Any re-usable parts in this bike?
05-18-15, 06:11 PM
#26
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It doesn't look that dirty to me. It's more a job of lubing/cleaning all the rust, cleaning out all the old grease from bearings and repacking with new, etc.
05-18-15, 06:12 PM
#27
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05-18-15, 06:33 PM
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As for old DBs, they are awesome. My wife and I have a pair of '92 Ascent EXs and love them.
05-18-15, 09:46 PM
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It's a beauty. If that bike fell into my hands, I'd get the moving parts freed up, and then leave most of it alone except for the chain and cluster as others have mentioned. Then, try it for a couple weeks and see if it's a bike that you'll enjoy riding around. If so, then tackle things like bearing maintenance, bit by bit.
I think the chain and cluster could be restored well enough to test the other functions of the bike, but a new chain is not going to break the bank. You can even count the links, and see if a dealer has a chain with a master link and the exact number of links, so you can put off getting a chain tool. Soaking the chain in solvent means you have to deal with safety and disposal of the solvent and any other waste that you generate such as oil soaked rags or paper towels. That might not be worth tackling right now if you're a newcomer to mechanics.
For testing purposes, the front derailer doesn't have to function -- just put it in one gear and leave it there.
Is there a bike co-op in your locale?
I think the chain and cluster could be restored well enough to test the other functions of the bike, but a new chain is not going to break the bank. You can even count the links, and see if a dealer has a chain with a master link and the exact number of links, so you can put off getting a chain tool. Soaking the chain in solvent means you have to deal with safety and disposal of the solvent and any other waste that you generate such as oil soaked rags or paper towels. That might not be worth tackling right now if you're a newcomer to mechanics.
For testing purposes, the front derailer doesn't have to function -- just put it in one gear and leave it there.
Is there a bike co-op in your locale?
05-19-15, 03:03 PM
#30
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Usually flexing the chain sideways like when you install a new link will free up a jam, especially if you let it soak in oil a bit first.
Riding will usually get rid of the rest of the rust, but a quick run on a wire wheel does wonders...
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05-19-15, 03:18 PM
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I don't have a back yard or a garage. So..I flipped mine upside down and did it in my kitchen. No real mess to speak of. Even with all the WD40. (I sprayed the bits with a newspaper under the area. And mopped the linoleum afterwards)
05-19-15, 06:04 PM
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Definitely try and find a bike co-op in your area! Membership is generally very cheap, and you'll have access to all the tools you'll need, plus some knowledgeable and cheap or free used parts.
05-19-15, 07:25 PM
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The only downside to it is they only open during my work hours on weekdays... I can try the weekends
Plus I figured they can help me on the spot!
05-19-15, 07:52 PM
#34
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That is a nice bike and totally salvageable, but i suspect it will take you more than a weekend if you are learning as you go. Have fun, it will be worth it.
05-20-15, 07:30 AM
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I was recently introduced to PB Blaster penetrating oil to loosen a tight bolt. But now that I have a whole can of it I may be using it for other things. But I noticed that it has a weird color and the bolt I removed also exhibited some peculiar color changes and so I'm wondering if using it on a rusted chain would be OK. Anyway - it seems like a unique and popular product - so it might be useful on the chain. I wouldn't use it as a regular lube tho.
