sKiLLeD

I recently put a blue UO-8 frame together with some shimano components and a square tapered spindle after a few months of gathering the parts I needed. Now its all put together and it looks and rides great! But I have discovered some issues some of you may have experience with. The biggest issue being those damn french threaded cups coming loose everytime I ride the thing. Would putting locktight on the threads do the trick or do I just need to tighten the lock ring more? I am trying to sell the bike but cannot do so with the cranks falling off every second... It has potential to be a great bike and hopefully I can get some good money for it. I know UO-8 were entry level bikes but this one I have (a1971) is really clean. Hopefully I can get these issues sorted out so it can provide some quality transportation for someone. Another issue I have is the front chainrings being too far off the frame. Is their a way to fix this of do I just need to get a shorter spindle?
Thanks for your advice. and let me know how much you think this restored UO-8 is worth. It has a shimano 600 "arabesque" RD and a XT Front Derailleur. Original french wheels and alloy cranks. The paint is beautiful and the mafac brakes are real shiny. the frame is about a 8/10 in terms of paint/finish/chrome/appearance. These french bikes sure are pretty..

auchencrow

Hi Skilled - I do not recommend using locktite.

Use the correct tool to tighten the lockring on the adjustable (left) cup - (If that is indeed the one that is giving you trouble), otherwise tighten that pesky French fixed cup with right-hand-threads using the tool Sheldon recommended. -Otherwise there is a good chance you won't get it tight enough.

If your crank is too far outboard it will case all sorts of issues. You need to have the right size spindle. If your replacement crank is square taper Japanese, it ought to take a JIS tapered bb spindle as well. (The DT decal tells me your bike is a 71-74 issue, which would have had a cottered steel crankset.)

The Shimano 600 DR's are reputed to be good, but if I am not mistaken, the Shimano XT Front DR is a MTB DR - Inappropriate for this bike. -Personally I would look for a matching road DR for it.

In order to realize any money on this bike you have to correct a few things - Mismatched, kinked brake housings stand out, as do the mismatched tires, and if the tires are not new, then you need to replace them both. Kenda makes good 27" tires and can be had very ecomomically.

Beyond what I've already mentioned, I suspect the bike needs a good going over - all new cables, grease and new bearings in the hubs and bb and headset.
-If all of these issues are addressed, you would probably be looking at $150-200, given the relatively good paint and original saddle.
- As is, you would realize as much profit from selling the saddle alone, as for the entire bike.

That said, the UO8's are nice rides and aesthetically pleasing bikes, so I think it's worth the effort to fix it up.