Hello, I got some masonry work in this week, so not too much to report. I did manage to get the
folding bike cleaned up a bit. The top photo is when it first arrived. Look closely and you can see some rust. And a slightly kinked cable. I did a little rust removal and installed new
brake-cables and housings. Also re-positioned the
bicycle brake shoes so they make better contact with the rim. I think I will install new rear brake shoes. Although it is better, it still feels a little weak. Also the spring on the
rear rack was sprung. I just re-wound it a bit, and it seems fine now. So now I will polish the rims first chance I get. And I need to clean-up the white-walls a bit. And wash the bike. Then it should be good to go! Oh yes, I do need to adjust the
rear derailleur a bit. I`m only getting 4 out of 5 gears. I don`t expect that to be a problem as the derailleur looks to be in good condition. And the adjustment screws are clearly marked. The Next Project is a Schwinn "World" with a "Giant" built frame. And some pretty nice Belgium made
alloy bicycle wheels. It is very dirty but appears to be in really good shape. A definite case of LTSD (long term storage disorder). I`m thinking about doing a step by step restoration on the blog. If you think that would be cool please leave a comment and let me know. Remember, RESCUE-RESTORE & RECYCLE Cheers, Hugh
Hello, I got some masonry work in this week, so not too much to report. I did manage to get the folding bike cleaned up a bit. The top photo is when it first arrived. Look closely and you can see some rust. And a slightly kinked cable. I did a little rust removal and installed new brake-cables and housings. Also re-positioned the bicycle brake shoes so they make better contact with the rim. I think I will install new rear brake shoes. Although it is better, it still feels a little weak. Also the spring on the rear rack was sprung. I just re-wound it a bit, and it seems fine now. So now I will polish the rims first chance I get. And I need to clean-up the white-walls a bit. And wash the bike. Then it should be good to go! Oh yes, I do need to adjust the rear derailleur a bit. I`m only getting 4 out of 5 gears. I don`t expect that to be a problem as the derailleur looks to be in good condition. And the adjustment screws are clearly marked. The Next Project is a Schwinn "World" with a "Giant" built frame. And some pretty nice Belgium made alloy bicycle wheels. It is very dirty but appears to be in really good shape. A definite case of LTSD (long term storage disorder). I`m thinking about doing a step by step restoration on the blog. If you think that would be cool please leave a comment and let me know. Remember, RESCUE-RESTORE & RECYCLE Cheers, Hugh
The Marquette Police Department is having a silent auction today ( i think). they have A LOT of bikes that they find abandoned. I was thinking maybe the Police Departments down by you, near a major college campus might have the same deal.
ReplyDeleteHi,I just bought a Randor Traveller folding bike at a thrift store for $65.00. It is not obvious on it where the gears are..so I can't tell if it is a single speed. It looks in very good shape, folds easily and the tires are good as are the brakes..I am a petite woman and thought it would be a good choice for me.
ReplyDeleteI am somewhat of a novice to bikes(except as a child)...did I make a decent purchase and if I take it to a bike repair shop will they know how to work on it?
Actually the Randor Traveller is one of the cheaper folding bikes around. But if it is in good condition and you enjoy it. I would say 65.00 is an ok price.I don`t think I would want to invest a lot in the way of repairs. But then again I`m kind of cheap...lol
ReplyDeleteI have this same bike, color and all. I have been trying to figure out if I want to fix it up or sell it. I my have been to rough on it at first. Now it seems it needs alot of love. Did it cost you much to fix?
ReplyDeleteThis one needed a few new cables and some rust removal.I also had to fix the spring on the rear rack. But it was mostly cleaning and adjusting. I would not invest too much into this particular model. As it is (or was) one of the cheaper folding bikes out there. I actually have another one that belongs to an acquaintance.I need to do some repairs on it. But honestly it isn`t worth the amount of work it needs.One of those things I wish I had never gotten involved in.
ReplyDeleteGuy gave me a Randor Traveller at a yard sale, very rusty and a few problems getting it apart. Looks well made and low usuage, too bad people don't take better care....gonna be awhile on this one.......TE
ReplyDeleteHey TE, I can relate to that. I just picked up a "West-German" KALKHOFF folding bike that is pretty rough. It was tossed-in with a vintage MotoBecane that I purchased.(for restoration) I may just sell it as a "project bike". The stem is very rusty and will probably have to be re-plated or replaced. At this point I`m not really sure what I`m going to do with it. And you are right, it is a shame people don`t take better care of their bikes.
ReplyDeleteI have this same bike in orange and really good shape for its age and its use its for sale and if anyone has a specific price just tell me at blainelheureux@gmail.com
ReplyDeleteI have started repairing the bike and found that the white wall tires needed replacing. Any suggestions of how to get new ones that are the right size?
DeleteHey Longhauler,
DeleteGood question, And yes I do have a suggestion. Every tire has a size like like < 27 x 1 & 1/4 > But it also has an i.s.o. size. A typical i.s.o. number for a < 27 x 1 1/4 > would be < 630 > If you have ever had a bicycle tire that keeps blowing off the rim, chances are the ISO number is wrong. So check the numbers on the side wall carefully before ordering.
I might also mention not all bicycle inner tubes have the same type air stem valve. A typical American air stem valve is a Schrader valve. A thinner and usually longer valve stem (Euro type) is called a Presta valve.
There is also a newer "uncommon" valve called a Dunlop style air stem valve. But those are very uncommon, at least around here.
Some old Schwinn bikes also require a special type tire, they are marked on the side wall. it will say some something like Type < S - 7 > tire. good luck with your project. Cheers
Cheers
where can I find parts for Randor Traveller ?
ReplyDeleteI would start with e bay then Craig's List. If you plan on keeping the bike long term you might consider purchasing a parts bike.
DeleteI just picked up a Randor Traveler bike from my late Dad's garage. It looks similar to the bike in your blog pictures. The large nut that secures the bike frame, located in front of the chain guard, is missing. Could you take some close-up snapshots of this area and mail them to me. Thankyou.
ReplyDeletesmacha@windstream.net