1972 Peugeot AO8 Project Completed
 

Greetings,
I have finally completed my first refurbishment/restoration project, an inherited 1972 Peugeot AO8. I completely dismantled the bike; repacked the headset, axles and bottom bracket; and replaced the mismatched handlebars, pedals and rear derailleur to original specifications. Quite a learning experience, but fun. See attachment. More photos are on my retropeugeot website http://www.retropeugeot.com/ website. Question. What would be the make of the crankset on this Peugeot AO8? There is a small bicycle with cyclist logo 'engraved' on a chainring. Thanks.
Cheers,

Wow, looks like it came right off the showroom floor! Great job.

I'd guess Nervar is/was the mfg of the crankset.

Neal

Very nice, even a frame pump.

Frame Pump
 

Thanks. XXCycle.com of France sells the inexpensive Zefal Presta-valve Lapize-style frame pump in the right size (46.5 cm) for the old UO, UE and AO bikes with down tube braze-ons. It's a pretty snug fit.

What size and model did you get?
So it was made specifically for those type of braze-ons right?

Man that is a beautiful job! I am still collecting parts for my Peugeot Competition restoration. Did you redo the paint? In the photos it looks perfect. Mine has a fair number of nicks and scratches and I am thinking about having it painted.

Great looking, I love white bikes.

Lapize Pump Info
 

Yep, made for the braze-ons found on the old Peugeots. Old fashioned. The nozel and hose slip into one end when not in use and screw onto the other end when in use. The Pesta nozel fits onto the braze-on. Although I have not yet field tested the pump (late winter in western PA), the fit feels snug. The specifics are: Zefal - 2085 - Lapize Silver - 46.5 cm. This is the only color and the largest size xxcycle.com sells. $3.50 U.S each. I bought 4 for $13.98 plus $16.75 shipping (ouch) for a total of $30.75 U.S.

Paint
 

Thanks. The photo makes the bike look better than it is. But I believe it is very good to excellent, but far from mint. There are chips and some discoloration due to age and garage liquids dripping and splattering. The additional photos on my http://www.retropeugeot.com/ website show some of the blemishes, but overall not a lot. Zero rust or corrosion on the frame.

Not a bad deal.

The original brake cables were longer and were routed behind the bars. Otherwise, it looks great!

The front brake cable should definitely be routed over the bars, and I prefer to route the rear cable that way, as well.

Nice bike! We never got white AO-8s on the west coast, just blues and greens. You are making me miss my white UO-8. :(

twsindy,
Nice job!!

Man! You are gathering up a lot of AO/UO/UE's Too!!

I'll have some pics for you in a few days, I finally went after my UE-8, It's a very late one, Carbo 103 decal and everything. It's interesting to see how the design evolved.

twsindypa,

Not to be an enabler, but...

There's a very nice looking white UE-18 mixte at my LBS. Looks mostly complete and in very good condition, with the full generator/light set, fenders, etc. I think they are asking $250. It's really a great shop with super friendly staff. Here's the webpage for the shop: http://whippanycycle.com/

When I worked at a Peugeot/Nishiki dealership in the eary 1970s, we had a bear of a time keeping white UO-18s in stock; it seemed as though every female customer wanted THAT bike in THAT color. I have to admit white Peugeots of that vintage do look great.

Thanks & Re-routing Cables
 

Thanks for the compliments and feedback. I noticed in the 1970 and 1972 catalogues, that the cables were routed over the handlebar, and in the 1974 catalogue they were routed in front of the handlebar. Since I have a 1972 vintage, I will re-route the cables over the handlebar. Easy job and I think I have enough rear cable to do so, but they will shorter than used back then.


I will re-route the front cable over the handlebar, that's any easy job.

Because of the low position of the rear brake cable guides, many Peugeot dealerships did route the rear brake cable below the handlebar, but I like the symmetry of both cables above. Now all you need is one of those little plastic Peugeot banners which clipped onto a brake cable, plus the MAFAC underseat toobag with its three wrench/tire-lever tools. :)

As for cable housing length, a couple of folks have chastised me for going too long on Capo #1.