New Guy. Old Questions.

Hi guys and gals..

I currently ride a super colourful MBK http://www.flickr.com/photos/untitledlab/2091138925/in/set-72157603390542694/
You might have seen it around the Old St area... Anyway..

I'm currently building up another bike and am looking for some bits of advice on various aspects of my project.
The frame I got from ebay, its had Dave Marsh stickers on the frame. I've removed any bits I didn't need (file).
Am pretty happy with the results. Not perfect, but nicer than before.

See pics here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/untitledlab/sets/72157602779340566/

I've just added the Cinelli stem this evening... Nice.

Ok so, the questions. Most are probably pretty basic. I come from mountain bikes, so this is a new adventure:

1. Frame. I'm planning to get it done at Amourtex (close to home / cheap).
   I wanted to know about getting it shot blasted to remove the old paint. Can I get this done? If so,
   How much do I need to clean the frame? I've removed the stickers as best I can, but its still sticky, is that ok?
   What about oil, do I need to get in with a brush and clean out any bits of oil from the BB housing?
   
   

Paint. I'm looking at Matt Black (Stealth). Do I need to fashion something to put in the BB hole to stop paint getting into the thread? If so, any suggestions?

1. Wheels. The frame used to be geared (I removed the hanger)... Does this effect the wheels I get?
   I presume I can get standard race wheels? I've been looking at some like the Campagnolo Khamsin or similar, probably from the ebay...
   I'm planning to go fixed. I guess the Khamsin's (or similar) will require me to get some spacers and a cog? And then they'll be ready to go?

2. My BB housing measures 68(.5?)mm..
   Wiggle shows me many widths for this size, and also English / Italian sizes. How do I know?!
   Do I need to get my wheels in first and then measure what would make the best straight line?

I've taken a snap of the base of this section, it says Cinelli, maybe this will help anyone who knows :)

--

Ok thats about it... hopefully this will get me through to near the end.

Thanks again for your time,
Rob.

1. Nitromors... pick up a can for about a fiver, get some gloves and away you go. As for plugging up holes, some tape on the insides would do, you can always get a LBS to spina tap through there to clean it up afterwards. i wouldnt charge more than £7.50 for doing that

2. I dont think you quite understand the concept of having a fixed wheel. The campy wheels use a freehub, which unless you are planning to bead weld the pawls stuck... i wouldnt really recommend it. Best bet is to get an actual track wheel set with a hub which is all ready for a track cog and lockring. Again there are plenty of shops on ebay with these. Search for "robertociclismo" for cheap s/h hubs.

3. The dawes will be a standard english b/b size. 68mm stands for the length of the shell. (73mm being the oversized equivalent) the other numbers are the length of the axles. Depending on the chain line i would probably go with 110mm.

Search the net for Sheldon Browns guide to fixed wheel bikes and conversions. pretty much everything you will need to know. Its just too sad that he passed away a few days ago.

Rob M Hi guys and gals..

I currently ride a super colourful MBK http://www.flickr.com/photos/untitledlab/2091138925/in/set-72157603390542694/
You might have seen it around the Old St area... Anyway..

Love it ! :)

I basically love colourful stuff and that bike certainly got colour !

Rob M 1. Frame. I'm planning to get it done at Amourtex (close to home / cheap).
I wanted to know about getting it shot blasted to remove the old paint. Can I get this done?

I think Armourtex will do this for you - they do the burn it off thing in a very hot oven and then either bead blast or chemically etch the frame after cleaning - give them a ring to check this out, but as far as I remember they will do it for you.

Rob M How much do I need to clean the frame? I've removed the stickers as best I can, but its still sticky, is that ok?

If you want to de-sticky something, go to your local newsagent and grab a can of lighter fluid.

Rob M
What about oil, do I need to get in with a brush and clean out any bits of oil from the BB housing?

See above / lighter fluid /Armourtex are geared up to clean the frame before they coat.

Rob M
Paint. I'm looking at Matt Black (Stealth). Do I need to fashion something to put in the BB hole to stop paint getting into the thread? If so, any suggestions?

No, Armourtex have hundreds of rubber bungs and stoppers and will mask off any threaded holes you ask them to, although the first couple of threads might take a little bit of the coating, but this is fairly simply to chase out.

Rob M

1. Wheels. The frame used to be geared (I removed the hanger)... Does this effect the wheels I get?
   
   

No.

Rob M
I presume I can get standard race wheels?

No, if you want to go fixed, you need a rear wheel with a track hub - the front wheel can be any race/road wheel.

Standard race/road wheels have a freehub (which let's you coast).

You could go down this route, but the final machine will be a single speed as opposed to fixed.

