C&V Clunker 100 Challenge
#401
Thrifty Bill
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Mountains of Western NC
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Needless to say, FINDING the box later can be the challenging part!!
#402
Senior Member
Well, maybe I'll enter after all. I picked up a 1983? (components all have 1983 date codes on them) High Sierra at the Goodwill Clearance Center today, $10. I figured the Suntour thumb shifters are worth more than that. Bike is neglected, but pretty complete. May just do another drop bar conversion on this one. I've already got it torn down to the frame. I have a little rust abatement, then its reassembly time. Its going to require a new chain, cables, housings, bar tape, tires, drops and stem. I have a garage full of donor mtbs right now, I'll find most of the parts there.
The bull moose bars have some value, I'll have to let them soak in OA a bit.
The bull moose bars have some value, I'll have to let them soak in OA a bit.
#403
Pedalin' Erry Day
Here's how far my project has gotten. Frame cleaned, bearings repacked, components mostly in place, and I managed to salvage the chain by giving it a 48 hour soak in kerosene:
Now for the cost, I've made a few substitutions from my parts bins. My actual outlay at this point is still $20, but in the spirit of the game I'll estimate costs:
1. SR stem and handlebars - $5 swap meet value
2. worn but useable Araya Wheelset with well-worn tires that I think will survive 100km of riding - $20 value
-rear wheel that came with the bike had a badly dented rim, so I decided to swap these wheels in
3. Suntour XCT rear derailer - $1
-the Superbe that came with the bike couldn't handle the largest cog on this freewheel, swapping derailers is cheaper than replacing the freewheel, plus this derailer is a better match for a 'clunker' anyways
Total cost to date: $46
Duly noted, I will be keeping the wheel fabric on the bike (sort of).
Now for the cost, I've made a few substitutions from my parts bins. My actual outlay at this point is still $20, but in the spirit of the game I'll estimate costs:
1. SR stem and handlebars - $5 swap meet value
2. worn but useable Araya Wheelset with well-worn tires that I think will survive 100km of riding - $20 value
-rear wheel that came with the bike had a badly dented rim, so I decided to swap these wheels in
3. Suntour XCT rear derailer - $1
-the Superbe that came with the bike couldn't handle the largest cog on this freewheel, swapping derailers is cheaper than replacing the freewheel, plus this derailer is a better match for a 'clunker' anyways
Total cost to date: $46
Duly noted, I will be keeping the wheel fabric on the bike (sort of).
#404
Shifting is fun!
Join Date: Aug 2009
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That Techium is coming along nicely, @lasauge. That should be able to give my Atala a run for its money.
Speaking of which: I took the Atala out for another ride yesterday evening. 32.8 more kms notched up. I'm beginning to really like that bike. That is, as long as I don't shift the RD. It runs really smooth on the middle cog, but sort of churns on the others. I think the PO never shifted either and both middle cog and chain have grown old and worn-out together. So I ride it as a two-speed and that works for me in this flat-as-a-pancake countryside.
(My picture provider is on the blink, so you'll have to click them for a decent size)
One nasty surprise I had was this mini roundabout some well-meaning municipal authority nitwit had decided to put right in the middle of a cycle path. Luckily I was cruising at not more than 20 kph or so, and I saw it just in time. Not something you want to run into.
Speaking of which: I took the Atala out for another ride yesterday evening. 32.8 more kms notched up. I'm beginning to really like that bike. That is, as long as I don't shift the RD. It runs really smooth on the middle cog, but sort of churns on the others. I think the PO never shifted either and both middle cog and chain have grown old and worn-out together. So I ride it as a two-speed and that works for me in this flat-as-a-pancake countryside.
(My picture provider is on the blink, so you'll have to click them for a decent size)
One nasty surprise I had was this mini roundabout some well-meaning municipal authority nitwit had decided to put right in the middle of a cycle path. Luckily I was cruising at not more than 20 kph or so, and I saw it just in time. Not something you want to run into.
#405
Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: North Queensland, Australia
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Bikes: '93 Cadex CFM3, '84 Repco Nishiki Olympic 12,'87 Peugeot Montblanc, '09 Giant Trance X1, '13 De Rosa R838
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Here is my semi-completed entry. Yes, it's ugly.
