Just Finished Bike Rebuild

[Andrew1971]

Hi All
At last it's finally finished my 70's early 80's 12 speed racer.So far it's only cost £100 that includes buying it + some upgrade's. Taking out for a test ride today while weather is good :) Pic's will follow soon.
All so doing my bird's 12 speed racer that's 12year old getting some new wheel's for it in a few day's time.
My bike is a elswick hopper turbo 12 or was:)
Many Thank's
Andrew

UPDATE
Now added some pics
Now to find some mud guard's :(

[Harrison]

Have you updated anything on it like brakes or gears? Or kept it all original?

Years ago my Great Uncle left me his custom made racer. It was a nice touring model with light weight 531 frame. I upgrade the gears with a much nicer (at the time) setup. And I used that for years until I could drive.

[Andrew1971]

Hi Dave
All part's are original ( i think ) the only upgrade was bottom bracket to a sealed unit as they were cup + cone bearings. The frame got a respray from an aerosol can. new tyres ,chain, brake blocks, brake + gear cables. its been a budget build. Next year some new wheels and i can still get them 27in x1 1/4in.
Many Thanks
Andrew

[Harrison]

There are some nice bikes around these days, and when my son is a bit older we will definitely be looking to buy some nice ones. At the moment I just don't cycle at all.

[Stephen Coates]

Sounds good.

Got any pictures?

Enjoy riding it.

[Andrew1971]

Hi All
Updated the first post with some pics. Thats my bike
Bird's bike not quite finished yet needs new inner tube + mud guard's fitting that should be it.:)
Many Thanks
Andrew

[Stephen Coates]

Looks good.

What are those gear shifters like to use?

I've never used that type as I have Shimano STI shifters, but I do wonder whether the type you have are difficult or not.

[Harrison]

My racer also has this style and they are more about the feel of the lever as you don't have specific potions to engaging a gear, you just move the lever to move the derailleur and pull the chain across to a different gear. You do have to make sure the cable tension is adjusted or you do find moving the lever too far in either direction can make the chain hop off.

[Andrew1971]

Hi All
Stephen the gear shifter is really quite easy once you know how far to move the lever for each gear. As Dave says it's about feel as well.
Dave the chain has never come of the rear derailleur it has them adjustment screw's to prevent the chain coming off in either high or low gear's once set up
The rear gear cable tension has to have no slack in it or you wont get every gear.
What i like to do is over take the lycra clad boy's who spent loads on thier bike's + clothing as whizz by on a bike that cost about £130 wearing short's + t shirt :)
Many Thanks
Andrew

[Tiago]

Nice bike Andrew.
I like retro bikes, with all the old stuff, like the gears in that low position.

[Stephen Coates]

What i like to do is over take the lycra clad boy's who spent loads on thier bike's + clothing as whizz by on a bike that cost about £130 wearing short's + t shirt :)


Does that happen often?

I have never been overtaken by another cyclist whilst wearing lycra based clothing on my modern road bike.

I've overtaken plenty of very slow cyclists though.

[Andrew1971]

I have overtaken the lycra boys before but just not recently:)
I have overtaken slow one's too.
I am pushing myself to go further + faster just got to be care full as i suffer from severe migraines as lots of excercise can bring them on.
No pain no gain:no:
Many Thanks
Andrew

[ChrisUnionNJ]

Looks good.

What are those gear shifters like to use?

I've never used that type as I have Shimano STI shifters, but I do wonder whether the type you have are difficult or not.

I have never seen gear shifters that low on the frame mine were at the handle bar level and that was in
the late 70's..
Also shifting a 12 speed is like shifting a manual trans on a car I just did it by sound..


:coffee:

[Andrew1971]

Hi All
I dont think having more gears than 12 is any better i barely use the small chain ring at the front.
Bike has to go in to the bike shop to get my new wheels redone smaller spacer on the back + re dished to make it central in frame.
The front wheel spindle has to have some small flats filed on it so to fit the front forks.
The bike shop is doing this because i bought the wheels from them.
Many Thanks
Andrew