If you are trying to determine the genealogy of your bicycle by it's features, go to our Vintage Bicycle Price Guide
which details bicycle features, wheel sizes, brake types, etc., as well as showing a price estimate for your old bicycle.
If you are trying to determine the make and model of your bicycle, go to our Vintage Bicycle Picture Database
which details bicycle features, wheel sizes, etc., as well as showing a price estimate for your vintage bicycle.
| My girlfriend has a vintage (somewhere b/t 1960-1970) Phillips 3-speed that is having a problem. Of the three speeds, only one still works (the middle speed). When she first bought the bike a year ago, all of the speeds worked fine. Now, however, when she shifts into either of the two speeds that don't work, the bike goes in "neutral." By "neutral," I mean nothing happens when you peddle -- it's like peddling backwards. This brings me to my question. Are the speeds busted or does it just need oil? And, if it only needs oil, can anyone recommend a certain kind? While trying to find answers to my questions on the internet, I've seen information about SA oil, basic motor oil, vegetable oil, kerosene, and so on. Can anyone help me help her help her bike? Thanks so much -- it will be a great surprise if I can fix her bike for her. |
| It is likely a cable adjustment problem. These are nearly bullet proof units and rarely break! For adjustment procedure go to www.sheldonbrown.com and click on "old bikes" then scroll down to "English three speeds". If the bike has sat idle for a long time it is posible that the old dried up or got stick and the shift pawls are stuck. Normally you would use a fairly heavy old such as Phil Wood or 30 weigh auto motor oil. Try the cable adjustment first but if that doesn't work use a light oil and see if that frees thing up then use the regular oil shortly there after. We have a 1986 Free Spirit with a Sturmey-Archer hub and it has been trouble free! Good luck! |
| I'm restoring a ladies Shelby Flying Cloud. This is the first time I've tried to restore a bike instead of just throw one together for fun. I need advice on the best way to remove the hanger cups and head cups to prepare the frame for painting. Thanks a lot. I'm new to the hobby and I just want to make sure to do it right so I can do the bike justice. |
| so i dont know if this is 'acceptable' by any means, but heres what i do. slide a piece of wood down the frame and grab the cone with it. then tap the wood with a hammer alternating the sides in a 'cross' pattern, up, down. left, right, and so on. slowly the cone will loosen and pop out. make sure to use wood and not metal so you dont scrach, ding or do any other permanent damage to the parts. |
| Hi all. OK, I just purchased (for $10) a Hiawatha 'Silver Chief' single speed bicycle. It seems to be in pretty good shape, though as it's currently in bits I haven't put air in the tires yet so it may need new inner tubes. The problem is that it's COVERED in rust. I've been doing the WD-40/coke+aluminum foil thing, which works OK on the chrome, but what about the painted bits? Also, where do I get touch-up paint for the pinstripes? And does anyone know anything about this sort of bike? I like it and plan to have fun fixing it up, but am not overly concerned about 'value'. That said, I don't want to destroy anything for no reason. Also, the seat was in the worst shape of the bike, came completely to bits. I think I can re-cover it, since it's just the padding and cover that went, but wanted advice. Has anyone done this? Furthermore (sorry this is so long) the bit of the fender under the headlight has rusted so much that the chrome is gone for about a 1/2"x4" strip. I can't afford re-chroming right now, how should I prevent it from spreading so I can go ahead and use the bike? Clear nail polish, maybe? Thanks in advance. |
| I know this is late coming but 3M makes an automotive rubbing compound which is somewhere between a paste and a liquid you can get it at an autoparts store. Put some of this on a rag and it works wonders I've cleaned a bunch of frames this way (though 500 grit wet sands do wonders too.) after that use some turtle wax to shine up the thing/ protect it from the moisture that caused the mess to begin with. |
| I have an old 1977 Murray King Kat chopper bike that I am trying to restore. Was wondering if anyone had any good tips on where to find replacement decals. Thanks |
| hey, did you ever find any decals for the king kat? |
| Do you want to sell your king kat? rout-tec@juno.com |
| I just came upon a monark Bicycle and was wondering if any one has info on them? the decal say's silver king but the tank say's Cornet not sure if its orginal but it's colors match:red ,white,and black. I was unable to find anything like it. I whould like to see a pic or Know what year it was made. also it has an electric horn I wanted to repair it but have had no luck so far does anyone know an outlet? |