opie

Got this my Senior year of HS (1994) and have had it since. Rode it all through college. it was the village bicycle actually because both of my roommates used it also when available

I think it's a 1993 or 1994 Bianchi Osprey. Probably too small for me as I'm 6'1 but it will be fun to tinker on and get going good again. Some parts are rusted now and I'll plan on replacing them but I've got a lot of research to do and lots of learning.

Going to need some bars, new chain and other bits.

I'm also going to have to get the angle grinder out and cut the lock off, I lost the keys

Anyways, enough yapping.. here are some pictures

mickey85

mmm...

Looks perfect as-is. I'd throw a new chain on, pull apart the BB and wheels to regrease, then ride the heck out of it.

darkmagus

That looks like the style of lock that you can open with a bic pen.

mkeller234

Yeah, give this a shot if the key hole is round. Remove the tip and use the empty barrel as the key. I have heard that bottle jacks can defeat U-locks too.

opie

This is the part I have to learn how to do. Thought about trying to clean up the sprockets (or whatever they're called) some too and adjust the brakes, maybe replace the brake lines since they're rusted also

And I'm going to try the BIC pen but honestly.. I didn't have one at home so I'm going to have to buy one. LOL

opie

Ok.. getting this back to the top. I got the lock off. It was too rusted for the BIC pen but an angle grinder did wonders and I got a new tool . So that was fun. Anyways I was going to remove the tires and tubes and replace with more of a street tire. After I clean up the wheels of course.

I'm also wanting to clean up the cassette (I think that's what it's called). can I take it off and then soak it in something to remove the rust? I've been reading about cassette removal and I think I'm going to need some tools but that's ok.

I was also going to replace the brake pads and replace the rusty brake cables and shifter cables. It didn't shift correctly at all. Also going to order a new chain

What else am I missing? Could I turn this into a 29er and have a beefed up commuter?? Would that be overkill and cause me to replace everything?

mickey85

You couldn't go with a 29er, because the wheel sizes are vastly different (559mm as opposed to 622mm).

Sounds like you're getting everything you need for it. With the cassette - they're cheap enough that it would behoove you just to replace it (you can get a 7-8 speed freewheel or cassette for $20-30), but on the other hand, if it isn't damaged, just riding it will clean off the rust.

opie

Ok.. I'll just order some replacement tires then