Singlespeed & Fixed Gear - Puegot fixed gear conversion

Hey this is my first post here and I want to convert my bike to a fixed gear. Im taking this bike to college with me and I know the more money I put into it, the faster it's going to get stolen lol. So I really dont want to dump much money into it. Im getting a new rear wheel from a friend with a fixed cog so I'm good there but do I really need to change bottom bracket? Can I just remove one of the sprockets, the derailers, cut the chain and call it a day? Any help is appreciated. Thanks!!
It's a 54 cm and on the serial sticker it reads, PH501 4401326
I believe it's a 1985.

and yea i know i spelled it wrong in the title haha

Im getting a new rear wheel from a friend with a fixed cog so I'm good there but do I really need to change bottom bracket? Can I just remove one of the sprockets, the derailers, cut the chain and call it a day?

Pretty much. There are plenty of ways to work around a chainline issue without changing the BB. By removing one of the sprockets I assume you mean a front chainring? Because you cannot remove a sprocket from your freewheel and somehow use it as a track cog in the back.

Pick up some single speed chainring bolts or some washers if you want to keep your original bolts. This will allow you to get rid of the double up front.

Pretty much. There are plenty of ways to work around a chainline issue without changing the BB. By removing one of the sprockets I assume you mean a front chainring? Because you cannot remove a sprocket from your freewheel and somehow use it as a track cog in the back.

Pick up some single speed chainring bolts or some washers if you want to keep your original bolts. This will allow you to get rid of the double up front.

So If i get those washers (so I can use the stock bolts), I can remove that outter chain ring and that is all I will have to do for the front? And remove the de-railer of course.

That peugeot is in great condition; I would keep it the way it is. YOu'll thank yourself when you have the convenience of gears while commuting to and from classes, especially if your campus is hilly.

So If i get those washers (so I can use the stock bolts), I can remove that outter chain ring and that is all I will have to do for the front? And remove the de-railer of course.

Yep. The washers are nice because they will allow you to move the front ring further in if necessary. They're also cheaper.

I'm starting to agree with Leukybear. Your bike looks really nice, why bother converting? Unless you live in the north and will be using it year round. The snow/salt/crap really does destroy everything.

It's not like the parts are gone forever if he removes them. Let him try fixed if he's so tickled.

That is a nice example though. I'd recommend changing the front wheel as well, it's likely to be steel and it's probably 27".

Yep. The washers are nice because they will allow you to move the front ring further in if necessary. They're also cheaper.

I'm starting to agree with Leukybear. Your bike looks really nice, why bother converting? Unless you live in the north and will be using it year round. The snow/salt/crap really does destroy everything.

Yeah i took off all the parts and kept them in a safe place haha. My buddy bought this bike and he is selling me the wheels which will only have like a weeks use for $80
http://cgi.ebay.com/55cm-Track-Fixed-Gear-Fixie-Chromoly-Road-Bike-Grn-NEW-/400203139329?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item5d2df74901#ht_5620wt_1141

and I am going to be moving up in like 10 days to UOregon and personally id rather use a skateboard but those dont work too well in the rain so I'm sticking with a bike haha. And who doesnt want a fixed gear? There the new cool thing lol. Heres a pic with everything stripped off. I am going to throw on some different bars i got for free tonight and hopefully get those wheels on.

How do I make sure the chainring and rear sprocket are straight in line with each other?

just use some washers, or cut the tabs off an old chain ring, to space out the chainring bolts from the chain ring you wish to use. Keep all of the parts you currently have on it. And keep those brakes!!! I gave mine to a friend and desperately wish I had them back. I have no money for replacement long-reach brakes. That is one beautiful bicycle.

How do I make sure the chainring and rear sprocket are straight in line with each other?

You can eyeball it, but I've found that my eyes lie to me and always give me terrible chainline when it looks straight. Now I always measure: http://sheldonbrown.com/chainline.html#front

just use some washers, or cut the tabs off an old chain ring, to space out the chainring bolts from the chain ring you wish to use. Keep all of the parts you currently have on it. And keep those brakes!!! I gave mine to a friend and desperately wish I had them back. I have no money for replacement long-reach brakes. That is one beautiful bicycle.
yea im keeping the front break lol, the bars im putting on will have a different lever but ill use the same calipers i believe, cant find any reason why id use different ones.
One thing I am POSITIVE i want to do is remove the little mounts for the rear brake cable but it seems like there tacked on there.. any way to remove them and touch up with paint?

You can eyeball it, but I've found that my eyes lie to me and always give me terrible chainline when it looks straight. Now I always measure: http://sheldonbrown.com/chainline.html#front

thanks! very helpful!!

Oh well; ANYWAYS

I used to have that exact same frame as my commuter; let me guess, from the decals and the HLE (manganese steel) sticker and the down tube shifters; that is a corbier model.

