Reynolds 531 Professional questions.

[Kins]

Before and after my post quick clean. Came up so well with no effort should be ok when done in the workshop. Its got some marks that will never come out but I think it will be fine. Gives me hope for the rest of the pitting.

 

[Minotier]

Nice winter project Kins, you have the makings of a good sturdy bike there. Be nice to see pics when it is all finished.

 

[Kins]

Didn't have much time over the weekend to play, but managed to get the wheels apart and the seat half done. Rather than buying new or second hand I have decided to have a go refurbing the ones I have just so I have experience of doing the job.

Need some advice though. All the spokes are out and the centres are in oil baths atm as the nuts are seized on the rear set. Spokes are knackered with about a 1/3rd snapping rather easily which was a bit of a surprise.

Using a video from thebiketube on youtube which is pretty good on information but he already has the spokes!

How do I measure them for replacements?

Do you get the tape with the spokes that runs round the rim or do I buy that separate?

Do the spokes come with the caps already and will they be the right ones?

Any advice welcome, cheers.

 

[Cycleops]

You need to measure the spokes carefully for length and order accordingly. Chain Reaction cycles have wheel rebuild kits which include the spoke nipples (caps as you call them). The rim tape which goes around the circumference is supplied seperately. You will also need a spoke key for turning the nipples and a wheel truing jig tomakethe job easier. Are you sure you want to try this yourself? Anyway I admire your bravery. Good luck.

 

[Kins]

I have a nipple clamp . Will look for the kits, cheers.

*Update

Well looking for 300mm spokes, it seems not many make them any more and those that do are on the steep side. Might have to rethink redoing wheels.

 

[Cycleops]

You could change the rims. They are most probably worn due to wear from the brakes, then you can use the original hubs. Out of interest what was the tyre size? Using 700c rims will give you a wider tyre choice. Or you could simply buy a pair from ebay or wherever.

 

[Kins]

You could change the rims. They are most probably worn due to wear from the brakes, then you can use the original hubs. Out of interest what was the tyre size? Using 700c rims will give you a wider tyre choice. Or you could simply buy a pair from ebay or wherever.

They are 700c - 17 x 622 Weinmann rims

 

[the snail]

I have a nipple clamp . Will look for the kits, cheers.

*Update

Well looking for 300mm spokes, it seems not many make them any more and those that do are on the steep side. Might have to rethink redoing wheels.

Check the spoke lengths - probably different lengths on the rear either side and different again on the front. Rosebikes have a good selection
http://www.rosebikes.co.uk/article/dt-swiss-competition---the-classical-spoke-47912/aid:47917
I'd check the rims are not bent and there's enough wear left on the braking surfaces, also the hub bearings before you commit to rebuilding them.
Sheldon Brown's site has good info on wheel-building
http://sheldonbrown.com/wheelbuild.html
Good luck with the bike, I had one in the eighties, very nice bike!

 

[betty swollocks]

Great project.
I really look forward to viewing the finished results.

 

[Kins]

I'd check the rims are not bent and there's enough wear left on the braking surfaces, also the hub bearings before you commit to rebuilding them.
Sheldon Brown's site has good info on wheel-building
http://sheldonbrown.com/wheelbuild.html
Good luck with the bike, I had one in the eighties, very nice bike!

That article is just what I needed, brilliant, cheers.

I bit the bullet and have ordered enough spokes for one wheel, the back. Will see how I get on. Mainly been cleaning parts the last week as they are in a shocking state. Still problems with getting the derailleur off and the head set nut.

Bars, Stem, brake levers all off eventually and cleaned to see the state off them. Can't believe how light this stuff is. One brake housing had 4 spider corpses in there, were they having a party? Pitting on everything. Shocking state underneath the bar tape which I thought was grey. Turns out it used to be black.

Couldn't save the brake hoods which pissed me off a little as they are the original Weimann ones. They just disintegrated.

Next week will be getting the bike finally stripped, then lots of wet n dry and polishing.

 

[Kins]

Seat is done. Not brilliant and made to many mistakes doing it but as its the first one it will do. The center pad is still floating like the original, if I did it again I would have stuck the whole thing. Leather was a bit thick to, and my template was shockingly inaccurate. Probably cost less than £5 to do and have enough for another 2 goes so if it doesn't hold I will try again.