Vintage Bicycle PartsAll around Vintage Bikes

How to restore an old bicycle

Restoring an old or vintage bike can be a daunting task but can be very rewarding upon completion. There are certain rules to follow and precautions to take before jumping into a full bicycle restoration. But, the hardest part may be deciding on which style or type of bike you would like to restore. Old beach cruisers and commuter bikes almost always come out looking beautiful.

When restoring an old or vintage bicycle the first step would be to disassemble the bike. This procedure often makes people very excited and they take parts off without fully remembering where they go when it’s time to start rebuilding the bike. When taking your bike apart keep a close eye on all the pieces you are taking off so you can remember where they go back on.

Once your bike is stripped you can begin removing any rust and paint. You can buy rust removing products at your local hardware store. You can also use steel wool to remove rust from the metal parts and sandpaper to remove the paint. Most people don’t realize this but it is a cool idea to wear a medical mask while removing rust and paint so you don’t breathe in any loose particles.

Now that all paint and rust are removed you can begin to paint. The best paint and primer to use would be auto spray paint which can be obtained at your local auto parts store and some hardware stores. You always want to start with a white base layer because it helps the paint stick to the metal. Once you have a base layer you can now spray using the auto paint. You want to spray about 12-18 inches away from the parts and frame. Once you put a few layers of paint on you can use a clear coat enamel to finish the paint job.

Your bike should be looking pretty sharp now. It is time to start putting your bike together. When adding the cranks, headset, and pedals you will want to re-grease them using bike grease. Just oil your chain and you are all set to enjoy your fully restored bicycle.

 

About the Author

Brandon has restored several bikes over the years but also has an interest in yoga. He has created a site to review and good deals on Cotton Yoga Pants.