Singlespeed & Fixed Gear - free bike...need suggestions

Hi all...

I already have a FS Trek, CarbonF roadbike...now i was given this.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v519/franktank232/newbike.jpg

I have my eyes on the Bianchi SASS, but am contemplating upgrading this steel machine.

My thoughts are:
seat
new wheels
new brakes? (disc?)
SS parts (i don't know what i'd need yet)

ANY suggestions???

Its a Marushi Record with Shimano 600 (PINK BABY!).
Steel fork--made in Japan.

my thought are:

steel sweet...

old 600 components sweet....

semi-horizontal dropouts double-sweet

disk brakes??? why???

new wheelset? maybe a new rear (and only if your gonna get a track/singlespeed hub) no reason to replace the front. you coud even get away with just shortening the chain and riding it ghettofied SS style if your not sold on one gear yet.

new seat, YES!

i wish someone gave me a bike like that you lucky bastidge...

The bike is superclean!

More pics
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v519/franktank232/newbike1.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v519/franktank232/newbike3.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v519/franktank232/newbike2.jpg

I really don't have a clue of how to go about converting a bike to SS on my own.

Maybe someone wants to list some parts they would recommend.

Thanks!!!

OK...so no disc brakes (i'm down with that...rather spend less then more!)

I'd really like to keep matching wheels if i do replace them.

I'm very open to suggestions!

If you're going Singlespeed, you don't need a new rear wheel. Just re-space, re-dish, tension and true. Then put on a single-speed bmx freewheel.

WTF, i thought i was frank the tank!?

WTF, i thought i was frank the tank!?

Well, it seems like you are, but if youre having doubts...

If you're afraid of having too many bikes ftf_no_spaces, i'd gladly take that Record off your hands :)

not anymore!

I've only got 3 complete bikes, and a couple of frames and parts. Nowhere near capacity!


Just re-space, re-dish, tension and true. Then put on a single-speed bmx freewheel

That sounds very appealing...and cheap!

What do you think of the brake cables that look like bug antenna? keep 'em?

Say, are you going to be using those pedals?

What do you think of the brake cables that look like bug antenna? keep 'em?

FTT no_spaces: I'd keep 'em! What kind of levers are those? the hoods may be easy to find, depending on make and model. You may want to post in classic/vintage too.

You're going to be stripping down a PERFECT Maruishi with a complete 600 group (this was the group that was replaced by Ultegra, right below Dura-Ace, really good stuff) to make it a single speed? I just cried a little.
To each their own, but if I was going to convert something to a stripped-down SS, I would look for a frame that has already been stripped of components, or has some mismatched crap on it. There aren't enough bikes of this era this clean and with a complete high-end group still floating around.
But hey, that's just my opinion, no doubt the bike will look great as a singlespeed as well.

As for disc brakes... Well, you could adapt them on, but why? It's more hassle than its worth, and you don't need them unless you're riding through some really nasty crap, which you hopefully won't be doing with a frame that nice anyway. Those 600 brakes are going to stop you just fine, maybe get some new pads for them if they are not stopping up to your standards. As for the cables, the cables and housing are probably still in good condition given the condition of the rest of the bike, so they don't necessarily need to be replaced, but I still say they are pretty dang long. Consider just cutting them down so it looks a little cleaner.

You're going to be stripping down a PERFECT Maruishi with a complete 600 group (this was the group that was replaced by Ultegra, right below Dura-Ace, really good stuff) to make it a single speed? I just cried a little.
To each their own, but if I was going to convert something to a stripped-down SS, I would look for a frame that has already been stripped of components, or has some mismatched crap on it. There aren't enough bikes of this era this clean and with a complete high-end group still floating around.
But hey, that's just my opinion, no doubt the bike will look great as a singlespeed as well.

As for disc brakes... Well, you could adapt them on, but why? It's more hassle than its worth, and you don't need them unless you're riding through some really nasty crap, which you hopefully won't be doing with a frame that nice anyway. Those 600 brakes are going to stop you just fine, maybe get some new pads for them if they are not stopping up to your standards. As for the cables, the cables and housing are probably still in good condition given the condition of the rest of the bike, so they don't necessarily need to be replaced, but I still say they are pretty dang long. Consider just cutting them down so it looks a little cleaner.-

what he said.

bad candidate for a conversion.

dumpster dive! i did!

Or, just save the components...But yeah, she's a real beaute.

You guys love my pink free bike? Wow..i'm suprised...well maybe not...

I've decided i'll just stick to my original plan of buying the Bianchi SASS and using that as my daily commuter and using my pink for road riding. It shifts just fine and the brakes work. I really need to tighten up the spokes (true them). I'll put on new pedals (YES!) and a new seat and some new rubbers.

Thanks for the comments.

You guys love my pink free bike?

err...not really.

Your bike seems to have an appeal to those who grew up in the 80s. Maybe you could sell it as is to finance what you truly want.

ha.. i was gonna say that.. frankthetank, no spaces.. yer tootin your horn a lil too hard here .. youre gonna have to do way better then that if youre gonna get the forum freak out that you think youre getting.

i would cut some mtb bars and put them on there with some BMX brake levers, and leave everything else the way it is.