Classic & Vintage - Bike to restore - Fuji Super Road Racer

Below are a few pictures of my Dad's old bike, I would like to make this bike rideable/roadworthy for him for his birthday June 13.

I have no idea where to start - I could really use some guidance. Mechanical things I am more comfortable with than making the bike "pretty." What would be some good ways to take care of the rust? Am I looking at a complete repaint or just a touch-up?

ANY words of wisdom would be great!

This all started when I commented to him about using this frame to make a fixed gear. He told me there was no way he was going to "give me his bike" to make a fixed gear out of. SO! I thought I would steal his bike and fix it up for him.

Hey there,

For starters, most surface rust can be cleaned off wd-40 and 0000 steel wool.
The green paint on the frame appear to be in good shape, so you can leave that alone for now and start working on cleaning and repairing the components.

It looks like it will need all new cables and housings. Tires and tubes are probably shot. And the pedals, chain, freewheel and dork disk are going to need a loving bath of oxalic acid me thinks. Do you have any bike specific tools?

I have a few bike specific tools. But MANY MANY tools in general from automotive to carpentry to flooring (I grew up on a farm doing a lot of our own work).

Maybe this weekend, I can give the steel wool and WD-40 shot. The oxalic acid...is it as simple as pulling off the parts and letting them soak for x hours?

I have a few bike specific tools. But MANY MANY tools in general from automotive to carpentry to flooring (I grew up on a farm doing a lot of our own work).

Maybe this weekend, I can give the steel wool and WD-40 shot. The oxalic acid...is it as simple as pulling off the parts and letting them soak for x hours?

Pretty much covers it. Where the rust's real bad soak it for a little while, hit it with the steel wool, and re-soak.

Does your name imply that you are in Ky? If so, what part?

Does your name imply that you are in Ky? If so, what part?

Yup...I am in Mt. Sterling -- just East of Lexington. I work in Lexington and so does my girlfriend.

The name also implies that I am a Hokie [Virginia Tech] -- that is also the case.

Do you ever make it to the Lexington area?

Well, this weekend I'm heading down to Flatwoods TN, but after Saturday night I will be in Louisville for the week to help my sister move and hang out with family. If you are interested in arranging something I could help you out with the bike. I'll be sans transportation though, so you would have to come to me.

Well, this weekend I'm heading down to Flatwoods TN, but after Saturday night I will be in Louisville for the week to help my sister move and hang out with family. If you are interested in arranging something I could help you out with the bike. I'll be sans transportation though, so you would have to come to me.

It is POSSIBLE that I will be in Louisville Monday evening...not sure yet, though - depends on my work schedule.

Alright, let me know when you find out for sure and we can set something up. Keep in mind that a full tear-down and rebuild takes a bit of time. You'd probably want to be sure to acquire anything you plan to replace ahead of time. If you have the means to strip the frame and give it an oxalic bath first all the better, but if you don't have the tools we'll just have to give it the ol' hack-job steel wool and aluminum foil rub down. Alternatively, you could drop it off with me and pick it up at the end of the week, but that's less like helping out and more like doing work so I'd probably have to charge a nominal fee for my time ;) I will have a boring week though.

I'm Tyler by the way.

I'm Bill...

We'll see if we can work something out. Are you in Louisville all week? If I cannot make it Monday - maybe I can arrange another day. I wouldn't mind having someone else "do the work" - but it is not my goal -- I kinda want to do it - or at least the majority.

I would be okay with meeting you one day and getting some tips, etc and going from there.

All week as far as I know. Just let me know.

It looks like I am swamped all week at work. I MIGHT make it that way later in the week - but I am not too sure.

When you head home - what direction do you go? Any chance of meeting on your way home?

Only if you wanted to meet in e-town or thereabouts. I go straight down I-65 and then take the WK in its entirety.