XandX2005

Ok, its been a couple since I've posted. Been super busy building mountain bike trails!

My LBS had new bearings and some used but like new cones for my hubs. After looking through the hubs once more I noticed that only the cones and bearings were trashed. So, both hubs are now freshly rebuilt and ready to roll.

The BB took a bit of cleaning to get all the sand and gunk out. Used some kerosene as a solvent to help dilute the old grease. Got everything cleaned up and assembled and threw new bearings in there as well. I noticed after assembly that the crank spindle is bent, but it doesn't really matter anyways because the race on the bent side is kinda smooshed anyways. It's good enought to get me by until I can track down another one or end up throwing a whole new crank and BB in.

I drenched the freewheel with kerosene to clean it out. Let it sit for a few hours. I then sprayed a ton of lube through it. Let it sit for a few hours. Then I sprayed a little more lube through it and now its alot better. You can still hear dirt particles on the bearings but I think it will be fine.

Went to the auto store to get some paint and chrome cleaners. The Mother's Carnuba Wax Cleaner didn't really help the paint at all except make the glossy areas more glossy. Might need to get a rubbing compound, but I'm kind of afraid that it might take off too much paint because its a pretty thin coat of paint as it is. But as for anything chrome, OH BOY!!! did that stuff turn out great! Got some pics for ya...




Tried my hand at truing as well. The rear wheel was a little outta whack. Hardly any runout now, but it's still a little out of round. The front wheel is nearly perfect and I didn't even bother touching it.

Now i just have to get tires, tubes, cables, housing, handle bar wrap, a chain, and a seat and I think that will be it.

auchencrow

^ THAT does not sound good. I can't imagine what force it took to bend a spindle, and have concerns about collateral damage to the frame.

jimmuller 

Perhaps a pedal striking the ground?

XandX2005

So close to being done. Waiting for some tires to come in and some more assembly then I'll post some finished pics!

wrk101

Donor bike or used wheels. Lots of 27 inch wheels out there used, cheap. Just post a WTB 27 inch alloy wheelset on your local C/L in the bicycle for sale section. No need to buy new wheels. I find used ones for $20 to $30 a set, sometimes less.

+1 Bent spindle? Hopefully you are wrong on that one. A lot of other stuff would bend much easier, like everything else on the bike: the frame, etc.

Darles

Keep up the good work...sounds like you are enjoying the process. These French bikes can throw up all sorts of problems but the way I see it you are converting something perfectly good into something that is your own. You get to choose the parts, the look etc and learn about how the bikes were constructed in the first place.

jimmuller 

Might need really really really big chainrings with those wheels though. And verrrrrrrrry long reach brakes.

zandoval 

I love these babys - Got one in the garage working on for a friend right now (my 7th)... Don't be afraid... Have fun...

I replaced the dérailleurs on a UO-8 with cheap SunRace deraluers front and back thinking my friend would upgrade latter on - That was three years ago and he rides twice a week - Just get it going and ride ride ride - You can do a vintage thing in the winter...

For your bottom bracket...
https://www.amazon.com/Bottom-Bracket...d=4U1D2S681KBB

Ground Hog

You can replace the cracked half hoods with new non aero hoods from Cane Creek. The only modification you might need to make will be to cut out a little space where the brake lever compresses in.

XandX2005

Do the cane creek hoods have the little spot for the hex shaped adjusting barrels?

XandX2005

She's finished!!!!!

Well, she's rolling a full speed anyways. I still need new pedals and a white seat and I'll be set. But here are the pics. Added the before pics as well, although I didn't really get close with them.





Cheers!

auchencrow

Looks fantastic! Great work.

XandX2005

Thanks Auchen!

It was fun, and it turned out better than I thought. Can't wait to take it for its maiden voyage today...ride a few miles into town and go get some lunch. Show it off a little.

JohnnyBee

Wow, nice job on an old classic ! I think you may have found your true calling calling. *lol*

Just be careful with the stem. It might be near, or above the safe limit. Considering the age
of the stem, and the issue of aluminum fatigue, you may want to replace it if you plan on hammering on it.
I'm thinking about your weight factor as well.


Johnnybee.

jimmuller 

Well done!

autonoz

Nice job.

XandX2005

Thanks guys!

Got about 2 miles into the first ride and got a flat. Didn't have an extra tube or a patch. DOH!

Rides great though! Epic pub crawl on bikes coming up here soon. Totally gonna sport this baby.

warneral

This is a helpful thread as I consider how to overhaul my UE18 mixte.

warneral

This is what I want to do for overhauling my UE18 mixte. It is from 1975 - should I ask for a wheelset with the 5sp freewheel and 120mm spacing ?

suncake

First of all---wow, what a gorgeous bike! All I want in life is a bike that color--and the paint is in way better condition than my UO8. I'm nearing the end of a very similar UO8 educational journey. Good investment be damned, I can't say how much fun I've had working on my UO8 and all its little French idiosyncrasies.

FWIW, I had good luck fitting a 126mm rear + 6sp freewheel into the "120mm" spacing without cold setting. Minor (very minor) prying is required to remove the wheel--I hardly notice it.

suncake

Oh, and XandX, you should add your pics to the collection!

https://www.bikeforums.net/showthread...thread./page10

noglider 

It's such a shame that METRIC THREADING is considered an idiosyncrasy. But the metric system lost in the bike world. Weird!

Grand Bois

What are you talking about?

Roll-Monroe-Co

Cheer up, little guy. XandX is going to give you lots of love.

noglider 

Are you joking? I can't tell. French threads and diameters are based on meters. English threads are based on inches. Italian threads are sometimes based on BOTH.