Vindec 3 speed town bike - new project!

[averagebiker]

Afternoon all,
I have just had to rescue this town bike to see if I can save it from the scrapman. I has a certain charm and doesn't stand me for much so far.
I almost walked away but the tyres are good so there is an outside chance I can get it useable with a light, oily rag refurb?
Does anyone want to hazard a guess of the age before I get a chance to clean a thick layer of dirt/grease off the dynamo hub to check for a date? I am going to guess at late 60s/early 70s
Cheers

 

[Midlife]

By the mid 70's most manufacturers including Brown Brothers had gone away from the little wheel by the seat for the sturmey cable to a full cable going past the BB. 60's would be my guess

 

[averagebiker]

Well I cleaned the crud off, and the Dyno hub is stamped as a 1958 model so much older than I thought!

 

[Midlife]

That's in good nick then I'd be tempted to treat it to a new chain guard or rattle can it (or leave it off)

 

[averagebiker]

That's in good nick then I'd be tempted to treat it to a new chain guard or rattle can it (or leave it off)

I am going to repaint the chain guard, gloss black or battleship grey.
Can't decide what would look the best (least bad lol)?

 

[Guinessisgoodforyou]

Great find, adjust and oily rag. Good to go.

 

[averagebiker]

Great find, adjust and oily rag. Good to go.

What oil would you recommend? I was thinking of cleaning and clear coating but clear coat seems so much more irreversible.

 

[Guinessisgoodforyou]

Oily rag is just a slang term. Depends how far you want to go? De grease frame, gentle cut back on the paint work preserving decals, followed by a good wax is probably what I would do, clean rust with evapo rust or other means and good chrome polish like Sovol. I always strip down to the last nut and bolt and start again, not everyone wants or agrees with this though, it really is owners choice. Regarding the chain guard can you find the original colour anywhere, underneath a bracket or underside? You could get a match made up. Most important part for me is to keep the bikes "soul" not make it something it isn't. Either way its a cracking find and will ride very well, I love 3 speeds. This is only my opinion, not set in stone.

 

[averagebiker]

It may be slang but there are those that would just wave an oily rag over it to take off the dirt and halt corrosion
I think I will clean, de rust and polish this one with car polish then use it for a station bike with character (in good weather mind).
I am tempted to try keeping everything as original as possible but new cables are definitely in order, maybe the outers too?

 

[Guinessisgoodforyou]

It may be slang but there are those that would just wave an oily rag over it to take off the dirt and halt corrosion
I think I will clean, de rust and polish this one with car polish then use it for a station bike with character (in good weather mind).
I am tempted to try keeping everything as original as possible but new cables are definitely in order, maybe the outers too?

Sounds like an excellent idea. I think new cables and blocks is a good idea for safety. More importantly, it is going to be used again and you saved it. Which is great in my eyes