Classic & Vintage - peugeot px8m?

Hi all,

I've got a beautiful white peugeot a few month ago, and loved it:)

Under the BB there's a piece of paper with something like "1008551" and "PX8M 57" wrote on it, is this referring to the type of the bike?

The bike is rather to tall for me, is it possible to change the wheel to 26" rim with skinny tyre and internal gear hub with coaster brake? Or better to left it as it is, as to preserve it's originality?

I attach some photo of it.

Thank's.

I guess it comes down to what do you want to spend. BTW, I have a 1977 Peugeot.
You might not have to spend much of anything to keep it rideable.
I tend to feel it's a better bike keeping it original. It's not really worth enough to keep as an investment, but it's still a pretty good bike.
Replacing parts could be $ or hard to find.
If you have a passion for it, then certainly do it.

Oh, I'm bet you could fit a 26" tire, but I'm thinking you wouldn't be able to use your brakes, i.e. the pads wouldn't be touching the rim due to the change in diameter.

Looks very similart to the UO10s I've run across from that period. You are correct about the paper, that's the serial number and model id. For more on reading them, look here:
http://www.classicrendezvous.com/France/Peugeot/PX10_history.htm

Are there any tubing stickers on the bike, eg Reynolds 531, Carbolite 103?

Are there any tubing stickers on the bike, eg Reynolds 531, Carbolite 103?

yes, there is a square sticker which said something like:

tube speciel
103 (in big red font)
fabrique par
Beaulieu Valentigney

also noticed 'simplex' on the shifter, deraileur and QR skewer, 'normandiy' in hub and 'SR' in crank arm.

It's very nice to know that this bike has it's histrory, although I didn't found many which mention px8m...
Think I am going to clean it up real good :)

Thanks.

Your bike is identical to a UO10, then. I've never seen one identified as a PX8, The UO10 was basically an upgraded model of the venerable UO8, but with Stronglight cotterless cranks (marked "Peugeot") and alloy rims. Your cranks may be a later replacement. Simplex derailleurs (marked "Peugeot") and Normandy hubs were standard on this bike. Good general transport bike, I like mine. The 103 tubing is a propriatary Peugeot tubing. It is possible Peugeot used different model designations on the same bike in different countries, I actually don't know. But your bike is the same as a UO10.

You could go to 26" ATB wheels with slick, narrow tires. That way you could retain the derailleur gearing. The brakes would have to replaced with long reach BMX models. However, in the end, it will only lower the top tube/standover height by about an inch. Based on the saddle height inthe photo, it looks you need more than that. Given the expense of the changes, if I was in your situation, I would sell the Peugeot and find another good, used bicycle that is the correct size.

The most important feature of any bicycle is the size of its frame. Swap this one for one which fits you properly. Slightly too small is better than slightly too big.