FUJI Dynamic

Hello bicycle lovers!
I have been working on this Fuji since about Wed I guess. It is a 100% take down and rebuild. I have done a ton of work on the bike since these photos were taken. I am debating weather I want to replace the 27 inch front and rear wheels or not. I have replaced some spokes on the back wheel. And trued it (twice) I have not been able to get all the wobble out of it. Although it is about 98%. I removed the Cassette (free-wheel) so I could replace the spokes and clean-up the pie plate. I think I`m going finish it with the original wheels and ride it a bit. I can always replace the wheels latter if I need to.

Well the crank is back on and the threaded headset is rebuilt. Yesterday I mounted the Stem and drop handlebars. Then the freshly polished brake calipers and levers. Got the shifters cleaned-up and mounted as well. And the rear derailleur has been cleaned-up and re-mounted. And the front wheel is all trued, polished, greased and mounted. And I did also install the rear wheel as well. Unfortunately the front derailleur will have to be replaced. The anchor bolt the secures the cable to the derailleur was sheared off. And while trying to extract the tiny bolt with an Easy-Out bolt extractor set. Instead of the little bolt backing out, the cast casing around the hole broke apart. I had a feeling it might. But I figured I might as well try. Anyway I spotted a Sun-Tour derailleur on one of the parts bikes. It looks to be in perfect (although dirty) condition. Right now I need to get to work.

UPDATE 9-01-09 As you can see, the Fuji is coming along nicely. I am just waiting for the tires, pedals and handlebar cork tape to arrive. I will take some more pics today. And update the blog soon. Ride safe, and Remember to Always.. RESCUE, RESTORE & RECYCLE
Cheers,Hugh

Ladies Schwinn Traveler Finished?

UPDATE: I wrote this post before I learned about ISO numbers. The ISO numbers are also printed on the side wall of the tires. The ISO numbers indicate the inside diameter of the tire. It is imperative that the ISO numbers match as well as the tire size numbers. EXAMPLE: Metric tire size printed on sidewall (700 x 25C) ISO number on same tire (25-622) Another pointer if a tire is marked 27 x 1 & 1/4 DO Not purchase a tire marked 27 x 1.25 It is NOT the same thing. Remembering these things will save you a lot of time and grief. Cheers

The tires and handlebar cork tape finally arrived and I was able to finish this ladies Traveler.(almost)I ordered Kenda 27 x 1 1/4 Gum-Wall tires and received CST Gum-Walls. The price was great, But it would have been nice to have gotten what I ordered. I have had a hard time in the past getting the CST tires to seat on Schwinn wheels (and others). This time was no different. The rear seated fine but the front has been giving me some trouble. I might have to go to a smaller diameter tube. Although it has the correct tube size. And the tire is the correct size for the wheel. The front tire does not want to seat itself to the wheel. So as I have done in the past, I will try one more time to mount it "as is". If I can not get it to fit correctly I will get a 27 x 1 inch (schrader valve) inner tube. And it should pop correctly into place on the rim. I might drill out the valve stem hole in the rim just a tiny bit first. That may allow the tire to drop into place a little better. I may also scrap the rubber rim strips and replace them with some thin rim tape. And I am definitely going to change the pedals! The store was out of stock on the pedals that I wanted. And after looking at the photographs, It is obvious that the pedals that I have on it now are not gonna make the cut. What the hell was I thinking?. Well, tomorrow is another day.
And here (up there) is a pic of my next project. A Baby Blue Fuji "DYNAMIC 10" Actually current project, since I have already started it. Well hopefully tomorrow I will solve the tire seating problem and locate the pedals I want for the Traveler. Before anyone gets excited. I am aware that certain Schwinn wheels require a specific tire designed for S type ( K type or what ever) Schwinn wheels. So before you send me an angry e-mail. It is not the case with these rims. Hopefully tomorrow I will be reporting how the problem was solved. Or reporting on how the Crow tasted! Ride Safe and Remember to Always RESCUE-RESTORE&RECYCLE UPDATE: Changed the pedals I think it looks much better. Went with new Schwinn light weight cage type. Also went to a smaller diameter tube for the front tire. And it solved the problem, tire is sealed up tight to the rim (no problems) Cheers,Hugh

