My wife wanted to go on a ride out with me and my teenager in Downtown San Diego, but it didn't go well. Her bike was in bad shape. She said she was struggling with shifting, it was noisy... and her brakes sluggish compared to our bikes.
I decided to restore my wife's 13 year old bike (First posted
here on Apr 24, 2012)... which hasn't been serviced since she bought it. I should have taken some before restore pictures. It looked old, and was filthy with dirt... especially in the bracket area. I would have finished it sooner, but my shifter cable order was delayed. I only ride single speed BMX bikes so I have plenty of brake cables on hand... but not shifter cables. I wouldn't say it's totally spotless clean, but it's in pretty good shape now.
- Washed the frame/forks/wheels
- Removed art work stickers off the forks... it was all scratched and peeling
- Degreased and cleaned rear cassette and front crank chainrings
- Removed and cleaned cranks, bracket, and bracket housing
- Removed all the old shifter and brake cables, and lubed all the cable housings
- Replaced all shifter and brake cables with all new cables, and re-tuned front and rear derailleur
- Replaced front and rear v-brake with new brake pads
- Trued both front/rear wheels on truing stand
- Revived the old bike chain
The original chain was stiff and sticky... but it wasn't band. I didn't want to brake the chain, so I just used a good amount of "Rock & Roll Gold lube" because it degreases and cleans... while lubes at the same time. Now the chain is loose and revived and looks better.
*** I should have just bought a new chain with a master quick link... makes it easier for maintenance.
Rides really nice and not noisy like on her last ride. Shifting is smooth and easy for her now... and the brakes are easy to pull and snaps back fast when released. Funny thing is... now my wife says it's harder to control now since her bike feels too new. 😂
Here are a few pics I shot from my bench:
Finished pic:
A few pics while working on it:
