Pashley delivery bike, what have I taken on ??

[Tail End Charlie]

@tyred. I think you're right, it's a much heftier one than the one on my fixed which is 1/8, I'll do as you say.
@classic33 I haven't taken the cotter pins out yet, so I don't know. Things are soaking in penetrating oil, but the seat post came out very easily.
@shadaboot27 I may do that, yours look great. I actually have a compressor and spray gun, so may go down that road.
@Drago good point about checking for holes, thanks


Thanks to everyone who contributed, I'll keep updating this, although it may be a longer term project, so don't hold your breath.

 

[ChrisEyles]

Definitely worth doing up IMO! I took on a pair of old Raleighs a year or so ago, one of which was in a similar state when I got hold of it, and it was a really enjoyable project. You might be surprise just how nicely they ride when you finish with it too (though the comment about remembering that stopping quickly is not an option definitely applies!)

 

[Tail End Charlie]

Right an update. I've stripped the bike down and been painting it up. I did think about powder coating, but @shadaboot27's pictures of the satin finish looked so good I decided to go down that route. Everything came apart pretty easily, although I did soak all bits which I was freeing in diesel for days. The only thing I damaged was the left hand cotter pin @classic33 , which I half expected. The frame was very pitted but no holes @Drago and I thought about filling the pits with body filler but decided against. Two or three coats of primer helped it look a bit better before the top coat. I think I'll give a final top coat in a few days (I used a brush, which I find gives a good finish as long as a quality brush is used).

One thing did surprise me, why are the seat stays detachable? It did mean I could remove the chain without splitting it but there must be another reason. I've cleaned and lubed the chain as per @tyred's method and it's smooth.
The wheel bearings have been packed with grease as has the freewheel (although the air was blue when things dropped out of it when I dismantled it. I managed to retrieve everything though and put it back. My own fault for not having it flat).
Apart from some paint I haven't spent anything yet, but know I'll need brake pads, inner tubes, rim tape etc. I have an old tyre I can use on the rear and it came with two new front ones.
Next step is to finish the wheels (one or two spokes are very loose) and then start rebuilding. I'm enjoying this.

 

[Nibor]

If you have an LBS that has been around a while go and see if they have any NOS cottrer pins you would not believe what is squirrelled away in local bike shops back rooms.

 

[ian c]

Very true - one of the old shops near me keeps coming up with some lovely old stuff from their upstairs stores.

 

[Mrs M]

Maybe you could contact Pashley directly, may be of help?

 

[shadaboot27]

I would suggest that once everything is painted, leave it in a nice warm place for a few weeks (about 3) then put it all together again and use it. This gives it time to properly cure and you will find that after that time it will be very durable.

 

[Tail End Charlie]

Good shout @Nibor there's a shop I know which was a typical old fashioned corner bike shop which the chap ran as a hobby really. I had forgotten about it. About six months ago it changed hands but is still an old fashioned place. I went there today and he dug a box of cotter pins out, old and new and let me rummage through it to find similar ones. I didn't realise there were so many different types, length, chamfer, nut size everything.
Whilst I'm on, what's the best way of fitting cotter pins? I know the nut won't pull it tight so am thinking to use my vice to press it in (I got them out that way). What do peeps reckon?

@Mrs M I may well, there's a catalogue from 1949 on the net, my bike is in it £14 5 shillings! Plus basket I think.

 

[shadaboot27]

Good shout @Nibor there's a shop I know which was a typical old fashioned corner bike shop which the chap ran as a hobby really. I had forgotten about it. About six months ago it changed hands but is still an old fashioned place. I went there today and he dug a box of cotter pins out, old and new and let me rummage through it to find similar ones. I didn't realise there were so many different types, length, chamfer, nut size everything.
Whilst I'm on, what's the best way of fitting cotter pins? I know the nut won't pull it tight so am thinking to use my vice to press it in (I got them out that way). What do peeps reckon?

@Mrs M I may well, there's a catalogue from 1949 on the net, my bike is in it £14 5 shillings! Plus basket I think.

The nut will pull it tight. You don't want it in too tight or you'll never get it out again. Once its pushed in, knock it gently in with a hammer then just tighten the nut nice and firm, but not too tight or it might damage the thread.

 

[classic33]

Just use the nut to tighten the pin, ride the bike, and then tighten them up again, once they've bedded in.

 

[classic33]

http://www.pashley.co.uk/bikes/carrier-cycles/courier.php
And like their Classic No.33's, I believe the rear seat stays were removable for two reasons:
Steel tube, easy replace.
Ease of maintenance. Entire drivetrain removed intact. As you found out.

 

[Tail End Charlie]

Rather than painting everything black, I thought I'd leave things like brake rods as metal and I've sprayed lacquer over them to stop rust. I'm very pleased with the result. The holders for the bottom of the stirrup is done the same, I'm waiting for new brake blocks to arrive. The rear brake will be very fiddly, there seem to be lots of linkages and one piece has a bit of a crack in it.

Have cracked on with the build, still need to fit brakes, pedals. The front wheel inner tube was a bit of a mission. The Pashley catalogue said it's 20", and the tyre is a 20x2x1 3/4 so I got a 20" inner tube. Miles too big. Measured the wheel and it's 16" - so got a 16" tube. Miles too small. So I plumped for the middle and got an 18" tube, which was a bit of a stretch but fits. The beauty of manufacturers having different standards. I rode it as below (well, free wheeled down my drive).

Have carried on since and got to this stage.

On Sunday I was browsing Ebay, as you do, and thought I'll need a wicker basket at some point so searched for one. One was for sale in the same place that I live, auction closed in two hours, with no bidders, which was God's way of telling me it's mine, so I got this for £6!

Still a fair bit to do, but really pleased so far.

 

[Nibor]

The Basket looks like it was made to fit!

 

[raleighnut]

^^^^^^+1 just the job.

 

[Mrs M]

Looking good