LongarmBiker

I bought this pretty white mixte. The paint, decals and pinstriping are in near mint condition. It's a very cool looking bike. I forgot to take a before picture because I tore right into it to clean it up for a ride this weekend. But I have a few questions . . .

The front fork is chrome tipped. It looks like a clear coat of something has been painted or sprayed on. The coating is scratched and makes the chrome look dull. I have been carefully trying different solvent type things but nothing has worked. Any suggestions?

I've done my minimal best at researching the year and model. Definently a UO18. It has a six digit number stamped on the rear dropout. Does that mean 1960's? Maybe early 70's? It has an awesome front chainring, more like todays compact double. Which from the early catalogs suggests 1973.

It also came with a completely dried out ADGA saddle. Can't decide if I should soak it in a bucket of water or oil or just throw it out.

Componets have been compromised. Some sort of Shimano FD, with a SunTour clamp, basic Simplex RD and orginial Mafac racer brakes. Catalog said it should have Simplex Prestige componets.

All in all a very neat bike. I will post a picture if it helps with my questions. And will definetly post a pic when I get it cleaned up with a new Brooks B-17 and cork grips. LAB

ozneddy

The chrome fork tips are quite easy to clean,simply use a soft grade steel wool ,it will remove the clear coating and any surface rust without damaging the chrome then a good chrome cleaner (ex; Autosol) and they will shine like new !

LongarmBiker

Yikes! Even fine steel wool sounds so . . . . scratchy! Is that my only option? The chrome that is peaking out in a few small patches is sooo smooth and shiny. No rust showing anywhere. LAB

wrk101

I used a generous amount of Brooks Proofide on my old Agda seat. It helped it quite a bit.

I would not use steel wool on the chrome. If it has a lot of rust, dip the forks in an oxalic acid bath. Do a search on oxalic, and you will find a lot of threads on that topic.

I used steel wool on mine. Big mistake. Too late in my case. Not too late for you.

I see you say there isn't any rust showing, in that case, try NeverDull (you can buy it in the auto section at Walmart).

LongarmBiker

I did rub in about half a tin of Proofide, but it really made no difference. I think it's going to take much more than a generous amount! That's why I'm thinking along the lines of a bucket of something. This saddle is REALLY dry. I will take a few pictures when I get home and post them tonight. It's such a cool bike. I have a bad case of bike love. LAB

Sixty Fiver

AGDA saddles really gave leather saddles a bad name as they are not anything like a Brooks, Wrights, or Ideale and despite this... I am riding one that has seen many applications of proofhide, been punched and laced , and has a new clamp to keep it from slipping down the seatpost.

It's now an okay saddle but is still nothing compared to my other vintage leather saddles or my new B17 Imperial.

6 digit date codes would suggest a 70's model.

Oxalic acid is probably the best treatment for rust as steel wool will scratch the chrome and cause to to become rusty again... after everything is cleaned up a little light oil on a clean rag should be used to wipe down the bike as this will really protect the frame and keep it shiny.

Grand Bois

The clearcoat on Peugeot chrome forks is extremely tough stuff. It took five applications of Jasco paint stripper to remove it from the fork on my PA10.

Don't ever use an abrasive on chrome.

karmat

+1! Don't ever do that.

What works for me on Peugeot forks is to use Nev'r Dull on the spots that are exposed and can be cleaned that way. You might have to carefully pick at some of the spots that are not poking through the clear coat. I wouldn't want to remove all of the clear coat though unless you are going to repaint the bike.

Karl

LongarmBiker

The clearcoat is scratched over the entire surface of the chrome. If I remove it, just from the chrome, is that all right? Isn't chrome tough? LAB

LongarmBiker

I stuck the seat on for the picture.


The spots on the head tube are paint.




The dark spots are the nice clean chrome.


The poor dried out ADGA saddle.

KarmicPedals

o.O That saddle looks like a dog chew toy. niiiiiice.

Sixty Fiver

AGDA saddle after punching and lacing... on my 1940 CCM.

It looked much like yours when I got it.

LongarmBiker

So what did you do to soften it up? LAB

ozneddy

I been using the steel wool on my uo8 and its done a great job,looks like new, nice n shiny, and not a single scratch ! (what grade steel wool are you ppl using ?) I did say a "soft" one did,nt I ?