da meat tree

I recently found this bike behind a dumpster near my apartment. It's a beauty but its all rusty and covered in stupid stickers. Also all the lights are broken and the breaks are rusted. I need some advice on how to restore this bike. It isn't my first but it's my first non-rolling restore. I got new tires for it so that's checked off this list.

-how do i got about removing the rust? I cleaned it off the chrome parts with steel wool. but it's all scuffed. should i strip the paint and get it sprayed and clearcoated? I'm thinking of getting some kind of polish -- any suggestions?

-how should i get rid of the stickers? I'm replacing the front and rear fenders (already took off the front) but there are stickers on the chain guard and the front of the headtube.

-is there a way to replace the lights? it had a rear and front hub powered light so I'm wondering if i could find something similar. as well as breaks.

-is there a way to remove the handlebars? the breaks are welded on and there's no way to slide it off the stem. I also can't manage to take the grips off. (wd40?)

I'm going to replace the chain and the rear freewheel because it's sticking when i pedal backwards. Is there an easy way to fix this without having to swap parts out? The chain is all rusty so that's a definite. I'm not sure about the freewheel.

I don't want to spend more than $300 restoring it, because my mom's budget is $250 and this bike is for her.

thanks in advance

wrk101

Lots of threads on rust removal. Use the search function, look for rust removal and oxalic acid. It would be very hard to spend more than about $75 on the rehab, as long as you do all the work.

da meat tree

Ok, I'm thinking of getting the frame/fork stripped and painted. It would cost about $150 - $200, but I'm still in need of fenders, brakes, and lights.

Does anyone have info on the lights? I can't seem to find any.

Is there a website that sells vintage parts? I remember seeing one long ago but don't remember what it is.

YoKev

I would say fix it up so that you can ride it, THEN, decide if it's worth the repaint and other repairs.

I had one identical to yours, and I did not find it enjoyable. I found the frame very flexy, and I only weigh 150. If I hadn't donated it, I would just give it to you.

Best of luck!

Sixty Fiver

Vintage denotes something that was the best for it's time and the Safari folder is far from that... it is one of many inexpensive U frame folders that were made in Italy and the Eastern communist bloc.

This does not mean it is a bad bike but not one that I would spend an incredible amount of money on.

The best vintage folders are Raleigh 20's and their clones as they are solidly built machines... Raleigh also sold some U framed bikes that were contracted out to Italian manufacturers that tend to be of a better build and finish... these were the Raleigh Compact (folding) and they also made a non folding Saffron.

My daughter has a Saffron and it is a great bike that has "Made in Italy" stamped on the headset and the bb is also Italian... the folding mechanism on the Compact is the same type as on the Safari and this is where the frame gets it's flex.

Pompiere

Somewhere, I had run across a website that had a lot of info on old folders, which I can't seem to find right now. I recall that they said the U-frame bikes with the intergated rack, like yours, were Italian, and the U-frame bikes with separate racks were eastern European. I have a Rog Pony that is from the former Czechoslovakia. My bike looks identical to yours except for the rear triangle. Mine also has a Sturmey-Archer 3 speed hub. They aren't worth much, so I only bought tires, but I put a lot of time into cleaning and spray painting it.

jungwiar

I also have a Safari that must be the low-end version. It came with a single speed/coaster brake rear hub only. I have, however, used it quite a bit on camping vacations, etc. I would not expect to ride a century on it, but it performs exceptionally well riding with my family on the beach, around the campground, etc. I have recently "upgraded" it to have alloy wheels and a S-A 3-sp coaster-brake hub in anticipation of our upcoming camping trip thru the UP, Ontario, Upstate NY and PA... Pics to follow...

jungwiar

As promised...


And 3 Speed Hub/Shifter - set up to eliminate cable kink...

ItchyZipper

Not a great bike...Don't spend a lot of money on it. Just clean it up good, and enjoy the patina. Keep an eye out for a Raliegh 20...That's a nice vintage folder that rides great too! The R20 is worthy of upgrading. There are several sites that show what can be done with one. Have fun.