My first restoration project, advice welcomed

[Learnincurve]

I have decided to restore my old neon orange and yellow mountain bike, it's been hung up in a garage for about 18 years and I took it down to have a look for the first time today.

Good news. The frame is a mint hard tail and rust free.

Bad news. The handlebars, pedal shaft thingies and wheels are slightly rusty, and the saddle is ruined as are the tires and handlebar grips.

Iffy bits. The brakes work but the brake handles are either manky or rusty, not sure which as the bike is filthy. Didn't get chance to test the gears properly but the wheels turn when peddle is pushed.

I'm not sure if I should replace the wheels along with the inner tubes/tires, do I just replace the seat post along with the seat, handlebars, chain, and brakes or see what cleaning will do first?

I will be working against the tide of my mother insisting that "all it needs is a good clean with some WD40"

I can't post pictures yet because they have gone away on holiday.

 

[Ellillowladex]

My first actions would be a total strip down, clean and degrease of moving parts - then see what works well / as it should. Would definitely invest in new brake and gear cable inners and outers, new tyres, grips and saddle.
The slightly rusty bars and bits may just be oxidisation, which given a good rub down with tin foil and water - may look a whole lot better.

 

[raleighnut]

^^^^^+1 but change the chain as no amount of lubing/cleaning will restore an 18yr old chain.

 

[Hulk_slogan]

Hey, I've just joined today and seem to have undertaken a very similar project!

Will enjoy seeing how yours comes along and also I'll post something about mine later in the week!

 

[Smurfy]

I'm not sure if I should replace the wheels

Do you have rim brakes or disks? Mountain bikes are mostly disk brake now. That means many replacement wheelsets do not even have rims with faces intended for cantilever or V brakes.

 

[Learnincurve]

Thanks everyone.

They are V brakes, so it looks like I'll have to see the state of the wheels when I clean them up and see what the walls are like as well. I've ordered some new brake levers and pads, as the brakes themselves are in good nick, along with grips and a seat. I'm buying things as I see them on sale and as I have no access to it right now I'm only buying things I know will fit my larger old and battered but new to me hybrid.

 

[raleighnut]

Do you have rim brakes or disks? Mountain bikes are mostly disk brake now. That means many replacement wheelsets do not even have rims with faces intended for cantilever or V brakes.

Rim brake MTB wheels are still common as are screw on freewheel type hubs. Disc brakes are no more effective unless you go to larger rotors their main advantage is in deep mud when they do not get clagged up and hydraulic systems that self adjust when on long steep downhill runs, also a buckled rim can still be ridden without the brakes catching.

 

[doog]

I have decided to restore my old neon orange and yellow mountain bike, it's been hung up in a garage for about 18 years and I took it down to have a look for the first time today.

Good news. The frame is a mint hard tail and rust free.

Bad news. The handlebars, pedal shaft thingies and wheels are slightly rusty, and the saddle is ruined as are the tires and handlebar grips.

Iffy bits. The brakes work but the brake handles are either manky or rusty, not sure which as the bike is filthy. Didn't get chance to test the gears properly but the wheels turn when peddle is pushed.

I'm not sure if I should replace the wheels along with the inner tubes/tires, do I just replace the seat post along with the seat, handlebars, chain, and brakes or see what cleaning will do first?

I will be working against the tide of my mother insisting that "all it needs is a good clean with some WD40"

I can't post pictures yet because they have gone away on holiday.

did a similar project here

http://www.cyclechat.net/threads/worth-making-a-tourer-out-of-this.125763/

If you need wheels consider Rose in Germany(excellent value)

 

[Learnincurve]

Wheels! That's by far the best pricing I've seen, however I'm confused by "compatability: Shimano 7-/8-/9-/10- speed" When they say that do they just mean the rear cogs? Other than having different rims for different brakes I would have thought wheels were bleeding wheels.

 

[Smurfy]

Wheels! That's by far the best pricing I've seen, however I'm confused by "compatability: Shimano 7-/8-/9-/10- speed" When they say that do they just mean the rear cogs? Other than having different rims for different brakes I would have thought wheels were bleeding wheels.

First thing is to find out if you have a cassette or freewheel, then go from there.
http://sheldonbrown.com/free-k7.html

 

[tyred]

^^^^^+1 but change the chain as no amount of lubing/cleaning will restore an 18yr old chain.

I disagree. I've renovated chains made before WW2. Soak in diesel for a few days, cleaning it with a stiff brush and then, look at it an measure it for wear. If there is still life in it, pop it in a saucepan of engine oil and simmer over a camping stove in the garden so the oil thins and gets into the bushes/pins.

 

[raleighnut]

I disagree. I've renovated chains made before WW2. Soak in diesel for a few days, cleaning it with a stiff brush and then, look at it an measure it for wear. If there is still life in it, pop it in a saucepan of engine oil and simmer over a camping stove in the garden so the oil thins and gets into the bushes/pins.

That's OK with a hub gear or SS/Fixed chain not with a 15, 18 or 21 speed MTB, plus a chain is less than a tenner.
As for boiling in oil I used to do this but with Hypoid 90 axle oil but now use cold chainsaw chain oil.

 

[Learnincurve]

Update! It's here.

four people asked me if I knew I had a puncture when I wheeled it home.

It's special because it's actually steel.

Bell from 1986

 

[2clepto]

i had one of those orange and yellow mtbs in the nineties. loved it for the city. how is your restoration taking shape?

 

[Learnincurve]

It's going well, I have stripped and cleaned the gears and changed cables and the rim tape just turned up. Was going to finish it off tomorrow but I have a nasty cold coming.