Completed my first build
 

Hello Bike Forum friends. I finally took the plunge and invested the time and tools into doing my first restoration. This was a complete nut and bolt tear down of a 1981 Austro Daimler (Puch), including rebuilding the wheels. I was able to keep all of the original parts and I am really happy with how it turned out. This is my first steel bike (Reynolds 531 frame), I did my first test ride today and I was blown away with how soft the ride was. I am now completely hooked with two project bikes in the garage, I am really looking forward to learning new things and hopefully getting some vintage bikes back on the road. I am extremely grateful for the help and support from this group and from some very generous people on YouTube. I learned so much during this process and I would encourage anybody thinking about getting into the hobby to dive in with both feet, this was a very rewarding experience.
https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...3fae33568c.jpg
Before.....

https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...b7ea189ba9.jpg
https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...ebbf7e6261.jpg
https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...652218696e.jpg

Congratulations!
I remember my first build fondly and it was in high school during the 90s lol.
Jeeze, that was a long time ago...

Very impressive. That is much nicer than I was expecting when I clicked in.

Same, I was a little concerned that first image was the finished project. Turned out very clean.

Excellent! :thumb:

BEAUTIFUL JOB!!! It feels great to give new life to vintage bikes. Keep going, man!

Nice job I also thought the first picture was the finished bike. Joke is on me
Ed

So strange that we're all seeing that before pic as the after. I saw it and was like "oh no," hahaha. Certainly makes scrolling down worthwhile though! Very nice first build. :thumb:

And now, because everyone sees it but nobody wants to be the one to say it: you want to run those brake cables over the bars, not under.
Ugh. Sorry.

Well done and my bet is that you are more than proud of your accomplishment. Isn't this vintage bike thing fun! And what are those two project bikes? Looks like a budding infection of N+1.

Hey Congratulations! Amazing task to take on by yourself. I learned how to work on bikes at a co-op and did my first build under guidance of experienced mechanics. This looks great! Would love to have some closeups of the mechs and brakes and crank. Cheers!

Nicely done, enjoy!

This ^^^

Otherwise, very nice job. :thumb:

Thanks!

Could not agree more--as much fun as the restoration was, getting it on the road was the real thrill.

Nothing to be sorry about, I definitely want to learn and get better. I have looked at catalogues and lots of photos for the placement of the brake cables and I can't seem to find a consensus--is there a good reason to have them under the handlebars vs. over them? I originally had them under and felt like they were getting in my way.

Thanks Eric, same question as before--is there an advantage to the brake cables being over or under the bars or is it just aesthetics?

Current Project is a 1979 Centurion Super Elite for a very tall friend. The next in line is a 1970 PX10. The PX10 has been a fixture on my bucket list for years, I wanted to get a few bikes under my belt before beginning that project.

https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...b7e8390fd2.jpg
https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...e1107e56c2.jpg

Be careful what you wish for :). Some close ups:

https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...56e971e62e.jpg

https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...d403cc41b1.jpg

https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...163933c7f8.jpg

https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...5048c60e28.jpg

https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...48bfdc97b5.jpg

https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...4a424bf76b.jpg

https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...63dc7bf4ac.jpg

Asthetics, tradition, and smoother bends (not forced by the handlebar).

HEY, cannot believe I forgot to thank for for the photos! Lovely job. Done anything else?
Cheers,
Nubra

A very nice job. It's nice to have an iconic Reynolds 531 frame and an interesting collection of components.

Nice job!
I like the frames you've got (who doesn't like a PX10), very cool.

Assuming the rear sprocket is original, the Daimler doesn't have many miles on it. Again, great picks to restore!

:thumb::beer:

Is that an SLE? If so, I have her cousin in line for rehabbing.

I go both ways
 

I go with whatever seems to give smoothest bends and don’t worry about tradition. Some stems are longer, some cable guides are not centered, not all calipers are the same, etc. I don’t necessarily even mount them on the “ proper” sides of the stem. I sometimes have one in front and one in back which might have been my choice on yours. When done, it needs to please me mechanically. I’ve also bought some little connectors that join the cables together that are sometimes nice for a cleaner look. Nice job, and you seem to have fallen prey to that mechanical aspect of this hobby too.