Vélosport Appalache ('88 maybe) restoration questions and help request
 

Hi! I'm looking for a new touring bike but I remembered about my old one and thougt I'd try to restore it. It's a Vélosport Appalache and I think from the serial number that it's a 1988 model. A sticker on it says it's made of Super Tensile 513 tubing, any info on that? I know it's probably high-tensile renamed but what about the 513 number? And is that steel any good if I'd like to try and tour a little with the bike, is it only heavier than Cromo?

Apart from that, it has Sakae SX Ovaltech chainrings, are they any good, I remember the seller said it was better for climbing but never got to know if there was any truth to that claim.

The bike is rusty but it looks like if I take the paint off it could be ok.

Here are some pics, any advice would be appreciated, It's my first project and I don't have much knowledge about bike mechanics and I'll have to replace alot of parts so any help about what to look for would be great!
http://img707.imageshack.us/img707/104/img1278f.jpg
http://img534.imageshack.us/img534/858/img1259b.jpg
http://img694.imageshack.us/img694/6804/img1266ay.jpg
http://img715.imageshack.us/img715/4605/img1264.jpg
http://img191.imageshack.us/img191/5788/img1235xd.jpg

sorry about the double thread, can this one please be deleted? I can't find a delete button anywhere...

It's best to self report this thread with the little hazzard emblem in the bottom left corner of each post box.. A mod will get to it when they can.

kyakdiver

I got the other one just now, since it had no responses.

OK, let's start with the stuck seatpost. Start with some serious penetrating oil.

Off topic but...For future reference, you can delete your own posts, but not entire threads.

I wouldn't put too much into it. It was a fairly low end bike to start with and the tubing and lugs are no great shakes. If it has sentimental value or you can fix it up without spending much maybe, but you will pretty quickly have more in it than it is worth.

is there a bike co-op in your town?

if yes, refurbish... if no- Its probably not worth it.

What exactly is a bike co-op? I don't think we have those here.

It's weird 'cause in Quebec, people tell me it's a fairly good project and here most of you tell me to ditch the bike altogether.

The bike was a full touring one, there are eyelets in the fork too for racks. That's the main reason I wan't to rebuild it, so I can keep the money I have for other things or keep building the account for a good new bike because for what I have now I can't find one that fits my expextations, they all come over my budget when you put in taxes, racks, bags and other little things. I also want to be more prepared to what size of bike I want, what fits right by using a bike for the same purposes, I don't feel that riding my hybrid does a good job at that.

It depends on what you mean by rebuilding it and on what parts you have or can get for free or cheap. I wouldn't spend much on it, but if it is a matter of tearing it down, reusing parts or using ones from your or someone else's junk bin, reassembling after cleaning, re-greasing everything, and replacing stuff like cables and brake pads that is a different matter.

If buying much in the way of new parts the cost will go up pretty fast and will quickly exceed the value of the bike.

My first intention is to give new life to whatever parts are still usable like the rear derailleur wich surprisingly is in really good shape, wheels are ok but are 27ers and if I can find another used bike for cheap with good enough 700s I'd probably switch because of tire availability. The handlebars are really rusty, front derailleur is stuck (springs ares stiffened with rust) and I'd replace all nuts and bolts with new ones. So either I find a used bike in garbage (spring is coming) or I wait for police auctions or off to the used bike store I go. Maybe I'd put as much as a hundred bucks put not more. I have the grease and tools to put the rest back together in a good manner and I have spray paint to repaint the frame (can't put alot of money there either...).

But about the bike itself, why do you guys think it's no good? I knew alot of people with that model and they mostly appreciated it back then. Is the steel THAT bad? Apart from weight (I'm over 200 pounds so I don't really mind about a couple of pounds on my bike, I'd better lose some on myself first...!) The bike has the braze ons for racks wich is hard to find on used bikes and it's really something I appreciate about it.

I found one of these and gave it to a friend who used one for his ride to and from work, about 1.5 hours altogether, and it worked well for him for a season (he returned it when he found another bike and it is now for sale). The bike is heavy and the components are out of date, compared to what is available now, and they are of average quality. I would estimate that a good used one would be in the $130.00 range. The one you have seems to be in bad shape and not worth much, that said, if you are serious about getting into touring rebuilding it and using it on short tours would be a great learning experience and would prepare you for repairs and a better understanding of what you would want in a touring bike. Tires are still available for 27 -1/4 and the wheels on mine are strong but not that well built.
Gordon

I cleaned the bigger parts and shined them and most look pretty good now. Bolts and screws will be replaced for new ones. Surprising how all that rust comes off with a little elbow grease. Most impressive is the chainrings, they almost look like new. Frame is something else... I'll probably even ride it with the frame all rusty and the rest all shiny (just gonna clean the insides as well as I can and put some rust converter). Repainting takes some time and until I know IT can ride for a little while, it'll be a thief-repulsive.

I would figure out how much all the parts you are going to need will end up costing before you sink too much money in to the project. Parts can start to get expensive quickly when you buy them a la carte. You might start buying parts only to realize that you could have spent a little more for a new, or quality used bike with better cromoly or aluminum tubing and updated components. Restoring an old rig can be rewarding, just be careful not to let it turn in to a money pit, I probably wouldn't spend more that $75 on a bike with high tensile tubes.

Not much money is going to be put on the bike, first I figured I'd get parts from a used bought bike but things like derailleurs, chainrings, brakes, wheels are coming out really well so it will only need a new chain, some new bolts and screws, someone may give me a new front wheel (the back wheel is 40 spokes weinmann and still nice) and cables will be changed even if I could've cleaned the old ones and oiled the outings. So that's not too much in my opinion. And now that I have found a good bike to tour with (Miyata 1000lt 1990) this one is becoming a commuter.