Hello and Welcome, Yesterday was our first really nice day in quite a while. I made a mistake and had a very low speed crash in my driveway. I had been test riding 3 different bikes, none of which have straps and traps on the pedals (clips). Then I got on my Quantum Road Warrior Hy-brid (see below) and went for a short ride. I just wanted to see how the brakes and shifters were working.(they were fine) When I pulled up to the garage/shop door I was rolling real slow. As I hit the brake I tried to slide my left foot off the pedal sideways. As you know that does not work with straps and traps. I was on the ground before I knew it. I quickly looked around, I was glad to see there was nobody around to witness my stupidity.The only damage was to my pride.
Now back to the Schwinn LeTour mixte restoration.
Below: The fenders are SKS Commuter 45mm. They are very reasonably priced at about 25.00 and easy to install. I thought they would go nicely with the black saddle. And they would have gone nicely with the black cork handlebar tape I was going to use.
Below: The Cinelli light natural cork handlebar tape. The reason I went with the light cork instead of the black is this. Light cork looks fantastic with the Kenda Gum-walls, really a nice vintage look. Originally I finished with the Cinelli logo tape. But after one totally came unglued and unraveled and ended up on the floor. Well it was time to go with the black electrical tape.
Below: Here is a look at the front Kenda Gum-Wall tire. Also a nice view of the Super-Maxy crank re-assembled and back on the bike.
Below: The wheels required lots of cosmetic work but very little truing. The bearings needed to be cleaned and re-greased and the free-wheel needed a good cleaning. I used the brass wheel-brush on the rims then Turtle Wax Chrome-Polish/Rust-Remover. For the hubs I used the brass detail brush and Mother`s Mag and Aluminum Polish. And the spokes were cleaned with a rag and some bio-degradable de-greaser.
Below: To clean-up the Free-Wheel I used White-Lightning Clean Streak. (out-doors) To speed up the process I used my Park scraper and Brush Set. If you scrape between the gears prior to spraying it will clean-up quicker. I wear vinyl gloves so I can handle the Free-Wheel while cleaning. After I spray the Free-Wheel I brush it with the Park Brush then re-spray and brush again. This is much more effective and quicker than just using the spray. You will also want to wear safety glasses or goggles. Note: Brush away from yourself, that way you wont be splattered with cleaner/de greaser.
Below: A nice view of the Shimano Free-Wheel and the Shimano Altus Rear derailleur. Which was also cleaned (White-Lightning) and brushed. The Pie-Plate was brass-brushed and polished with Turtle Wax Chrome Polish. The chain is a new Schwinn and the cable and housing are both Jag-Wire. Note: I did check with my LBS and the bulk cables I purchase there from time to time are also Jag-Wire as I suspected.
Below: A nice shot of the front hub, spokes, rim and flange all cleaned up.
Below: My favorite part of the restoration, some shots of the finished project(:
Lots of cool projects coming up. Including the Raleigh Technium road bike. Until next time RIDE SAFE and please remember to always RESCUE, RESTORE & RECYCLE
Cheers,Hugh
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