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03-08-05, 09:17 PM
Hi, just discovered this forum yesterday after buying an old Peugeot pseudo racing bike. I'm wondering if I can get some information on this bike and what steps I might take to achieve my ideal.
Okay... I decided I wanted a new city bike and wanted something that I was not concerned would be stolen the minute I locked it up to a pole downtown. This eliminated the Canondale Bad Boy Ultra I have been lusting after since discovering it in some store here. I had a Rocky Mountain Transpo that I bought in the 80's that was in great shape but to be truthful I rarely rode it because I wasn't crazy about the bike. This bike was stolen out of our bike shed a couple years ago and I replaced it with a heavy Jeep mountain bike that I inherited from a basement tenant for free. This was my first stab at bike maintenance skills as it was missing brake cables and needed new wheels. I was pleased to acquire a bike and get it going for under $100. I commuted to work for about a year and discovered that I really enjoyed being out there and I did notice my endurance and strength improve. I didn't like the fact that it was heavier than any other bike I had ever lifted and felt somewhat embarrassed when most people on the bike path would pass me by. When the rain came last November, I left the bike locked up outside and found the lock seized up. Although it felt good to get the bike going, I didn't have an emotional attachment to it and left it sitting out in the elements over the winter (which really isn't all that extreme in temperature, just wet. I've probably confesses a huge cardinal sin for those on this forum...oops)
So, as spring has come early to us here in Vancouver, I decided I want to get a bike that could keep me inspired to be on two wheel and I must admit having a project like this one helps. So does this forum. And instead of having my ego partially gratified by buying a hot new bike, I thought it would be a fun challenge to find a decent used bike and perhaps modify it to feel like a street savvy, light yet rugged bike that has less resale value to the would-be bike thief. I'm thinking bike courier matte black aesthetics a la Bad Boy without the cost of new technology and retail markup.
I found the Peugeot in the BuyandSell online for $50CAN (~$40US) unrideable as the tired were shot but otherwise still in good shape. After scouring the web trying to figure out what model it is I found a web site showing alot of brochures. It appears that my bike is a green 1969 P8 EH with fenders, rear rack, a pump, and a missing light from the front fender. Its not the more highly recognized PX 10. Does anyone have any opinions on this model? Is the frame any different from the PX 10 and would this be a bike worth investing some money into restoring/retrofitting? The frame looks like its in good shape, a little rust showing under the seat where the post goes in, decals have some wear but is still pretty nice, other than a light mounted on the front fender missing, the bike appears pretty intact.Tires need replacing. It was also unused for many years and the gears seem to have alot of dirt and muck on them. What should I use to give the entire bike an initial cleanse? I'm not particularly happy with the weight of the bike (steel frame right?) but that might be a decent tradeoff for durability.I'm thinking of stripping the fenders and rat trap rack off to give it the more streamlined appearance of the race bike Peugeot models. Also, I'm not a big fan of the curved old school 10 speed handle bars and am thinking of the straight stubby mountain bike style instead. Yays? Nays? Any advice regarding the bike and how I should proceed would be appreciated. Apologies for being so long winded.
Okay... I decided I wanted a new city bike and wanted something that I was not concerned would be stolen the minute I locked it up to a pole downtown. This eliminated the Canondale Bad Boy Ultra I have been lusting after since discovering it in some store here. I had a Rocky Mountain Transpo that I bought in the 80's that was in great shape but to be truthful I rarely rode it because I wasn't crazy about the bike. This bike was stolen out of our bike shed a couple years ago and I replaced it with a heavy Jeep mountain bike that I inherited from a basement tenant for free. This was my first stab at bike maintenance skills as it was missing brake cables and needed new wheels. I was pleased to acquire a bike and get it going for under $100. I commuted to work for about a year and discovered that I really enjoyed being out there and I did notice my endurance and strength improve. I didn't like the fact that it was heavier than any other bike I had ever lifted and felt somewhat embarrassed when most people on the bike path would pass me by. When the rain came last November, I left the bike locked up outside and found the lock seized up. Although it felt good to get the bike going, I didn't have an emotional attachment to it and left it sitting out in the elements over the winter (which really isn't all that extreme in temperature, just wet. I've probably confesses a huge cardinal sin for those on this forum...oops)
So, as spring has come early to us here in Vancouver, I decided I want to get a bike that could keep me inspired to be on two wheel and I must admit having a project like this one helps. So does this forum. And instead of having my ego partially gratified by buying a hot new bike, I thought it would be a fun challenge to find a decent used bike and perhaps modify it to feel like a street savvy, light yet rugged bike that has less resale value to the would-be bike thief. I'm thinking bike courier matte black aesthetics a la Bad Boy without the cost of new technology and retail markup.
I found the Peugeot in the BuyandSell online for $50CAN (~$40US) unrideable as the tired were shot but otherwise still in good shape. After scouring the web trying to figure out what model it is I found a web site showing alot of brochures. It appears that my bike is a green 1969 P8 EH with fenders, rear rack, a pump, and a missing light from the front fender. Its not the more highly recognized PX 10. Does anyone have any opinions on this model? Is the frame any different from the PX 10 and would this be a bike worth investing some money into restoring/retrofitting? The frame looks like its in good shape, a little rust showing under the seat where the post goes in, decals have some wear but is still pretty nice, other than a light mounted on the front fender missing, the bike appears pretty intact.Tires need replacing. It was also unused for many years and the gears seem to have alot of dirt and muck on them. What should I use to give the entire bike an initial cleanse? I'm not particularly happy with the weight of the bike (steel frame right?) but that might be a decent tradeoff for durability.I'm thinking of stripping the fenders and rat trap rack off to give it the more streamlined appearance of the race bike Peugeot models. Also, I'm not a big fan of the curved old school 10 speed handle bars and am thinking of the straight stubby mountain bike style instead. Yays? Nays? Any advice regarding the bike and how I should proceed would be appreciated. Apologies for being so long winded.