molleraj

I just got this delightful 1982 Peugeot P8 (P9?) for $20 today to replace my 1969 Schwinn Collegiate ($25 in Philly in 2012) that got in an accident (hit by truck at low speed, all OK now that fork was bent back). The Collegiate rides well enough but is too heavy and the rims don't stop in the rain. I do plan to repack the bearings (just did front hub and bottom bracket) on the Collegiate before selling it. Anyhow, this thing really impressed me. Pretty standard 27 x 1-1/4" tires, probably 54 cm frame, 12 speeds, light-ish 1030 (Carbolite 103) steel, Suntour derailleurs, and (apparent based on weight and appearance) aluminum rims, though I didn't have a magnet to do the magnet test. It's probably about 25 lbs so lighter than the Panasonic. I think it's a '82 Peugeot P8 based on the Suntour Seven RD and other components listed here (https://www.bikeboompeugeot.com/Broc...ure_P8_P18.jpg). Also I would be happy if, as the brochure suggests, it does NOT have a Maillard Helicomatic hub. I plan to clean and lube the chain and probably repack the bearings, plus raising the seat and handlebars an inch or so for my 5'10" self, though it seemed to fit decently well, and it did for the couple who had it last (5'6" and 5'9", respectively). The previous owners said they had taken care of it pretty well and it had served them reliably for several years.



Carbolite 103 tubing sticker

Top tube decal plus carbolite sticker

"made in France" hinting at 1982-1983 model year

Drive side view at bike rack

Big basket, non drive side

Another view at an angle, drive side

Drive side view with concrete background

molleraj

I adjusted the handlebars tonight by lifting them an inch or so and applied WD-40 to the chain. Amazingly the shifters were incredibly smooth both for the front and rear derailleurs. Both derailleurs are Suntour Sevens (pictured below). I got a few more pictures of specific components to share. It's incredible how light this thing is for 1030 tubing - I would guess 24-25 lbs. I think both front and rear rims are aluminum but again, I still need to bring out a magnet to check.


Dia-Compe brake levers

Atax stem

Suntour stem shifters, nice and smooth without too much play

Place where the bike was bought, not *that* far away in Fairfax, VA

Original Peugeot saddle (Selle Italia I think)

Suntour Seven rear derailleur looking nice and clean

Suntour Seven front derailleur

Three piece crank. Yay for cotterless cranks! Nay for cottered cranks lol.

Lugless joints between the headset, top tube, and down tube with Peugeot decals

molleraj

Since my last update I took this thing for an 8 mile stroll around the neighborhood and was quite impressed by its stability, comfort, handling, and shifting! The French (or just Peugeot?) geometry comes through, haha. I pumped up the Kenda 27 x 1 1/4 tires to 60 psi and lubed the chain before setting off. The Suntour stem shifters are much smoother than the ones on my Capri Cordova, which left me pleasantly surprised. I did note that the seat was a bit low (and really felt it on climbs) so I raised it another inch or so after the ride, so that my feet just barely touched the ground while seated. I can't wait to ride this more and alternate rides with the 1974 Panasonic Sport Deluxe.


In front of NCI Shady Grove

Another view of the NCI Shady Grove lake

NCI Shady Grove sign

Peugeot branded Weinmann brakes, I think...

Selle Italia touring saddle? It's really comfortable, my gosh.

At the door to NCI Shady Grove

@T-Mar - any thoughts on the serial number on the left side dropout? I haven't yet checked under the bottom bracket.
I think it reads B 3 02 47101.


Possible serial number on the rear left dropout.

branko_76 

Looks like the Peugeot found a good home

pastorbobnlnh 

Great deal and good for you for keeping this Peugeot rolling!

Let me suggest one thing, if you haven't already made the switch: You mentioned using WD40 on the chain in the first post, and "lubricating" the chain in a subsequent post. Did you use WD40 a second time or did you use a bike chain specific lube?

In the long run, WD40 won't last as a chain lubricant. It was a great beginning to help clean and bring an older chain back to life. However, WD40 lacks the long-term lubricating properties chains need. It evaporates away, leaving behind a thin temporary protective coating to slow down the formation of rust.

Hope this is helpful. Happy riding!

molleraj

It is! No worries, I only initially applied WD-40 to loosen up rust on the chain and seatpost. I then lubed the chain with Tri-Flow. Thanks!

T-Mar

The serial number indicates that the frame was manufactured during February 1983, at Peugeot's Beaulieu facility. I don't see any 1983 models spec'd with the SunTour, so I'm not sure if a Peugeot stamped it incorrectly or the SunTour is an owner modification, along with bars and brake levers. However, the 1983 catalogue specs the P18 with Huret but clearly shows SunTour, so another possibility is Peugeot using up excess SunTour stock on some of the early1983 P8/P18.

dmark 

I have an 82 P8 that came with Suntour Seven and Rigida dimpled steel rims. A car ran over the wheels so it is a long term project.

WGB 

It doesn't look like it had a helicomatic. I didn't see any mention of helicomatic fw in the spec sheets (or did I miss that)?.


