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Some time cyclist; long term Karateka

Yep a bit of spit and polish and it'll be good as new. Looks great.

For me the only thing, as you've already mentioned, is the white crankset. Otherwise I'm loving the look.

What type are the black forks?

I second cheekysnaker. I got a number of parts from the classified adds on here have not been disappointed.

Maybe you could put up a wanted add and see if anyone has got the parts you want/need.

I opted for a cheap sealed unit. Mine was British threaded and is a Shimano Un55 68 x 110

Check what was on the bike when you got it but the shimanos are cheap and well made so in reality all you need is to work out the size.

For me I asked around and was told 68mm (which I confirmed by measuring the diameter of the bb cage) and then didn't do any more than guess on the width; I checked and the original cup and cone and saw 110 stamped on it somewhere so went with that. In reality this was just a semi educated guess as I didn't know if 110 would give a correct chain line but decided I had nothing to lose.

Less permanent but no less effective.

One thing you might also consider is covering the white bars entirely in black bar tape (as oppose to painting) but I'm unsure of the cost of tape so that might negate any savings.

If you're on a budget try to use as many of the components that you already have as possible (including the wheels) and then replace those bits you want as funds become available.

If you're set on new bars and a headset go for it as they don't have to be expensive (look on the classifieds as well).

When I built mine I only had the frame so needed to get hold of everything else but if I'd had a donor bike the parts would definitely have come from there.

Mine was only £48 and that included all prep work, getting the frame and forks in different colours and having the sparkles added.

For me it was cost effective as my frame was quite rusty and it meant I didn't have to remove the rust or do any prep work.

If I was doing another I'd not blink at getting it done but you may have a better starting point than me frame wise and if so spraying would be your cheapest option.

Edited to correct price which was £48

Maiden voyage over and the bike rides quite well.

I think I could do with adjusting the seat to tilt it forward a bit (or should that be to make sure it's level) and possibly to remove the outer chain ring (which I won't use) but other than that it goes and stops well.

Been a long time coming but I'm quite happy with the results :-))

Can't believe it's been 7 months since I last posted which I'm blaming on working abroad and travelling.

Anyhow I've finally gotten around to putting on new tires (relatively straightforward) and lacing up the brakes (which as always wasn't quite as easy as I'd hoped).

Got some cables and after hacking them to size with my electrical wire cutters managed to get the rear cable back through the housing (which was a PITA) and fitted.

Moved on to the front only to find that the straddle cable/yoke that came with the shimano brakes was too long and as such hit the underside of the cable hanger and wouldn't allow the pads to reach the rim.

Decided to get another yoke and after a bit of messing around / adjustment I've got that fitted as well.

Both brakes appear to work as expected but the proof will be when I finally get the bike on the road for a shake down to see that everything's OK.

Only other thing I've done since my last post was to fit a Brooks saddle which looks quite good.

Hoping to get back from work early enough tomorrow to finally go out and see how the bike performs.

Loving this. Looking forward to more info.

Yeah. I had bought the one you linked to.

Was just concerned that by putting in another washer I'd somehow upset something.

First build so I didn't want to £#%( something up. Spot of googling showed this should work.

Anyhow just waiting on the rear to arrive and then I can think about lacing up the brakes.

So the front hanger is on. A single M6 washer did the trick.

Got the front cable hanger today and although it fits, if I tighten it up it then fowls on the steering.

Thinking of just adding a few small washers between the cable hanger and the forks to provide sufficient clearance.

Is this a workable solution?

Looks good. Looking forward to seeing how the build progresses.

Still waiting for cable hangers to be delivered.

In the meantime. I've fixed the headbadge by wrapping the head tube and badge in a cloth before tapping both sides of the badge a few times with a blunt object.

I'll post up some more photos once I have the cable hangers and they're in place.

As they were cheap. I've ordered front and rear Raleigh cable hangers. Hopefully they'll do the trick.

Quick question. I've been thinking about how to cable up my cantilever brakes and while wondering how the rear cable would attach I realised that I most likely need a cable hanger.

I'm thinking I need this for the front and rear? Is this correct?

If so any suggestions?

Singletraction head badge showed up today. It's designed for a mountain bike so fits but would be better on a larger head tube.

I'll maybe try to bend in the outer edges slightly.

Quick question. I didn't do anything to thr check chain line.

What's the worst that can happen?

Is it just that the bike'll make a racket and I'll wear out the chain quicker?

Next job. Fit the chain.

Step 1 measure required length
Step 2 split the chain at the right link
Step 3 decide I'm one link too long
Step 4 pop out one more link
Step 5 f@#£ need to take out one more as my click link doesn't fit both sides
Step 6 pop out another
Step 7 f@#£ now I might be too short
Step 8 join the chain together
Step 9 move wheel forward in drop outs
Step 10 put chain on
Step 11 adjust wheel backwards and tighten
Step 12 done

Wheel is slightly forward but there is still some of the dropout in front of the axle so I should be fine

Photo to follow.

I do need to adjust the saddle but as I opted for an inexpensive seat post it was a nightmare to get it to where it is and in reality I gave up once I got the two bolts in place.

Hoping to take a look tomorrow or Saturday.

Also picked up a new chain (SRAM PC1) and a chain tool today so I'm pretty much ready to try and complete the build.

Many thanks. I hadn't thought of that.