Would this Dawes be worth saving?

[raleighnut]

Nice, defo worth it but I'm with @biggs682 on this, oily rag and strip/re-grease. I'd change the freewheel to summat a bit more friendly (like 28-14 maybe even a 6 speed will go on) and fit new chain, cables and possibly re-tape the bars.

EDIT mind you I'd fit a Brooks too if it were mine which would probably cost as much (if not more) than the rest.

 

[T4tomo]

have a google.for Dawes cycle catalogues from 1980s, sooner or later you'll.find a colour and spec match

 

[Paulus]

Definitely worth saving, a good clean up would make it look 100% better. Googled Dawes 1975 and this photo came up.

.

 

[flake99please]

It looks more salvageable than the 'pug' I 'inherited' some time ago.

 

[glasgowcyclist]

Definitely worth saving, a good clean up would make it look 100% better. Googled Dawes 1975 and this photo came up.
View attachment 414143 .

By Jove, I think you've got it!

 

[Cycleops]

As biggsy rightly points out the only sticking point (literally) might be the seat post and stem. Even if they seem truly stuck there are ways and means. Dose them with Plus Gas/WD40 well ahead in preparation.
Report back when you tried them. Should make a nice bike for minimal cost.
Good luck.

 

[raleighnut]

Definitely worth saving, a good clean up would make it look 100% better. Googled Dawes 1975 and this photo came up.
View attachment 414143 .

See someone else thinks like me and fitted a nice saddle.

 

[glasgowcyclist]

It'll be three weeks before I get my hands on it but I'll keep this thread updated.
Thanks for all the advice so far. I will be back looking for more, I'm sure!

 

[mjr]

Worth it if you like it. Only thing I can add is that if those hoods are cooked, they're surprisingly expensive to replace, £15ish.

 

[carpenter]

Oxalic acid, make up dilute solution ~ 5% (I didn't measure accurately, so this is an estimate) and soak any chromed parts which have rusted - works really well. It is a weak acid so reacts with Iron oxide but leaves the Iron untouched. Makes of crust of Iron oxalate which can then be scrubbed off, WEAR GLOVES AND BE SENSIBLE: Oxalic acid is a bit toxic.
Just tried it with some rusted pedals from my Carlton Corsa Strada (1970's?) and it worked a treat, just wish that I had taken before photo's.

Also, Autosol is your friend particularly with aluminium bits.

Just started doing up bikes myself - very therapeutic.

 

[Fab Foodie]

I have the opportunity to save this bike from landfill and I'm wondering if anyone can advise whether it's worth keeping as a forthcoming winter project. Can anyone date it? Looks like '80s to me...

Nothing is known about it, it's been found in an old shed that's being torn down by new resident.
(Click for full size pic)
View attachment 414086

Yep!

 

[phantasmagoriana]

Nice bike - definitely worth saving!

It appears to be an "Echelon" model - here's a thread on another forum about one (same bike that's already been posted upthread - the same poster has quite a few pics of their bike online): https://www.bikeforums.net/classic-vintage/685285-dawes-echelon-one-year-later.html. I reckon mid-1980s, going by the decals and headbadge (I briefly owned a Galaxy of the same era).

 

[robrinay]

Barkeeper's Friend is oxalic acid, I believe.

My first go at typing that came out as 'Batkeeper's Friend' .

It is but it’s also got a ‘soft’ abrasive (Feldspar) in the mix - useful here. It’s also great for removing stains from wood surfaces - applied as a paste and left for an hour or so.

 

[nonowt]

I've used citric acid and had good results. It's non toxic too. Mix about 1:10 with warm water and pop your rusty bits into to soak. Give them a scrub with a brush every 10mins or so. Rinse off and dry. Then gets busy with the autosol.

 

[SkipdiverJohn]

Anything that has both the names "Dawes" and "Reynolds" on it is always worth saving. It's your duty in fact.