Not really sure the year of this thing... based on the decals its somewhere between '79 and '83. I found it abandoned and decided to take the challenge. I should have taken a picture of when I first found it. Interestingly, I didn't need to patch the tubes. They have been holding pressure nicely but the bike will definitely need new tires. I'm debating Cheng Shins or Zaffiros. If you have experience with Cheng Shin let me know.
My plan is to keep the bike pretty original. I plan on getting blackwalls, I took the wheel reflector off (so much better balance) I might remove the lever extensions to the brakes. Obviously, the cables/housing will be replaced with new stuff.
11/23/13
Work so far:
rebuilt both hubs, bottom bracket (left crank arm threads were stripped so that took a while =P )
replaced rear derailleur cable
cleaned (a LOT)
disassembled the crankset, cleaned, and reassembled
rebuilt rear derailleur, cleaned both (unfortunately rivets are not removable... =/ )
complete pedal spindle rebuild (I love it when they are rebuildable)
That geometry was ahead of it's time...great structure.
Checkered tube markings...still can't find the year =P Oh France...
Such beautiful cranks! The aluminum cleans up nice. Very fluid with the rebuilt bb.
Simplex > Schwinn
Nice and clean. it spins very nicely. Can't wait to get the front derailleur and brakes set up... I'm afraid to go too fast without brakes.
Cat Eye reflectors! I had no idea they have been around that long
Carbon-steel frame
Cool markings
Cool emblem
...more cool markings
Sweet high-flange hub with them clean-looking rounded axle nuts
10/4/13
I just replaced all the cables and rebuilt the rear brake and ordered basic Cheng Shin tires for the time being.
After cleaning the center pull hanger for the rear brake it is easier to tighten the seatpost without moving the hanger, but the excessively smooth chrome seatpost still has trouble not moving unless you really tighten it hard.
The back wheel needs a small truing and the front brake pads could use a little cleaning still.
Nice clean brake. I found it easiest to take the whole thing off instead of trying to take them off and put them back on while the mounts are still attached to the bike. I used Emory cloth to clean out all the pivot points. I wish the black inserts were slightly thinner so they would apply less friction to the system. Oh well...
Kinda fun. Very nice action!
I thought it was interesting where the cable enters the front derailleur.
Replacement cable end from another old bike. The original plastic ones crumble by touch.
This is the pivoting hanger I mentioned earlier. One of the main reasons it was having trouble before was that the nut was flipped backwards. The cone part should face outward. I'm not a huge fan of the quick adjust placement...its quite cumbersome.
Keep posted for more updates!
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