Saturday, June 18, 2011

Parliament Road Bike Restoration Part 2

Hello and Welcome, I am feeling much better and have resumed work on the "Custom Built * Parliament * Made in England"
BELOW: I believe we left off with the front wheel cleaned-up. Shown here with a new rim-strip and Kenda K35 Gum-Wall 90 psi. I would not go with anything but gum-walls on this vintage bike. If you want Gum-Walls and you are ordering Kenda(s) make sure you are getting gum-walls and not skin-walls. There is a least one online supplier who is showing "gum wall" on the description and "black and tan" on the actual ordering part. "Gum-Wal" is a pretty clear description as is "Skin-Wall". But apparently "Black and Tan" could be either one. So buyer beware. And to confuse you even more, the pic they have only shows only the tread, not the side-wall. GEEEZE LOUISE! I absolutely hate that kind of rubbish.(not my first word choice)
BELOW: I have two English wheels (rear) that will fit this bike. Both have Sturmey Archer stamped on the "almost" identical pie-plates. The original wheel has a badly bent axle. So "for now" I am going with the other one.(the chrome is not quite as good) I will switch them later, if I am able to repair the other. At this point I am unable to break the free-wheel loose. So I will be taking it to a local bike shop for a repair estimate. Or maybe just have them remove the free-wheel and order me a new axle and bearings. BELOW: My extra wheel on the bike also with a new Kenda K35 gum-wall and rim-strip.
BELOW: The Sun-Tour Honor derailleur (type one 1969) all cleaned-up and ready to roll. After a light coat of Tri Flow that is. I still have a little more cleaning to do on the free-wheel though. I wanted to wait and see how the wheel trued-up first. Check - Out all those adjusters. I am counting 4 including the cable tension adjuster.
BELOW: The Sun-Tour "Spirt" derailleur cleaned -up nicely. I think it might have had some sort of graphite lubricant on it. I was able to remove it using the White-Lightning "Clean-Streak" and also some Turtle-Wax Chrome-Polish & Rust-Remover to get the residue off.
BELOW: Cleaning-up the Weinmann brake calipers, I did something different this time. After taking them apart and polishing each and every part with Mother`s. I then buffed up the parts with the Dremel like tool. I also used the fine brass wheel-brush on the acorn nuts and springs and other small chrome parts. I added the buffing because my "good eye" is still not 100% and I don`t trust my vision yet. I wanted to make sure they were cleaned and polished as good as I could get them.
BELOW: A close-up of the front Weinmann caliper after polishing and re-assembly. I think it looks pretty good. As always the calipers also got a set of new Jag-Wire shoes. Notice the red & white Weinmann labeled cap-nut washers. I have never run across any in quite this good of condition before. They look like new!
BELOW: A "really bad photograph" of the rear caliper after refurbishing and mounting back on the bike. It looks really good, I just did not get the light right for this photograph. I will slip-in a better one when I can.
BELOW: This is where I am at with the restoration as of today. The garage heated -up in the early afternoon and I had to stop. I am going to try to work on it some more tomorrow. It is great to be back to work :)
BELOW: These are the fenders (mud-guards)I am going to use. They are Toba fenders. This will be the first time I have used this brand. So I will be sure to let you know what my opinion is, in regards to "ease of installation" and "performance". I already like the way they look. I chose this pic because it shows the pin-stripe detail.
BELOW: Due to the use of non-adhesive handlebar tape the handlebar clean-up should be a breeze (easy) They are British and are very light weight for their time.
BELOW: The (GB) logo engraved on the bars. Can I assume this stands for "Great Brittan"? Next to the (GB) is engraved "British Made"
UPDATE: The following is from Steve in Texas and I quote "Actually, "GB" stands for "Gerry Burgess." Really! I have a GB stem on my Falcon".
(Hugh) Thanks Steve
BELOW: An upcoming project, a Huffy Le-Grande. I`m gonna have to do this one on the "cheap". Huffys do not bring a very good price. I`ll have to be careful to not over spend. Good news! It has newer tires not dried out or cracked and almost no tread wear. I hope to upgrade the calipers and levers with salvaged ones. That will save some money. It will need a new or newer saddle and better saddle clamp for sure. I`m hoping to only have to buy cables & housings, brake shoes and handlebar tape. The derailleurs are dirty but in working order, that`s a huge plus.(good thing). Let`s see how cheap we can get this thing back on the road "and upgraded". The Huffy Le-Grande should make a good campus-bike for a student on a tight budget.
Well bicycle lovers that`s all I got for today. Thanks again for all the "well wishes". Until next time, RIDE SAFE and Remember to Always RESCUE, RESTORE & RECYCLE
Cheers, Hugh

8 comments:

  1. Actually, "GB" stands for "Gerry Burgess." Really! I have a GB stem on my Falcon.

    http://www.classicrendezvous.com/British_isles/GB.htm

    [bless]

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  2. Hugh, Glad to you see you back doing what you love, and that Parliament is really starting to look sweet, I look forward to pictures of the finished project. You mention "English" wheels for this bike does that mean 26 1 3/8 type 3 speed wheels (i.e. Raleigh) or the 28 inch wheels Sheldon Brown (RIP) talks about for older English bikes- just curious.

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  3. Hey Steve, Hah! I should have known. Thanks for the education and Happy Fathers Day.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Hey Ryan,
    Thanks, It`s good to be back.The wheels are 27 x 1&1/4 "My Bag" I should have said "British made" Wheels.
    Although Sheldon Brown has been gone since Feb of 08 He continues to help countless people (myself included) through his online posts. He was and is the great sharer of knowledge. He had a wonderful gift of "making things understandable" for the rest of us mortals. He is a great example of what we should all should strive to be. RIP Sheldon

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  5. Thanks for the clarification on the wheels, do they have the same "patterned" braking surface the French were so fond of- that make that squealing buzzing noise when you brake?

    Agreed on Sheldon, I use his site all the time, I was fortunate enough to actually email him in late 07 to thank him for his article on Cotter pin removal and get a response back. Jim Edgar over at http://www.cyclofiend.com/cc/index.html has a saying I really like; "As always Sheldon had the answer", it is very cool to see his wisdom and Knowledge live on via his website, chapeau to Harris cycling for continuing to host it.

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  6. Hey Ryan,
    lol... I remember those! My MotoBecane Special Sport had those originally. They sounded like an electric motor when the brakes were applied. The segmented etching on these is much more subtle. I doubt they will make any audible sound at all. If you left click on the second pic down (front wheel) you can just barely make it out.
    Agreed, Kudo's to Harris-Cyclery for keeping Sheldon Browns information available to all who seek it.
    Cheers

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  7. I stumbled across a link on Classic Rendezvous that pertains to your "GB" components for what its worth
    http://www.classicrendezvous.com/British_isles/GB.htm

    Sounds like they stand for the manufacturers name rather than the country of origin (both are GB)

    ReplyDelete
  8. Hey Ryan,
    You are correct, GB stands for Gerry Burgess. However Steve in Texas beat you to it. I just inserted an update into the post. But Thanks!
    P.S. The fenders are on the Parliament and they look great. I also ordered a New Pletscher rack and some brown leather bar-wrap and "cork & wood" plugs. I never knew that (old style) genuine Pletscher racks were still being produced. "Pletscher CS Classic Rear Bicycle Rack (50659)" I just assumed I would have to hunt down a (n.o.s.) or very nice used Pletscher. I can`t wait to see it!
    Cheers

    ReplyDelete

 
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