Singlespeed & Fixed Gear - Is this bike "fixable" and would it be worth it?

My dad just gave me this bike, and I love fixed gear bikes, but I'm not sure if I should keep it as a geared bike or fix it. It needs a lot of work either way. I know nothing about it except he got it in France and its custom made. Any more questions or needed pics I will take them.



http://i279.photobucket.com/albums/kk157/hahabark/P1010561.jpg

http://i279.photobucket.com/albums/kk157/hahabark/P1010550.jpg

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http://i279.photobucket.com/albums/kk157/hahabark/P1010554.jpg

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http://i279.photobucket.com/albums/kk157/hahabark/P1010551.jpg

its not worth it. just get a new one.

why exactly?

kinda cool frame, burn everything else on it.

Seriously though, if you like it and want to spend the cash for wheels cranks, stem & bars, brake, chain, then it is fine, as long as the integrity of the frame is intact, plus the lugs are pretty good.

picture of the crank/bottom bracket?

You could run into some compatibility issues if you start replacing parts, French standards for a number of items like BB shells and steerer diameters differ from commonly available parts.

agreed, vintage french bikes can be tough :(

It is very fixable, but if I had that bike, I would probably want to make it a restoration project, especially if it was a gift from my dad and that's how he rode it. I would post it in C&V, but it looks like you have something very special there. Those Nervex lugs mean that it isn't some thrift store UO8.

If you do fix it, I would make sure you can go back and whatever you do, don't tarck it out.

it is very fixable, but if i had that bike, i would probably want to make it a restoration project, especially if it was a gift from my dad and that's how he rode it. I would post it in c&v, but it looks like you have something very special there. Those nervex lugs mean that it isn't some thrift store uo8.

If you do fix it, i would make sure you can go back and whatever you do, don't tarck it out.

+10010010000111

I wish my dad was out finding me custom vintage french bikes with Nervex lugs.

Yeah that bike is beautiful. At the end of the day it's your bike, but I would post in C+V, carefully clean everything, and ask those guys to help keep it period-correct. What are the cranks?

What kind of room is that bike being kept in? The paint is unique, like the bike.

Restore it or put it on eBay so that somebody else can. I'd make you an offer, but it's too small for me. Is there a tubing sticker?

As mentioned drop by the classic and vintage forum and learn more about the bike. Make it a single speed but don't destroy it in the processs.


http://i279.photobucket.com/albums/kk157/hahabark/P1010561.jpg

http://i279.photobucket.com/albums/kk157/hahabark/P1010561.jpg

http://i279.photobucket.com/albums/kk157/hahabark/P1010550.jpg

http://i279.photobucket.com/albums/kk157/hahabark/P1010560.jpg

http://i279.photobucket.com/albums/kk157/hahabark/P1010559.jpg

http://i279.photobucket.com/albums/kk157/hahabark/P1010557.jpg

http://i279.photobucket.com/albums/kk157/hahabark/P1010556.jpg

http://i279.photobucket.com/albums/kk157/hahabark/P1010555.jpg

http://i279.photobucket.com/albums/kk157/hahabark/P1010554.jpg

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the room is painted to mimic an elliot smith album cover, or possibly the real art piece that is simply on the cover.

http://www.geckoblue.org/about/images/music_elliott_smith.jpg

I would say if you have the time and money restore that bike. It seems to have a lot of character and would make a nice vintage ride.

whatever you do to it, the important thing is that you never ride it, that could be dangerous, i have a brother that died riding a bike

My dad just gave me this bike, and I love fixed gear bikes, but I'm not sure if I should keep it as a geared bike or fix it. It needs a lot of work either way. I know nothing about it except he got it in France and its custom made. Any more questions or needed pics I will take them.



http://i279.photobucket.com/albums/kk157/hahabark/P1010561.jpg

http://i279.photobucket.com/albums/kk157/hahabark/P1010550.jpg

http://i279.photobucket.com/albums/kk157/hahabark/P1010560.jpg

http://i279.photobucket.com/albums/kk157/hahabark/P1010559.jpg

http://i279.photobucket.com/albums/kk157/hahabark/P1010557.jpg

http://i279.photobucket.com/albums/kk157/hahabark/P1010556.jpg

http://i279.photobucket.com/albums/kk157/hahabark/P1010555.jpg

http://i279.photobucket.com/albums/kk157/hahabark/P1010554.jpg

http://i279.photobucket.com/albums/kk157/hahabark/P1010553.jpg

http://i279.photobucket.com/albums/kk157/hahabark/P1010552.jpg

http://i279.photobucket.com/albums/kk157/hahabark/P1010551.jpg

You really should move this to the Classic and Vintage forum.

