Archangel1183

I'm restoring an old Univega and converting it into a townie. The bike was really dirty/dusty and g when I bought it but the last owner had it stored indoors. The paint is in amazing condition. Only a couple nicks on it and it really shines after washing and waxing it. I still need to clean the wheels and cassette.

I've been at it for a couple days and I stripped the frame completely and re-lubed the BB and headset, cleaned all the components and even polished them. I replaced the crank with a newer one from another Univega that I have laying around. I'm planning on replacing the friction stem shifters with index twist shifters. I'm not sure what color tires, grips, saddle, and cabling to go with. I have whitewall and gumwall tires, and black and white cables. I think white cables would look really nice, but not sure on the others. Here a few pics. These night time pictures don't do it justice. I'll post a more once it's finished.

BEFORE






AFTER

52telecaster

nice bike, and i liked that old crank just fine. gonna be a great city bike.

Archangel1183

Thanks. The new one weighed a bit less than the older one. I'm trying to cut the weight down a bit on the bike but as I get more into it, it doesn't look like there's much I can do. I thought about replacing the brake calipers, but the newer ones that I have aren't compatible and the weight difference between the old and new calipers is really insignificant.

The Golden Boy 

Cameras never seem to capture "that" glow/sparkle/gleam/lustre... You can sorta see it when you take a few dozen pix, but it's more that YOU know it's there. I know what this pic shows.




Since you're at this point- you do know you're *probably* going to have to swap out the rear derailleur if you're going to indexed shifters, right? The V-GT Luxe is an amazing derailleur in that it's nearly bulletproof, it has a huge range, it looks nice and cleans up really nice, it's easy to take the chain off... and because of the way it's accidentally designed- the pull ration coincides with some indexing shifters. (so I've heard)- it also has the adjustment barrel... so good luck!

It's going to be a beautiful bike!

greg3rd48 

The luster of the paint is striking. I agree that this will turn out being a great city bike.

Archangel1183

Thanks for the info. I was really hoping to get lucky and be able to keep the rear derailleur, but I did know I might have to replace it. You have a good eye. Here a some better, daytime pics, but like you said, they just don't capture that glow that you see with your own eyes. I haven't had time to work on it some more, but I'm hoping to finish it tomorrow.

ElliotSF

Beautiful bike! I think Ben Lawee of Univega made many good choices in paint color and in finish, too, with metallic and pearlescent finishes. In some years, I prefer a Univega frame to its Miyata counterpart, just for the color.

Archangel1183

Thanks. I agree. I'm a fan of Univega's and The "Lawee Design" are my favorite. Here are a few I sold this year.

Archangel1183

The townie conversion is semi complete. The grips and a vintage Schwinn saddle are temporary. I'm still not sure if I should go with brown or black leather for those. I decided to stick with the original friction shifters (as much as I dislike friction shifters). Changing out to index would be too much of an inconvenience seeing as I'd have to get new shifters, change out the derailleur, and the freewheel.

Iowegian

Nice job. My Univega townie has the same brake levers and shifters. I like them although it can be hard to remember what bike I'm on some time since my FD is 'backwards' on the Univega vs all my other bikes.

Have you considered cork grips? They are inexpensive and would look pretty nice on that bike I bet. I'd trim the fender stays before putting many miles on it as well. I have a leather Brooks on mine and I went with a wider model since I find it more comfortable with the upright posture. Once again, nice conversion. Looks great.

Archangel1183

Thanks. I actually hadn't considered cork grips. Thanks for the idea. I just got done cutting the fender stays. The dremel made it a lot easier.

52telecaster

great looking bike!

coolkat

Agreed, nice bike. Convenient that it already had the long stem, which you'd want for those bars. Speaking of which...what bars are those? I really like the curve and look

Archangel1183

Thanks guys. The bars are Sunlite North Road bars. I took it for a short ride today and they're very comfortable. Wish I could say the same about the saddle. They frame is slightly too big for me. I normally ride a 57cm. I think this is a 60cm.

Kobe 

I am in the process of converting my Sequoia in to a townie because I have too many road bikes. I like the way you cleaned and reused a lot of the parts and the updates.

Will the speedometer make it back on?

ceelint

Ma'ladies Viva Sport. Saddle and rack are level now btw

Grand Bois

How could you possibly get that rack level?

ceelint

There is a clamp that clamps the seat stays.. loosened it, slid it up, tightened.. easy

*edit* might not be perfectly level, but it's much better than pictured here

Grand Bois

It doesn't appear to be possible, but I'll take your word for it.

Velocivixen

I recommend brown saddle and grips. It will go well with the blue, which is gorgeous.

ceelint

🖖

Tires are flat because it's been sitting for about a year... rear wheel is bent, trying to source a new/used one

Grand Bois

I'd call that leveler.

ceelint

Yes, as said here

Archangel1183

I actually left it off. I'm not sure it even works anymore.

Archangel1183

I was gonna say that, until I saw your post.