Ladies Schwinn Traveler Restoration

Hello Bicycle Lovers, Friday morning I stopped by one of my favorite "secret" Thrift Stores, and struck gold! I ended up purchasing three project bikes. One a smaller light blue Fuji Road bike with some nice components Sun Tour, Dia Compe. etc. Also two Schwinn Hybrid bikes (not the department store variety). These have alloy wheels with front and rear quick release, Shimano Rapid-Fire shifters.Both have classic lugged frames. I think built by Giant. And very nice paint. And all the indications of low mileage. They are both rigid frame bikes. The two Schwinn bikes will be more maintenance and detailing than actual restoring. They will both make nice campus bikes. Especially if I can find a deal on a couple of rear bicycle racks. After unloading my finds, I jumped back into rebuilding the Ladies Schwinn. I had already stripped it and cleaned all the headset bearings type="amzn" category="sports collectibles"> and stuff. So I started with the frame and fork, Very Grimy. I used the Meguiars paint cleaner. Then rebuilt the head-set. Next I cleaned up the shifters and stem. Then stripped the wheels. They were a mess, lots of oil-dirt mix coating. Even the spokes were coated with this tacky oily grime. After getting the wheels looking good, I got them remounted. Then I started cleaning and polishing and remounting one component at a time. I started with the chain-ring and arms using Mothers Mag and Aluminum Polish, as always. Then the brake caliper arms got the Mothers treatment as well. Then onto the rear derailleur. After that I replaced the chain. The derailleur was not froze up at all. (nice change of pace) I was able to clean it up with White Lightning Clean Streak and some elbow grease. I ran out of White-Lightning and cleaned the front derailleur with brake parts cleaner. (strong stuff) I touched it up withTurtle Wax Chrome Polish & Rust Remover. Then touched it up with a fine brass brush. BRASS is much kinder to chrome than steel wire. I NEVER use a steel wire brush on chrome. Same goes with steel wool. Brass wool pads (or copper) are better if you can find them. Anyway after the derailleurs and brake calipers. I cleaned up the handlebars and mounted them. They had some residual adhesive from the tape, which I used Goo Gone to remove. Also the handlebars had some surface rust. I removed the rust with the Turtle Wax Chrome Cleaner & Rust Remover. And after a little touch-up with the brass brush, I mounted the drop handlebars on the bike. I also cleaned up the cable guides/stoppers and re-mounted them on the down tube. This was good because I really wanted to run the new cable to the rear derailleur and see how it was working. After a little aligning and adjusting it worked fine. That`s a good thing to mention. If you are having trouble "dialing in" a rear derailleur. Check the rear wheel for alignment. Measure the width from the inside edge of the chain stay to the wheel. Do this in the same spot on both sides of the wheel. If the wheel is not straight, you will not be able to get the rear derailleur dialed in 100%. Well that was about it for Friday. I am beat! Brutally Hot & Humid here today. I will tell you about today (Sat) tomorrow. Ride Safe and remember to always...RESCUE, RESTORE & RECYCLE
Cheers,Hugh

UPDATE: It`s not so easy being a Squirrel

Today while working on a ladies Schwinn Traveler Restoration, One of the baby Squirrels ran past the garage door.I had the door open as it was rather warm today. Anyway he runs and hides under my sons car.