Just try to keep it out of the rain and wipe it down whenever you ride it after/ in the rain.
Also try not to skid that much with it as the seat stays of peugeots of that period are not that strong and will become unbrazed (I found this out the hard way and repaired the frame for much more than it is worth for sentimental value)
Don't believe me? I can tell you that the frame flexes a lot, just apply some pressure to the crankset from one side and the entire bike frame will flex.

As for the chainline, you should be able to keep the same BB and crank, just use the outer ring/ part of the crank to mount a chainring; and your chainline should be very straight with a traditional 120mm track hub.

One thing I am POSITIVE i want to do is remove the little mounts for the rear brake cable but it seems like there tacked on there.. any way to remove them and touch up with paint?

Ahhh please don't do this. Yes they are ugly, and yes you can file them off, but you'll never be able to get the paint to match up perfectly. And if you or a future owner ever decide to put a rear brake back on you'll need to use zip ties or some other unsightly method of keeping the cable secure.

Your a genius, I was thinking of putting it there regardless cause it seems out of place on the inside mounts. But thanks to everyone! I should have this bike going pretty soon!

Ahhh please don't do this. Yes they are ugly, and yes you can file them off, but you'll never be able to get the paint to match up perfectly. And if you or a future owner ever decide to put a rear brake back on you'll need to use zip ties or some other unsightly method of keeping the cable secure.
lol well when I was taking the rear brake cable off It got caught in the closest once to the headset and i got impatient... The front one does not look good so maybe ill file that down down and throw a oregon ducks sticker on it :p, But ill take your advice on keeping them. Thanks!

It's not like the parts are gone forever if he removes them. Let him try fixed if he's so tickled.

That is a nice example though. I'd recommend changing the front wheel as well, it's likely to be steel and it's probably 27".

That's not a low end Peugeot. It's a PH501 Ventoux It has a Reynolds 501 frame and the original wheels are 700c with aluminum rims.

I'd keep the gears if it was mine, but it's not.

That's not a low end Peugeot. It's a PH501 Ventoux It has a Reynolds 501 frame and the original wheels are 700c with aluminum rims.

I'd keep the gears if it was mine, but it's not.
I waaaant it. With the gears included. :)

Yea, I have nothing of value to contribute to this thread besides drooling. Sowwy.

i love those frames, and i think its only because of the paint/stripes/little lion logo (sorry im a graphic designer lol)

i REALLY wanted one of those frames to build up in either white or black but gave up on it. really, it was only for those stripes of color lol

bike wise i can be very superficial.

bike wise i can be very superficial.
Same here....it's reason i ended up with a Peugeot.

I waaaant it. With the gears included. :)

Yea, I have nothing of value to contribute to this thread besides drooling. Sowwy.

whats it worth to you?

lol well when I was taking the rear brake cable off It got caught in the closest once to the headset and i got impatient... The front one does not look good so maybe ill file that down down and throw a oregon ducks sticker on it :p, But ill take your advice on keeping them. Thanks!

This is a really nice looking Peugeot. I've got nothing against converting to a fixed gear (I ride a converted '78 UO10 myself) but don't make it harder for someone who might be interested in restoring it. Good job saving the parts but the frame (including braze ons) and paint can only be original once.

whats it worth to you?
Mm, probably less than you could actually sell it for, to be honest. Regardless, I think a 54cm is a little too big for me (31" standover).

Mm, probably less than you could actually sell it for, to be honest. Regardless, I think a 54cm is a little too big for me (31" standover).
Well when it comes to bikes im more of a downhill mtb guy so I have no idea what its worth, what do u think?

The Classic & Vintage forums would be a better place to ask. There's a whole subforum devoted to it.

Please don't convert it. Geared is fine for campus cruising/coasting.
Try out some friends' bikes, and if you really want fixed and have no other frame/bike, swap out the rear wheel, but don't saw off the braze ons!
Not to be a nazi, but my advice is don't rattlecan it or get super deep neon rims, it looks great now.

The Classic & Vintage forums would be a better place to ask. There's a whole subforum devoted to it.

+1

That bike is nice. If the gears work, keep them.

+1 on non convert.

I would commit crimes for that bike lol. Ive been looking for one like that for a couple years now. Enjoy riding it man

Looks like today is devoted to uncoverting. Thanks for the input guys. The bike won't get ridden so if anyone truly does want it send me a pm or something

Hackin' up a decent, complete working bike like that for the sake of hacking it up is a crime against humanity and punishable under UN regulation 804.2 section 11.

IMO, convert junk that isn't worth fixing up/refurbishing/restoring. Just like hot rodding an old car, you don't go buy an original unrestored running/driving vehicle and start chopping/souping it up...

my 1st fixie was one of thesse, man, you just took me back haha. Awesome find for a conversion btw.