So I just got my first bike (or at least first bike since I was kid), and it's in pretty rough shape. It was free. It's an Azuki from what I believe to be the 70's. Both tires are flat, the front brake is broken, and the back tire rubs against the frame. This weekend me and a friend (who has had some experience in repairing bikes) are going to try to rebuild it.

I know pretty nothing about bicycles, but want to learn. I am a college student and a bicycle would be really great for getting around campus.

Do any of you have any tips for me?

Enjoy the process!

Truing the rear wheel sounds like your biggest challenge.

What kind of brakes are on it, and where are you?

I know there are many here (including myself) that might be willing to open our parts boxes and see if there is anything in there you can use. I'm pretty sure I have a brake I could send if it would do the job for you.

Don't pay atention for Cycletoine if he asks about the derailleur I am supposed to send him... I really am looking for it, and it just happens to not be with the rest of my derailleurs.

As far as repair and maintenance information, Sheldon Brown's site (sheldonbrown.com) is always a good place to start, as is the Park Tool site. There are also lists of links in a sticky here to help ytou with any Vintage issues.

I don't know the specific bike to help you figure out how much money you should pour into it, but almost any bike is worth the time to repair as long as the parts are available and the frame is not bent or cracked.

you've gotta love free bikes. once you get into repairs, you should ask specific questions here or in th eBike mechanics subforum. the back tire is probably a spacing/tightening issue. in what way is the front brake broken?

Now hammerofthegods, did I not tell you that pictures are MANDATORY here?

All right, I didn't put it quite that way, but we would like to see some pictures if possible, please.



East Hill

I will be able to get pics of it probably tomorrow. It's at my house, and I am currently at my dorm.

I am in Norman, OK. And as far as what kind of brakes are on it I really have no idea, but the cord/wire that runs from the front brake to the left handlebar is disconnected. I was hoping it will just be a simple matter of reattaching it.

And from the looks of it I should be able to just tighten the back tire to prevent it from rubbing.

Oh, all right then .

The 'cord' is the brake cable. Yes, it should be an easy matter of re-attaching it. Well, reasonably simple. Check out Park Tool's website for some suggestions, or else wander over to Bicycle Mechanics and look at the sticky at the top of the page for Sheldon Brown's shortcuts.

East Hill

Good news.

If just reconnecting the cable works, then you are golden!

Get the bike fixed good enough to ride around on early Sat mornings to visit Garage Sales between 7-9am. If you make that your week end exercise, I gaurantee you that you will be able to move up to a decent road bike in the next 3-6 months for $5-$20. don't be afraid to "make an offer" You will find mostly Japanese steel frames--with Suntour componets--and those will serve you well for the money!

Moonlight Mark makes a good point there--getting the Azuki in shape will sharpen those wrenching skills and allow you to go after more upscale bikes. That's not saying that the Azuki won't perform reasonably well, but you never know when you're going to find that Masi or Colnago...

By the way,

Welcome to BF, Moonlight Mark!

East Hill

people here are very helpful, you picked a good place to start. take all the parts off , clean them all , put it back together, ride it and see what you need from there.

All of the above.

But beware. I didn't own a road bike between 1974 and 2006. One followed me home last summer, and then I started hanging around here. And now I have four of the damned things, which I wrench on every chance I get.

You'll see ...

Road bikes seem to live in packs. Even if they don't have riders, they do gather in groups. They spend a lot of time standing around, looking for $$ to be thrown at them.

Here Here!

I found an old, unknown, american beater in the trash. It was perfectly ridable and the perfect subject to test out my newly acquired knowlege on. Stripped it naked, cleaned and greased everything, put it back together. It rides... better! YAY! It was fun and gave me a huge boost of confidence without the fear of destroying something beautiful.

You will also need some metric wrenches, 15 10 8 mm and probably metric allen wrenches 4 5 6mm.& small screwdrivers. For special tools to take apart cranks,headsts, freewheels see if you can get afriendly relationship with a local bike shop LBS
If you are on a real tight budget dollar store often has tools.

On the tool issue, I'll offer one more thought ... I don't know how common this is in other places, but here in Eugene, Oregon there's a place called Bike Works, a very community-oriented, alternative transport espousing business. For 50 bucks, you can buy an annual membership, which gives you access to workstands, an outstanding selection of tools, solvents & lubricants, even shop rags. They teach classes too, although I haven't taken any. The first day I worked in the shop, I cleaned and repacks two hubs, removed a headset, removed a freewheel and dropped the bottom bracket out of one of my project bikes, using several hundred bucks worth of tools in the process. Check around, wherever you are, and there might be a club or co-op which can save you some money. There's a lot of knowledge in places like that too ....

I had an Azuki, made a great fixed gear/singlespeed bike. If you have questions email me: jes27 at calvin.edu