Classic and Vintage Bicycles: What's it Worth? Appraisals and Inquiries - Help with vintage bike.. volkscycle?

Bought a volkscycle for 20$ for a friend of mine who is starting to ride.

Its for a she, and fits her fine. But i didnt want to let her ride it until i checked it out

https://sphotos.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash3/s720x720/577992_10151617545430109_536275108_23848374_629439877_n.jpg


View of brakes, can we still get brake pads?
https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/s720x720/403499_10151617541880109_536275108_23848360_487176224_n.jpg


Brake lever is loose, im not sure where to tighened the brake lever to the handlebars.
https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash3/s720x720/524128_10151617542745109_536275108_23848363_1851437206_n.jpg

old tires that need replacing, and i think the rims need replacing too. id rather keep the rims. but they are really rusted and dont use the twist skewers which is a pain
https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-prn1/s720x720/525799_10151617543310109_536275108_23848365_581793734_n.jpg

no idea if this is a good brand or not. but might do a paint job on it
still has the tag where it was bought
https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-snc7/s720x720/154760_10151617543655109_536275108_23848366_128404203_n.jpg

rims are full of rust, but i think i can knock it down with some steel wool
https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-prn1/s720x720/549447_10151617544065109_536275108_23848367_1722421458_n.jpg

Crank.. shifts okay by the way, but not perfect. its a 10 speed. but i was thinking that it might be better to make it a single speed. but since a few gears are working, why bother?
https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash3/s720x720/557650_10151617544230109_536275108_23848368_1114916829_n.jpg


works okay for a few gears
https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-prn1/s720x720/561382_10151617544490109_536275108_23848369_1405480530_n.jpg


no bolt in seatpost
https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash3/s720x720/577271_10151617544700109_536275108_23848370_1900943154_n.jpg

looks like it got space for a rack
https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-snc7/s720x720/303356_10151617544975109_536275108_23848371_1849730858_n.jpg


https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/s720x720/74723_10151617545725109_536275108_23848375_983602600_n.jpg




https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-prn1/s720x720/546062_10151617546015109_536275108_23848376_88601597_n.jpg




https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/s720x720/380638_10151617551305109_536275108_23848378_1788304445_n.jpg




https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash3/s720x720/554362_10151617556545109_536275108_23848379_788820740_n.jpg

The Volkscycle was made in Japan. I have owned two examples of the bicycle and both were of entry level quality, exactly like the bicycle presented in this thread. I did not spend much time riding either bicycle so any comments about ride quality would have little meaning.

Other than that, I know nothing of the bicycle.


View of brakes, can we still get brake pads?

Any bicycle shop will have suitable brake pads.


Brake lever is loose, im not sure where to tighened the brake lever to the handlebars.

Open the lever and you will see a screw head under the cable. That is what tightens the brake lever to the handlebars. To tighten up the cable, and this is the simple version, adjust the cable screw on each of the brake calipers.


id rather keep the rims. but they are really rusted and dont use the twist skewers which is a pain

The rims are 27" units and a real pain in the butt, be they in good shape or badly rusted. The problems associated with the rims is the pattern on the braking surface which buzzes every time the brakes are applied. To that add that steel rims do not work all that well in the stopping department once wet (rain makes them wet).

You can get a set of alloy 27" rims with quick release skewers without too much difficulty. My guess is most forum members will have a set or two to spare. I know I do.


no idea if this is a good brand or not. but might do a paint job on it
still has the tag where it was bought

That would likely be a costly mistake! Take some time to understand the issues concerned with paint a bicycle by spending a bit of time looking through Should I Paint My Bicycle? (http://www.mytenspeeds.com/My_TenSpeeds_1/Site%20Contents/How_To_Do_It/PAINT_OR_NOT/PAINT_OR_NOT_1_Start.htm)


rims are full of rust, but i think i can knock it down with some steel wool

Forget the steel wool and use aluminum foil to rub the rust off of the chrome plating. You will be amazed at the job the aluminum foil will do. Amazed! Crumple a piece of foil up, shiny side out, and rub away.


its a 10 speed. but i was thinking that it might be better to make it a single speed. but since a few gears are working, why bother?

If a few work, why not just tune the transmission? If you want to go Single Speed, this is how I build them up (http://www.mytenspeeds.com/My_TenSpeeds_1/Feature_Bicycles/Custom_Built_Bicycles/SS_Convert/SS_Convert_1_Start.htm).

Good luck with the bicycle but be careful. Spending lots of money on the bicycle will likely be money lost if you ever wish to resell the bike. Just an opinion.

I agree, I would get too involved with spending money on it. I don't really see anything that some " elbow grease " couldn't take care of. MISSING seat bolt. New pads , tires, & tubes are not very expensive, if you can do that, yourself. Keep side of rims wiped down with alcohol & use good Kool Stop brakepads. Clean , wax, lube, adjust = a decent riding bike.

Did some work on it. And its coming along, you guys are right. Elbow grease pretty much took care of everything. Its riding really well, and the owner loves it. The style is very cool for a woman.

all the rust from the wheels is gone, brakes are decent. But will need a new one.

I tightened and trued the wheel a little, but thats its worse thing is the wheelset. Not sure if ill get a wheelset for it. but i know i have seen a few on craigslist for 50$

That would likely be a costly mistake! Take some time to understand the issues concerned with paint a bicycle by spending a bit of time looking through Should I Paint My Bicycle? (http://www.mytenspeeds.com/My_TenSpeeds_1/Site%20Contents/How_To_Do_It/PAINT_OR_NOT/PAINT_OR_NOT_1_Start.htm)


I am the first to scream when someone repaints a bicycle, but in this case the bike really isn't worth any money and probably never will be. I see nothing wrong with a cheap rattle can job if its owner would rather have it a different color.

took her for a 10 mile ride today

https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash3/s720x720/578202_10151664988685109_536275108_23886122_1207109785_n.jpg


https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-prn1/s720x720/533408_10151664987055109_536275108_23886104_1615436743_n.jpg





https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-snc7/s720x720/62642_10151664992125109_536275108_23886152_828625914_n.jpg


https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/s720x720/383540_10151664990735109_536275108_23886140_1734382207_n.jpg

Looks a lot better. Do get some Kool Stop " Salmon " brake pads for it. Keep rim sides wiped clean with alcohol. Braking will be plenty good enough for most areas without spending a lot of money on new wheels. Not having skewers for the axles, is no big deal. A small adjustable wrench can handle roadside wheel removal. Looks like it will need new tires & tubes when you get a little extra cash saved up.

Nice Bike!

I bought a Volkscycle Mark XX frame and fork at a flea market for $15.00. Over time collecting parts, reading Bike Forums, and help of my local bike kitchen, I turned it into a single speed pub cruiser! Chromoly steel and really light! I put 26in rims and road tires. It is just easier to get tubes for 26in where I live and the wider tires do help with bad roads. Geared at 52/19 with a coaster brake. Its a lot of fun to ride on the bike path and to the pub and back!

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