Gordonson Project

[Gooz]

Hello everybody,
New member to the site and needed some assistance due to my limited knowledge of these bikes and converting them to single speed/fixed gear.
I acquired this bike for free from an elderly neighbour who's son used to use the bike. It has been sitting in her garage for over 10 years and needs some attention. My plan is to keep as much original parts but change to a single gear/fixed setup.
As far as I'm aware the bike is a mid 1980's Gordonson Supreme.

As I got it, with a majorly stuffed up chain



After a few hours of cleaning/parting down, fixed the chain into place, went for a little ride and almost killed myself thanks to almost non working brakes.



The new seat, need a nice stem.




Please bare with me as I am 14 years old and this is my first project bike
Thanks

[nathann]

That stem looks really high...

[HappyHumber]

It looks like a good first time project candidate. Although, as you found out for yourself; it's probably not really safe riding it too much as it is. For one, the brake pads are probably near petrified solid. To approach it properly and no matter what your budget I would look at tearing it completly down and getting a good feel for how things fit together. Your budget will dictate how much you should (versus can) replace.

With th the most basic of tools, i.e. 12" crescent, set of smaller spanners and basic screw drivers you should be able to get it all down to the mere frame & cranks. Beyond this it'll be a matter of investing a little money in some more specialist tools in order to break it down completely. If you have a good relationship with the staff at your preferred LBS they might do some of the little incidental things for you - in return for a bit of business.

When I was your age I was fixing my Repco Traveller's bottom bracket with a hammer & screwdriver... Not that it ever seemed to last much longer beyond that

[.isaac.]

Nice Project you have here. I'll be starting my fixie project soon. You may know from searching 'round and looking at peoples posts but I'm actually 12. Looking forward to seeing the final product.

[munga]

When I was your age I was fixing my Repco Traveller's bottom bracket with a hammer & screwdriver... Not that it ever seemed to last much longer beyond that

when you were his age you didn't have a forum, or an internet. just onions tied around your belt, which was the fashion at the time..

[CommuRider]

Hello everybody,

Welcome

The new seat, need a nice stem.

Hate to be an ageist here but are you really sure you want a Selle seat on that?

Please bare with me as I am 14 years old and this is my first project bike
Thanks

Well done If you were in Sydney, I'd hire you to build me a bike

[brauluver]

Please bare with me as I am 14 years old
Thanks

Whoaa nelly.You might wanna consult your english teacher or read this buddy http://www.wsu.edu/~brians/errors/bare.html

[nathann]

Please bare with me as I am 14 years old
Thanks

Whoaa nelly.You might wanna consult your english teacher or read this buddy http://www.wsu.edu/~brians/errors/bare.html

I was going to say that but I didn't want to look like an English teacher...

[CommuRider]

Please bare with me as I am 14 years old
Thanks

Whoaa nelly.You might wanna consult your english teacher or read this buddy http://www.wsu.edu/~brians/errors/bare.html

I was going to say that but I didn't want to look like an English teacher...

+1 LOL and I thought it was an invitation to a nudist camp too....

[The Womble]

You're all going to burn in Hell for all eternity

[CommuRider]

Bicycle Hell?

[HappyHumber]

Arrgh... leave the kid alone.
I wanna see progress, not smart ar5e5 to'ing and fro'ing... if I wanted that I'd start a Helmet or chain lube thread or hang around one of those other 100+ page inane Halfway Cafe threads... or worse, Facebook.

[elStado]

Hey Gooz, nice bike should turn out well. I've recently acquired an old roadie that I want to repair and eventually fix.

Planning on doing it this summer holidays once I finish my studies.

As others have mentioned you will want to strip it down as much as you can, and then look into buying some specific tools for parts like the Bottom Bracket (BB) and Freewheel. Alternatively if you have a Local Bike Store (LBS) that you are on good terms with they may possibly do it quickly for free if you ask really nicely and promise to buy all your gear from them and send over friends to buy stuff as well!

Remember that safety comes first, so you will want to make sure that your brake pads and cables are replaced/checked before riding it.

I'd also recommend to document your deconstruction and keep your parts organised properly. Ootherwise when you go to put it back together again it will turn into a headache. Take lots and lots of photos to use as a guide later and wire some notes down and put them with the parts in individual bags.

Good luck, and I look forward to seeing your progress!

[brauluver]

Arrgh... leave the kid alone.
I wanna see progress, not smart ar5e5 to'ing and fro'ing...

Getting in touch with your latent, big brother side much

On a serious note, look forward to seeing your project progress young man, ask plenty and read up on Sheldon Brown.

[elStado]

Sheldon Brown.

+100

[Baldy]

Gday Gooz

I am going to follow your progress as well, I want to do something like this sooner or later and I would be happy with a bike like that as a project.

I cant really add much more to the advice other than suggest you look for a "bikekitchen" in your area? http://hobartbikekitchen.org/ Thats my local one just to give you an idea of how it works. They are not allways called bike kitchens so dont limit your searching to just that. Sometimes they are run by community groups and some by just bike addicts Some are one off things and others permanent and regular build days. You will just have to keep your eyes and ears open and do some ninja googlin...

If you can find one you will be able to take your bike along and look for parts to fit using their tools and experience. All for free You still get to do the work yourself of course! Because that is half the fun.

Good luck with it mate and keep the progress photos coming.

cheers

[Gooz]

Yes, please BARE with my English skill.

Thanks for all the replies and advice.
I would individually reply but there are too many of you!

