Hi Everyone,

1st post in this forum. I'm not very mechanically inclined, but learning -- I can now at least change a flat tire and clean and lube a chain -- but want to learn more and do more.

An old Peugeot has come into my possession. From what I've gleaned so far from this forum, it is an 1984 mixte 12-speed. (The serial number is on the chainstay and starts with a Y and there is a 4 in there somewhere.) Says Carbolite 103, so I guess that means it is lower end. It also has the dreaded Maillard Helicomatic Hub. Dual-pivot centerpull Weinmann Vainqueur 750 brakes.

The housing for the brake cables is cracked in places. The tires are cracked. The right-hand brake lever is held together by a loose screw with no corresponding nut to hold it in place, so the lever wiggles. There may be other things wrong with it that I'm not knowledgeable enough about to realize yet.

My questions are these:

Aside from replacing the brake levers, the cables and housings, and the tires, what else should I replace/fix on this bike?

What do I do about the Helicomatic Hub? Does it need to be replaced or can it be replaced? With what?

In the back, I think it is called the cogwheel, but there is also something called a freewheel, this has something to do with the Helicomatric hub, does that/do these need to be replaced? With what?

Please be gentle but helpful with me. My husband has taken to calling this my "project bike." I just hope it doesn't take me forever or cost too, too much to fix up. The only way I seem to learn is by doing, and in that sense, it will definitely be a learning opportunity!