Bicycle Mechanics - What can be/needs to be replaced on old Peugeot?

Hi Everyone,

1st post in this forum. I'm not very mechanically inclined, but learning -- I can now at least change a flat tire and clean and lube a chain -- but want to learn more and do more.

An old Peugeot has come into my possession. From what I've gleaned so far from this forum, it is an 1984 mixte 12-speed. (The serial number is on the chainstay and starts with a Y and there is a 4 in there somewhere.) Says Carbolite 103, so I guess that means it is lower end. It also has the dreaded Maillard Helicomatic Hub. Dual-pivot centerpull Weinmann Vainqueur 750 brakes.

The housing for the brake cables is cracked in places. The tires are cracked. The right-hand brake lever is held together by a loose screw with no corresponding nut to hold it in place, so the lever wiggles. There may be other things wrong with it that I'm not knowledgeable enough about to realize yet.

My questions are these:

Aside from replacing the brake levers, the cables and housings, and the tires, what else should I replace/fix on this bike?

What do I do about the Helicomatic Hub? Does it need to be replaced or can it be replaced? With what?

In the back, I think it is called the cogwheel, but there is also something called a freewheel, this has something to do with the Helicomatric hub, does that/do these need to be replaced? With what?

Please be gentle but helpful with me. My husband has taken to calling this my "project bike." I just hope it doesn't take me forever or cost too, too much to fix up. The only way I seem to learn is by doing, and in that sense, it will definitely be a learning opportunity!

1) The Helicomatic is an integrated rear hub/freewheel/cogset system, the evolutionary bridge between the old style thread-on freewheels and the modern freehub. As long as it works, just enjoy it. When it dies or begins to give you trouble, replace the entire rear wheel, cog cassette, freehub, rim, spokes, and all.
2) To fix the brake system, replace the cable housings, cables, and brake pads. I strongly recommend KoolStop pads for improved braking. There is nothing wrong with the Weinmann Vainqueur 999 brake calipers themselves (750 indicates the longer-reach version; the shorter ones were 610s).
3) If your bottom bracket goes bad, you'll have to determine whether you have Swiss (metric) or English/ISO threading. In either event, the drive side cup will have reverse (clockwise to LOOSEN) threading. My 1980 Peugeot uses the Swiss system, for which replacement parts are very hard to find; by 1984, Peugeot MAY have switched to world-standard English/ISO threading. (If your bike was built in Canada, I can guarantee it has English threading.)
4) Peugeot frames are great. (See my signature. I rode the UO-8 to work this morning.)
5) Get very familiar with SheldonBrown.com. Sheldon loves French bikes and has entire articles about how to restore and update/upgrade them.

I liked the old Weinmann brakes - the centerpulls had good stopping power for their day. I'd get rid of the wheelset, though - I hate the idea of integrated stuff. Try picking up a pair of wheels with Weinmann concave rims. They were superstrong, contemporary with your bikes vintage, and would complement the brakes. Sometimes they pop up on Ebay, or maybe a local bike salvage shop can get some.

Thank you both, John E and bikemeister. I have printed out your replies and will use them as a guide.

Michele

This forum obviously houses Peugeot gurus - can any help me?

I too have come into posession of a Peugeot marked 'Professionnel 400'. Unless titanium rusts, I guess it's a steel frame. Rides nicely, has Shimano RX-100 groupset.

I know next to nothing about bikes. Google tells me that Peugeot made zillions of low end bikes in the 70s/80s. Is this an example?