Originally uploaded by karavshin.
I spent a productive afternoon in my workshop putting together the vintage Czech bicycle that I blogged about many months ago. Since I last wrote, I had the frame and fork sandblasted and repainted, with a customized Favorit Logo and my bike’s title ‘VVV DE OLX OLX 206 206 206.”
I originally thought I’d toss out everything but the frame, replacing the components with new stuff. Then I thought, “why bother? it’s just a simple bike.” So the I ripped out the grease and dirt-encrused bottom bracket and spent an hour with a soapy brush, a can of lighter fluid, and a dremel tool wire wheel until I got the stuff all cleaned up and passable. None of the parts are in great condition, but certainly enough to give many many more kilometers of service before they need replaced.
The components are very typical 1980s-era Shimano. Nothing obscure. So I have all the tools necessary to work with it.
I do seem to have lost the cranks. I may have pitched them during a purge. At any rate, it doesn’t matter. I need to do some research on what transmission gearing to set up as a single-speed bike anyway.
The wheels are totally shot, but I have a new set for the bike.
I’m going to chop the handlebars into bullhorns and install a single, front caliper brake (the old-style Favorit calipers should work).
The seat is a hideous hard plastic thing, so I’ll have to replace that with some more period, or at least neater or more comfortable.
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