​

molleraj

Interesting, @T-Mar! Thanks for the insight. I do note an Italia Touring saddle in the 1983 brochure (https://www.bikeboompeugeot.com/Broc...chure%20P8.jpg) but not the 1982 one (https://www.bikeboompeugeot.com/Broc...ure_P8_P18.jpg). I had guessed 1982 based on the derailleurs listed in the brochures. I agree, using up excess SunTour Sevens sounds like a reasonable explanation. I will check for a serial number under the bottom bracket tonight.

molleraj

I don't think so. 1982 and 1983 specs list Atom freewheels and hubs. I do think my front and rear wheels were swapped for aluminum ones, though, but I need to check.

molleraj

Oh no! That's awful. Hope you find some new wheels. I think both the wheels on mine are not original because neither are dimpled.

dmark 

Sorry- that's how and why I got the bike.

molleraj

Oh gotcha. I just took it out for a quick spin after raising the seat up and it feels really great. The only thing weird is somehow it feels more sluggish going up the same hill near home than the Panasonic. I don't know if it's my height vs. the bike size or the geometry, or what. I wonder if I need to shift into the smaller front chain ring first in case I accustomed myself to that on the Panasonic. The ride is great and it definitely beats the Schwinn Collegiate in weight, speed, and handling. Incredibly comfortable, stable, and fast.

molleraj

Just checked and indeed the serial number is just on the left side rear dropout.

Is it just me or do early/mid-80s Peugeot bikes seem like the best they made? I hear quality went downhill at some point in the late 80s or after. Sure the UO-8 is a classic but it seems this has the same great geometry, possibly lighter hi-tensile steel (was the UO-8 also 1030?), and Japanese derailleurs instead of irritating Simplex and Huret stuff. Plus no more cottered cranks! Woohoo lol.

zandoval 

Oh Buoy... Another Peugeot serial number to work out... Good Luck!

Nice find...

molleraj

Ha, thanks!! Thanks to @T-Mar's help I have it dated to February 1983.

Chombi1 

My younger brother's P8 was an 82 and I remember that it had a Suntour VGT RD as stock.....

molleraj

Just did some research and noted that this bike has Super Champion Competition rims, which apparently are aluminum. No wonder it felt so light. I haven't weighed the bike, but I would guess it's about 24 lbs due to the light rims.

molleraj

I'm really enjoying this Peugeot even if it feels a bit small for me. I probably need to raise the seat another inch or so, though it is already extended relatively high. It's now got 60 miles on it after a sudden unexplainable rear QR skewer accident one tenth of a mile from home. Suddenly as I was shifting down into larger gears I heard a grinding and found the quick release nut in the rear had snapped off. Either it was over or undertightened, though I couldn't tell on previous rides. Fortunately for about $10 I replaced the rear skewer and made sure it was tightened down firmly enough (but not too firmly) and lubed the components thoroughly so they don't rust or strip. I just did a 5 mile ride today to check out the sunset and really enjoyed the ride. Somehow it absorbs bumps even better than the Panasonic, I guess due to the gentler geometry? Anyway, given the light weight of this bike and the aluminum rims, I plan to start using it more during the fall and winter.

molleraj

Yet another Maryland sunset pic taken tonight.


Sunset from Jones Lane Elementary School

molleraj

As I said before, I'm really loving this Peugeot. It's light, fast, and absorbs bumps so well. I have now put 210 miles on it. Here are a few photos from my trip to Tobytown, MD today.


Tobytown community center

Townhouses of Tobytown, built in the 1970s

Next to Tobytown Park

molleraj

Just did my longest ride yet on the Peugeot (50.6 miles) and my second half century. With that ride I hit 2532 miles for the year and 267 miles for the Peugeot. I took advantage of a sunny cool day to make a loop through some cool neighborhoods around Rockville (Fallsgrove, Scotland, North Bethesda, Grosvenor-Strathmore, Garrett Park, Aspen Hill, Glenmont, and Layhill, amongst others). I will post photos soon.

Something unfortunate happened in the last mile of the trip, though - the freewheel gummed up to the point of stopping. I was worried this would be a difficult or expensive fix but 30 minutes and an RJ the Bike Guy video, and the freewheel turns good as new. I just needed to flush the old grease (hardened by the cold?) with WD-40 and add in some new oil.

pastorbobnlnh 

So sorry you ran into trouble with the freewheel.

While the "flush and dribble" method of servicing a freewheel is a short-term quick fix, it is not a substitute for a complete disassembly, cleaning, and appropriate lubrication with grease in the bearing races and a few drops of machine oil on the pawl pivots. Also, you have not inspected what is occurring on the internals of your freewheel. You could have a great deal of corrosion and/or other contaminants. Bearings can go bad. Pawls can break. Etc.

Based on this one picture (and the other distant shots photos)...

My guess is that you are running a Maillard 5 speed freewheel. When the wheel is off the bike, does it look similar to this one?

Sometimes this model can lose the black plastic seal ring which helps to keep the internals clean. If it is missing, all kinds of moisture, grit, sand, and salt can infiltrate and compromise the internal grease.

Here's a picture of a Dura Ace I serviced. The DA models have great seals, but contaminants still can penetrate the internals.


If you'd like I can talk you through a self-service of your freewheel.

molleraj

Great to know, thanks! Yes I would appreciate help with servicing the freewheel. I plan to do it when it gets very cold (pretty soon). I should have taken a picture - it's an Atom 77 Compact freewheel.