1. if that bike was custom built for your dad, don't hack at it. honestly, in about 6 months you'll want a real track bike, and about 6 months after that, you'll want a road bike too. the coolest thing to do (since it wouldn't be that expensive) is to fix up your dad's bike when you have some spare cash. new brake cables, polish that thing til it looks brand new. you/ your dad will be stoked, since its a pretty bike besides. please believe me, in about a year you'll want this. you'll be bummed if you wreck it by cutting off stuff or tossing out usable road parts (especially since french threaded parts for road or track will be harder to find). i can't stress enough that, unless you like hate your dad, you'll be way happier keeping the bike as a road bike. that is a very cool bike, keep it.


2. the ellliot smith cover art for figure 8, for those who care, is a picture of elliot in front of a store called "Solutions" Audio-Video Repair. For anyone in los angeles, its located at 4334 W. Sunset Boulevard, which is just south of the intersection of Sunset Boulevard and Fountain Avenue.


http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/3/32/2004-04-04_-_05_-_Elliott_Smith_memorial%2C_Sunset_Blvd.jpg

id try to restore it. if you do convert it. dont paint it some stupid color and tarck it out. just keep it clean and vintage looking.

There are some Japanese collectors of all things French bicycle that might be willing to pay stupid money for that bike, especially if a couple of them get into a bidding war. That is almost certainly a sixties bike. One of those collectors paid $7000 for a sixties Peugeot a while back. Your bike is more desireable than a production bike like a Peugeot. It's a small frame size, which they are always looking for. The fact that it has no wheels is a plus because it saves shipping cost. I've told sellers to keep their crappy wheels for that reason. It would be nice if you had the hubs, though.

Put it on eBay with a high reserve and see what happens. Just don't convert it to a fixie. It's too good for that and it will be a nightmare unless you know how to deal with French threads and oddball sized stems and bars. You should be able to get a new bike for what you can sell it for.

I agree with dirt on this, try to sell it on ebay, if someone will pay over a grand or so, go for it. $7000 would be even better, although its hard to imagine paying that much for anything less than perfection. Otherwise I would just restore it as a road bike, I think it looks like a cool old bike, you never know you might want a geared bike in the stable at some point. There are better candidates for a fixed gear out there, but if your dead-set on converting it all you really need is horizontal drop outs, and the bike looks to have them. But, be weary of of the compatibility of the old french components, like steve mentioned, they can be truly frustrating to try to replace, I have had that problem myself with my first attempted conversion a while back with a Motobecane. Anyways, keep it as a road bike project gets my vote, or crazy cash on ebay if it's possible.

And weird coincidence, I've been listening to Elliot Smith all morning.

whatever you do, please don't scrape off any cable housings, touch the paint, or otherwise do anything you can't undo. you can always convert and go back if you keep the parts and don't damage the frame.
i know it's your bike... just talk to C&V. they'll all weep if you mess up a classic like this. would be a lovely road restoration though.

I don't see how converting this to a fixed gear would ruin it in any way. Essentially, you are just putting wheels on that have a fixed gear rear hub. Everything else can be kept and cleaned up - except the brake/chain of course, but those two things would need to be replaced anyway.

I do have a real track bike already, so that wouldn't be a problem. I do want to restore it, and make it fixed. Not exactly for riding but just the simple look of it. That is why I was asking if it would be worth it, or should just restore it and keep it how it is. I hate the look of "tarck" I would never do that to any bike.
I'm not selling it because it is going to be an heirloom.. My dad got it while he was in France on a mission.
And my basement wall is a copy of the Elliott Smith wall that someone posted up there. I taped of my basement wall with the design and painted it. Im a big fan!
I'll post on the cv.

Here are some more pictures for the people that asked.