Costs in AUD:
Bike was $10
New chain was $9.75 (Wiggle)
Tyres I had lying around from some other unfinished project. Practically new. $26 for the pair on special (Chain Reaction Cycles)
Pair of new tubes were $7.59 (Wiggle)
New cables from my stockpile, est. $8. Housing salvaged.
TT brake levers were used on ebay ages ago. Think they were about $12. They look like insect pincers on this bike.
Half a length of bar tape I had lying around, est. $5.
Rough total cost (plus or minus 15%): AUD 78.34, USD 72.49
HOWEVER:
-Those handlebars are hell. I salvaged them from the bike by cutting the rusty drops off. I have a no-brand set of drop bars lying around that I will swap them for when i get the chance. This might mean I will need to reconsider brake levers and buy new bar tape.
-The tyre-chainstay clearance is less than a mm on each side. I will try to dimple the chainstay to stop the tyres grinding when not riding in a perfectly straight line.
All other problems are somewhat manageable.
Costs in AUD:
Bike was $10
New chain was $9.75 (Wiggle)
Tyres I had lying around from some other unfinished project. Practically new. $26 for the pair on special (Chain Reaction Cycles)
Pair of new tubes were $7.59 (Wiggle)
New cables from my stockpile, est. $8. Housing salvaged.
TT brake levers were used on ebay ages ago. Think they were about $12. They look like insect pincers on this bike.
Half a length of bar tape I had lying around, est. $5.
Rough total cost (plus or minus 15%): AUD 78.34, USD 72.49
HOWEVER:
-Those handlebars are hell. I salvaged them from the bike by cutting the rusty drops off. I have a no-brand set of drop bars lying around that I will swap them for when i get the chance. This might mean I will need to reconsider brake levers and buy new bar tape.
-The tyre-chainstay clearance is less than a mm on each side. I will try to dimple the chainstay to stop the tyres grinding when not riding in a perfectly straight line.
All other problems are somewhat manageable.
#406
Pedalin' Erry Day
#407
Senior Member
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I will try to keep them like that for the purpose of this challenge (hopefully score some improvisation points), but after that if I decide to flip the bike I will definitely need to change them
#408
spondylitis.org
Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: Fleetwood, PA, USA
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Bikes: '84 Colnago Super; '90 Bridgestone MB-1; '81 Trek 930; '01 Cinelli Supercorsa; '62 Ideor Asso; '87 Tommasini Super Prestige; '13 Lynskey R2300; '84 Serotta Nova Special; '94 Litespeed Catalyst; etc.
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Another ten clicks gone as of yesterday (before the rains came). Riding fixed against the wind is a real pain in the ass.
The son of our local carpenter (who passed me on his vintage Raleigh 14-speed) liked the bike, though, so I guess that's something.
The son of our local carpenter (who passed me on his vintage Raleigh 14-speed) liked the bike, though, so I guess that's something.
#409
Shifting is fun!
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Location: South Holland, NL
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Done. Crossed the 100 km mark today. The weather was great for riding today. But unfortunately when the weather is great for riding, it is also great for mowing, painting, pruning and all sorts of cleaning, all that other stuff that needs doing after the winter.
So I allowed myself an hour and a half before lunch, and notched up another 31.6 kms.
1403030.JPG
Part of today's route followed the Amstel river, at the end of which I took the ferry to the other side at Nes (more pics here). Always a pleasure:
Anyway, time for the results:
So I allowed myself an hour and a half before lunch, and notched up another 31.6 kms.
1403030.JPG
Part of today's route followed the Amstel river, at the end of which I took the ferry to the other side at Nes (more pics here). Always a pleasure:
Anyway, time for the results:
Last edited by non-fixie; 05-13-21 at 02:58 PM. Reason: restored pics
#410
Senior Member
23.46km today; that brings me up to 45.44km total so far. We got another 1/2 foot if snow this weekend so it was a muddy ride the likes of which this bike hasn't seen in a decade or two. Sorry no pics, it was a beer ride for me today. Buffalo is going to see some more nice weather this week, so hopefully I will be able to close out the ride portion.
Italuminum's bike is looking damn good...that one would probably get my vote...
Italuminum's bike is looking damn good...that one would probably get my vote...
#411
Still learning
Can't get comfortable on the Raleigh Technium 440, so scratching that entry in favor of Joe's Bike, a $25 basket case Trek Multi Track 700, perhaps the first hybrid entry in this challenge. Picked it up after UM choked in Indianapolis.
