Hi all,
I recently found this Speedwell Lady's Sports cruiser dumped in the bush not far from me; no idea how many years it was sitting there but brought it home because I wanted to at least try a restoration.
It's a single speed with a Shimano B-Type coaster brake, seems to be late 70's to early 80's?
----------Frame----------
As in the pics, there's a weird purple residue around the bottom bracket, rear brackets, top of the seat tube, which might be a byproduct of the surface rust but I'm keen to know if someone else knows for sure.
While I've lightly brushed off most of the surface rust on the frame, I'm conscious of not going all out and stripping everything, including the original paint, until I get some knowledgeable input.
A big dilemma is losing any possible vintage value if I completely strip and repaint the frame, even though its current original condition is pretty poor.
----------Wheels----------
Both rims are Araya 27x1-1/4 to 1-3/8 Without Hook, chrome powder coated steel. The front rim is structurally fine from the outside, but the rear has two serious damage areas; one section where the rim wall has been dented and another where the coating has been worn off and the rim wall has rusted away.
However, both rims have small vent holes which water has seeped into; even if I can de-rust the chrome of the front rim, it's almost certainly rusted through inside and unusable like the rear. The bike will need a new 27' rear rim for a new wheel to be built at the very least, but probably two new wheels.
I've kept all of the original spokes and nipples from both wheels, which I've de-rusted as much as possible.
The front hub is also chrome powder coated steel, and has fairly serious rusting under the flaking chrome.
----------Drivetrain----------
While the chain was completely rusted and not salvageable, I've just got a replacement delivered.
I've rebuilt the coaster brake to good nick; sprocket and brake arm de-rusted, cones/shoes/spring cleaned of grit, bearings repacked with grease, and now working great.
The chain guard was completely rusted through, and the mudguard was buckled; although I removed the mudguard, I still have it if it shouldn't be thrown out.
The bottom bracket bearings have a lot of resistance and feel out of alignment, the left hand side lock ring is off, but the chain ring side one is more stubborn so I don't know for sure what condition the bearings are in.
Both crank arms are structurally fine, but have significant flaking chrome and surface rust; new cotter pins are needed too.
----------Headset----------
The headset bearings are fine; spacers, head bolt and one of the two lock-rings all de-rusted and in good condition. The only exception was the larger lock-ring, which I think was the one that had a Speedwell logo originally, but has rusted badly after having its powder-coating stripped.
The bars are powder coated chrome on steel and only have a bit of surface rust; the only serious chrome flaking is where the bell was clamped.
----------Objective----------
My objective has been to try to flip it and sell it for just a tiny margin over the input cost (so far $50 worth of CLR, new chain and new wellgo silver pedals).
However, I'm not greedy or ignorant about the restoration; a ladies speedwell is only worth so much even in perfect condition.
I've looked around for replacement Araya 27' rims, but it's mostly vintage full wheelsets and they cost a hell of a lot more than what I'm anticipating the bike is worth in this condition.
Considering that the bike would probably need a whole new wheelset to be rideable, I need to hear from more experienced peeps whether it's worth trying to restore to be sold as a vintage bike, and if so, how I should go about it.
I'd also love to hear if anyone knows of any Araya 27' rims/wheels that I could buy if the restoration's worth it.
Any input is hugely appreciated! If anyone wants pics of anything in particular I'll upload them.
Speedwell Lady's Sports: Find and Restoration
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Speedwell Lady's Sports: Find and Restoration
Postby Simmo2541 » Tue May 29, 2018 6:27 pm
Last edited by find_bruce on Tue May 29, 2018 10:28 pm, edited 1 time in total.
Reason: Fix photobucket
Reason: Fix photobucket
- find_bruce
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Re: Speedwell Lady's Sports: Find and Restoration
Postby find_bruce » Tue May 29, 2018 10:29 pm
Welcome outside Simmo. I have edited your post to make the images work, however photobucket is busted & it is preferable if you don't use it again. Reasons why are discussed in this thread: Do NOT use Photobucket
Current alternatives are discussed in in How to post images on the Australian Cycling Forums
Current alternatives are discussed in in How to post images on the Australian Cycling Forums
Anything you can do, I can do slower
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Re: Speedwell Lady's Sports: Find and Restoration
Postby P!N20 » Wed May 30, 2018 10:14 am
Isn’t the purple ‘residue’ just paint? There was a bit of an 80’s trend to highlight the tube junctions and dropouts.
Sounds like the rims are knackered. I reckon your cheapest option is to get a 27” wheelset off Gumtree and use as is or re-lace to your hubs - but I wouldn’t use the original spokes and nipples, so there’s a cost there.
Good luck. Restorations are usually driven by desire rather than budget or profit. It’s good fun, but unless there’s something unique nobody’s really going to pay much for it.
Sounds like the rims are knackered. I reckon your cheapest option is to get a 27” wheelset off Gumtree and use as is or re-lace to your hubs - but I wouldn’t use the original spokes and nipples, so there’s a cost there.
Good luck. Restorations are usually driven by desire rather than budget or profit. It’s good fun, but unless there’s something unique nobody’s really going to pay much for it.
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- Posts: 2
- Joined: Wed May 16, 2018 4:51 pm
Re: Speedwell Lady's Sports: Find and Restoration
Postby Simmo2541 » Wed May 30, 2018 12:43 pm
Thanks P!N20, I just didn't think it was paint because it's really uneven, although it's probably just worn a bit from being out in the elements for years. I'll take your advice and get a new wheelset too.
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