Steel is Real!

[Retro_AF]

Re: Hello

Be care on the polish you use. Autosol is a common one but it can be a bit harsh on chrome. Tin foil in water cleans chrome up nice and its gentle. You could finish the job with a nice coat of wax polish to protect the shine a bit. You can use autosol on alloy if it is not annodised and again finish off with a wax. If its annodised just use the wax. Dont be too generous with the wax or polish as dried up polish in all the nooks and crannies looks horrible. The tubs will be old I guess so best replace them. You can get basic tubs for around £40 a pair. You can either use tub tape or tub glue to fit them but my bike shop guy says best use glue as its more secure. You are not allowed to use tub tape on bikes used at Manchester or Glasgow velodromes so that might say something about its security. Whats in the roll up tied to the saddle? Old tools and tub I bet?

Wow, lots of really useful info there, cheers! Right so for now I'm gonna leave it a little and have a go at the old tin foil and water, just to clean up a little. I'm also gonna take it into the LBS an get them to have a look at it and also see if they can get some gum wall tyres and the roll up - old tools and a tyre

 

[Retro_AF]

Re: Hello

It is your choice but you have a nice bike and you need to be aware of the grip of RB!!! LOL

When you get a min, change the title of the thread to something related to the bike (edit function).

Updates with pics are always handy if you have any probs and I am sure someone will be able to help if you get stuck.

Richard

Thanks and I know, And by RB I assume you mean retro bike lol I'm chuffed to bits with this and I'll make sure I keep it updated, as I mentioned in the post before this I'm gonna get the cables and things checked at my LBS next weekend - title shall be changed, just need to decide what to.....

 

[Retro_AF]

Re: Hello

https://www.planetx.co.uk/i/q/TYVIJU/vi ... bular-tyre
Bike is currently fitted with these, I checked with my grandad.

 

[bugloss]

Stay with tubulars, they really are no problem.

Just find some in the middle price range for about 30 odd quid with better puncture protection and don't go with the bottom end of the market tubs unless you like sewing.

 

[Retro_AF]

Stay with tubulars, they really are no problem.

Just find some in the middle price range for about 30 odd quid with better puncture protection and don't go with the bottom end of the market tubs unless you like sewing.

Okay thanks

 

[Jonny69]

Love the patina on that. I'm in the camp for polishing things that can be polished. Just my opinion, but I think Autosol will be fine. Once polished, I normally wipe everything over with an oily rag to maintain it and keep the moisture out and I find it works a bit better than the wax that the polish leaves behind. It also leaves a nice old-timey sheen on the bike

 

[Retro_AF]

Love the patina on that. I'm in the camp for polishing things that can be polished. Just my opinion, but I think Autosol will be fine. Once polished, I normally wipe everything over with an oily rag to maintain it and keep the moisture out and I find it works a bit better than the wax that the polish leaves behind. It also leaves a nice old-timey sheen on the bike

Okay thanks, ordered some metal polish today, should have it by t'weekend, absolutely chuffed to bits with this, first road bike as well

 

[Retro_AF]

I've decided to clean up and polish all the metal parts on it, so yes brakes, levers, stem, cranks etc etc. I've got some degreaser for the cleaning part (for the brakes and gear levers) and also this metal polish, the pads are a bit worn though, could anybody tell me what pads they are? Don't worry if not, hopefully the LBS will be able to tell me Is it easy to get the brake callipers off the bike for cleaning? Obviously i'd need to disconnect the brake wire first but then would the callipers be easy to get off?

 

[torqueless]

Given that the components on the bike are somewhat oxidised, it might be worth checking with your Grandad when it was last serviced? Someone, presumably your Grandad, put some new tubulars on it not that long ago. He may have stripped the bike right down and cleaned/regreased the bearings, or he may not have. It is worth finding out, because most of us, (I think!) coming into possession of such a bike, would strip it right down, wanting to satisfy ourselves that all the mechanical stuff was in order, as first priority, if we were intending to ride it. 'Patina' doesn't include stuck cables and ropey bearings! If you do want to strip it right down, you may need a few more tools than can be found under that saddle, and your Grandad may have them somewhere?

The saddle and seat post are a bit anachronistic on a bike like this. The seat post is also quite far into the frame. Removing it to check that it is not stuck, and, assuming it is not, making sure it has been well greased before replacing it, would be a good idea if you are riding the bike, and have not done that already?

If the nuts and bolts are not rusted, it should be easy to remove the brake calipers. Just one nut and bolt to undo for each.

Looks like you may have been thrown, or thrown yourself, into the deep end of bike maintenance/restoration, Sixties-style, possibly from a standing start?

good luck!

 

[Retro_AF]

Given that the components on the bike are somewhat oxidised, it might be worth checking with your Grandad when it was last serviced? Someone, presumably your Grandad, put some new tubulars on it not that long ago. He may have stripped the bike right down and cleaned/regreased the bearings, or he may not have. It is worth finding out, because most of us, (I think!) coming into possession of such a bike, would strip it right down, wanting to satisfy ourselves that all the mechanical stuff was in order, as first priority, if we were intending to ride it. 'Patina' doesn't include stuck cables and ropey bearings! If you do want to strip it right down, you may need a few more tools than can be found under that saddle, and your Grandad may have them somewhere?

The saddle and seat post are a bit anachronistic on a bike like this. The seat post is also quite far into the frame. Removing it to check that it is not stuck, and, assuming it is not, making sure it has been well greased before replacing it, would be a good idea if you are riding the bike, and have not done that already?

If the nuts and bolts are not rusted, it should be easy to remove the brake calipers. Just one nut and bolt to undo for each.

Looks like you may have been thrown, or thrown yourself, into the deep end of bike maintenance/restoration, Sixties-style, possibly from a standing start?

good luck!

Most deinitely (aside from the small mountain bike maintenance I have done, this is very different) Cheers, I'll give him a call and ask, should I change the seatpost? It moves up and down because I put it down a little when he first have me it so I could ride it