It needs a lot of TLC. I have an identical bike in NNJ, one size smaller, where the craptastic GS100 drivetrain was replaced with Deore LX. Parts needed; tires, tubes, shifters, front brake, cable set, as a minimum.
It needs a lot of TLC. I have an identical bike in NNJ, one size smaller, where the craptastic GS100 drivetrain was replaced with Deore LX. Parts needed; tires, tubes, shifters, front brake, cable set, as a minimum.
Last edited by oddjob2; 04-02-14 at 07:04 AM.
#412
Senior Member
Thread Starter
I'm glad to see you are keeping the chain. That tire should also buff right out.
#413
Senior Member
I've been following this thread. Is it too late to enter? I'm going to see this CL bike in Salem. The seller said that he and his wife both bought matching bikes "about 15 years ago" (paint scheme makes me think early '90's) but now they've bought upright bikes for more comfort. He said the bike hadn't been ridden in several years, has been housed in his work shop (he's having a clean out your shop week, so selling). He tried to dissuade me from driving the 90 miles or so, but told him I was looking for a "project" bike. I'll post some pictures when I return home.
Hard rock mountain bike -- 21 speed
Hard rock mountain bike -- 21 speed
#414
Spin Forest! Spin!
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I've been following this thread. Is it too late to enter? I'm going to see this CL bike in Salem. The seller said that he and his wife both bought matching bikes "about 15 years ago" (paint scheme makes me think early '90's) but now they've bought upright bikes for more comfort. He said the bike hadn't been ridden in several years, has been housed in his work shop (he's having a clean out your shop week, so selling). He tried to dissuade me from driving the 90 miles or so, but told him I was looking for a "project" bike. I'll post some pictures when I return home.
Hard rock mountain bike -- 21 speed
Hard rock mountain bike -- 21 speed
IIRC, that's a 1992 offering.
#415
Still learning
Deadline for completion is about May 22, 2014. No entry deadline. That's a good deal on the HardRock, when NOT compared to my StumpJumper pairs deal.
#416
Still learning
Arbitrary style and value points. You'll get style points for both the nicest finds/builds AND the bikes that make us say "That thing actually survived 100km?". Going as cheap and crummy as possible is a badge of honour. Bonus points for using a real POS in as-found condition (flipped bars, rusted cables, saddle at a 45 degree angle, etc.) and preserving the integrity of the previous owner's ingenuity and mechanical skills.
#417
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I have done a couple of hunred km around town commuting on my Sekai 400. I'm starting to like the bike now that I'm getting used to the somewhat compact setup and the STI's with triple front which is realy nice on hills. Have toyed with selling it listed on CL list with no interest so it will likely end up in my growing collection of nice but unsellable bikes unique builds.
#418
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I was able to pick up this '85 Schwinn Traveler for $25, which is quite a feat on Minneapolis CL. Normally I ride 21" frames but I thought I'd try stepping up to a 23" with less seat post showing. I only really notice the extra height when straddling the top tube with both of my feet planted, which is rare enough to not be annoying. The first thing I did was wash some of the grit and grime off of it. The paint is in decent shape, and the shifting works fine. It'll need new tires since the sidewall on the rear is bulged. The cover was coming off the original saddle, so I swapped it (temporarily?) with an old WTB SST I had lying around.
Known mechanical issues: the stem is stuck inserted above the minimum insert line (I knocked the wedge free but still no luck extracting it). The fork jiggles a little bit in the head tube. There's play in the BB, which sounds gritty. You can even jiggle the rear wheel right to left a bit. At the moment this stuff is beyond both my skill level and my tool set. I guess now's a good time to learn since I'd like to get this on the road.
Known mechanical issues: the stem is stuck inserted above the minimum insert line (I knocked the wedge free but still no luck extracting it). The fork jiggles a little bit in the head tube. There's play in the BB, which sounds gritty. You can even jiggle the rear wheel right to left a bit. At the moment this stuff is beyond both my skill level and my tool set. I guess now's a good time to learn since I'd like to get this on the road.
Last edited by Clang; 04-08-14 at 06:14 PM. Reason: forgot the CL ad pic
#419
Banned
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Enter my contender. I can't believe the amount of cheapo classics out there. This 'beochee' has some Campy coolness with I think a Lambornini suede saddle. Have enough odds and ends to make it a go for its hundred.
