|
Armstrong build.
I know Armstrong's aren't really great bikes and I'm sure some of you would argue/flame me for even bothering to fix this bike up. This one was being tossed out and I decided I could make a pretty fresh grocery getter out of it. I plan to use majority of its stock parts as they are mostly just surface rust, faded paint and improper storage scratches and dings that need to be fixed.
This will be my first ever bike build/semi-restoration [very much a n00b] but I'm not new to restoring old things as I've worked at an auto body shop restoring vintage Porsche's and vintage Japanese cars [Datsun's mainly] and I've been known to restore 50's era furniture . I've done some research and unfortunately there isn't much out there about these bikes so I will have to make do with what I've got and just "wing" it and with that being said it wont be period correct for sure but it will look vintage with a slight twist of modern elements [paint mostly]. I'm converting it into a freewheel/fixed gear bike to make it cleaner looking with the stock brakes. I'm still trying to figure out the wheels for this bike. The old ones seem to be ok but I was hoping to convert it into a 700c setup with a flip flop hub. The paint will be one of two colors. The new Honda CRV Green Tea Metallic or the Lexus is350 Desert Sage Metallic. (Let me know what you think about these colors) I was considering doing a traditional British Racing Green but decided since I have all these paints available to me I might as well make it more flashy. I also have a friend lined up at the moment that will pinstripe a small British flag on both sides of the top tube towards the headset and possibly "Armstrong" pinstriped some where on the bike [still trying to figure out placement and style] for a case of Spaten Optimators and pizza. Have patience though this will be a slow build since school, work and a girlfriend takes up a lot of my time. Here's the bike when I got it. http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v3...h_IMG_2369.jpg http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v3...h_IMG_2400.jpg http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v3...h_IMG_2403.jpg http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v3...h_IMG_2399.jpg http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v3...h_IMG_2374.jpg http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v3...h_IMG_2372.jpg http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v3...h_IMG_2373.jpg http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v3...h_IMG_2393.jpg http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v3...h_IMG_2399.jpg http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v3...h_IMG_2370.jpg |
Here is where I stand at the moment.
-Frame sandblasted http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v3...h_IMG_2444.jpg -Head badge off and slowly cleaning it up. I'm thinking about either [1] gold/silver leafing it [2] just keep it the way it looks now which looks really vintage and worn or [3] hand paint it like the original badges were. [anyone know where I can get replacement rivets for this?] http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v3...h_IMG_2441.jpg -Rusted/Greased and worn chrome parts off and soaked in a very mild acid dip for 48hrs. Then wiped clean. Looks good so far but wait until I actually polish the pieces! Lots of pitting on the pieces, scratches from previous owner and some damage from me trying to whack the cotter pins out :( http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v3...h_IMG_2449.jpg The bearings for the BB, headset and possibly the pedals will need to be replaced and new wheels, tubes and tires will need to be ordered as soon as I figure out how I can fit them on. The forks are pretty narrow on this bike. I grabbed my cousins wheel set off his Centurion and they fit snug inside so long as i take out all the spacers and bolts they just barely clear the cones [is this safe?] so as far as costs go it will be the paint, new bearings, wheel set and a lot of labor time. I know I'm spending more on restoring this bike than what its worth but when I'm ready to move on to a better bike I'll have spare parts to use or I can give it to my nephews. I find it fun building this bike and the pride and accomplishment of finishing this bike will be satisfying. :D |
That's a neat old bicycle. You've done an amazing job with the chromed parts.
With regard to spacing on the wheels - the current standard for road bikes is 130mm in the rear and 100mm in the front. Back in the 80's it was 126mm and 100mm. In the 60's it was 120mm and 100mm. However, back when your bike was made, both the front and the rear spacings were even narrower. I don't know the standards, but perhaps nlerner, or one of the guys who has older bikes will know this. Bottom line is - you're going to want wheels with axles and hubs that were made for that older standard of widths. That will definitely be something to inspire a sense of accomplishment once you put her back on the road. |
Awesome bike, what did you use to clean the chrome parts? which kind of acid?
