solveg

OK, guys, think back to when you first started your C&V bike obsessions.

I'm overhauling my first bike. It has very old shimano 600 EX parts. Tonight I put new bearings in the hub and found the cone was damaged and one of the notched washers was bad. The washer seemed pretty standard, but I was only lucky the LBS I was taking the class at had a replacement cone for me.

I'm sure you guys have tons of little parts you've collected from bikes, but I forsee this project as being very* slow, because if I'm not in a class, every time I see I have a bad part, I have to wait til I can find a replacement from somewhere.

Is this part of the reason why some people specialize in certain types or eras of bikes, because it's easiest to keep a stockpile of working pieces? Or do you collect all the parts before you start, because you just know, with your experience what will be likely to need replacing on a 30 year old bike?

Do you buy some bikes just for the parts, or are the parts easier to find than I think they might be?

Bill Kapaun

I think you'll find a pretty varied response about stock piling parts.
Jobs that entail ball bearings just get all the bearings replaced with new. My LBS carries them quite cheaply and I pick them up before I start.
My eyes are pretty bad, so by the time I clean & inspect individual balls under a magnifying glass (and still not have confidence in what I'm seeing), it's just easier to replace.

brew

i agree, i dont plan on finding specific brands, models, or components. I just find something that looks fun and if it takes awhile to get it right, it takes awhile. I personally dont stock pile any parts unless i get an awesome deal on them or pull decent parts off of a bike for an upgrade.

T-Mar

I try to avoid this sort of thing as much as possible by a thorough inspection prior to purchase. Bearings can be an issue, but most bearing realted problems can be revealed by removing the wheels and chain so you can spin the axles and spindle by hand. If it looks like the replacement hardware will be hard to come by, I pass on the bicycle, or use the rough bearings (or anything I find) to justify a lower price. Once you demonstrate any problems to the owner, they usually are very receptive to a lower offer.

Often, bicycle parts are standardized enough, that modern substitutes are available. But if you're a stickler for originality or if you need something oddball, there may be quite a wait to find what you need. I'm sure many of us have projects awaiting those special parts. However, I'm not averse to putting a modern front wheel on by 1961 Legnano, so that I can ride it pending my obtaining the proper, Legnano engraved, Campagnolo hub.

USAZorro

I suspect that many are like me, and (at least initially) have no master plan. Initially, I would search for interesting bicycles without much regard to whether they fit me, or whether I would be likely to ride them. After a few years, I have made some plans for what to keep, what to sell off, what I'm trying to find, etc. However, the small parts are sometimes an issue. Hopefully you're more organized and disciplined than I am - but if not, you'll learn as you go.

solveg

Well, it's got me really nervous. I'm about to deal with the BB, and I'm afraid that if there's a problem with it or tiny parts, I won't be able to find the right replacements, since I have a long derailleur on my 600 EX grupo. I'm not a stickler for keeping it original, but my instructors keep telling me to stockpile parts while I can, and to save the bad parts in case I'm ever desperate or the new parts don't work the way they're supposed to.

I broke a chain whip on my precious uniglide touring cassette and just about had a heart attack. I wish I would have used an cheap Magna to do my learning on.

ricohman

The worst thing about the BB is the spindle. If that is pitted it can be hard to track down. I ended up installing a new sealed unit into my Apollo when I couldn't find a replacement. But I have been thinking of buying a small lathe to allow me to resurface this part. Then I will send it off for a cryo bath.

tellyho

I wouldn't be that concerned. Are you producing a work of art, or a riding machine? If you break something or can't find a part, put something else on. Someone out there has something that works.