Also: For the low end and humble experience, I'm also considering a super clean 1960 Huffy Sportsman 3 peed. Its been sitting quietly at a store for $35 - ready to roll with some nice accessories.
Also: For the low end and humble experience, I'm also considering a super clean 1960 Huffy Sportsman 3 peed. Its been sitting quietly at a store for $35 - ready to roll with some nice accessories.
#420
Senior Member
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I failed. Sold my clunker to a bystander with only 20k (or so) to go. Bike swap tomorrow!
#421
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The Bottechia, wow man, I love it. And all it needs is a derailleur cable and she is ready to roll (per the ad). It would be nice if you started a thread for the restore (you know, if it does go beyond the cable).
#422
Banned
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thanks Uncle. By no means is this a high end but would call it a mass produced and neat mid level ride of the period. The fork has beautiful profile. I always thought it was nice gesture on the maker (Carnielli) in keeping Bottecchia's name alive. Even though Bottecchia passed on in the late 1920's, something about the spirit of the ride and the way his name flows.
For now, I'm going to do a quick sort thru, mechanical adjust, lube, proper body fit adjust, cable, inspect the tubes, maybe cover the grips and just go. Probably last ridden two decades ago. Right now I don't care about getting fussy with it. It's worse than the add describes. Start with the bars and you'll get the idea. Has great potential but its scuzzy, needs lots of TLC, brakes trashed and the original grips feel goopy sticky like pine tar, etc..
Found this link about the model:
197? BOTTECCHIA SPECIAL
For now, I'm going to do a quick sort thru, mechanical adjust, lube, proper body fit adjust, cable, inspect the tubes, maybe cover the grips and just go. Probably last ridden two decades ago. Right now I don't care about getting fussy with it. It's worse than the add describes. Start with the bars and you'll get the idea. Has great potential but its scuzzy, needs lots of TLC, brakes trashed and the original grips feel goopy sticky like pine tar, etc..
Found this link about the model:
197? BOTTECCHIA SPECIAL
#423
Still learning
Below is my clunker Trek MultiTrack 700 hybrid, which replaces my too small Raleigh Technium 440 entry. Total of $65 for the bike; $25 acquisition cost, $40 in parts, including $27 for new Tektro Oryx front calipers and new Falcon thumb shifters. The balance is for cables, housing, bearings, a tube, and grips. The silver handlebars and stem are an even up swap with a Multitrack 720 I have in the flip queue. The brake levers I got free and the tires are rescued from my coop donation box 'o takeoffs. The rear wheel was a PITA to get true.
After I get my mileage in, I will upgrade the crankset, saddle, seat post, RD/FD, along with the rear caliper. With the opening of a beer garden a few blocks away, this white workhorse will serve a long and happy life as my bar bike.
Tonight it is being tested for theft resistance.
After I get my mileage in, I will upgrade the crankset, saddle, seat post, RD/FD, along with the rear caliper. With the opening of a beer garden a few blocks away, this white workhorse will serve a long and happy life as my bar bike.
Tonight it is being tested for theft resistance.
Last edited by oddjob2; 04-27-14 at 06:25 PM.
#424
Senior Member
@oddjob - didn't you get a steal on 2 Stumpjumpers that you mentioned above? So you're not using them on this challenge?
I have the Hardrock, but, as usual I spent $ on new cables, housing, brake pads, etc. so I'm over $100. Plus I'm not supposed to ride for awhile longer (surgery). The bike really only needed to have the front derailleur cable tightened, and I could have ridden it no problem. I still have the time to enter this challenge and get the riding done, but now I don't have a less than $100 bike!
I have the Hardrock, but, as usual I spent $ on new cables, housing, brake pads, etc. so I'm over $100. Plus I'm not supposed to ride for awhile longer (surgery). The bike really only needed to have the front derailleur cable tightened, and I could have ridden it no problem. I still have the time to enter this challenge and get the riding done, but now I don't have a less than $100 bike!
#425
Bicycle Repair Man !!!
Much less than $100.00, before you count the custom built wheels which are worth more than the rest of the bike.
I could have thrown on some old Chrolux wheels to stay under the limit.
Dangit.