Bike TLC and Ministrations

Saturday, January 19, 2013

Jack's 'Firestone Imperial Cruiser' Restoration

Jack's

1950's era Firestone Imperial Cruiser

Manufactured by Monark Bicycles

Firestone Imperial Cruiser
1950's era
Monark Bicycles

Jack's uncle bought this bicycle and used to ride it to visit the people in his parish. After some years the bike ended up on 'the farm' where Jack and his siblings rode it all the time.

At some point it ended up packed away in a railway car. Jack decided he wanted to clean it up and brought it to Paul...We can't wait to see how it will turn out!

Rear Wheel
Before Cleaning

Springer Fork

Turn Signals!

Saddle

Lots of Miles

Before any decisions are made on a full restoration (re-chrome) or partial (re-condition and super clean!), Paul has started cleaning and dating.

Model and Serial Number
Hard to Read but it will Help

New Departure Hub
Made in the USA

Will the Chrome clean up??
Testing Testing

Lots and lots of work to be done, more to come!

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Saturday, November 17, 2012

Larry's 1968 Schwinn 5-speed Orange Krate

Everybody wants a 1968 Krate!

And Larry's just needed some love.

1968 Schwinn 5-speed Orange Krate
BEFORE

Larry had a choice between a total restoration or an overhaul. If he restored it, he would lose the original paint job which was in pretty good shape; and it would be close to impossible to replace some of the orignal stickers. If he overhauled it, there would still be some scratches and wear, but it would be all original. No matter what, he had to replace the old wheel (which he still has), and the cabling and housing had to be replaced.

1968 Schwinn 5-speed Orange Krate
Springer Fork

Larry chose the overhaul. I think you will agree it was a good choice!

1968 Schwinn 5-speed Orange Krate

Beautiful?!

Makes you want to dig out your old bike,

doesn't it!?

Saturday, May 5, 2012

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!

Wednesday, April 18, 2012

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!!

Monday, March 12, 2012

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!

Friday, December 10, 2010

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.