gregaz

*** Instead of starting a new thread and cluttering the forum, I am going to be adding some questions and updates on the restoration and build below, for those interested.


Was searching CL for a mixte for the wife, and this one caught my eye. After some emailing back and forth with my friend Mike / puchfinnland, and reading this tread, I knew I had to have it. When I got there this morning, I saw the 531 sticker peeking out and it was a done deal. Seller held firm at $100, but it was a good enough deal. The bike is pretty dirty, and probably has never been serviced (the headset barely turns), but is mostly there. The handlebars are as I found it ... OH, and it has a Bell memory foam seat, Bell tires and grips.

My goal is to clean it up, get a good seat on it, and make it a cruiser for the Mrs. Any ideas, or anything else you can tell me about it - is greatly appreciated! I am new, so anything that may be obvious to you ... may be lost on me.

PS: I already checked, and VeloCals wants half as much as what I paid for it for the new decals.

Here are the pics as found.

gregaz

gregaz

oddjob2

Dang, I thought I might have one that has been in the back corner, but it is a Liberia Mixte!

Anyway, since it never rains in Arizona, don't worry about the chrome steel rims, although you'd lighten up the bike considerably.

Check with your wife on drop bars vs. Northroads too. I'd stick to white consumables where possible. Get her a Pletscher rack too.

Enjoy!

PS. I just missed out on a Dawes mixte 531 frame and gripshifts for $100.

DiegoFrogs

That's a really neat bike! Weird, higher-end mixtes are really cool.

The fact that someone rode it recently has me concerned for the bearing races, though.

I wouldn't be able to help myself at that price.

puchfinnland

I got a super lightweight rack for your bike, and new half hoods for it.

i would leave the paint alone, but you do need to service all the bearings.old grease gets hard.

And I have a NOS leather french seat for you! but women care more about comfort, then style.

bikemig 

That's a real score in a very cool old bike. As the others said, clean it up on the outside, repack all the bearings in grease, and replace all the cables and brake pads. The derailleurs (at least the shifters and the RD) are unusual. The shifters appeared made in Spain and look like a campy copy; zeus was famous for making campy copies (I guess Franco didn't respect Italian patents? . What is the name on the RD as I can't make it out from the pics. The parts are french threaded so be careful; parts are not easy to come by and expensive.

puchfinnland

i might have parts to build a stronglight headset for that bike-with french threads, it would look great on it!

now swing the bars down and replace the picture...would look so much better!

gregaz

I happen to have a set of North Road, in fact. Also a Nitto mustache bar, but I can't decide if I love it or hate it. Bummer on the Dawes - just Googled it and looks like a really sweet bike! You win some, you lose some, right?

A black Ideale would look amazing on it! I agree about the paint. My OCD wants to replace the decals, but MAN are they pricey! A rack and some fenders are a must, IMO.

The front DR is Huret, the rear is "Triplex-Sport"? I totally see the Campy resemblance! This guy agrees.

I thought about swinging the bars down for photos, but I think it kind of underscores how unloved this thing was when I found it. That's all about to change!

stevenc

Nice find, these are rare even on this side of the pond.
+1 on new saddle + general overhaul. Wouldn't add fenders nor racks.

gregaz

Now THAT says a lot! Wow!
And do you just like the cleaner look without the fenders and racks? How about the handlebars - do you like the drops or the North Road?
I checked out your Tumblr, and you have some BEAUTIFUL projects! Major kudos to you!

unworthy1

you sometimes find those Triplex RDs on cheaper Zeus bikes, they were somehow associated with the Zeus company (as a low-end line).
Never seen Spanish parts on a Libertas before, but looks like a nice vintage Mixte: Bocama lugs and 531, just add some good alloy wheels and enjoy!

stevenc

Thanks!
As you won't ride this in the rain (it never rains in Phoenix, right?) keep it without fenders. Racks only if you're using them and then again, pick a good looking one in silver, maybe from VO?
You can go many ways with handlebars: I would keep the drops, but again, if you feel more comfortable riding with different bars, change them!
Be careful picking saddle/handlebar tape/ tyres that match. Get new cables, but make sure they are white.

puchfinnland

Greg, I still have these ultralight racks!
there is no lighter rack on the market.

gregaz

I finally have this bike torn down. Unlike my basketcase Bianchi, where everything I take apart is busted (aside from the frame), this one is in EXCEPTIONAL condition. And full of pleasant surprises like this one (rears are Campi as well).



My question for you is this - would you replace the decals or keep the ones that came with it? Velocals has a set for $45 (here), but I am undecided. On one side I kind of like the patina or the ratty stickers (and the tube decals that are now gone are kind of ugly), on the other side, this bike is SO nice and SO complete - it would really put it back to original to have the decals. Thoughts?



And on a related note - what can you tell me about these plastic caged bearings? They work well, but should I be concerned about plastic? Replace with loose ball?*

gregaz

So, the build is done. Here are a few pics.
Still have to adjust the Huret and Triplex DR's, but otherwise the bike feels GREAT!
I am new to building bikes, so any feedback (constructive or otherwise) is very welcome. I will take it as a learning opportunity.

Narhay

Looking very nice. I see you live in the desert so steel wheels in rain isn't a great matter to you but I would be on the lookout for a nice set of aluminum wheels or relace what you have now with nicer rims.

cbresciani

I think it looks great, well done.

big chainring 

Very nice. As far as the rims go, the Rigida SuperChromix are very nice rims. I rode a set of wheels with the same rims for a summer, including some fast group rides, and found them to be just fine. And they really take a shine!

puchfinnland

looks great but....i think you need to shorten the chain, its too long. pm me if you want

stevenc

Nice build, very well preserved!

+1 for chain too long
Not sure about the white tape/black saddle. But if you ride often, that will no long stay white anyway.

WNG

I like the white tape, works here.
+1 on the chain length.
And the white half hoods for those MAFAC levers will complete the white complements.

This is a great score! Rare to find such a high quality mixte frame. Would love to add one to my collection.
You've been a busy boy...Bianchi, mixte. N+1 bug bit you good!
How did that first SS-coaster project turn out?

gregaz

Learned a lesson about chains this weekend ... apparently the KMC chains with "missing link" have to be shortened in a special way, and preferably before installation. Fortunately I had a backup, but now I know.

Aren't those MAFAC half hoods ridiculously priced? I think I have seen them for like $50 on eBay ...

Yeah, the Libertas really was a score. @puchfinnland encouraged me to jump on this when I was waffling, and am I glad he did. Mike knows how to spot something unique and interesting!

And yeah ... the Russians say that a stupid head won't let the hands rest, so I have a few projects going and a few more queued up behind these. But, it's all in good fun, and I keep telling the wife that it's a lot cheaper than cars or boats.

The Peugeot fixed gear was finished earlier this year. I've been enjoying it for a while now - so much fun! Here is the thread:
https://www.bikeforums.net/showthread...g-this-Peugeot

puchfinnland

Yeah, the Libertas really was a score. @puchfinnland encouraged me to jump on this when I was waffling, and am I glad he did. Mike knows how to spot something unique and interesting!

And yeah ... the Russians say that a stupid head won't let the hands rest, so I have a few projects going and a few more queued up behind these. But, it's all in good fun, and I keep telling the wife that it's a lot cheaper than cars or boats.


Cars and boats...Greg we both have them also!

Boats?!!! I want my little 35 footer really soon!!!!!!!

gregaz

I know ... which is why focusing on bikes is saving me all sorts of money! LOL!