Bought an Ammaco, now with the questions

Hi, I just bought an Ammaco ( this one: http://www.gumtree.com/p/for-sale/ammaco-monte-carlo-vintage-bike-1980s-frame/1001293483 ). It's quite nice actually, sort of all tight and springy. I am comparing it to my monster big 29er mountain bike so maybe it always would seem tight and springy.

Anyway, it does need a little bit of TLC, namely the BB is ticking a little, and it needs new pedals (I don't use clipless). Of course I will do the pedals first, just in case it is those bearings which are ticking, but I am pretty sure it is the BB.

So, what I was wondering is, does anyone have any idea about what size the new parts will be:

Like the pedals, are all pedal threads the same size? It has got a three part crank - are they always the same size? Can I just buy any pedals I see?

And the BB - I think I will just get myself a cartridge. What is the deal there. I have seen "Italian threads" and "English threads", is that it? And what would a Japanese (I think) bike in the 80s have needed?

I mean, what do you know? What is the norm on these (late) 80s frames?

Why did I buy it? Because I wanted to do the DD again next year, but on a roadie this time. We have the Bike2Work scheme setup at work, and I have to go to Evans. And guess what, they have not got any bikes in until January. So I thought I should get something to play with until then.. maybe instead of that, we shall see how it goes.

Any opinions or knowledge out there?

Unfortunately the link goes to the ad after the transaction,
we get no details of your bargain.

Best post up a few photos.

OK, had another ride just now, and it's still good - nice tight ride, but there are some "issues". The chain is slipping on the rear cogs - maybe cos it's not indexed I didn;t have the chain line straight, but I think I did, and I wiggled it to and fro a little. And there is the creaky BB.

Here are some pics: https://picasaweb.google.com/115186524775716222095/MyNewOldBike?authkey=Gv1sRgCPCtw4D8tMiLCw

So...

The BB is creaking
The front rings are very very cheap pressed steel - look at the picture, I do like the way they have pressed the chain guard out of the larger ring, even sacrificing a four teeth (well the gaps between) around the rim.
The cranks; I am not sure how they are held on. Does not look like square pegs, it looks like the nut is bolted onto the end of the axle.
The chain is slipping on the rear cogs - and I did wiggle the gear lever around to get it lined up - did not help.
And finally, I need new pedals. But at least I have some Time iclic's to eBay to cover that cost.

The problem is, pedals aside, once I replace the chain or some cogs, or the BB or the cranks, I sort of have to do it all, don't I?

Anyway... any tips.... what is the best thing to start with? How can one do it piece by piece? I guess this is a question of experience, having done it before...

Does it look like this?

http://s371.photobucket.com/albums/oo156/mespilus/2012%2009%20Tony%20Doyle%20Ammaco%204130/

^ Yes that is an LiDL bike stand.

you should change chain and rear cassette at the same time. Probability is they're both worn out and a fresh chain needs fresh cogs or you'll have no improvement. Take it to a nice lbs if poss and avoid the Evans. You'll need to know what style of cassette you need if you're going to do it yourself. Google sheldon brown for all your answers, factor in tools to get the job done into your cost if you decide diy. Buy your bits from a local and they might even fit it for free, if not cheap. I'd expect around £50 cost for a bb, chain and cassette parts.
Edit - budget parts, I should add.

http://www.lfgss.com/post3129254-1381.html

may help with cranks.

I am familiar with Sheldon Brown's website, I have been checking out stuff on there today.

Yes it is that bike, on the Lidl bike stand, same chainring, but different hanger at the back. Mine is a little less rusty, but same colour and labels.

Going to do the BB, and may do the rear cassette and chain (together) but will have a look at it first - will do that when I am taking the cranks off to measure the spindle.

All the bike shops around here are a bit designer. Lovely people in Mosquito but I think they only like to sell top end gear. And the local cheap place put the bearings on upside down when they put new forks on another bike, and put a rotor on backwards, and the rotor bolts were only hand tight, and they replaced one brake cable with a grey one, when all the rest were black, and so on. I mean, they were useless and will never go near any bike of mine again.

So, the plan is to take the cranks off, have a little look see at how the cassette is, then plan the parts I need.

Budget parts is fine with me, best to keep it cheap, if I like it I will buy better next time around.

@mespilus, is that your ammaco? What did you do with it?

@mespilus, is that your ammaco? What did you do with it?

The Ammaco 4130 Tony Doyle, and two other wrecks emerged from my dump zone at the end of the garden recently. (I trimmed back the blackberries to try to ensure the rainwater from the garage roof went to a plastic barrel, and 'remembered' they were there).

The plan is to get it back on the road as my (very) cheap/downmarket Surley Steamroller copy.
It may be force mated with an 8-speed Nexus hub changer, in a 700c wheel, I got for a bargain this Summer.

I'm tempted by a(nother) wreck on Gumtree that claims to have a functioning front wheel with hub break,
to make a low maintenance beater.

Now that reminds me, I have been thinking about putting hub gears onto my single speed mountain bike... keep the looks but get some mechanical advantage and all that... the Ammaco I will keep with a hanger I think. It's a reasonable frame, well, it certainly looks nice.

Got £100?

http://www.gumtree.com/p/for-sale/mens-single-speed-bike/111739967

might get somethinfg for the unwanted frame?

that does look like quite a nice bike tbh, but i already have a single speed and i'm looking for most likely looking for new gears for the racer, rather than yet another ss. I have to keep a lid on the number of bikes as my wife already complains about hallway crowding!

Cheers though.