wrong about that. Aluminum post into a steel frame, bonds tight when corrosion hits inside the frame. Various methods seen on the internet how people have solved this, some with no success but to scrap the frame or leave it be. This was not an option here. Anyway, had to remove the seat to work on this. Pipe wrench and hammer did nothing, managed to put some lubricant to flow into the frame tube, did that every day for a week while always trying to turn the post. It did not move. Was getting frustrated, but today, gave it another go with the 35 cm pipe wrench, whoa!! it moved, then it was just to twist it up and remove from the tube. Phew!! Think I got stronger during these days The seat post is still usable so cleaned it up&repainted, and cleaned&oiled the frame tube. Fortunately this post has a seat holder I could grip on, otherwise it'd been destroyed. Have another bicycle at the summer house with a stuck seat post, now I know how to deal with that.
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Post by ShrimpBrime on Sept 18, 2019 17:11:13 GMT -5
Man that seat post gave you a tough time. Wish I'd know, would have suggested to run some heat down the tube with a pipe sweating torch. You wouldn't have had to get it so hot to melt paint, just hot enough not to touch it maybe 120-150f degree or so. Let it cool and repeat that a few times. Then break it free once cooled to room temp on the last heating. Wouldn't even make a mess with rust penetrant. You may have also been able to leave the seat bolted on and use that for leverage with a small air hammer and flat head tip. Probably would'a had it out in a few minutes!
Never the less, nice job getting it out! After doing some research, these are very well made bikes!
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Post by Vinster on Sept 18, 2019 18:51:05 GMT -5
Man that seat post gave you a tough time. Wish I'd know, would have suggested to run some heat down the tube with a pipe sweating torch. You wouldn't have had to get it so hot to melt paint, just hot enough not to touch it maybe 120-150f degree or so. Let it cool and repeat that a few times. Then break it free once cooled to room temp on the last heating. Wouldn't even make a mess with rust penetrant. You may have also been able to leave the seat bolted on and use that for leverage with a small air hammer and flat head tip. Probably would'a had it out in a few minutes! Never the less, nice job getting it out! After doing some research, these are very well made bikes! yep, the expansion and contraction from it getting hot and cold breaks the oxidation free.
the other thing I'd had tried is PB-Blaster, I would have put a healthy amount down the seat post and then flipped the bike up-side-down over night. let the blaster do the work.
happy you got it though, clean looking bike
Vin
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Post by george on Sept 20, 2019 2:54:25 GMT -5
I see what you mean. Street tricks was really fun, to completely try and hone skill in handling the bike. I also rebuilt and customized my first bicycle, 22"er after I grew out of size for it. I still miss my 2nd bike, A 27 inch, 10 speeder road bike w. drop handlebar & Simplex gears, shifters mounted on frame. Traded it in for the Crescent. Never saw one like that again. The brand was "Classic", seem french origin. I was something like 10-11 yr young when I got it and it was a bit too big for me at that time. Had one small mishap with it, bumped into a car that had stopped at the zebra in a T crossing. Front fork bent backward a little but I and the car was unharmed. We tried fixing the fork, but the fix was not perfect. If I had kept it, would've restored it, been a cool thing in traffic today I see others restoring bikes from the 70's and using them as dailys. Some even have high $ value at re-sell.
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Post by Bones on Sept 20, 2019 4:23:18 GMT -5
Still have the one I rode as a teen and put a crapton of miles on it just riding around. Needs to be gone through completely with new tires and such, it's not rideable as is since it sat out for so long. Once I had a car to drive I just stopped riding it but never let it go and glad I kept it.
Will have to get a pic of it to post up.
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Post by Bones on Sept 27, 2019 16:06:13 GMT -5
Here it is, the oldie from way back. Had some age when I got it so it's definitely an old one. Frame is still solid, steering is still good and tight, crank to the chain is also still good and tight. All the rest however is in need of replacement or repair. Not getting rid of it since it's my old bike from over 35 years ago and that's why I'd like to fix it back up again.
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Post by ShrimpBrime on Sept 27, 2019 16:12:17 GMT -5
Rodney, you might as well get it back in shape so you can lean it next to the Pickup when that's done!!
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Post by Bones on Sept 27, 2019 16:15:39 GMT -5
Funny you should mention that. It's nearly ready to go now.
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Post by ShrimpBrime on Sept 27, 2019 16:44:49 GMT -5
DAAAAAMMMMNNNNNN!!!! That's so cool! It looks awesome!
