First retro roadbike - 1970's Puch Mistral

998dave · Oct 8, 2015

Hey,

New here, and I guess like most people I'm going to start by asking for information.
This is my new bike, (first proper vintage road bike), hopefully attached.

I believe it's a late 70's / early 80's Puch Mistral SLE.
Serial number is 6258974.

A lot of the components appear original;
- Suntour Chainset, (although rear derailleur is Shimano)
- Weinemann Brakeset,(although front caliper is Shimano)
- Neither wheel is original, although at least they're matching Weinemanns as well.

Can anyone help me identify the bike, or get hold of the original component spec's, (though I may not go back to fully original).

Dave

998dave · Oct 13, 2015

Re:

Decided to start working on the Puch, but first I repaired the rear puncture, pumped up the tyres, and went for a quick 'before' ride.

Not too bad, gears and brakes need some adjustment, (expected), and the old tyres definitely need replacing. Also, I don't like the original MKS pedals on it.

998dave · Oct 13, 2015

I've now started stripping the bike down and cleaning everything as I go along. Gear cables replaced, friction shifters tightened, and gears adjusted up - runs much better.

Wheels are now out for a clean and new tubes and tyres.

998dave · Oct 13, 2015

Last night I found some dating evidence - suggests late '77 or early '78.

legrandefromage · Oct 13, 2015

Dont know about original spec but 'groupsets' werent a feature until later with many bikes coming out with mix & match.

Heres a nice big pic from that Googly thing

Tyres make a hell of a difference to a ride, and have no fear with experimenting on stem. bar reach so it fits comfortably

998dave · Oct 13, 2015

legrandefromage":3j6s8tcw said:
Dont know about original spec but 'groupsets' werent a feature until later with many bikes coming out with mix & match.

Heres a nice big pic from that Googly thing

Tyres make a hell of a difference to a ride, and have no fear with experimenting on stem. bar reach so it fits comfortably

A fair point re: groupsets, all the brakes matched and everything on the gears except the rear derailleur were Suntour but who knows.

Nice picture, I found a couple of others that show my bike but with the extra Puch Stickers - not sure I want to add them though as I quite like the plain look.

Tyres - fingers crossed these Conti's will work well - sticking them on tonight then will clip some lights on and go for a quick run if it's not too late.

I'll fiddle with the stem, I've got the original as well as the slightly longer one currently on the bike - not changing it right now as the bar tape is nice and new at the moment, (previous owner).

998dave · Oct 14, 2015

Put the wheels back together and refitted - put my 'new' Miche front skewer in to match the rear - looks good.

I used Gunk degreaser to wipe the wheels clean - very pleased with how well they came up, see before and after pic;

998dave · Oct 14, 2015

Chain, sprockets and derailleurs all cleaned and reassembled.
Toying with the idea of a new chain, but not really necessary at the moment as all is working well. New cables are in place too.

legrandefromage · Oct 14, 2015

At least it all came apart easy enough.

998dave · Oct 14, 2015

legrandefromage":1xkvd8r7 said:
At least it all came apart easy enough.

I think it's been apart relatively recently, then just sat in a shed for a couple of years - even the seat post had a nice smear of grease on it.

First retro roadbike - 1970's Puch Mistral

998dave

Dirt Disciple

Attachments

998dave

Dirt Disciple

Attachments

998dave

Dirt Disciple

Attachments

998dave

Dirt Disciple

Attachments

legrandefromage

998dave

Dirt Disciple

998dave

Dirt Disciple

Attachments

998dave

Dirt Disciple

Attachments

legrandefromage

998dave

Dirt Disciple

Similar threads

Latest posts