I have kept ALL parts that I have removed, even worthless pieces. I am planning on keeping the frame the same colour/livery as I feel that If I paint it, it will be like any other fixie.
I want to replace all parts excluding the frame (possibly the handlebars). I want to achieve a classic look, nothing too modern.
Does anyone in Perth recommend a shop to purchase parts? TBE seem to have fixie style bikes there, and Bike Force in Subi seem to have a large stock of Masis.

Thanks again

[elStado]

I want to replace all parts excluding the frame (possibly the handlebars). I want to achieve a classic look, nothing too modern.

Beware, this will probably end up costing you quite a lot of money.

Rims alone will be $200+, then add in a pair of tires (AT) $43-50each, tubes (AT) $8 each, rim tape etc.. that's just for your wheels. The componentry could also potentially cost quite a bit.

I would suggest to keep the wheels for now, and just concentrate on getting the frame stripped and up to scratch, and also getting your fixed compents that you will need.

The 'bikekitchen' et al idea is a good one- not sure if there's anything like this in Perth though. I have the same issue, I have a bike but only basic bike skills and only basic tools.. having to buy $$$s worth of tools for one project bike seems a bit crazy. It would be good if there was a group which would let you use their tools and also help you out. I would be there for sure. I don't have many mates fully into cycling so there's no one I know who has any specific tools.

Does anyone in Perth recommend a shop to purchase parts? TBE seem to have fixie style bikes there, and Bike Force in Subi seem to have a large stock of Masis.

Hrm, I can't recommend any really. You should always try to support your LBS, but the reality is that often buying parts online is easier, has better variety and is cheaper.

My LBS is Canning Bridge Cycles. Pretty good crew there, but unless you live close by any other LBS will offer similar products and prices.

[nathann]

Yes, please BARE with my English skill.

Did you do that on purpose or did you get it wrong again?

Anyway, you'll need new forks. And yeah, as elStado said it'll be expensive getting all your parts, as it usually is.

[HappyHumber]

Depending on where you are, and your availability to visit him at a suitable time, George Clark in Bassendean (gclark8 here on the forums) offers a good bit of advice, has a lot of tools and works out of his place. He's been the source of numerous bibs & bobs I've needed and I've passed on surplus frames to him that I've picked up along the way. I went around there one day with the intention of getting a couple of old 700c rims and some hubs to build up myself, but we we ended up gas bagging and lacing them up pretty much there and then. If you don't have any parts or bits to offer him in exchange, I like to give him a little cash for his trouble. Basically, he's a retired guy who likes his bikes! I think he's a great unsung community service - and perhaps the next best thing Perth has to a "bike kitchen".

[.isaac.]

What wheel-set will you be getting?

[elStado]

Anyway, you'll need new forks.

Hhaha, didn't anyone pick up this earlier? I just looked at the photo properly and saw those forks, they like like they'll have to be replaced, the rust is too far gone.

[HappyHumber]

From the photo it just looks like the chrome has come off - yes that'd make it a cow to repaint evenly or $$$ to be rechromed thoroughly (more than likely not worth it) - but I think these are just aesthetics. For him to get the bike safely going again I'd say he wouldn't needn't worry about it. He'd still be able to get a rideable bike out of it.

As much as some people might have you believe - bike riding isn't all about appearance.

If & when he gets to the point of aesthetics, then replacing the fork would probably be more an issue. I wouldn't make it a priority, but I'd keep an eye out for a suitable replacement fork, the key thing here being a threaded fork with the correct length steerer tube to suit. Don't pay a bomb for one, but if he bides his time, looks and asks around something suitable should come up for cheap or even better - nix.

factors to consider when looking;
- must be a threaded 1" steerer of equal or greater length (this looks a small frame, so it shouldn't be too hard)
- drop of the brake bolt hole will dictate wheel size and/or brake caliper reach and what (more) parts will need to be sourced or can/can't be reused Most of these old forks are for the 27" wheels

[Gooz]

Yes, please BARE with my English skill.

Did you do that on purpose or did you get it wrong again?

Just because I'm 14 doesn't mean that I'm dumb

From the photo it just looks like the chrome has come off - yes that'd make it a cow to repaint evenly or $$$ to be rechromed thoroughly (more than likely not worth it) - but I think these are just aesthetics. For him to get the bike safely going again I'd say he wouldn't needn't worry about it. He'd still be able to get a rideable bike out of it.

As much as some people might have you believe - bike riding isn't all about appearance.

If & when he gets to the point of aesthetics, then replacing the fork would probably be more an issue. I wouldn't make it a priority, but I'd keep an eye out for a suitable replacement fork, the key thing here being a threaded fork with the correct length steerer tube to suit. Don't pay a bomb for one, but if he bides his time, looks and asks around something suitable should come up for cheap or even better - nix.

factors to consider when looking;
- must be a threaded 1" steerer of equal or greater length (this looks a small frame, so it shouldn't be too hard)
- drop of the brake bolt hole will dictate wheel size and/or brake caliper reach and what (more) parts will need to be sourced or can/can't be reused Most of these old forks are for the 27" wheels

Thanks! This really gives me a great idea of where to go.
I think my dad has been to that Guy in Bassandean for his own bike, seems to be a great guy.
Yes the chrome on the fork has peeled off quite a bit.

Work should start properly during the summer break,
Thanks again everybody

[kerolah]

I fixed a bike exactly the same, got the wheels for free so smashed them on along with some other parts i had laying around.


to consider :

The brake i had didnt fit 700c on this bike so i made a plate to hold the brake closer to the wheel.

to fit the new Axle in the forks i just filed the slot bigger, as the new wheels didn't fit.

thats all i got.