southpawboston

for fender taillights, i've decided to go custom since i can't find any modern lights that i like, and since nice old taillights were never designed to use modern, bright LEDs. so, i'm taking old fender taillight shells and retrofitting LED internals. here is one i'm working on for my porteur project, and if it turns out nicely, i'll probably do something similar for my other fendered bikes:



i won't go into any more detail since this is getting off topic anyway, but i thought i'd put this out there for anyone experiencing the dilemma of finding decent looking lights for their vintage bikes.

wrk101

Well, I finished up my latest project, a Fuji Touring Series IV. It had been pretty neglected. Got to love those Japanese touring bikes.

robatsu

wrk101, how neglected was your Touring Series? It is gorgeous now. I need some inspiration because I'm just starting on my new project, another neglected Fuji Touring Series, this one a Touring Series V.

Here it is as found:



Not too bad from a distance, but here is some of the neglect:

Dawes-man

Oxalic acid is the answer (which you very possibly already know from this forum, the source of my knowledge of it).

Before -


After -

wrk101

How's this for neglected? The rust on that TS V should clean up really well with OA. I have treated similar forks to that one, like the one on my Lotus, that now looks pristine.

But the TS IV I just rehabbed was much worse. Incredibly, this fork crown was the only rust on the frame/fork. The only other rust was to the chain, derailleurs, and just about every single fastener.









Tossed the chain, cleaned up the 105 RD and put it in the parts bin. Used OA on the fork and several of the steel fasteners. While the rust is gone, this level of rust on the fork crown is so severe that unfortunately, the chrome is pitted. But it looks presentable.


After, with a more appropriate RD:





While the OA removed the rust, it doesn't replace missing chrome, or fill in pitting. But it can make a part presentable.

dit

89 ST 400 25" frame.....Too bad it is too large for this old fat man.

Damn_it

Picked this beauty up the other day... '83 620



I have a few questions, but I will make a new thread for that

robatsu

You'll probably love it. I had a 1985 Trek 620 (with cantis), now sold, picked it up for a song around 1998 when people were putting stuff like that out in the trash. That was my regular rider for commuting,touring, errands, fun, for nearly 10 years. Great all around bikes.

vanbiker

I did sell it. I really loved the bike, very cool machine, but quite frankly, I have not liked the ride of any of the 3 touring bikes I have owned. They all seemed too rigid. I found myself gravitating to my race-oriented bikes, some vintage. I sort of regret selling it, because it was in such amazing condition, but it would just be hanging in the garage. I also prefer down-tube shifters to bar-ends, so I decided it was time to part with it. The ride I really like now is my '87 TREK 560EX...lighter, faster, smoother. But I am always on the lookout for another touring bike....to hang in the garage

gomango

Now that's an attractive bike.

You did some very nice work.

I like the red tape working well with the red Fuji lettering.

OldRoadman

Just could not resist putting my latest completed project in another thread. 85 Lotus Classique.

auchencrow

Great looking bike OldRoadman - You have to love those chrome stays! They're the real deal.

noglider 

TeeSquare

Just finished my latest project, a 1985 Miyata 1000.

auchencrow

- This is a great thread, and bikes like your Miyata 1000 certainly make it extra special, Tee Square!

Grim

87 Panasonic PT3500 on the catch and release program. Wish it had been my size. Rode wonderful but I ran out of seat post before I ran out of legs.
Tange 1000 frame with Deore Derailleurs and Boipace half step triple.

Chris_in_Miami

Wow, that's a beautiful Miyata, very nicely outfitted!

TeeSquare

Thanks, now if i could just get the bars a little higher.

kipibenkipod

So beautiful. Thumbs up for you.
Enjoy the ride,
Kfir

randyjawa 

I picked this near mint Bianchi Volpe up yesterday while out Yard Sailing. Emptied my pocket to purchase the bike for $86.00. Brought it home. Wiped the dust off. Inspected and lubed it up. Pressurized the tires and spent the rest of the afternoon riding my new Touring Bike. So much for downsizing the herd. Better make reservations at the Swiss Chalet - again.

Bianchi_Volpe_Ful&.jpg Bianchi_Volpe_Ful&.jpg

Sixty Fiver

1987 Kuwahara Cascade - Expedition Version

Originally sold as Kuwahara's top of the line MTB in '87, with a hand built lugged frame built on an Ishiwata quad butted tube set which is light, strong, and imparts a great ride quality.

Like so many of the mid eighties mountain bikes these were based on touring frames that were re-designed to run on 26 inch wheels although this frame will also handle 700c wheels quite nicely.

Originally fitted with a Deore group it now runs a vintage Suntour VX group mated to Suntour barcons and although the original Deore crank remains it is running Sugino chain rings... it shifts beautifully and has a pretty amazing gear range.

This bike and I have traveled tens of thousands of km together and the bike has lived as an mtb, ss, and fixed gear tourer but this is what she was meant to be.

I could have bought a rather mint Miyata 1000 in the same size but realized I already had a world class touring bike that was every bit the equal of the 1000 and I prefer the 26 inch wheels for their ride quality and increased strength.

New custom wheels are also in the works... and will be building them around custom made cartridge bearing hubs.

Sixty Fiver

Sweet find... and you can still afford to eat at Swiss Chalet ?

illwafer

class.

kipibenkipod

Wow, what a find.
Enjoy the ride,
Kfir

Walfredo

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