Glennfordx4

Thanks, he got the decals off of someone on Ebay, he bought two sets one in black & one in red as he wasn't sure as to what color he was going to paint it when he got them. The red isn't as red as it looks in the photo's it has a orange/red look to it compared to the red of the seat. Overall the bike came out very good and it rides very smooth and shifts fantastic, plans changed more then I can remember for this build but I am happy with the way it turned out.

Kobe 

That came out nice Glenn. The black with red decals is a much better combination on Bianchi than purple and white. He at least had good taste.

tottodude

I have adopted a tattered Soviet made folding shopper. It's also known as Минском мото – велосипедном заводе “Минск”, модель 113-322. I don't speak Russian but anyway it's basically sayig Minsk Motorbike - Bicycle Factory "Minsk" model 113-322. Since this bike has been made over years I am not sure if the model number is the same as what I have. Mine has different yet original saddle, grips and small bits from other Minsk models I can find on the internet. The USSR made similarly designed folding bikes at various locations and even today a similar bike called Desna is being made in Ukraine. There are a few differences between more ubiquitous Desna and my Minsk. The main difference is that Minsk has a main tube which is slighly oval towards the front end for stiffness and also it meets the headtube which is basically a lug itself. So while its geometry is very much the same as other Soviet bikes this is meant to offer more strength. Also in place of the more common chrome plated steel rims mine had single-wall aluminium rims (sadly the previous owner abused a bit as a teenager so the rims could not be saved). The stem is also curved instead of more standard number 7 shaped duckbill type.

Sadly the rear rack was missing when I got the bike in a very sorry state. Also missing were the front brake and brake lever. The saddle was dead a long time ago and there were no pump or tool pouch.


The quality of Soviet chrome plating is so thick and strong that the French should have learned from them. After a bit of polishing the spot rusts have disappeared almost completely and the fogged up aluminium mudguards also got shiny again after some polishing. The paint job is original blue metallic (rare to find metallic bikes from USSR) which is still going strong also on the steel pipe kickstand. However the original stickers showing some 1980 Olympic games theme were all dead so I had to remove them. The stickers indicates the bike was made around that time.


I built a new pair of wheels - using original front hub (bearing is worn but I wanted to save it) that has odd 92mm OLD with an over-spec Velocity Aero Heat rim and for the rear I bought almost-new Sachs Torpedo 3-speed coaster hub. The original bike had one original USSR tyre and one replaced Polish made tyre. Both cracked and wire exposed so I had to throw them out. The new tyres are cheap but durable Schwalbe Road Cruiser.


The original rear OLD was like 110mm if I recall correctly so I had to replace lock washers and still had to stretch open the rear triangle. Added a NOS sixties 333 (Shimano) 3-speed grip shifter which is basically a copy of Sturmet Archer grip shifter making this shiny white shifter is the oldest component of the whole bike. I slapped on a 7 Euro cheap yet good looking pleather saddle and an over spec Tubus rear rack (stailess) which costs more than what I paid for the bike.

mountaindave 

отлично!!

ratfink76

1978 Schwinn Le Tour III for fun budget build:

$40 as seen in the before pic from a lady's farm who rescues horses. She bought it new in 1978 from a bike shop here in Orlando and road it coast to coast in Florida in the 80's with her high school friends in a church group.


Bought a newish donor bike for $100 (GMC Pro something), kept the rims and integrated shifters/brake levers and sold the rest of the donor bike for $40.


New saddle, new bar tape, new headset, new seatpost = about $60.


This bike was made for fenders and so I needed a tire that would fill the 'wheel wells' so i found some monster 38mm tires - front fit perfect but had to heat the inside of the rear chain stays and hammer them in to get the rear tire to clear.


Rode it the first time this weekend and rides like a Cadillac with a lift kit. Need to lengthen the chain a bit but other than that it came out great!

msemanuel

If it isn't breaking the rules i would like to post my refinished ventura here.
the before

The after still a work in progress

black02em2

My Rossin Record when I purchased it in August



The bike now, still a work in progress and a few things to finish it

mountaindave 

Looking very nice, @black02em2. Where did you score those sweet white aero lever hoods?

black02em2

I actually purchased some terrible looking Shimano RX100 levers from someone a few days ago (the seller told me the levers were shot, because the hoods looked so bad).

I cleaned them up and they look good as new.

oldbikenewbike

I do the same thing, using FANTASTIC and a tooth brush. Then it gets rinsed off and ARMOR-ALL applied to it.

black02em2

Very good idea, I use Goo-Gone and it practically wiped off. Then used Dawn soap to wash them

bike_forever

I love this thread! Some amazing transformations here for sure!

mountaindave 

I tried he same on my whit hoods but something happened to them so that they seamed to be melting - the rubber was gooey. Sadly they were a loss. Glad you refurbished yours! I'm on the hunt for some more white ones myself.

black02em2

When I cleaned the hoods, they were a bit sticky, so I covered them in a little bit of baby powder and now they're fine

mountaindave 

Wish this thread had happened about four years ago...

Ancient Mariner

I just spent about $35.00 for a new set of original Shimano white hoods. There was no way the old ones could have been cleaned; they were falling apart. I'm now going crazy trying to keep the new ones clean because they seem to get dirty even if I just walk too close to them.

ratfink76

black02em2, do you have any more updated photos? The bike looks so clean and simple - really a nice build so far in this pic!!

mechanicmatt

Yeah the after is looking fantastic.

black02em2

Thank you. I did add a few modern parts but wanted to keep the look simple.

Unfortunately I am waiting for tools in the mail to take it all apart to overhaul it.

Until then, I cant finish the bike, still need to install new cables and handlebar tape

Thank you, I appreciate it. I cant wait to finish it

verktyg 

I dug out an old 1977-79 Motobecane someone gave me. It's been sitting in the back corner of my basement for years. The bike is probably a European model since it has 700c wheels. The racks, fenders and lighting are all original.

Before:



After...



I figure it needs a complete overhaul, new tires, tubes plus one new rim and all new cables. In the end I'd still have "tuyau pour le gaz naturel" bike that would ride like a tank.

Maybe I'll put it on Craigslist for $300 as a fixie special!

verktyg

Chas.

otg 

72 Super Sport as found and as it sits now.

mountaindave 

Beautiful Olypmia, @mississippimud!

What happened to the dork disk, @otg? Looks like she got some nice upgrades.

otg 

It's possible I still have it somewhere, I can look if you might be interested.

Vonruden

Not totally vintage, however Keeper of the flame. I started assembling this one in honor of my step mom who had been battling breast cancer for 7 years, unfortunately she lost the fight a couple weeks back. Anyway, will ride the Pink Kirk with pride in her memory.

before



After

otg 

Lovely tribute.