Bike Forums - View Single Post - The "Before And After" Thread

10-08-14 | 05:34 PM

#1853

tottodude

Newbie

Joined: Oct 2014

Posts: 3

Likes: 0

From: Tallinn, Estonia

Bikes: Minsk, Ritchey Break-Away, M5 Shockproof

I have adopted a tattered Soviet made folding shopper. It's also known as Минском мото – велосипедном заводе “Минск”, модель 113-322. I don't speak Russian but anyway it's basically sayig Minsk Motorbike - Bicycle Factory "Minsk" model 113-322. Since this bike has been made over years I am not sure if the model number is the same as what I have. Mine has different yet original saddle, grips and small bits from other Minsk models I can find on the internet. The USSR made similarly designed folding bikes at various locations and even today a similar bike called Desna is being made in Ukraine. There are a few differences between more ubiquitous Desna and my Minsk. The main difference is that Minsk has a main tube which is slighly oval towards the front end for stiffness and also it meets the headtube which is basically a lug itself. So while its geometry is very much the same as other Soviet bikes this is meant to offer more strength. Also in place of the more common chrome plated steel rims mine had single-wall aluminium rims (sadly the previous owner abused a bit as a teenager so the rims could not be saved). The stem is also curved instead of more standard number 7 shaped duckbill type.

Sadly the rear rack was missing when I got the bike in a very sorry state. Also missing were the front brake and brake lever. The saddle was dead a long time ago and there were no pump or tool pouch.

The quality of Soviet chrome plating is so thick and strong that the French should have learned from them. After a bit of polishing the spot rusts have disappeared almost completely and the fogged up aluminium mudguards also got shiny again after some polishing. The paint job is original blue metallic (rare to find metallic bikes from USSR) which is still going strong also on the steel pipe kickstand. However the original stickers showing some 1980 Olympic games theme were all dead so I had to remove them. The stickers indicates the bike was made around that time.

I built a new pair of wheels - using original front hub (bearing is worn but I wanted to save it) that has odd 92mm OLD with an over-spec Velocity Aero Heat rim and for the rear I bought almost-new Sachs Torpedo 3-speed coaster hub. The original bike had one original USSR tyre and one replaced Polish made tyre. Both cracked and wire exposed so I had to throw them out. The new tyres are cheap but durable Schwalbe Road Cruiser.

The original rear OLD was like 110mm if I recall correctly so I had to replace lock washers and still had to stretch open the rear triangle. Added a NOS sixties 333 (Shimano) 3-speed grip shifter which is basically a copy of Sturmet Archer grip shifter making this shiny white shifter is the oldest component of the whole bike. I slapped on a 7 Euro cheap yet good looking pleather saddle and an over spec Tubus rear rack (stailess) which costs more than what I paid for the bike.

Attached Images

23716069f56906_l.jpg (79.5 KB, 84 views)

Reply

0