I have a 1976 Nishiki International that I converted into a single speed and I have a few questions for you all. The bike is in nearly flawless condition with its silver factory paint. the decals however are cracking but I cannot tell if they are on top or under the clear coat. I want to remove them to make the frame look simple and clean. Does anyone know if these decals are remavable without removal of the clear?

I am running the stock aluminum 27" wheels with the stock Sugino Super Maxy crank set and the inner ring which I believe is a 40t. I threaded a 16t free wheel on it and the ratio is good for me. I also have the stock BB which I believe to be a Tange. Should I just pick up an aftermarket chain ring and call it a day or should I spend the extra money and get a cheap sealed cartridge BB and cheap track crankset? I am not sure what the bcd of the Super Maxy set is nor what size BB or thread it should accept either. Anyone have any idea?

I think I want to also pick up a set of the Vuelta track wheels in white from Bikeisland.com but they are currently out of stock in that color. I am thinking because this will more than likely be my main mode of transporation around campus and my hometown when I graduate this summer, I might as well go the extra yard and get a new BB and crank set. FYI, the stock crak set and or BB is making a slight clinking noise that I can sort of feel when the drive seide pedal is just barely decending from the top of the pedal stroke. Could I just run a sealed BB with the stock crank set? A lot smoother, right?

Also, I know I need to measure it, but would anyone happen to know if when I convert to 700c I will need a long reach? My last Nishiki did and I had to drill it out too. I am asking all these questions because I need to determine pricing, etc. Sorry for no pictures. Bikes are at school, camera is broken, and computer at home is a beatch and wont let me upload pictures.

you'll need long reach.

the international is a nice bike but you really shouldn't spend too much converting it... a wheelset is a lot into a bike like that. either restore it with period correct parts and just overhaul the bb, or go for a different bike.

all in all a motobecane messenger or whatever is going to be nicer for right around the same money, so it's a better investment.

i'd honestly get a folding bike for college. no sense in taking up a big space in a small dorm room, and you really don't want it locked up outside 24/7.

IF the decals are cracking, then I;d imagine they ae on top of the clear coat. If you're looking to remove them, use a heat gun (but be careful, that isn't a goddamn blowdryer, those things are hot; so remove the decals slowls, okay? haha). Speaking of which, you can also use a blowdryer! It'll just take more time and patience. And depending on what brake you have now, you may have to get a new long reach brake. Can't say for sure, but I'd expect you'll be having to get a new brake.

As for the BB, it may either just be loose in the frame or there's a dry or loose interface betwen the components. Basically, I would just remove the cranks, clean th einterface between the cranks and axle, tighten the BB, put both cranks back on, and you should be good to go. If that doesn't do it or you don't want to go through the trouble, then it looks like a new BB (and maybe some cranks too!) are in it for you!

Oh, and don't get a Bikesdirect bike.

my bikesdirect bike is easily my least favorite bike





because it is worth the least but valued the most

I alreday overhauled the bb and tightened everything down. I am just concerned about chainline because it's off by about 1/8 of an inch with the stock wheels. Do you think with a track-specific wheelset that it would be nearly right on IF I stayed with the existing stock crankset and bb? I am thinking about now just doing a different chainring (1/8). Anyone have any inexpensive but decent ideas?

huh? that doesn't make sense...did you mean to say that it IS your favorite bike? Elaborate.

Also, folding bike, really? I have never ridden one but I can imagine that they wouldn't be nearly as good of a ride as a regular road bike. I wouldn't feel too bad about locking up a kilo/old road bike outside 24/7.

OP- your chainline will change when you do something w/ your crank. It might be hard to get a perfect chainline w/ your existing BB and crank. If you really want a good chainline, you should just get a new crankset and BB. You can get a cheap Pake one and Shimano UN54 BB for like $70. When I did a conversion, I got lucky w/ the crank. I used an old road triple with the chainring in the middle. I used a 107mm BB and it gave a near perfect chainline. 1/8" off chainline isn't TOO bad, but it might bother you. BUT, I would wait until you put your track wheelset on to see how the chainline is. Most track wheelsets necessitate a chainline of ~42mm

Thanks, I think that is what I will do. I am going sell my fixed gear I just build because for some reason, the tt is way cramped and I am not comfortable on it. ITs sad because it turned out so beautiful. Ill post pics middle of the week. Anyone have any experiences with the Vuelta track wheels from BI?