* jack *

Just found this small Univega 'Tri-Star' 3spd mixte. Only the handlebar, stem, and chain are rusty- hubs, cranks, and headset are in good shape.

It looks like it was in a basement for years, it's covered in dusty mold -
but the frame is in remarkable shape for its age- only a couple tiny nicks in the paint.

I just picked it up on a whim, because it was free (at the city dump), and I thought the fenders looked really cool.

I can't decide what to do with it; either restore it, convert it to FG/SS, use it as 'yard art', or take it back to the dump.

I need comments and suggestions. Thanks.

jwa

Once lubed & tuned, it ought to make a good campus bike - reliable transportation, no great loss if stolen.

Know anybody going off to college?

smurfy

Modernize it!!!

Thats what I have done to a couple of them. Aluminum rims (maybe even the new 650b size, 700c's might even work). Better tires, high-quality ft.hub w/quick release (I got a Campy Veloce on one of mine), Aluminum h/bars/stem/seatpost. Brooks saddle (or whatever good saddle you like). Alu. cotterless crank. I got a Cannondale alu. fork on one of mine also. You can take ten lbs off the weight of the bike easily.

Yeah, I know that will cost some money but I think you'll have a much better bike than a new "hybrid/comfort bike". I think it would be worth it. And it's fun to do!

ollo_ollo

Clean & lube it up, wax the paint, then give it to your wife or girlfriend or sister & treat yourself to a new bike as a reward for all the hard work you did in saving it!

DynamicD74

Don't take it to the dump! Clean it up and ride it! It looks like a really cool, fun, retro-type bike. I'm in the middle of cleaning up/ restoring a '74 Schwinn Suburban, and it has the same type look as this one. I've found that cleaning the frame with Mister Clean Magic Erasers will do miracles, followed by some Turtlewax polishing compound. One further hint about the Mister Clean Magic Erasers....be VERY careful using these on decals, i.e. rub very gently over decals. It will take the decals off, if you rub too hard. Your local bike shop, especially if you have a vintage bike shop in your 'hood, will have something to remove the rust. I'm using something that I think is called something like QuikGlo. It works good. You just can't use it on the paint of the bike. Good luck, and happy biking!

mswantak

I had a Univega Five-Star mixte -- same bike, but with a five-cog freewheel. Nothing spectacular, but it was a pleasant little scoot for running errands. Bought it for $5 and sold it to a UCSF coed for $60, and it now plies the Lower Haight.