Grandfathers bike - into a single speed (30 secs of pics)

stamponham
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Joined: Tue Apr 24, 2012 9:38 pm

Grandfathers bike - into a single speed (30 secs of pics)

Postby stamponham » Sun May 13, 2012 5:56 pm

My grandfather was going to chuck out his old bike that he used to ride around the farm. It was an old Bennett Super Sports that had unfortunately had better days...nearly everything was ruined on the bike...the frame (although small) seemed ok; so I thought this would make a great project for my first single speed!
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I used paint stripper for the paint
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Then a 2 day bath in vinegar for the headset, frame, forks, handlebars and anything else I could salvage.
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After talking to the LBS they recommended some steel wool and chain oil for the remaining spots of rust. I then spent lots of time in this forum researching what other people have done to their old bikes for inspiration. I chose my colours for the bike and went down to the hardware store to pick up etching primer and spray paint. The blue was darker than I wanted but the paint was on special so I couldn't help myself!
Etching primer went on
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Then 2 coats of blue paint and 2 coats of clear coat. All waiting a day each between coats. This turned out ok for the bike - only issue was the overspray from the can landed on the floor so my dog and I put blue spray paint (from our feet) all through the house...my wife was very patient with this!
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There was lots of beers in between stages admiring my handy work, (as this was my first time doing this) and whilst searching through ebay, Brown Jersey, Reid Cycles and other bike sources for new (affordable) parts. (I was on a budget)
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I invited a mate over once all of the parts arrived and after I had purchased some more affordable items from the local bike store (to support them)
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Main complications we had were:
*Brakes were new brakes and the older frames have smaller holes so we had to carefully drill into the frame (i had used my drill twice beforehand so this was a learning experience). I am aware this weakens the frame so I will watch these spots.
*Forks needed to be widened a little bit for the new wheels
*Fork "drop outs" (dont know what they are called!) needed to be filed so the new wheels fit in
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Brakes and wrapping the handlebars was interesting! But it worked out well because of all the info on You Tube.
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And then finally at the start of the evening it was all put together! So I relaxed with a beer and Eurosport cycling!
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Final photos:
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I thought I would post this to help anyone else who is new. Thank you to everyone who posts on this site because you were a huge help to a newbie like me.

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HappyHumber
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Re: Grandfathers bike - into a single speed (30 secs of pics

Postby HappyHumber » Sun May 13, 2012 6:41 pm

Good onya for giving it a go. Great effort.
Making and achieving something under a budget is great feeling, eh?

Planning your next project already? ;)
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stamponham
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Joined: Tue Apr 24, 2012 9:38 pm

Re: Grandfathers bike - into a single speed (30 secs of pics

Postby stamponham » Sun May 13, 2012 7:05 pm

Im absolutely planning the next project!!! Thanks for reading.

hotfoot
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Re: Grandfathers bike - into a single speed (30 secs of pics

Postby hotfoot » Sun May 13, 2012 7:32 pm

Wow what a great job...how nice to get Granddadas bike back into action...good on ya

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HappyHumber
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Re: Grandfathers bike - into a single speed (30 secs of pics

Postby HappyHumber » Sun May 13, 2012 8:46 pm

I know I've always been a bit slack taking pics of my various projects (those few that have got the point of being ridden!) but a first timer especially documenting their work is great for encouraging others, I find.

I like to think we're all at different stages of the same passion :)
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ldrcycles
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Re: Grandfathers bike - into a single speed (30 secs of pics

Postby ldrcycles » Mon May 14, 2012 6:36 am

Great work there, congratulations.
"I must be rather keen on cycling"- Sir Hubert Opperman.

Road Record Association of Australia

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vaeske
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Re: Grandfathers bike - into a single speed (30 secs of pics

Postby vaeske » Mon May 14, 2012 10:06 am

top job! it looks the goods!

slarv
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Location: St Lucia, Brisbane

Re: Grandfathers bike - into a single speed (30 secs of pics

Postby slarv » Mon May 14, 2012 5:29 pm

Nice work, I am currently doing the same thing with a similar bike. How many days did it take you from start to finish?

stamponham
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Joined: Tue Apr 24, 2012 9:38 pm

Re: Grandfathers bike - into a single speed (30 secs of pics

Postby stamponham » Mon May 14, 2012 6:33 pm

Hi Slarv,
It took about a month from when I got the bike to completion. Instead of watching TV I would just tinker in the garage.

All - Thanks for the comments.

cheers.

Backdoorboss
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Re: Grandfathers bike - into a single speed (30 secs of pics

Postby Backdoorboss » Mon May 14, 2012 10:32 pm

Bike looks awesome, great work Stamponham. I really like the color scheme.

SentryBox
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Re: Grandfathers bike - into a single speed (30 secs of pics

Postby SentryBox » Sat May 19, 2012 3:53 pm

Bike looks great! Good colour choices too. I especially like the bar tape - is that leather or synthetic & where did you get it from?

isaac.martin
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Joined: Wed Jun 06, 2012 9:17 am

Re: Grandfathers bike - into a single speed (30 secs of pics

Postby isaac.martin » Wed Jun 06, 2012 9:20 am

Looks great, started to do a single speed restoration, need to get back into the shed and finish it off, did a really poor job at painting it so ill have to sort that out first!

stamponham
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Joined: Tue Apr 24, 2012 9:38 pm

Re: Grandfathers bike - into a single speed (30 secs of pics

Postby stamponham » Thu Apr 25, 2013 11:24 am

Hi SentryBox,

Sorry for the very late reply! The bar tape is synthetic...got it from Brown Jersey.

cheers.

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Pax
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Re: Grandfathers bike - into a single speed (30 secs of pics

Postby Pax » Thu Apr 25, 2013 12:42 pm

hotfoot wrote:Wow what a great job...how nice to get Granddadas bike back into action...good on ya
+1

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