Morning all - was walking past a skip today and saved this from the heap of broken kitchen parts and broken furniture:



It's a British-made 'Mistral' and from the code on the Sturmey Archer hub it's from 1986. There is a fair amount of rust but nothing structurally wrong! Anyone know anything about these bikes? The only identifying marks are the three Mistral logos and a couple of other 'M's on the forks and front. There's also a serial number near the seat post.

Chris

very nice!

Thanks - Any idea about Mistral bikes?

very cool.

Looks like your skip came in. Hey, someone had to say it.

I'm reserving my judgment if it should have stayed in the skip or not, 'till you post more, and closer pictures. Looks like Renalt's 351 tubing.

Good save, really.

That is a really cool looking bike.

Looks like a more modern/later version of the Raleigh Sports. The frame is lugged in a similar way and the way the seat stays connect to the seat tube makes it look like it was made in Nottingham in the Raleigh pattern. Maybe the bike was assembled there but imported at the late date of 1986. The cranks are even cottered -wow. What size are the tires? Could they be fractional MTB 26's or are they classic 590 three-speed wheels? Alloy or steel rims?

Is the frame straight?

I'd refurb it and ride it or maybe even flip it for a few dollars. My thoughts are peel that nasty orange and yellow hash marks off of the frame and put some North Road bars on it and it might sell for a pretty good price -more than $100 I would imagine. Probably needs all the bearings repacked including headset and BB and new tires. If that is rust on the rims it can be removed pretty easily with OA. A new set of tires probably. I'd put new pedals on it too as those look really cheap/nasty. A pair of rubber block MKS pedals would make it look really nice after cleaning up. Cables may or may not be salvageable. Probably replace the brake pads too.

Tyres are 26 x 1 3/8, same as my other English-made bikes and the rear tyre has been recently replaced. Without heading down the shed and looking, I think they're alloy rims - straight but a bit of surface rust. The frame is nice and straight and the hub seems in reasonable condition. The brake pads seem ok, but I always replace them on older bikes anyway. Cables all seem in good order, although the gear changer cable isn't connected, which might denote an issue when I try and hook it back up.

My concern is the seatpost, which looks to be quite stuck in the frame...

As for the decals - they're all going to have to come off, as they're peeling anyway!

It's been a while, but after learning how to use OA and playing around with a few other bikes in the meantime, the Mistral is almost ready for re-assembly. The frame is sound and the finish is okay - probably not warranting a full re-paint given the bike was essentially free:





OA got the handlebars back to a completely shiny and new finish, although they'll be changed for some north road bars soon.

The crank cleaned up nicely without removal:



And the rear rack looks good as new after a few dunkings:



Front mudguard is in good condition:



But the rear one is missing significant amounts of paint after getting rid of all the rust. I'm considering re-painting both and adding the pin-stripe detail back in, but when I can get a brand new set in black for £10 and a can of paint will be £5....

The Weinmann components all shined up really well and are going to be fitted with Koolstop pads:



Total cost so far is £6 for the pads and a few hours work - so far a bargain! Replacement tyres will be coming from another bike and may well be replaced later with either nice gumwall or cream ones.

Looks nice without the cheesy 80's stickers.

If it were my bike I wouldn't pass up the opportunity to rebuild the bb. I know it is a PITA to get the cottered cranks off if you don't have a press or the experience -but it is a 10-15 minute job if you do.

The fender doesn't look bad at all. Looks totally usable as-is to me. I seem them MUCH worse than that. A paint pen in gloss black works a treat after a rub-down with Scratch-X or generic equivalent.

Thanks for the tip re paint pens. I've dealt with normal BB's before but never cottered cranks and have neither the tools nor experience! Luckily it feels smooth and gives every indication of being serviceable, unlike the front wheel which needed stripping down and re-greasing. The quill stem is absolutely wedged in place, which is annoying as the headset could really do with a service....

Having looked again at the mudguards/fenders I think you might be right - perhaps I'll give them a try. If they end up spoiling the finished bike then I'll repaint as and when I have the time.

The following chain-guard is due shortly and will be stripped down and painted to match:

(ebay pic)

Awesome guard!

Ironically I actually own one of the bikes that the very chain-guard was originally from - a old blue Triumph single speed, but my Triumph has a less flashy guard on it:



Sorry rubbish picture (you can make out the plain guard if you look carefully!) but it's dark out and haven't taken another one yet. If the guard doesn't fit the black bike then I can always try swapping it with one currently on the triumph.

And yes I know the Triumph is urgently in need of a good clean up - that's the next project after 'Skippy' ....