I could use some advice for fixing up my new-to-me Nishiki Custom Sport
The bike is beautiful in person and also my size. It's a bit rough at the moment but will really come around with some work. Here are some 'before' pics, well mostly before, I removed the toe clips because they were too small for my feet.
Since this picture was taken I've regreased the BB and raised the saddle to give a nice fist-full of seat post, not for looks, but because this is where it fits me.
The Avocet that's on it seems comfortable enough, but I'm going to try my Brooks Champion (honey) on it and I think I will steal the handlebars from my Gitaine as they're are wider than any others I own. Is it sacrilege to put French bars on a Japanese bike?
smal_side..jpgsmal_34..jpg
If you're wondering why I'm choosing the Nishiki over the Gitaine, I'm 6'4" and 265 lbs and the Gitaine feels like it's too light weight to handle my substantial weight atm. I've been loosing weight, and someday maybe I'll feel more comfortable on such a light weight bike, but for today I'm leaning towards the Nishiki.
After looking at bar tape at my LBS, I find my choices unsatisfactory, they have a black gel tape, and cork in either red,tan, or blue. Believe it or not I don't like the feel of cork tape, so that's out. I actually like the feel of the bar tape that's on the Gitaine right now, I think it's a vinyl but I don't know if the white will clean up enough or go with the honey brooks and suit the rest of the bike.
The last thing I need to do is replace the freewheel. The 6-speed that's currently on it works sometimes but slips under load. I have an old 5-speed laying around that I can use in the short run but what do you think of these
Shimano 7-speed MegaRange freewheel
http://www.niagaracycle.com/product_...ducts_id=14291
or Sunrace
http://www.niagaracycle.com/product_...oducts_id=5150
I don't know if the granny gear will work, or if I should just get a regular freewheel and call it good.
Is there anything else I should upgrade?
Any suggestions are most welcome.