Dan's 1970's Arctic by Stella

Dan brought in a much loved road bike to overhaul and make ride worthy.  Unfortunately, it had been sitting for quite some time and under the dirt and grime had a lot of corrosion. 

1970's era Stella Arctic

We did a little research on the Arctic by Stella and found that they were made for Actic Cat in the late 60-70's by Stella, a French bicycle company.  The venture into bicycles was not successful for Actic Cat, so they sold them off at a great price.  They were comparable to a Peugot UO8, BUT there were a few out there that had some built at a much higher level of quality.  Dan's is one of those.

He had a Campagnolo sew-up wheel set (which had been replaced), with Campagnolo derailleurs, shifters and cabling accessories. Lovely stuff.

Because it was not a restoration we did not repaint, nor did we buy new old stock to restore the bike to it's original condition.  BUT, we did a lot of TLC and saved what we could and swapped some of the corroded parts with affordable replacements. 

As Arctic Cat would say, "miles from nowhere is your everywhere".  Hoping Dan enjoys his miles on his Arctic Orange!

Jean's Hollywood

Jean's 2-speed kickback needed a little lovin...

so she brought it to Paul's for a tune and a little cleaning. 

(no overhaul, no restoration, just a little TLC)

 

The Hollywood is well loved and ridden often, but it's been awhile since she had a good shine:

 

 

  

But now she looks like this! 

Hubby may have Precious, but Jean has true a true star!

Schwinn Hollywood
2-speed Kickback

 

 

 

See you on the bike trail Hollywood!!

My Blogger is Back!

Well, we've not blogged in a year. 

What were we thinking? We have had some fantastic bikes pass through the shop. 

Beautiful, aged, lots of character and of course very fun. 

20" Girls Vintage Hiawatha "ART BIKE"



To get back in the swing of things, we're gonna tell you     

about a "FUN" bike.  It's a girl's 20" Hiawatha.  But 

here's the thing.  It's been overhauled and then decoupaged!

Yes, decoupaged, not with paper, but with fabric. 

There are flower lugs and other little details...as well as 

painted pedals.  Take a look, tell us what you think... 



Vintage Hiawatha:  Pedals, Fenders



Vintage Hiawatha Pedals & Chainguard

 

Note:  New tires, tubes, saddle, grips   chain.                     

The rest is vintage Hiawatha...overhauled, and ready to ride

by a discerning young lady that loves to be a little different!

                   
 

Bottom Bracket with "Lugging"


  And Yes.  A Bike is Art Too!
       

Christmas Nostalgia!

Senja's dad very fondly remembers his 1968 Schwinn Stingray Fastback 5-speed.  He has saved it for years, and now that he has a young son he wanted to pass his childhood bike to him.



1968 Schwinn Stingray Fastback 5-speed
Manufactured in January of 1968



1968 Schwinn Stingray Fastback 5-speed
Needs a little TLC!



So Senja and her sisters pooled their money and got their dad's bike overhauled for his Christmas present. 



1968 Schwinn Stingray Fastback
Stick Shifter - Before

 

1968 Schwinn Stingray Fastback 5-speed
Handlebars - Before












  

1968 Schwinn Stingray Fastback
5-speed
Rear Fender & Wheel - Before







1968 Schwinn Stingray Fastback
5-speed
Chainguard - Before



1968 Schwinn Stingray Fastback 5-speed
Rear Drive Train - Before







1968 Schwinn Stingray Fastback
5-speed
Grips - Before





After all the work paint is still chipped and the banana seat will still need to be replaced; but oh boy, does the Fastback SHINE! 



1968 Schwinn Stingray Fastback 5-speed
Drivetrain - AFTER!



1968 Schwinn Stingray Fastback
5-speed
Shifter - AFTER!





1968 Schwinn Stingray Fastback
5-speed
Grips - AFTER!










1968 Schwinn Stingray Fastback 5-speed
Handlebars, Fenders - AFTER!



1968 Schwinn Stingray Fastback
Chainguard - AFTER!







1968 Schwinn Stingray Fastback
5-speed
Banana Seat - after



 







What a great gift to find under the tree Christmas morning!





1968 Schwinn Stingray Fastback 5-speed
AFTER
MERRY CHRISTMAS!







Memories...Memories...Memories

You know you have something special when a husband brings in a bicycle to restore because, "It is the only thing left from my wife's childhood."  This little pixie isn't really collectable; but to the couple who brought it in, it is priceless.  Paul was pleased to be able to help with this very special Christmas present!

Here's what this little 70's Pixie looked like this when it came in...

Everything was rusty, and we couldn't save the fenders...we cleaned, scrubbed polished...

When we got to the saddle - we got out the repair kits, stencils & paint...

Replaced all the bearings and grease, and put her back together...and VOILA!

We think it will be a VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS!

AND the Hollywood is Done!

One bike closer to enjoying a ride on bikes with character and style!

1967 Schwinn Hollywood
Ladies Single Speed with Coaster Brake

 

 

FROM THIS
1967 Hollywood Chainguard



TO THIS
1967 Hollywood Chainguard



     

The color is not exact; but it is powder-coated for a durable, long lasting finish.  The decals are derived from the original stencils.  The chrome?  Elbow grease and new fenders...wow.

  

FROM THIS
1967 Hollywood Rear Wheel

 

TO THIS
1967 Hollywood Rear Wheel



The Hollywood is beautiful and Adam's wife will love her 'new' ride...what a great time they'll have cruising around the metro together!

1967 Hollywood
Ladies Single Speed with Coaster Brake