Then a Red-tail Hawk flies around the corner "very quietly I might add" Well, Now I know why the Squirrel was in such a rush. So the Hawk lands in a small tree near the end of the drive. Now the Squirrel bolts for the trailer parked in the back yard. So the hawk lands on the trailer and waits for the Squirrel to make a run for it. I go get my piece of $#!& camera and to take some photos of the Hawk. Yesterday I spotted a large cat carrying off what I think might have been the other baby Squirrel.
The Hawk was getting annoyed by my presence, so it took flight and landed in the big Oak out back. When I tried to photograph it in the Oak the hawk just gave up and flew away. Note: I could not get a good photo with the p.o.s. camera. This is the same tree probably a different hawk. Photographed with the new (at the time) Fuji Finepix S1500 camera. I`m no big fan of Red Squirrels. Probably because they are always trying to find away into the attic space. But after encountering these two orphaned baby Red Squirrels. And watching them trying to survive in a sometimes harsh world. I do kind of feel for them. And I am hoping the remaining squirrel makes it. I will try to get this bicycle blog back on track soon. In the mean time Ride Safe and Remember to Always RESCUE, RESTORE & RECYCLE
Cheers,Hugh

Univega Via Montega

Hello and Welcome,
This week (starting Sunday) I have been cleaning-up this Univega Montega hybrid. I think Univega is one of the most under rated bicycles around. My Univega Viva Sport was one of the finest older road bikes I have ever owned. This Univega has very nice components mostly the better Shimano (as in good, better, best) that were available at the time.

Below: The soft ride stem is really cool. The stem absorbs all the bumps making the ride much easier on the arms elbows and shoulders. It does take a little while to get a feel for it. But once you do it is well worth it. It also has a Specialized cyclometer (also seen below) that is working fine, after installing a new battery.

The Shimano derailleurs work well with the quick-fire style shifters. And the Shimano cantilever brakes are very good quality for their era. I have installed new grips (Mongoose) and a new Schwinn comfort sports saddle.

I also added a new multi speed chain to insure smooth shifting. I took the wheels off and removed the tires for inspection. Then water tested the inner tubes for leaks and checked for patches. The tubes were in perfect condition. When remounting the tires I made sure the tags (labels) were facing the drive side. Also centering the valve stems to the tire labels. That really gives it a nice clean and professional look. After de greasing and cleaning and adjusting the derailleurs. I decided to remove the jockey wheels and clean them up. I did not like the way the chain was traveling through the rear derailleur. It was binding up slightly. It turned out to be a tight link in the new chain. That`s ok. Because the inner workings of the jockey wheels needed cleaning anyway. Speaking of cleaning, the front chain-rings were real gunked up. It took a little time and a little Mothers Mag and Aluminum Polish. But they really cleaned up nicely. And of course all the alloy parts got the mothers treatment as well. And the frame got a good cleaning too. Today I will test ride it and make any final adjustments and changes. Well I`m gonna hit the trail before the day heats up. So Please Ride Safe, and Remember to Always... RESCUE, RESTORE & RECYCLE
Cheers,Hugh

Red Squirrels outside the shop/garage

I know this has nothing to do with bikes. But I thought I would share it with you anyway.Yesterday while working on the Motobecane "Mixtie" I was distracted by two baby Red Squirrels. My son had spotted one of them earlier on the front porch. It was trying to get a drink of water off the wet "fake grass" door mat.So a little while latter I went looking for it.I found two of them huddled together in the flower bed.I placed some bird seed near them and made a little water bowel out of a empty plastic water jug. I will check on them tomorrow.Update: They are still there and at least the one seems to be doing ok.I think the other is just more timid.I will refresh the water and place some more seeds near by. Cheers,Hugh

MotoBecane Mixte Restoration

Hello and Welcome
Today I worked on the MotoBecane mixtie. I had to take the rear derailleur (above) apart to get it cleaned up. I could not get one of the jockey wheels to spin at all. And the other one would barely spin with force. Well it`s all good now. "Hopefully" tomorrow I will rehab the rear wheel and get it mounted with a new chain. Then I will find out if I put this french rear derailleur back together correctly.

