Vintage build up (ladies work bike)

OK well we have been talking about this for a while now. Old bikes. So when Gem told me she wanted a Pashley about 5 years ago I told her "cool, maybe one day!". Since then they have become more and more generic, so with the guidance of friends, the internet and a whole host of tools at my disposal I am well on my way.

So first of all, thanks to Benjamin Bunny for giving the old Raleigh to me...

Well, looking at this set up and the st-up below, the frame designs are quite similar (both raleigh, but about 30 years difference). I feel having a more modern frame and forks may be a better idea. Don't wanna kill the poor girl by giving her a tank...

This is my inspiration:

This sold for over £100 on eBay. Nice set up, and how cool does that frame look (+ how similar to the Chiltern ff BB?).

Also check this fixed gear for inspiring:

Ok since then I have also been donated an old Raleigh Wayfarer off my mate dave... A bit like this one:

It is tatty as you like, but parts are salvageable with some TLC...

Also gem has invested in a brooks saddle (got one from Chain Reaction in green for £25)!

Am now looking at the Carradice bag in Green with Honey leather straps:

but now what? was looking forward to a long post ending in a lovely bike

This'll be good.

Work in progress. Rusty mudguards removed, and cleaned ready for powder coating...

Colorcote?

Yup, but of course... Sorting out some chrome refinishing too. Si is on the case...

but now what? was looking forward to a long post ending in a lovely bike

This will be a big old thread....

That green paint job is gorgeous. Just the colours I had planned for my tourer.

When are you taking a trip to Colorcote? I should imagine Aaron will want to take the Claud there before long if you want to kill two birds with one stone?

Hmm, which bike would I like to paint...

So how are you getting on with the ladies build then Pissed up?

I'm looking at maybe building Kate a bike before long, since she'd quite like cycling in the fair weather months.

Slowly. now my bottom bracket has gone kapputt, I am gonna focus more energy into that and going to the gym again...

Stripped a load of parts off the wayfarer... Got some pull up brake style wheels with a special shape to improbe the pull up style of vintage brakes. Cleaning up the front mudguard at the minute, and degreasing everything.

What size BB does it need?

I might have one at home since I ordered 3 off wiggle 2 were the wrong size completely.

Ah for the fixie... I need a 103 JIS BB (shimano stylee) for a 68mm shell. A 107 will do short term, but I really want a 103mm.

Doh about ordering the wrong ones. That sucks. As machine said in another thread... Why are they all different?!?!

I just bought an ISIS BB to fit the Truativ ISOflow cranks for my polo bike and the spline pattern is completely different.
With a name like ISOflow I presumed they would need an ISIS BB but it turns out they need a 'Power Spline' BB.

So I now have an unused 108mm IP ISIS BB, unused 113mm Shimano UN54, 111mm English threaded Campag Veloce BB and a 107mm JIS Italian threaded Shimano UN72 if anybody requires them.

And to make things worse the 26mm seatpost I ordered with the BB is too big for my polo frame. I tried a 25.4 in it and that was far too small, so i presume it needs a 25.8mm.

Oh I didn't realise it was for the fixed mate, how did the bb go kaput? I thought they generally last years?

Probably because I have done 1000 miles in 4 months + was riding it in the snow, ice and salt every day.

Also DONT BUY A TOKEN ONE! Look good, but nahhhhh.

Ah that would be why then, I always thought bbs lastest ages though even when taking a beating in weather like that.
I've got a sugino in mine, to match the cranks.

Yeah, I think I may have to try and invest in one of them, or maybe even a Tange (who make most bearings for Japanese chainsets).

The tange ones aren't too much from velosolo either.

Indeed

Quite

Hi Pissed Up... read your post with interest. Just starting a similar rebuild for my missus - an old BSA frame. Want to make it single speed (26in Speedway wheels maybe, unless I can get 700s to fit) and paint it dark chocolate brown. Let me know how you get on with yours.

1 Attachment

Nice looking bike... Am frantically trying to remove one of the BB cups from the frame. Will come with time I suppose. Also just cleaning all of the rust off the front mudguard as it is rank... The rear one is beyond help. Lovely quality, but the rust has taken hold. If I sent it off to be shotblasted, then it would just be a pile of carbon and sand left... Gutted... Any one got an old rear mudguard they no longer need???

Think the only rear mudguards I have aren't pretty enough. The Old Bicycle Company do reproduction old-school Raleigh mudguards...

I'll earn some serious brownie points as a result of a build I'm commencing for my better half. I'm not too sure quite how she'll deal with the prospect of Hyde Park Corner, and Shepherds Bush roundabout but she'll get there. What's wonderful is that she's taking an active interest in every aspect of it - so much so she's become an expert in Brooks Saddles!

All good I say.