It’s my first time posting on the forums, though I’ve been pottering about reading posts for a few weeks now, I am just after a bit of advice concerning my first fixed gear build.
I recently acquired a vintage 56cm Puegeot road bike frame with long horizontal drop outs for chain tension adjustments. The first issue I need help with is how to go about getting the frame clear coated, or whether I need to worry about this at all. There are a fair few niks, scrapes, gouges and rust spots but otherwise I am happy with the state of the original paint. Here are some photos - ImageShack Album - 9 images
Ok, thank you Lorday. I was also wondering if anyone may be able to hlep me out with ID’ing the year/model of the frame and what size Bottom Bracket the frame takes. I am unsure if it is possible to measure without an old bottom bracket present or how to go about doing so. I am taking the frame down to the LBS in 3 days when I have time off work but if someone would be able to help me out before then it would be much appreciated.
Thanks HLC, I will check that out later tonight, I’m pretty uncertain as to what my budget constraints are as of now, over 300, under 600( can I get good mid range components for that price?). I’m planning on slowly accumulating the parts over a few months. I’m starting from scratch with just the frame, I am after a commuter around Melbourne.
In my personal opinion, with that Budget, you will be able to pick up a variety of semi-decent off-the-shelf complete bikes, a bike maintenance toolkit, and maybe a couple of upgrades (saddle/handlebars/whatever) to what suits you best.
That way you will be able to pull the bike down, put it back together with your tools, learn how everything works and then embark on your next project to build a bike from scratch!
That’s good advice. I was in the same position as you a few months ago and I think I would have gotten more enjoyment out of buying a fully built bike (ie. a Cell or similar) and doing the necessary upgrades to meet my requirements.
I built my bike from scratch and although its heaps of fun doing that there are issues along the way and has cost in a similar price range to an off the shelf bike. Plus buying off the shelf you can spend a little extra to get a few nice upgrades over time
Don’t listen to these jokers, build up the old one, its not rocket science. The Puegeot looks great just the way it is, no clear coat required.
Jump on Google with the serial number from the bottom bracket and any “model” that may be stickered on the bike. Puegeots would have to be one of the most documented bikes around. I would be very surprised that if within an hour you didn’t know the year and have a copy of the original catalogue from when it was released. and all the spec’s.
My advice is to put a list together of what you need and scower Ebay and the online bike shops. The biggest problem with buying bits and pieces over time is the cummulative postage that you will rack up. To this end it may be of value doing a bulk purchase to minimise the shipping.
The first basics to work out is what thread it has, Italian or English, and sizes. I would be very surprised if someone on here could tell you just by looking at the frame.
Appreciate the support Hungry Stu. The problem I am facing is that there was no BB in the frame when I acquired it and there is no serial number of any sort on the frame what so ever. Is there any way to physically measure/distinguish what kind of thread and sizing the BB is?
"Peugeot bikes prior to approximately 1980 have French threading for both bottom
brackets and forks/headsets. Around 1980 Peugeot began converting over to
British threading or ‘B.S.A.’ During the conversion period they also used ‘Swiss’
not used at the same time. Full conversion to British threading was completed by
1986 and possibly sooner. "
The frame you have is from the 1970’s and would have a French Threaded bottom bracket and headset. It would also use a French sized stem (not so much an issue as the other two). Check SheldonBrown.com for what that means.
The good news is that Velo Orange makes French Threaded components. Commuter Cycles in Brunswick usually carries a good supply. Whilst there have a chat to the guys about your frame, I’ve seen them build up a few of those 1970’s Peugeots.
Hey, sorry about the late reply everyone, thanks for all the help and advice. I ended up taking it down to the LBS (Samson Cycles) in Brunswick. Ryan (owner) was really helpful with getting the remnant of the old BB out, which required a trip to Bunnings to get the largest bolt I could find, then the both of us (him mostly) wrenching it off. Turns out it had industrial strength thread lock in it. Now have a new threadless BB installed and am 1/12th of the way to my Fixie being completed.