I also polished the center pull caliper-brakes today. I got those mounted along with the stem. I swapped the steel handlebars for an alloy set I had taken off an old Nottingham Raleigh.
Also cleaned up the stem and rear reflector mounts and got those back on. Also cleaned up the front derailleur (below) and got it remounted. And I cleaned up the Brake levers and got those mounted on the new (old) handlebars. As usual I used Mothers Mag and Aluminum Polish on all the aluminum and alloy stuff.
Oh yeah I cleaned up the "West Germany" (stamped) pedals. A little pitting but overall they look great mounted on the bike. These pedals were cleaned up with Turtle Wax Chrome Polish & Rust Remover a brass detail brush. And lots of elbow grease.

As you can see (below) the front wheel and hub cleaned up beautifully. On all the chrome I use Turtle Wax Chrome Polish & Rust Remover. I also use a fine brass detailing brush on the chrome when needed. And it the rust is real bad I will use a fine brass wheel brush mounted on a rechargeable drill. safety glasses required

UPDATE:8-8-09 The MotoBecane is finished all appears to be working well. I added some French colors to dress it up a bit. I think it is a damn nice little bike. A few things I have learned about Motobecane and the Mixtie frame. First the word "Mixtie" is derived from a french word that means Unisex. Meaning it is not a girls frame but a unisex frame. That idea never really caught on here in the USA. Another thing I have learned is that the name Motobecane comes from two french slang words. First Moto is slang (in french) for motor and becane is slang (also in french) for bicycle. It makes sense as I know they once built motorcycles and still might for that matter. I think they may still produce mopeds but I am not positive.
I have attached a few more picks of the finished project. And I am always open to constructive criticism and suggestions.


This bike was sold to a girl in Chicago. It was picked up by her sister and it rode the roof rack all the way to the windy city. That is all I have for today. Please Ride Safely and Remember to Always RESCUE, RESTORE & RECYCLE
Cheers,Hugh

I Hate Rust

Hello and Welcome
Whoever said "It`s all in the details" sure knew what they were talking about. Look at the before and after pics of the rusty Allen bolt head. Multiply that by 10 or 12 rusty Allen head bolt heads on this bike. And this simple rust removing technique helps take this bike to another level. I did not show it but you will also need a paper towel. After using the detailing cotton swab, roll up a little corner piece of the paper towel. Then jam it in there and clean out the excess Turtle Wax Chrome Polish & Rust Remover. You may have to repeat the process a few times. This Allen bolt took three times to get it looking good. I started this post yesterday was just to tired to finish. Ok, enough about that. Goodbye for now. and Please RIDE SAFELY and Remember to Always...RESCUE-RESTORE & RECYCLE!
Cheers,Hugh

MotoBecane Mixtie Project

Hello and Welcome
I have not had time to work on bikes these past few weeks. Or update my blog for that matter. But the "Architectural Stone" job I have been working on is finished. So today I was able to work on the MotoBecane Mixtie. I have cleaned up the crank and chain-rings and chain ring guard. Also I rebuilt the threaded headset today and cleaned up the frame a bit. I also cleaned up the touring stem and the handlebar clamp bolt and nut. On a sad note I sold the Fuji "Gran-Tourer" Friday. But the young man who bought it really likes the bike a lot. And I am sure he will give it a good home. The Fuji is a beautiful road bike and maybe the most comfortable road bike I have ever owned or ridden. And I think it was the best restoration I have done up to this point. I will miss it. Good News! I have a second Park Tool PCS 9 Work Stand on order. This is cool because it will allow me to have 2 bike projects going at once. It will be nice to be able to start another bike while I am waiting for parts to arrive. Hopefully I am one little step closer to making this hobby an occupation. I think it will be a while before I can walk away from the masonry business. And I`m not sure if I will get out of it all together. But it would be nice to be able to pick and choose the jobs I want to work on. Which I already do for the most part. Well it is getting late and I have a brick repair job to do tomorrow. So I will say good bye for now. Please RIDE SAFELY and Remember to Always RESCUE, RESTORE & RECYCLE
Cheers, Hugh