ilikebikes

I went out today on only my second junk outing, I guess it was really a dumpster diving trip! My first few rolls around came up empty, but about 45 minutes into it I found an early 80s Schwinn 3 speed, nothing special, but pretty clean and nice looking so I set it up on the rack and went on, about an hour or so after finding the Schwinn I see a guy walking down the street with what appears to be a dirty junker bike, as I get closer I see that it has potential, I pull over and ask the guy (a street person) about the bike, he tells me he pulled it out of the trash a couple blocks down and was going to try to sell it at the local flea market, while hes talking I notice the Campy pedal arm! he tells me he wants $50.00 bucks! So I dig in my pocket and pull out $35.00, it was all I had so I offered it, he looks at the money then looks at the Schwinn and tells me if I throw it in its a deal, so I give him the money, and the Schwinn, I take it home, clean it up (it was REALLY dirty ) and find that the only problem seems to be that the rear derailer is broken, and it needs tubes and tires, Its got Campy Mirage parts and an aluminium frame? the forks are italian but made of steal? Here are the pics, PLEASE tell me that it was worth it

divineAndbright

Derailer hanger is snapped off, not sure if It could be fixed up into anything other than a single speed, unless you get a removable derailer hanger dealy.. but that tig welded frame is nastier then life and 3 times as ugly so its all for good! But seriously for 35$ I think you got some good parts at your dispence.

cuda2k

Actually the only thing broken is the derailleur hanger. The actual derailleur looks perfectly intact. You could strip the bike down and sell the parts for many times your $35 quite easily. Looks like 8speed Campagnolo Mirage group.

Cyrus

That would be my ideal fixie beater! BTW all fixies should be beaters.

JunkYardBike

Hmm, but for the hanger to snap like that, the derailleur may have taken a pretty good whack or suffered some other major stress.

Derailleur hangers are also often replaceable, so you may also be able to salvage the frame. But I have no direct experience with them, so, personally, I can't determine from the photo whether or not it is in fact replaceable.

ilikebikes

Cuda2k is right, the frame is fine, it isnt broken, the only part that is broken is the derailer,the hanger part on the derailer is snapped, if you look closely you can see that the part remains screwed onto the frame, but again, the frame is fine, I guess Ill need to replace the broke part or the whole derailer, although a couple members seem to think that this frame is junk? please let me know if this is, in fact, true? if the frame is junk please explain why, Id appreciate it

JunkYardBike

The derailleur hanger is a separate part from the derailleur. So your derailleur may be salvagable as well. I was simply saying that because the derailleur hanger snapped, the derailleur itself may have been hit. If this is the case, the derailleur may have been bent in some way.

It's probably a low end aluminum frame. They are looking at the welds, which aren't the prettiest thing in the world. Higher end frames cost more in part because manufacturers would take the time to file the welds and make them look a little smoother. The welds also hint that it's probably not the lightest aluminum frame out there. Generally, more costly frames with more careful attention to details also use better/lighter frame materials. But, there's nothing wrong with the frame if it's functional. However, you might want to inspect it closely for cracks or sharp dents to ensure all is well.

Cyrus

Not one member said it was junk. Devine thinks perfect welds that look like rolls of nickles looks nasty. I think the lack of paint and naked welds would make a raw fixie.

ilikebikes

Thanks much for the info Im wondering why someone would put such nice components on such a cheap frame? think I should build it up? or make a fixie? Ive got the wheel set for a fixie, but dont think Ill have the room to get the chain lenth right as the drops dont give a lot of room for adjustment?

Sammyboy

Yeah, most of us like brazed bikes, but those are good welds. You can get a "claw" to use instead of the derailleur hanger (I have a few, if you can't get one anywhere else), but it wouldn't be an ideal fixie or singlespeed, because of the vertical dropouts. It makes it very hard to get the chain tension right. You can get an eccentric hub, but it costs a fortune.

Any road up, you did really well at $35, just for the parts.

silversmith

If you can figure out what brand it is you can get a new hanger for under 20 bucks.

Nice find! I'm envious.

ilikebikes

The derailer is a Campagnolo Mirage, prob around 1980s, thanks all for the info so far, but heres the biggy, would you guys fix it up? thats what I think I will do whats a claw? can you post a pic?

JunkYardBike

I think he means if you can determine the frame manufacturer and model, you can find the appropriate hanger (not derailleur). Three parts: the frame, the hanger which affixes to the frame, and the derailleur which mounts to the hanger. "Claw" is another term for hanger.

Look here for a description of hangers and models available: https://sheldonbrown.com/harris/hangers/

You can't convert it to a fixed gear with vertical dropouts, but you can convert it to a single speed, using an old derailleur as a chain tensioner, or a tensioner designed specifically for the job:

https://sheldonbrown.com/singlespeed.html

JunkYardBike

Oh, and I should clarify about the "low-end" frame thing. These are the types of frames you find on entry level road bikes, which can range from $600-$800 new, if not more. So it's probably not a bad frame, just not a $3000 frame. But again, check for cracks or other damage.

Zoom in on the welds on this $700 Trek 1000

vpiuva

Would a real owner have tossed this bike over a broken hanger? I wouldn't. Probably stolen, the thief broke it and then had to ditch it. At least the street person got something out of it.

But, was it worth $35? Easily.

John E

I still can't get used to ugly TIG welds, but I'm kind of spoiled.

Stacey

Kind of a trade off isn't it? Ugly welds or ugly paint. Ya pay yer money, ya take yer chance.

ilikebikes

I never thought about the fact that it could be stolen? only because it was a total mess, it was most definately sitting unused for a long while, then thrown away in the slushy curb side, and I know for a fact that the local snobs throw out items that are in much better shape than this bike was in! I really hope its not though =( and your right, no one said the bike was junk, apologies

vpiuva

Hopefully it was just tossed out of an old storage area by someone who didn't know any better. Mom's can do something like that.

Little Darwin

Full Campagnolo except for the Shimano Sora FD... Strange combination, but if you have to be cheap on a bike, the FD is probably a good place to skimp.

Check out Sheldon Brown's site, I seem to recall seeing a page that shows some of the more common derailer hangers, and you may be lucky enough to find one that matches your broken one... then the next question is whether the derailer survived the blow that broke the hanger.

tolfan

It is amazing what people will toss out for lack of 1 part. I got a custum made spectrum because the chane was backwords on the derailer. Some people just have money to burn. If one thing goes wrong thay buy a new one and the old bike just sits for years until it is just another piece of junk taking up space and then out it goes. Go back and give the homeless guy another $20 , it will make his day and see how good it makes you feel, randum act of kindness and the parts are worth it.

ilikebikes

Ive been known to perform random acts of kindness from time to time and I believe totally that what you give is what you get, and I also truly believe that is why my life and the life of those around me (my family) has been as good as it is, lifes a great big circle, whatever you do, good or bad, will, in time, come right back at you, and again, thats why, I believe, that my life and the life of those around me, has been as good as it is Thanks for all the advice guys! (and girls!)

sykerocker 

May sound even crazier, but that observation doesn't just go for bicycles. I've picked up three motorcycles in my time (all vintage 70's Japanese bikes) in the same manner for the same reason - lack of parts. Only here, the parts hunt is a lot more difficult than a bike boom bicycle.

ilikebikes

Sammyboy, Here are a few pics of what it looks like, dont know if it helps, but its stamped "Kinesis" please send pics of what you have Thanks for the offer

ilikebikes

Three pics, new tubes and tires, brake pads, and an old used saddle