Ever hear of a Sonnet?
07-12-07, 09:36 AM
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Ever hear of a Sonnet?
Hi,
First post, been searching for a while. After 37yrs I'm back into biking with my old custom Sonnet bike. I can't find it on Google to find out if it is French or not. I had it built while in the Philippines for $310 in 68 or 69. I rode it around Clark AFB about 20 miles every day, very flat. It's a nice light (24lbs) road racer with 52/45 crank set and 14/24 5 gear freewheel. Very hilly here in Pa. and I need to lower the gearing some. I'm looking for the easy cheapest way to try it before I invest in a better bike. The freewheeler is an Atom and the crankset is 3arrows???? Which is the best way to change gearing? I'd like to ID the frame so I could change the BB but I don't know what I have.
By the way, thanks for all the good info. Did a lot of reading here and learned a lot. Did a search on changing gears and have myself confused right now on which way to go.
Thanks Staledale
First post, been searching for a while. After 37yrs I'm back into biking with my old custom Sonnet bike. I can't find it on Google to find out if it is French or not. I had it built while in the Philippines for $310 in 68 or 69. I rode it around Clark AFB about 20 miles every day, very flat. It's a nice light (24lbs) road racer with 52/45 crank set and 14/24 5 gear freewheel. Very hilly here in Pa. and I need to lower the gearing some. I'm looking for the easy cheapest way to try it before I invest in a better bike. The freewheeler is an Atom and the crankset is 3arrows???? Which is the best way to change gearing? I'd like to ID the frame so I could change the BB but I don't know what I have.
By the way, thanks for all the good info. Did a lot of reading here and learned a lot. Did a search on changing gears and have myself confused right now on which way to go.
Thanks Staledale
07-16-07, 09:55 PM
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No one??? My roomate built one at the same time so I know there are at least 2 Sonnet bikes out there.
07-17-07, 12:01 AM
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You got it from where in the Phillipines? If from a local shop or base store then perhaps the readers here haven't heard of it if it was a local brand. Or did you order the bikes from elsewhere and had them shipped to you there?
The Atom freewheel sounds like it is French, but I've never heard of that crankset.
Pictures of your bike would enlighten us I'm sure.
The Atom freewheel sounds like it is French, but I've never heard of that crankset.
Pictures of your bike would enlighten us I'm sure.
07-18-07, 08:29 PM
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Hope I did this right, It's a rider, not a showpiece. It hang in my garage where I paint cars....maybe I should paint a bike..
Staledale
07-18-07, 09:03 PM
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It got THAT RUSTY in your garage?? Holy crap...
07-18-07, 09:53 PM
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It's got chrome stays, lugs and fork! And those Universal brakes were respectable I believe. That rust can be cleaned up. There are plenty of threads on removing rust and cleaning tips for the steel and alloys. If you paint cars this should be a easy one for you.
I think it's worth rehabbing because that Sonnet marque is uncommon.
I think it's worth rehabbing because that Sonnet marque is uncommon.
07-19-07, 03:11 AM
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look,s like a good project for the apprentice ! (if u get my drift)
07-24-07, 04:08 PM
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Yea it got that rusty in my garage, my wife's bike was with it and hardly has any rust, so much for the quality of the chrome. I spent time in both Santa Clara and lincoln Calif with that bike in 72/73. It's been a couple of days since I checked this forum, Bought a Cannondale mt. bike and have been hitting the trails. I'll have to switch over to the Clydesdales forum and do some reading. I might just restore that Sonnet now that I've got a new ride.. thanks
