Gray Fisher "Mt Jam" Overhaul / Detail

Hello and Welcome,
My P.C. and I are awaiting the arrival of some new card of some sort. I think it is the wireless or internet card. I mistakenly referred to it as a "video card" but have since been corrected. I am not what you would call "computer savvy".
So today I am updating from my lap-top for the very first time.

Above: Here is the Boys or Girls Gary Fisher "Mt Jam". I say boys or girls because it has 24in wheels. I am very pleased with this purchase, having paid a mere 7 dollars and 9 cents US. I looked it up and I believe it sold for about 329.00 US originally. It has been banged up a bit during transport or storage but shows very little if any wear at all . That seems to be typical around here anymore. I guess it is just a "Sign of the Times" (If you now have that song in you head, your either English or Old or both) LTMS More fun to surf the net than ride the dirt I guess.

Above: I won`t call this a restoration as the bike is mostly just dirty and scratched up. I guess an overhaul and detail-job should be an accurate enough description. By the way, "as I sometimes do in the winter" I have cleaned the entire frame and wheels and hubs and spokes etc. etc. with Armor-All Cleaning wipes. It`s a little cold for the bucket of soapy water bit right now. However I am using Clean-Streak on the free-wheel and both derailleurs. And will use it on other parts as well.

Above: The Armor-All cleaning wipes did a bang-up job on the inner and outer hub, spokes, rim and pie-plate. I did go over it twice to get it looking really clean and shiny.

Above: The Free-Wheel cleaned up wonderfully with a little spray of Clean-Streak and a little brushing. I touched up the axle nuts and outer spacers with a brass detail brush. Keep in mind, This bike was not filthy like many of the ones I have done in the past. However it is in need of some clean-up and tuning, especially if I expect to get a good price for it.

Above: Although it was already within an acceptable range, I went ahead and trued the wheel. I like to use the truing stand for cleaning up the wheels as well. I had to remove the tire from the rim anyway. As the tire had over rotated on the rim just enough to make the stem crooked. Usually I can let the air out of the tire, then brake the seal and slide the tire by hand till the stem is straight. In this case that was not happening.

Above: There it is with the stem nice and straight. I have gone-over the side walls with the Armor-All cleaning wipes as well. These are "better quality" tires in excellent condition, showing no wear. There is no way I am going replace these tires, they are fantastic! I may try some Armor-All Tire Cleaning Wipes on the side-walls to bring out the black a little more. I think that might be worth the extra effort.

Above: The Shimano SIS rear derailleur received the usual basket cleaning with Clean-Streak. This time I wedged the derailleur open using the post part of my little chain tool. This allowed me to be able to spray the hard to reach areas of the derailleur. I also used a typical parts cleaning brush on the derailleur. I use much less Clean-Streak when I combine it with a good brushing while the part is still wet. I regret I did not get a picture of the wedge, but I`m sure you can figure that one out on your own. But I will try to get a pic next time.

Above: I have not removed the front derailleur for cleaning yet. I did give it a quick wipe-off. But as you can see, it needs to be removed for a proper cleaning.
I just wanted to show this, so you can compare the difference after it is cleaned properly. That is where I will pick up this overhaul on the next post.

Above: Here is the original chain. I could probably soak it and dry it off and lube it up. But I think for the cost I will just replace it. It`s not like I will be spending much on parts for this bike anyway.

Above: Here I have put one coat of enamel paint on a very bad scrape on the left seat stay. As you can see the scrape is still showing through. I will let this dry for a day or two (longer than usual because it is cold here now) And then I will add another coat. I know the color is a good match, so I just need to be patient. After the second coat I might have to lightly wet sand and then apply a third coat. But if I take my time and stick to the program, I know it will come out fine.

Above: Update on the "Parliament Custom Built Made in England". This is the finished project. However, having never been satisfied with the touch-up paint on the fork blade. I have decided to store it for the winter. And in the late spring I will remove the fork and paint it white, possibly leaving the crown green. I had the idea after painting the fork white on the fixed gear bike. So this is the last you are going to see of the Parliament this year.
Until Next Time. Please RIDE SAFE and Remember to Always RESCUE, RESTORE & RECYCLE
Cheers, Hugh