Here is my first frame up build. It is now my utility/commuter bike. It started life as a Nishiki International 12 that I bought new in 1982, and swapped out handle bar and brake levers 10 years ago. The frame was stripped and rattle canned with duplicolor engine enamel (grabber green) with clearcoat and then a coat of clear reflective. The bike is an 8 speed with Sram cassette and chain, deore derailleur, shimano mountain bike shifter, and a Campy Veloce crank and BB. The wheels are changed to 700c from 27" and there are new Shimano long reach brakes. The handle bar is cheapo performance, with Cane creek ergo bar ends. The pedals are performance campus. Planet bike fenders. Wald folding basket. Rack I've had fore years. Lots of reflective tape(search commuter forum for sources). Brooks Saddle. Simple tange-seiki headset

Thanks to all here, in mechanics and commuter for input both direct and indirect. Special thanks to Sheldon Brown and his web site and Dr. Deltron.

What I started with


What I ended up with


Some detail:


at night


I learned the following:
It was fun painting, but next time for a utiliy....powder coat.
The head set was the biggest pain, don't know if I had a Jis/iso fit but it took a bit to get it in.
My first time adjusting a indexed derailleur....took a bit
Chains and pins are a pain....get the magic links (whatever brand)
It would have been cheaper to buy a new bike, but not as much fun
I now have a bucket of old and new unused parts (may need to talk to BigBossman )

Next project upgrade my 89 miyata 1400 to 9 speed.

Nice work!

sweet, i gotta get some pics of my nishiki international rebuilt commuter up here

I will have to tell my sister (who lives in Willow Glen) to look out for the dude on the glittery green bike... . I love that colour.

East Hill

The long-cage black mtb derailleur looks out of place.

It is a great project. I always wonder at some point why I just didn't buy a new bike for X more or X less. I'm working on a trek touring bike that I figure I'll have $500 in by the time I'm done when a brand new surly long haul trucker is under 1000...but then I think, I could do two bikes for the cost of a nice new bike and when push comes to shove I don't think I'll ever buy a new bike. There are just too many beautiful bikes like yours out there!

--but I have to agree with mozqi that with the single up front you could use a short cage rear derailleur and that would make a big difference in the looks of the bike. It would be really sleek, like the rest of the build.
nice bike!

I like the Brooks saddle, although I preferred the original derailleur.

Having purchased only one new bicycle (1971 American Eagle / Nishiki) and one new frame (the 1970 Peugeot UO-8 I still ride) in my entire life, I concur with swen0171 regarding fixing up an old bike versus buying a new one.

Nice work! You say next time you'll go powder coat, but the rattle can job looks great. Love the clear reflective finish and the reflective tape work. Proof that visibility does not need to be uncool.

That is SWEEEET there SquirtDad!

I just love the transformation from old junker to purrrdy new bike!

And I'd really like to see the reflective effect at night, with headlights pointed at it!
What exactly IS the reflective clear? Is that something you add to clear before spraying, or does it come pre-mixed? Is it catalysed paint or rattle-can?

Beautiful end product! Keep up the good work!

It is a Duplicolor rattle can from Kragen. The instructions say to lightly mist it from 18" to 24". I put it on after several coats of clear. It does take some of the clear shine away, but it looks cool at night.

You guys are right.....I wasn't sure if I could get by with a shorter cage, I have a pretty wide range in the back.....and I wanted to get it done!

anyone want to swap a nice short cage for a barely used deore long cage?

Hello - you rang?

You need a part? I've got it. How may I help you.........

Seriously, if you wanna paw through my parts bin, you're more than welcome. I've got a box full of RD's.

East Hill,
I too also live on the border of Willow Glen. I'm right off of Lincoln Avenue. What a small world

I like what you did with that bike. It's beautiful.

If you ever see a blonde woman walking a boxer dog, a King Charles Cavalier spaniel, and a chow mix around--she's related to me. Yes, she's just as tall as I am . Actually, if you watch much television, she can be seen sometimes doing the 'adopt-a-pet' spots for Humane Society Silicone Valley(I forget which station, however).

East Hill

I will watch for this mix of dogs....I am at Lincoln and Pine (fairview)....the small world syndrom is amazing....any one out there originally from Chinook, Montana???

squirtdad

The reflective clear coat is offically "Duplicolor Nite Lites reflective coating"