Pompiere

I got started by attending an estate auction for a bike shop owner. For less than $30, I got two bikes (one is a Schwinn Traveller) and several boxes of misc. parts. All the little nuts, bolts, and misc. hardware have come in handy for many projects.

redxj

I haven't been doing the C&V thing all that long personally (under 2 years), but I have amassed a large assortment of parts. The majority of parts came from bikes I purchased and then sold the frame/fork on CL to someone wanting to build a SS/FG or whatever themselves. Out of the last 34 complete bikes or frame/forks I have sold, 16 of those were sold as a Frame/fork (usually with BB and headset). I have also turned five of them into fixed gears that let me keep all of the shifty bits, wheels, BB, and some other parts.

ollo_ollo

Like others, I had no plan. Simply accumulated spare parts as I shopped thrift stores, yard sales, bike swap meets & e-Bay. I kept some good bikes as I built & flipped my finds. Parts were stored in numerous cans, boxes & drawers throughout my garage workshop. I usually had most parts on hand for my projects & had little difficulty finding whatever was needed.

This worked well for years but everything changed when we decided to sell our home & build another in Oregon. I sold or gave away many parts & projects. I did a thorough clean/throw out in the garage but held off packing my tools & bikes for moving. Now we have a buyer & its time to get moving & relocate. This will be hard but I needed it. I hadn't noticed my cluttered work area until facing up to a move. Don

solveg

I am in so far over my head right now... Everything I take apart leads to something else being taken apart and cleaned or repaired. The whole bike is in pieces right now. It took my derailleurs off to be cleaned, but I couldn't get the cable out, so I cut it at the point where it frayed. It was 25 years old anyway, and I know you guys recommend changing them. The bottom bracket is totally stiff... I'm going to overhaul it in my class next week, but I got a sealed one to put in in case it's too far gone. I know you guys don't like the sealed ones, but the LBS guy said it was the way to go... you just ride it and then discard it. If it's a bad choice, I can deal with it later.

While I'm soaking the derailleur in vinegar (I used 100% vinegar...it's not mixed with water, right?) I'm getting ready to polish the chrome, but I remember reading about some part I'm supposed to be very careful of scrubbing too hard on because it will take away material.

I found some brake covers for the 600 EX set, but they cost a fortune. I have to wait for those before I can swap out the stem and bars.

I hope* I can put this thing back together. I have a feeling you guys all had some mechanical boyhood. My dad never even let us girls mow the lawn... I can take a computer apart and put it back together, but that's a whole different thing. It's just...intimidating to see it all in pieces like this.

East Hill

Nah, not me. I only wish I'd been able to take some wood and metal shop classes. I'll tell you about my auto mechanics class by PM if you'd like, though .

I think of it as like being at work--it's easy if you follow it logically. It's a horrible mess if you don't do it logically.

East Hill

Iowegian

Don't worry, you'll get it back together. You've only got one set of parts and they all have a home. If you end up with 'extra' parts when you're done, just start over!

Seriously, you'll be fine. You definately want to replace the cables and housing so just cut the cables off if they get in your way. I'd keep the old housing around so you can match the lengths but do replace it.

Elbow grease and a rag is usually enough to clean most parts. You can always use plastic bristle brushes without worry but I'd avoid scour pads and wire brushes.

I'd also recommend keeping all the parts together, zip lock bags work well for this. Ie, if you disassemble the brake calipers for instance, put all the screws, springs, arms, etc from the front caliper in one bag, all the parts from the rear in another bag. Ditto for any other parts. That way you won't get the various tiny parts mixed up.

localtalent

600EX is 'very old'? What's that make me?

A computer is way more fragile than a bicycle, and generally more of a pain in the ass IMO. Unless you're applying some serious forces, there isn't really any way to break most stuff on a bike (stripped crank threads and bent hub dustcaps aside). Take your time, and nothing's really that complicated.

What's wrong with cartridge BBs? Not exactly C&V, but if you aren't doing a period-correct concours restoration, who cares? If you get stuck for a part, try ebay or this very forum - people are quite helpful about shipping parts out at a reasonable price for someone who needs them (Thanks, East Hill!). Don't throw stuff away, there's always bits and pieces that come in handy. Sometimes it's worth buying a heap just for the parts - we did the same thing at the computer shop, we'd strip all the screws, drive cages, case inserts, and offset/mounting bolts out of it and dump the rest in the trash.