Restoring A Classic Bicycle

Restoring a Classic Bicycle

A 1973 Schwinn Sports Tourer road bike sits in your garage slowly gathering dust day after day. You know it's a classic and it has to be worth something to someone but as of right now it looks pretty bad in its "original condition". People have most likely either told you that it's just not worth it to restore or that they would own an "original" any day. The fact is that that "original" is sitting in your garage staring you right in the face. It's easy to listen to these people and let the bike waste away and look horrible for a long, long time. Many think there isn't much hope for situations like these. But it doesn't get much better than when you're strolling down the street in your beautifully restored bicycle receiving compliment after compliment. Restoring a classic bicycle doesn't take a lot of commitment or money and the benefits will last a lifetime.

The very first step in restoring a bicycle is evaluating your classic bike. The best time for inspection is always prior to purchase, if you are buying. The number one aspect you want to keep in mind is rust, mainly because if a bike is rusted you can't do much to fix it while keeping it original. Look for rust anywhere on the bike especially the frame, wheels, pedals, and handlebars. Once you have verified your rust free bike, it is time to check for any missing parts, emblems, or stickers. The best way to do this is to carefully review pictures of similar bikes for anything that is inconsistent. Some common examples of this would include incorrect chain guards, carriers, sprockets, headlamps, or official stickers.

If you do happen to acquire an incomplete bike, you will want to find replacement parts before you begin the restoration of your classic bike. There are several reasons for doing this. It will take some time for you to find the parts you need. This tends to be especially true if you're restoring an unusually rare bicycle. In addition, you want to avoid having a half finished bike lying about in your garage while trying to find that rare replacement part. Lastly, finding replacement parts prior to engaging in the restoration will allow you to prepare all the parts needed for stripping and painting at one time. It can become a real pain if you constantly have to get different materials out to restore a certain piece of your bicycle, when you just completed the same process fifteen minutes ago for a different part. It is inefficient and also a waste of time. Remember, this process is supposed to be easy, fun, and stress free.

The next step is inspection of your bike mainly because it will end up saving you money in the long run. If there are any non-painted parts on your bike they should be plated with either chrome or nickel. Hopefully these parts are in fair shape. If, in your opinion, these parts look well kept then you won't have to replace them. However, if you decide they do need to be replaced you'll either have to replace them with new parts or get them re-plated. It is a good idea to keep a notepad to stay organized and keep track of what needs to be re-plated or replaced with new parts. A bicycle is a complex machine and therefore being clean and organized is important.

After a thorough inspection of your bike, it is now time to start disassembly. It is a good idea to take some pictures before you begin assembly for a few reasons. These photos will help you in putting the bike back together when it comes time for reassembly. In addition, these pictures can aid you in painting it correctly. It's also just nice to be able to look back at your bike and see all the great work you have done to restore it. When you take pictures of your bike, make sure they are up close, as well as far away. This makes it more personal and creates