I want to talk a little about restoring an old vintage Lotus bike. In 1980, this bike cost $1200 dollars. Thats a lot for that time period, but it was made beautifully. It had top of the line parts, and special aero tubing that wasnt round.
But what l want to let people see is how well the parts were made. Each pedal assembly had 32 bearings! General bikes have around 10.
Good old vintage craftsmanship!
23 sats \ 1 reply \ @Satosora OP 25 Apr
Working on another part today. The brake system! These are the vintage rim brakes for this bike, very surprised l could get new rubber for them. It took quite a bit of effort to clean them, but these back brakes will be installed soon! Have to do the front brakes, too. Then l will be replacing cables! The joys of a restoration. :)
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0 sats \ 0 replies \ @Hamstr 30 Apr
This looks like the brake systems my vintage bike could have used. It got off center at one point, so secure that part good and centered.
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10 sats \ 9 replies \ @Hamstr 30 Apr
1980 @$1200, that's insane.
your post reminds me of a vintage bike I bought used $150. English-made. Very rare, the tires, brakes were all vintage too. Which needed tweaking a little often. Vintage last longer, the parts are much higher quality than today's current market.
I'm happy for you dude. Make a new post as an update every time. Design and DYI are fairly low sat asking rates, so just go for it.
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48 sats \ 8 replies \ @Satosora OP 30 Apr
Which bike did you buy?
An old Raleigh?
Those are nice bikes!
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10 sats \ 7 replies \ @Hamstr 30 Apr
It was!!!
The best $150 I ever spent. Looking back, I would have happily spent $200/250. That bike made me so happy.
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30 sats \ 6 replies \ @Satosora OP 30 Apr
The paint and finish on those were excellent!
Most of them had campagnolo parts, too!
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0 sats \ 5 replies \ @Hamstr 30 Apr
Keep updating your bike story, I'll reminces through you.
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6 sats \ 4 replies \ @Satosora OP 30 Apr
Of course.
The parts take time to clean and rebuild though.
One piece at a time, and eventually it will be finished.
I rode it without the brakes the other day, it is fast.
Turns on a dime!
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10 sats \ 3 replies \ @Hamstr 30 Apr
If it brings you happiness, just do it. I didn't have a Manuel, like you. So you could potentially still get parts.
Lots of people just look at their phones all day. Be odd
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12 sats \ 2 replies \ @Satosora OP 30 Apr
I dont have a manual either.
That was just a guide for rebuilding the bearings on the pedal assembly.
I will have to adjust the gears and everything, l will have to learn how to do that.
And wrapping the handlebars, l hope l can do it correctly the first time because the handlebar tape l buy will be vintage.
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