tengoupr

I found this bike in a friends shed and he has given it to me. It looks like a 1980s touring bike but I am not sure. Here are a few pictures:

Also, If you can tell me what needs to be done to a bike of this age, it would be greatly appreciated.






p.s, sorry for the sub-par picture quality.

tengoupr

Also, do you think it will need new tubes? It has been in storage for a very, very long time.

Phil_gretz

Swaged large chainring and chainguard.

Suspect steel caliper side pull brakes.

Rusted chain.

The fenders are good, and I like the looks of the fork.

I'd say complete disassembly. Polish and touch up the frame. Re-grease all bearings. Slap on a pair of parts bin DiaCompe side pulls. New Pads. New chain. New cables throughout. Bar wrap. Tires, maybe tubes. True rims. Try to keep the costs under $75. Sell for $150-200 depending on your market. Done.

tengoupr

Okay, thank you for the help. One other thing, how suitable do you think it will be as a commuter once I am done?

Roll-Monroe-Co

Well, what do you want to do with it?

Looks like an 80s mountain bike/hybrid thing. Very low end components. But frame and wheels look OK. Can't tell if rims are aluminum or steel (front looks AL, rear looks steel).

You could:

1. Just get it going with clean up, lubrication, etc.

2. Such bikes make decent upgrades for city riding or commuting with some slicker tires. Yours looks like it has eyelets for a front rack. Edit: that's a nice feature.

3. Some people go whole hog with these bikes and upgrade (in C&V fashion, of course) wheels, drive train, and saddle. They make lovely riders. The sky is the limit once you decide you want to ride it rather than sell it.

My everyday bike is a Chinese early 90s mountain bike with slick tires, fenders, rear rack, panniers, 1X7 drivetrain with trouser guard, 70s dynamo lights, and flop/chop steel bars on an extended raleigh stem. This bike is great for my every purpose.

PHT

All I have to add is it looks, to me, like both wheels are aluminium. Check with a magnet. Steel rims arent a dealbreaker, but if they are aluminium the bike should be a little bit more worth you time. Clean and grease all bearings, file down or replace brake pads, check for frayed cables and replace as needed, and I would second the suggestion to replace the cheap brake calipers with something just a little nicer. Maybe hold off on replacing the calipers until you know you like the bike?

Bianchigirll 

Something tells me the OP does not happen to have a set of alloy DiaCompe sidepulls with kind of reach just laying around.

I am with Roll, alot of elbowgrease and some new cables and tires this would make a decent commuter.

Roll-Monroe-Co

Those steel, long reach calipers are bound to be flexy. However, with some decent brake pads, they can be adequate if you're not carrying a heavy load. If you take the rack capacity on that bike seriously, however, some stiffer brakes probably are a good idea.

OP could just ask and see if anyone here offers something workable. Looks like new brakes of this variety on Amazon are in the $20/each range.

Roll-Monroe-Co

I like the sound of that , though I always thought people would call me "RMC."