Classic & Vintage - My first classic refurb (pic)

Well she's finished and i'm pleased with how she's turned out. The idea was that i wanted a bike that i didn't have to get changed to ride, just jump on and go to the shops/library/friend's house/pub, i suppose it was a step closer to getting car-free. I bought an old Hercules Alassio on ebay, a model which is still made in Germany although this is a 1986 model, which was in a bad way. The paint was in terrible condition, more rust than paint so i had her powder-coated, cleaned her up, put a B17 on, leather bar-tape, white-walls, new chain-set, pedals, cables, had the wheels trued and she's done. There's a 6 speed cassette and a high/low ratio rear hub giving 12 gears. Opinions welcome.



http://i1095.photobucket.com/albums/i480/jezmellors/14052012286.jpg

Well done!!!!! Did you mean to post this in the "regular" C&V forum?

Thanks thinktubes, er . .yes i did, i wonder what i can do about that then. Any idea how to move it? I'd hate to get a valuation, i know it's not worth what i've spent.

More info/link about the hub?

Hello brandini, it's one of these http://sheldonbrown.com/sachs-orbit.html It is controlled by the left lever on the stem which is labelled "H" and "L" which i assume is High and Low, the cable attaches to the pull-chain entering the hub through the centre of the wheel nut similar to a Sturmey Archer.

Fascinating bicycle, beautiful refurb with an elegant color scheme.

Fascinating bicycle, beautiful refurb with an elegant color scheme.

Ditto!

Aw fanx guys!

Well done and I too like the color choices. Elegant, to say the least. You have an artist's eye.

I like it a lot too! The chain guard and white wall tires look ultra classy! Very well done! I'll alert a mod and ask them to move it for you, this deserves a lot more attention.

Man, I don't steal many bikes, but that one...................you "out Rivendelled" the elites.

very classy. job well done.

A very understated, elegant refurb you have there. Well Done Sir!

Cool bike. Edit: It's already been moved.

Nice work!

Thanks for the comments guys, i've been out a few times drawing stares from pedestrians and motorists alike. It's a new thing for me, i have no wish to go fast on this bike, it's not about speed or exercise, just a (hopefully stylish) mode of transport. I don't think i've ever been so emotionally attached to a bike too, i'm almost pathetically pleased when people like it.

I'm almost pathetically pleased when people like it.

Oh, I know all about that feeling! That is why on this forum, we post the same pictures of our bikes over and over again. My newest bike needed some work on the wheels... I could have just taken the wheels to the lbs, but I wanted to show the whole thing off.

BTW, got anymore pictures of this one?

Does it ride as good as it looks?

Lovely work, more pictures please!

Is that a Shimano Positron II RD (http://www.disraeligears.co.uk/Site/Shimano_Positron_II_derailleur_%28DG-200%29.html)? How does it shift?

...what they all said, for sure. A thing of classic beauty. The style and color scheme is ... well, what they already said.

Wow, very pretty!

Nice combination of parts, great choice on the colors. Looks great!!

Wow ! That's impressive .

I like it very much! Do you have any before pictures by chance? Would make this thread even more impressive!

Beautiful bike! You did a great job and good choice on color. :)

Very sweet bike,

I had about the same bike 2 years ago and unfortunatly sold it, but I just cant keep them all.
to top it all off If you found a front drum/dyno hub would be the icing on the cake.

the gears are Sachs Orbit and a Commander deraileur.

http://sheldonbrown.com/images/orbit-no-brake.jpg

very nice setup. I have 2.5 orbit hubs, a 5 and a 6 speed.
there was even a very rare 7 speed model.

sheldon brown site can say more

Ve-Ry Nice!

Beautiful rebuild!

this is awesome.

Simply brilliant!