Hey friends… I haven’t been around these parts for a while so I feel like I’m a bit out of the loop. I’ve got a project I’m starting and would like some advice, and I feel like this is the best place for my post. If there is somewhere more appropriate, please do say so and I will redirect my request there
So I found this old indi 500 frame on the side of the road and I want to restore it. Problem is I don’t really have much of an idea about what components it might need, apart from the obvious (single cog front, gears on the back, probably stem/down tube shifters). So I’m looking for help/advice on what components to look for, and general advice on bike restorations as this is the first restore I’ll be doing.
I suppose it’s not so much what type of parts to use (e.g., mustache bars vs drops) that I’d like help with, but rather any specific part models or sizings that I may need for various parts. Also I will be leaving the frame as is (i.e., keeping the paint job).
Any and all help would be absolutely amazing! I will update as I go along if people are at all interested in this old beater!
I appreciate your intention to rebuild a hard rubbish find, but this is another one of those situations where (if you don’t have an extensive parts bin) you could end up spending a fortune.
Edit: or buy the cell and just swap everything over to the Indi.
Well I’ll be the odd one out and say DON’T get a cell?
It is true you will spend a heft sum of money rebuilding this, i restored and old Apollo rodie into a SS not long ago and it cost 400+. The other thing is that I did regret it in the end, was actually a nice roadie which I ruined haha.
If you get a cell your going to end replacing most parts (at least I would), so why bother getting one?
GL
stuff the jaded grunts who’ll tell you not to bother, to be sensible and buy one off the shelf.
do it yourself and blow heaps of money on what will most likely end up a piece of crap. it’s way more fun/satisfying, youll probably enjoy riding it more and you’ll learn more.
Just find a complete step through mate. You dont even have the fork and you need literally everything else. I found a malvern star with 12spd and aluminium cranks on Gumtree for $40. Needed tyres, a saddle, townie bars some tyres and a bloody good clean. Literally that was it. Your frame will cost you a fortune and waste a heap of your time.
I lied a bit, I needed brake levers to suit the townie bars and some new brake cables I should also repack all the bearings when I get a chance too. All up cost me about $200 in parts plus a basket and the schwalbe marathon 27" tyres were $100 of that figure
I actually threw away a complete but bent step though a while back as no-one wanted the damn thing and I was moving house. You’re in Perth right?
To the OP, that frame needs a lot of work and isn’t particularly nice to begin with. Unless you have a shed of spares or can get parts at a co-op, it’s going to be a money pit, I’d second looking for something else.
I started with this as a frame/fork/guards/stem: It still took a fair whack of time and money. It was only worth it because it’s a 531 frameset in good, aged, condition.
