Huffy 314 Project
 

I've been getting in to cycling for the past year and have already acquired a couple of bikes. One is a Panasonic Mountaincat for my longer recreational rides, and the other is a Wally World fixed gear for my mile ride to and from work. I've had experience in basic repairs (adjusting brakes and derailleurs, installing brake cable, replacing tires).

I picked up a men's Huffy 314 road bike at the thrift store for $15 that needs a bit work. Tires were dry-rotted and it needs new tubes and rim tape. The cables and chain also need to be replaced. Oh, and it doesn't have a front derailleur or stem shifter for the missing derailleur. The few things that it has going for it are the frame is in good condition, the rear derailleur (kinda) works, and both of the wheels are pretty dang true.

My goal is to get this thing ride-able but not drop a lot of money. Obviously the tires, tubes, rim tape, chain, and cables will have to be new. As far as the shifter and derailleur go, how available/inexpensive are new parts, and where would I go to find them?

Thanks!
-Jeremy

10-speed...2x5... I'm guessing friction shifters... stem mounted...
Ebay, amazon, maybe the parts bin if there's a bike co-op nearby. Readily available. Cost for noname/lowname parts 10-15 USD/item.

I always hate telling people this, but your Huffy project is not worth the time and money it is going to take. The only way you might come out OK is if you can find the parts you need, in working condition, for little or nothing from a donor bike or at a bike co-op. There is something to be said for the experience in bike repair you will gain. It still is going to be a lot of work for what you will end up with and I'm concerned that a bike in that shape may be a bottomless pit once you dig into it as, if there are so many obvious things wrong, you may find other problems as you go along (bottom bracket and wheel bearings being high on my list of suspects).

Here is what I can see so far for your project:

- New cable set from WalMart = $ 6
- New chain from WalMart = $ 9
- New tubes from WalMart = $11
- Rim strips (cheap rubber) = $ 2

That is the minimum new outlay if you can find used tires and derailleur/shifter for free and don't find any other problems. If you have to buy other parts here is what you can expect:

- Low end front derailleur = $15
- Low end rear derailler = $20
- Basic tires = $30

So you are looking at another $25 to $100 without digging into things like bearings, brakes, freewheel, chainrings/crankset and incidentals like handlebar tape/grips and the assorted bits and pieces that a project like this always takes. IMHO (voice of experience as I learned the hard way) you would be better off looking for a complete and working bike. I see lots of decent older steel brand names (Trek, Giant, Specialized, etc.) in good working condition going for $50 to $100 and plenty of operational old Schwinns going for $15 to $50. I got a 1980s vintage Schwinn Caliente in near perfect condition for nothing last year, all it needed was tires and tubes and new handlebar tape. I've got a slightly older Schwinn Traveler in my garage right now that is mechanically sound and came with barely used new tires and tubes. Got that for $10 at a garage sale and all it will get is new brake pads, handlebar tape, and a better used seat that I'll pick up at the bike co-op for around $5.

In my experience, the only way to come out ahead on old department store quality bikes is if you can find one cheap that was in good shape but has been sitting neglected in a garage for a decade or so with a flat tire or broken cable.

+1 You will be upside when you are done. As far as finding parts cheap, either pick up another bike (donor bike), or head to a co-op (if you have one in your area). That will minimize the $$.

While I buy a lot of stuff at thrift stores, not everything is a deal.

There are a couple of exceptions to Huffy's not worth rebuilding the mono shock competion BMX from the 70's and the Aerowind competitions from the early 80's.

Chosen wisely, the "donor bike" is likely to be of higher quality than the intended recipient Huffy.

Put the chain on the small ring & Leave the Huffy as a 5 speed.

For the time & money, you could get a better used bike that's ready to go.
Pawn shops, CraigsList, and Ebay (especially if you search local listings to avoid shipping).

i put my chain on the large ring and left it as a 3 speed after tuning the rear derauiller

'Tis the season for Zombie threads even though this one died only 17 months ago.

BTW, I'm glad you made it work at no cost. You got your money's worth. :)

I actually just found out my bike I bought on craigslist a year ago, with no branding, is a Huffy 314, now I can love her even more <3