Hello, this is my first visit to the forums here. I have a question regarding old Peugeot bicycles. My wife and I recently moved to a house that is quite out of the way on 5 acres of wooded land outside Snoqualmie, WA. During the first week we were here, I was out walking along the edge of the woods, and found an old abandoned Peugeot 10-speed that looked to be in decent shape, even given the fact that it had been lying out in the woods for who knows how long. It was buried in blackberry thorns which had grown over it. I pulled it out of there, and was amazed that it was a Peugeot. I'm not into the whole cycling scene, but always loved to ride a bike! I know enough about bicycles to know what a Peugeot is, and that they were always a good make. When I got this one back to the garage and stood it up, it seemed that all it needed was to be cleaned up, it appeared to be in that good a condition.

Well, the time has come and I've begun taking it apart. It has some rust, particularly the chain, and sprockets. However, on the front gears, it seems to only be surface deep. Now, I had a very hard time taking the wheels off, because the rust there had gotten so bad that I couldn't pull the front lever far enough back to loosen the wheel. I had to improvise, but it didn't really matter, because the bearings are shot anyway. I need to replace both bearings and housings for both wheels. That being the case I might as well replace both wheels entirely, if possible. Anyway, I'm rambling on and getting away from the topic that I came here to post about.

I got curious to see if the shop it was purchased from was still around. I know where it was bought, because there is still a sticker on the frame for the shop. It was bought here in WA, in Bellevue. The shop is no longer there, but my searching brought me not only to this site, but to a lot of sites dedicated to the old Peugeot PX-10. I became more than a bit intrigued when I found out how desirable the PX-10 is, and began to wonder if that is what I have. So now to my question.

Where can I find out what model I have? There is a serial number on the bottom of the frame, and the bike appears to have been built in at least the early 1970's, possibly 60's, but 70's more likely. I'd like to find out for sure what I have. Also, if anyone can point me to a good source for replacement parts, so I can try my best to keep it as original as possible, I would really appreciate it. Thanks for your time.

Post a photo, several of us can spot 'em by looking. The classic PX has half chromed rear stays, but later models did not have them. If the frame has an integral derailleur hanger, it's a "P" model... the question is which one. Classic PX's also have an "inoxyadable" sticker on the down tube. Rust on the front gears suggests a steel cottered crank to me, which would suggest an AO8 or UO8.

wonder warthog rules

marty

All hail Philbert Desanex.

Further supporting Poguemahone's suggestion is that UO-8s were/are FAR more common than PX-10s, so if you're hoping to win the PX-10 jackpot, the odds are stacked very heavily against you. Look for any remnant of a Reynolds 531 decal; a full Reynolds frame denotes a sought-after PX-10, whereas a horizontally-printed 531 decal bearing the words "3 Tubes Renforces" denotes the next-lower model, the PR-10, later denoted PKN-10.

Yes, the Hog of Steel is truly magnificent. Finally dug up an old book and scanned him in. It was either him or Sgt. Fury.

Had a PX-10; the 531 Reynolds decal was on the top part of the seattube, and in French, not English. Also 531 decal on both fork blades.

After 1973, the PX's 531 decals moved to the top of the downtube. 73 and before, on the seat tube.

I will try to get some pics up tomorrow. I've taken the wheels off the frame already, so the pics will only be of the frame. From the replies, it sounds like I don't have the PX-10, which is fine since I wasn't looking to sell it, but rather fix it up to ride. Thanks for the helpful replies, and I'll get something up soon.

OK here are some pics of the frame. All the cables are still attached, as well as the crank and chain. Any and all help will be most appreciated!

http://www.bofusinc.com/images/bike/peugeot1.jpg
http://www.bofusinc.com/images/bike/peugeot2.jpg
http://www.bofusinc.com/images/bike/peugeot3.jpg
http://www.bofusinc.com/images/bike/peugeot4.jpg
http://www.bofusinc.com/images/bike/peugeot5.jpg
http://www.bofusinc.com/images/bike/peugeot6.jpg

Mid seventies UO8. 74 was I think the first year for the stem shifters, so I think it's about there. The stepped lugs were gone in the next couple years. If the fork did not have chrome tips, it's an AO8, but looks UOish to me. Not top of the line, but a capable ride and a good round-town frame.

I would overhaul it. If you want a rider, I would switch out the cottered cranks for cotterless. In addition, the bike probably had steel rims on it; I would switch these for some 27" alloy rims. Then I would ride.

Yes, it's a UO-8, 1974-1976, unfortunately downgraded with suicide brake levers and a cheapo padded vinyl saddle. BB threading is French (RH 35x1 threading on both sides).

and send them to Tyson Branyan at 711 S. Wilson Pl., Cushing, Oklahoma 74023. He would know what to do with them!

Tyson

Great info, thanks! The forks are chrome tipped... about half the length of the forks. Not top of the line, as you say, but certainly fantastic for a free fixer-upper! Thanks for all the great info everyone.

Next question... does anyone know of a good place to order replacement parts? Need bearings all around (except crank bearings, they just need cleaned up and greased), as well as I think I will take the advice on the alloy rims. I can't just go pick these parts up just anywhere can I?

Bearings from the LBS. Other replacement parts from eBay, more than likely (but maybe your LBS, check their parts buckets in the back...) oooh, you're close to Seattle. Try Recycled Cycles...they have everything, I hear.

For bearings, cables and anything else they might have, patronize your LBS (Local Bicycle Shop). If you don't already have a favorite, look around for one that's been there for a while, and where they think it's pretty cool that you're rehabbing an old bike. These shops will tend to have some older stuff (in the back room) that might be exactly what you need. You'll save money and do your part to help keep them in business. Whatever you can't find there, you can search for on e-bay, or come here and ask for.

Tyson, if you really want some UO8 cottered cranks, I can send them to you.

I've had such miserable experiences with the LBSs here that I can hardly bring myself to walk in any of them, so I don't. Replacement 27" rims can usually be found cheap on a thrift store bike. Just make sure the spokes aren't all loose. You may run into some problems with the front fork, Peugeot used 96mm spacing on them as opposed to the standard 100mm. You may have to remove a washer on each side of the front hub to get a fit, and then hacksaw a tiny bit off the axle ends so the quick release works properly.

I've a UO8 converted to a beater fixie; the bike was five bucks and I figured if it got stolen I wouldn't be too terribly pissed... after riding it for a couple of years, I now realize I would be blue with fury if it were to be stolen. It's a nice, tho not exceptional, ride.