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Post by george on Oct 5, 2019 1:51:10 GMT -5
That is a cool bicycle, sir. Seem like it has spent a lot of time outdoors. Design wise not much different than my ex-bike with the drop handlebar.
Keep it indoors in a dry place or the rust is going to eat it beyond repair. Thinking of rust, in some places the theme "rat Rod" is popular with vintage cars. Have never really seen a "rat bicycle" IRL, used in daily commuting, for a long time. How about over there, on the other side of the pond(s)?
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Post by Bones on Oct 5, 2019 2:10:12 GMT -5
It was down at the old shed at my parents place. It did sit out because of that, not completely out in the elements but close enough. Since I have it here now it's out of the weather period, I've made sure of that.
For grins I tried to see if either tire would hold air - And the back did! 35 years later the tube still holds air - Who would have thought it? Doesn't matter I'm replacing it because it's so old anyway.
Been looking at rims for it, most sets I've are around the $100 mark plus shipping. I'll probrably pop into the local monthly fleamarket and get a bike I can rob parts from and be done with it.
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Post by george on Sept 15, 2020 12:53:23 GMT -5
Since working from home and having a bit more time to tinker with things and also having a bike hobby, went a ahead and placed a bid for yet another bike : somosrecycling.es/catalogo/producto/8288-conor-pro-1100cp-cromo-lConor appears to be a Spanish brand and not sold here. Owner mentioned he brought it from there about 10 years ago.
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Post by george on Sept 16, 2020 17:49:48 GMT -5
Bid did not go, so did not push it. Instead, sent one of our bicycles at home, to a service shop. Not having suitable tools for fixing it at home. See how it goes.
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Post by george on Oct 7, 2020 6:26:28 GMT -5
Picked up the bike from service shop a while ago. Rear rim truing, new center gear assembly, chain rings, crank arms, bottom bracket, gear alignment. Did sum up to 146€ including work w. tax. Not cheap, but a new bike of same "caliber" is now around 300-400€ (corona times).
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Post by Vinster on Oct 8, 2020 10:43:45 GMT -5
crazy how that cost would be
Vin
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Post by george on May 2, 2021 16:08:26 GMT -5
Had a bit of spare time the other weekend so I thought of trying to fix my old Crescent bike. It is from 1980, so soon it becomes vintage -new tires
-new rim brake pads -Seized rear brake wire, restored and lubricated -rim hub bearing adjustment -new brake levers -new slim&comfortable saddle -Led lights
Then the big issue as mentioned in the beginning of this thread, rim alignment/truing. Treated each spoke with penetrating oil at the rim screw, let it sit for a week. Checking on YT various methods how people fix rims 'til straight. Tried out the zip-tie method. Managed to make all spokes except two to have some movement with the bike spoke tool, the two spokes which of course were the ones needed adjustment, had to use force with pliers. Did not look good for the screw.
However, the truing worked, I managed to make them as straight as possible and barely noticeable wobble. Rim brakes work Ok! Added here a couple of pictures of same bike found on net. Mine is beech metallic color.
By the way, bicycling has became really popular here now, mainly due to the covid pandemic. Many are avoiding public transport as much as possible and use car and bikes instead. Some employers provide possibility to fund a bike as to use for work commuting and personal well being. Electric bikes are selling well.
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Post by Vinster on May 2, 2021 16:45:10 GMT -5
It is from 1980, so soon it becomes vintage Generally Vintage is 25 years or more... it's been vintage since 2005...
it's ok, I still sometimes think 10 years ago was 1990.. lol
Vin
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Post by george on May 3, 2021 0:11:23 GMT -5
Ok. Over here the age for museum/vintage registration of cars used to be 25 years. It is now increased to 30 years.
I guess for IT equipment 10 years is a reasonable age to call it vintage
For bicycles, I might consider 50 years as being vintage.
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Post by Vinster on May 3, 2021 22:08:52 GMT -5
Sure.. I get that... it's a matter of evolution... but my bike that I bought for $1200 in 2001 with it's features today cost $200 and will have mechanical disk brakes...
Vin
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Post by george on May 6, 2021 4:53:43 GMT -5
Had a brief look at today's offers on new bikes by the local dealers, seem the cheapest 28" bike is at 249€ = $300 US. Mechanical disk brakes front&rear, 21 gear, including fenders. Free delivery.
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Post by george on Apr 22, 2022 13:35:15 GMT -5
Took out the 2nd bicycle for a short spin, did not get too far, bottom bracket gear house began to open up. And this is not what I had tinkered with. Back to the house, take the other bicycle, tire check etc. and out again. Not sure I have the right tools and energy to work with the bracket so it may go to a repair shop.
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