Rivets? You can get solid rivets, the issue is put them in, solid rivets are a pita w/o having the tools. You can go to lowes and get regular short rivets. Or as somebody mentioned to me a few weeks ago, just put super short stainless steel bolts. That is the easiest way to deal with the problem. I believe those bikes are 110 ms in the rear and 100 mms in the front. ps: Don't tell anybody, i would paid 7.5ks for that bike restored :P |
Originally Posted by vrocsone
(Post 8131943)
....possibly the pedals will need to be replaced...
Keep them if you can. |
Originally Posted by USAZorro
(Post 8132047)
That's a neat old bicycle. You've done an amazing job with the chromed parts.
With regard to spacing on the wheels - the current standard for road bikes is 130mm in the rear and 100mm in the front. Back in the 80's it was 126mm and 100mm. In the 60's it was 120mm and 100mm. However, back when your bike was made, both the front and the rear spacings were even narrower. I don't know the standards, but perhaps nlerner, or one of the guys who has older bikes will know this. Bottom line is - you're going to want wheels with axles and hubs that were made for that older standard of widths. That will definitely be something to inspire a sense of accomplishment once you put her back on the road.
Originally Posted by ultraman6970
(Post 8132103)
Awesome bike, what did you use to clean the chrome parts? which kind of acid?
Rivets? You can get solid rivets, the issue is put them in, solid rivets are a pita w/o having the tools. You can go to lowes and get regular short rivets. Or as somebody mentioned to me a few weeks ago, just put super short stainless steel bolts. That is the easiest way to deal with the problem. I believe those bikes are 110 ms in the rear and 100 mms in the front. ps: Don't tell anybody, i would paid 7.5ks for that bike restored :P
Originally Posted by mackerel
(Post 8132240)
Those pedals are too cool to replace.
Keep them if you can. |
I measured the front and rear forks. It has weird spacing which I'm really not that surprised with considering that my BB is 71mm 26tpi. The front fork is 87mm and the rear is 121mm. The rear shouldn't be a problem with a 120mm rear wheel right? as far as the front fork goes I'm guessing it needs to be spaced. Anyone have any ideas how I can space it? It is steel so cold setting it is possible but what would be the best approach doing so?
|
Very nice old bike. Look here for decals. The older Armstrongs were pretty good bikes...I don't think that the Huret rear was original to the bike...and neither is the location of the shifters. I am kind of curious that the wheels are not flipflop now...
|
Luker: Thanks! I have been looking on the H Lloyd site they have listed on their PDF 2 Armstrong decals/transfers one is discontinued? I wish they had pictures of the actual transfers though so I know if these will go with the look I'm going for or if I have to change my plan.
The more I run into photos of other Armstrongs the more I get the feeling that this bike didn't come with the deraileur, seat [wish it was still in decent condition] and the fact that every Armstrong I see came as a fixed/ss setup. |
unfortunately there is not a lot of support that I could find on the internet for this marque. The cable operated front derailleur has the feeling, to me, of an original part...that would place this bike in the early 60's. What kind of hubs, rims, brakes are they?
|
Originally Posted by vrocsone
(Post 8133820)
I measured the front and rear forks. It has weird spacing which I'm really not that surprised with considering that my BB is 71mm 26tpi. The front fork is 87mm and the rear is 121mm. The rear shouldn't be a problem with a 120mm rear wheel right? as far as the front fork goes I'm guessing it needs to be spaced. Anyone have any ideas how I can space it? It is steel so cold setting it is possible but what would be the best approach doing so?
fwiw - I think that's older than from the 60's. I think more like late 40's. (yes. that's just a guess) |
The bike looks old, yeah. And benelux was around in the 40's but the rod activated derailleurs carried through to the late 50's anyway. I suppose that it could be a replacement, though. Searchs are certainly complicated by the existence of a certain Lance.
|
| All times are GMT -6. The time now is 07:31 PM. |
Copyright © 2026 MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. All rights reserved. Use of this site indicates your consent to the Terms of Use.