Bicycle Mechanics - Questions about replacing old parts.

So I'm currently in the process of restoring my dad's Raleigh Record and my mom's Nishiki (don't know the model, but it is a road bike), both of which are 30+ years old.

First, I know that the tires need to be replaced (they're literally crumbling apart), but the tubes I'm not so sure about on the Nishiki. What are the chances that they're still usable? And what can I do to check?

Also, what are the chances that the brake pads are any good? The pads on the Nishiki aren't as hard and dry as on the Raleigh. Once again, how do I check that?

The tires on both bikes are 27 x 1 1/4. Can anyone recommend a good tire to put on these? The bikes are going to be used for commuting, not long distance trips, and I don't want to break the bank.

Any help would be greatly appreciated. (Feel free to post links if this has been asked a million and one times)

Do you mean a Nishiki, perhaps? Never heard of a Nikita.

-Tires: You will not have too much selection in 27" tires. You might have to use whatever type or two the LBS happens to have. Wallyworld sells 27" tires also.

-Tubes: might as well replace them if the tires are going to be replaced. However, tubes sometimes seem to last forever. I would not be afraid to use them if they held air.

-Brake pads: Getting new ones really makes sense. Newer, softer rubber really does work better. If you want, you could file or sand off the face of what you have and maybe the rubber underneath is softer. If either bike has steel rims, I highly recommend new pads. Salmon Koolstops, in particular.

Also, consider new cables and housings if the old ones are crudy at all. And repacking bearings (hubs especially, but also headset and bottom bracket) would be a good idea. 30 year old grease tends to not work so well. Generally, cleaning and lubing the bike is likely to do wonders for it. Old bikes are very robust, and with just a little care they can be brought back to life.

jim

Thanks jim, maybe I'll just keep the old tubes as back ups. They seem to be holding air.

Part of the name was scraped off and all I saw was Ni----, and my mind automatically went to "Nikita" >_<

I think Jim's advice is excellent.

If it were ME, though, I WOULD simply replace the tubes.

If you DO, then the old one's will be perfect spares for 200yrs.

If you DON'T, you'll have a flat within 50 miles.

The universe is funny that way ;)

Lots of 27" tires still available but not a huge selection. For instance, Nashbar offers around a half dozen. I wouldn't trust 30 year old tubes.
As above, replace brake pads, cables, housings, grease and ball bearings as appropriate.
As far as I know, Records had hi-tensile tubing.

After looking at how cheap tubes are, I'm just going to replace them.

As far as the tires go, this website:

http://www.biketiresdirect.com/27zz/27in_road_tires/products.htm

Has a decent 27 inch tire selection.

One more question. I've looked around a bit and I haven't been able to find any colored cable housings, anyone know somewhere I can get some?

I will guess that you are not interested in some of the more expensive tires on that site. The Panaracer Paselas are good tires though. I am not familiar with that particular Schwalbe tire, but generally I love their tires.

Colored housings are not impossible to find. Seems like most LBS's will have a small selection of basic colors. I know you can buy it in bulk on-line, but maybe there is someplace to get a few feet of it on-line too.

Oh yeah, how does the chain, chainrings, cogset look?

jim

Oh yeah, how does the chain, chainrings, cogset look?

jim

I used Sheldon's site to check those, and they appear to be in good shape. The only exception is the chain on the Record. It is a little rusted, and it's pretty gunked up. I'm going to give it a good cleaning and see if it is worth saving, but I'm not hopeful.