BB
http://i279.photobucket.com/albums/kk157/hahabark/P1010562.jpg

bb
http://i279.photobucket.com/albums/kk157/hahabark/P1010563.jpg

http://i279.photobucket.com/albums/kk157/hahabark/P1010565.jpg

Full wall in my basement
http://i279.photobucket.com/albums/kk157/hahabark/P1010566-1.jpg

You finally posted a picture of the drive side! You have the same Simplex adapters and rings as on one of my Peugeots. That setup was used on high end bikes until the late sixties, when they started using cotterless cranks. The wheel guide on your left dropout is also a sixties feature.

If you insist on converting it, remove the outer ring or move it to the inner position as I did and uset some shorter bolts and your chainline will be within 1mm of perfect.

http://inlinethumb35.webshots.com/28770/2155068240068014369S600x600Q85.jpg (http://rides.webshots.com/photo/2155068240068014369JLInBd)

DO NOT "fix" that bike. Do not. Post those pictures in C & V and let someone there figure out its potential value. Those head lugs alone demand it.

The painted wall in that room is awesome.

restore it to the condition of when your dad rode it.
please dont "fix" it
make it exactly like it used to be.

Yeah, i'm gonna have to plead with you to not "fix" it. It's a classically beautiful bike and should be restored as it was intended to be, as a road bike. There are plenty of other bikes that could just as easily be converted to a fixed gear, so I wouldn't worry abut that one. If it is truly an heirloom then you should keep it how it is. But, it is your bike so do with it what you wish, but i must suggest to strongly consider the advice given by the other people on this site. A road bike project to accompany your track bike project could be interesting, it's always good to stay busy.

If you are truly dead set on making a fixed gear, please listen to rex if no one else, don't paint it, file off housing/braze ons, or do anything else that cannot be undone, so at least someday you can decide to set it back to the way it should be.

dude paint a p over the h so its called the pubert and then you'll be good to go

Dont be a fool! Restore it to its original state :thumb:

read this thread: http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=408779&highlight=dummy+lever

I, too, would do my best to restore it. But like others have said, don't do anything you can't reverse.

Also, I think some of the lugwork on that frame is worthy of the bike porn thread.

Either way, post pics when you've done whatever you're doing to do with it.

That bike is gorgeous. If you fix it, which I recommend you not do, do not remove any braze-ons or anything like that. Leave the frame in tact. Those are some of the most ornate lugs I've ever seen.

I agree with bartonfink back on page one, though. Don't turn it into a fixed gear. That bike demands a complete restoration. Those head lugs do indeed demand it.

Dang. I am trying to figure out how the idea of converting that bike even crossed your mind.

like i said, id keep the look of the frame etc. but i just like the simple single gear look without having a derailleur etc.

Why not run an internal-gear hub?

^ that has nothing to do with "restoring it to its full glory" nor converting to ss/fg.

^ that has nothing to do with "restoring it to its full glory" nor converting to ss/fg.


i just like the simple single gear look without having a derailleur etc.

He already owns a fixed, and may own a geared. It is simply another option.

like i said, id keep the look of the frame etc. but i just like the simple single gear look without having a derailleur etc.

I can understand that you want the fixed gear/ss look... But, you have a vintage one-of-a-kind custom, hand built road cycle. IMO turning it into a hoopty conversion would be sacrilege.

...maybe I am just a jealous purist who would spend way too much time and money restoring it into its original condition.

I can understand that you want the fixed gear/ss look... But, you have a vintage one-of-a-kind custom, hand built road cycle. IMO turning it into a hoopty conversion would be sacrilege.

...maybe I am just a jealous purist who would spend way too much time and money restoring it into its original condition.

No, I think you hit the nail on the head. Don't be a dummy Puddle's.;)

That bike is gorgeous. If you fix it, which I recommend you not do, do not remove any braze-ons or anything like that. Leave the frame in tact. Those are some of the most ornate lugs I've ever seen.

I agree with bartonfink back on page one, though. Don't turn it into a fixed gear. That bike demands a complete restoration. Those head lugs do indeed demand it.

Those are Nervex lugs, they came on most top of the line lightwieght bikes back in the day. Heres a link.
http://www.classiclightweights.co.uk/components/nervex.html