Classic & Vintage - My 1st score- Swedish Crescent

Greetings all!
I've been lurking for a few days and on my first bike-hunt, I bagged what I thought was a Schwinn, but turned out to be a Swedish made Crescent. The fenders are stainless steel and the rims are aluminum(AFAICT), the4 shifter works, and the generator and headlight/taillight even work. :thumb:
It seems to be in good shape, with the exception of some paint drips from it's garage days, and a generous layer of grime.

Can anyone point me to a guide to cleaning for newbies?
I'm erring on the side of caution, since I recall someone here saying that Simple Green and the citrus degreasers could discolor aluminum.

and how far should I break it down?? Should I strip it all the way to the frame - ie; remove all the components, lights and tear down the wheels and remove the spokes?? or just hit it with some Ivory soap and a soft brush?? I'll do the general cleaning and then turn it over to my LBS for cables and hub and bearing service.
Any thoughts, input, jeers or derisive comments are welcomed.

http://img525.imageshack.us/img525/5325/p1000630o.jpg

http://img802.imageshack.us/img802/929/p1000618.jpg
http://img801.imageshack.us/img801/8497/p1000619.jpg
http://img411.imageshack.us/img411/8633/p1000620h.jpg
http://img267.imageshack.us/img267/7119/p1000622k.jpg
http://img338.imageshack.us/img338/1051/p1000623i.jpg
http://img405.imageshack.us/img405/8606/p1000640o.jpg

Cool, never seen a Swedish made bike before. Only penis enlargers....BAZING!

Anyways, I would just go to town with some soapy water first and see how it looks. Looks like you've got a Shimano 3 speed hub. I like that rack too!

Crescent made a wide array of bikes. Many utilitarian ones like this, but I've seen a couple of nice 531 framed ones with full Campy gear. Great headtube badge.

Is that photo trick or are the rear hub components really on the left side.

Very cool! You've got a unique set of decals/head badge (decal?) which leads me to believe that it's one of the later 70's early 80's models.

Is that photo trick or are the rear hub components really on the left side.

Left side shifting mechanism on a Shimano 3 speed usually means coaster brake. It took me a while to figure that one out.

Aaron :)

I remember from the 70s these orange fully Campy Crescents with stainless steel tubing. Never caught on and eventually disappeared

http://www.cykelhobby.com/92320eng.htm

http://www.cykelhobby.com/bilder/cres68.jpg

Well I say it's stylin'. Love the chainguard. Is that one of those built-in locks on the seat stay? Not sure I'd trust it, depending on your locale.

Well I say it's stylin'. Love the chainguard. Is that one of those built-in locks on the seat stay? Not sure I'd trust it, depending on your locale.

HMMMmmmm....
Built in lock you say?? I thought it was a bracket for a rear generator...:lol: but closer inspection reveals a sticker that says "BLOCK", followed by several long, Swedishy looking words with an odd vowel/consonant ratio.

Hub is a Shimano 3CC. I wonder if it'll be hard to find someone that can work on it?

HMMMmmmm....
Built in lock you say?? I thought it was a bracket for a rear generator...:lol: but closer inspection reveals a sticker that says "BLOCK", followed by several long, Swedishy looking words with an odd vowel/consonant ratio.

Hub is a Shimano 3CC. I wonder if it'll be hard to find someone that can work on it?

Yes and limited parts availability. If it works now, it should be fine, dribble some oil down the push rod hole and keep riding it.

Aaron :)

I had a couple of late '70's Crescent 3 speeds last year. I bought them to flip & did well with them. Don't know about yours, but mine had a VERY oddball size tire that " Sheldon's site " didn't even list. I finally tracked some down with the help of " Schwalbe."
Mine were exceptionally good riding bikes & great quality.