Bike Forums - View Single Post - What have you been wrenching on lately?

12-31-17 | 08:41 PM

#664

DQRider

Old Boy

Joined: Jan 2016

Posts: 2,127

Likes: 1,736

From: Minnesota

Bikes: Mostly 1st-generation, top-of-the-line, non-unicrown MTBs/ATBs: All 1984 models: Dawes Ranger, Peugeot Canyon Express, Ross Mt. Whitney (chrome), Schwinn High Sierra, and a 1983 Trek 850.

Quote:

Originally Posted by browngw

Always enjoy seeing your bikes. This one has a long way to go, I'm afraid. Took a few weeks of soaking to encourage the seat post and stem out. Next is the freewheeling AW hub.

Yours is actually in pretty good shape!

One hint I can pass on to restore that paint finish is... Marvel Mystery Oil. This wisdom was passed on to me by one of the Gentleman Cyclists who put on the Lake Pepin 3-Speed Tour. I can't tell you why or how it works; I only know that one application at the beginning of our riding season (Usually April or May) lasts the entire year before it starts to look dull again.

But it preserves the original finish rather than replacing it with something more modern - and you can always tell. As for the AW hub, people who know tell me that the "AW" stands for "Always Works". Just like anything else, a good cleaning - flush with some kind of solvent that will dissolve old grease or oil - drain and let dry - and then pour in new ~50 weight oil should do the trick.

A great resource is the "For the Love of Old English 3-Speeds" thread. Good luck with your restoration, and remember: the brake pads are supposed to be leading, not trailing.

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USMC 1981-1991 Semper Fi!

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