themuzz

Hey guys, first time poster. I just got hold of a vintage pedicab that I pickup in a beach area. Needless to say its a bit rusted and some parts are missing. First question, where is the best place to find parts for these, even looking for used stuff to keep the cost down. It has 28" x 1.5" tires on it, I am running into issues finding rims for it. The front is 3/8" axle, and the rears are 1/2" axles. The rims that are on it are kinda rusty, I maybe able to soda/sand blast them and either powder coat or paint them but some of the splines are missing in one as well. I think the hubs will only work with this setup so this may be the case of rebuilding them. I never have done this before. Next issue is there is basically no drive train, IE: gear selector, chain, or rear gear selector, any ideas on what I could do there? Maybe strip a set off a standard bike? I will go into more later just need some ideas about the basics first...

Thanks,
Damian

mrrabbit 

My reaction:

Sims Hugo Neu metals recyclers would probably give you a good chunk of change for that.

=8-)

Torchy McFlux

Looks like you pulled it out of the ocean.
28 x 1-1/2 is likely a 700B tire size. Common in India and China. Has a 635mm bead diameter.
Are those motorcycle spokes? I'd look to that industry for replacements.
Stripping and bead-blasting the cab would be a good idea. An oxalic acid soak for the parts might be something to consider too.
That looks like a standard bicycle freewheel, and so there should be a rear derailleur mount somewhere under there.
I don't have any experience working on these, but it looks like an interesting project. Good luck.

themuzz

Thanks for the info, yes there is rear derailleur mount underneith, it has one bolted to it but i figured I would strip one off another bike. I will try and take pics of that too. Going to strip it, metals solid, just strip the surface rust and paint! Should be a fun project...

Mauriceloridans

I had good luck with a Raleigh roadster DL-1 that had been left out to rust. First used wire brush drill attachement to get rid of as much rust as I could. Then used a product called "Right Stuff" from autozone to turn the remaining rust into an inert black substance. Then I used PC7 epoxy putty to reinforce rust tru spots on rims.

Caveat, I considered my rims structurally sound and don't carry passengers for hire. BTW the tires for that Raleigh are 28" x 1 1/2" and I ordered new ones at bikepartsusa @ five years ago.