Rob M
I've been looking at some like the Campagnolo Khamsin or similar, probably from the ebay...
I'm planning to go fixed. I guess the Khamsin's (or similar) will require me to get some spacers and a cog? And then they'll be ready to go?q

See above / this will give you a (very fine ! ) single speed machine which coasts when you stop peddling.

But basically, yes, spacers and a cog (+lock ring of some kind) will do the trick if this is the route you want to go.

Rob M

1. My BB housing measures 68(.5?)mm..
   
   

68mm and 73mm are standard BB shell sizes.

Rob M
Wiggle shows me many widths for this size, and also English / Italian sizes. How do I know?!
Do I need to get my wheels in first and then measure what would make the best straight line?

To get a good chain line the following needs to be considered.

Crankset + BB + rear hub + cog

If you get any of these combinations all should be good. (the forum name of the owner of each set up is at the end if you have specific quesitions)

BBs without the length indicated only come is a single length.

Sugino 75 + Miche + Formula = kowalski
Sugino 75 + Miche+ Phil Wood = adoubletap
Sugino 75 + Hatta R9400 + ShimanoHB7600 + EAI superstar cog = Tynan
Dura-Ace + Sugino 75 + Dura-Ace (7600) + Dura-Ace = hassanr
Sugino 75 + Sugino 75 + Phil Wood + EAI = mr_tom
Stronglight + Shimano UN73 110mm + SystemEx + EAI -2mm = mr_tom
Campag + Campag Centaur 111mm + Suzue Promax SB + EAI superstar = oddsock
miche + campag record 111m + goldtec + EAI = MrSmith
Sugino 75 + Dura Ace + Condor Goldtec + Condor CNC = Mouse
Sugino Messenger + Phil wood (103 jis) + phil wood + phil wood= chris crash
Stronglight+UN53/109+Sys-X+Formula= MA3K
Dura Ace+UN53/109+Dura Ace+Dura Ace= MA3K
Sugino 75 + Phil Wood + Phil Wood + Phil Wood = Cornelius Blackfoot
sugino 75 + campag centaur 111mm + goldtec + eai = dogsballs
campag record + campag record + royce + eai = briankwan
White Industries + Shimano 110mm + Phils + White Industries = big daddy wayne
Stronglight + Stronglight + SystemEx + Tranzmission = BringMeMyFix
Campag Veloce Triple + Campag Veloce + Goldtec + Tranzmission = BringMeMyFix
Campag Pista + Campag Athena + Phils (Hub and cog) = Jonny

smallbrownbike 1. Nitromors... pick up a can for about a fiver, get some gloves and away you go.

• googles !! Please, for the children!
  
  

Cool cheeres SBB.

1 - I guess the Nitromors is just going to strip the paint from the bike... Could be fun :)

2 - Thanks for the advice on the wheels. I was wondering about the freewheel. Now I know.
I'll keep my eye on ebay, or if I'm feeling flush, treat myself at BLB's to some Velocity goodness.

3 - You mention dawes, is it a dawes frame then? Cheers for the confirmation and suggestion for the BB.

Your answers combined with the SB guide, is pretty much all the info I need to get cracking :)

Thanks,
R

Wow thanks Tyan. Those suggested combos will come in handy for sure. Useful info.

As for the eyes.. I'm hoping to drop the frame off as is (maybe some lighter fluid to tidy it up a bit) and have the paint blasted away.
I don't really have the room in my flat to do it. And not really into doing it on the street outside.

Thanks all.. :)

oh my goodness lee that is some very 'attentive' set up info. would you like to be on my team when the world goes sour and the four horesemen ride into view>?

i'd rather you were on my team...go on.

hey rob welcome to the wonderful world of fixed. have you considered what gearing you want to start with? i would go for something small (less then 1/3rd) and build up. good luck.

Dude, why the fuck would you paint that?!
That's a dose of friggin' genius right there.
I mean 'stealth black': done.
Threed shades of '80s neon hell on a single frame: U-FUCKING-NIQUE.
[/2frickingdrunkencents]

addie - Don't worry. I have another bike.. am keeping the 80s neon :)

chris c - on my BK its set up with 42 x 16 (I think)... Seems to be ok for now, might stay with that.

Phew.

skoota oh my goodness lee that is some very 'attentive' set up info. would you like to be on my team when the world goes sour and the four horesemen ride into view>?

i'd rather you were on my team...go on.

Fuck yeah, I've got some hammers and big stick with a nail in the end.
If it all goes off I will meet you and the rest outside Centre Point, bring sandwiches and a change of underwear.

Rob M addie - Don't worry. I have another bike.. am keeping the 80s neon :)

Thank god, I love that frame, if you ever want to sell it drop me a message.