Cycling UK Forum

Agggh!

Do NOT use wire wool as it is very abrasive and will badly scratch the chrome. Scotchbrite will remove less chrome but will still scratch it.

If you use the same chemistry as causes a aluminium seat pin to stick in a steel frame but in reverse, you can clean the rust. Clean the bars with aluminium foil preferably heavier stuff than comes in rolls for cooking the turkey. The sort of thing that apple pies come in is good. Use it with Autosol, rub over the chrome and it will clean up the chrome. However, if very heavily rusted it will need re-plating.

I use this regularly in restoring old machines and it works without doing damage.

Don't know whether Eddie Soens actually built his own frames but he certainly sold Eddie Soens frames. A couple have been sold on ebay over the past couple of years.

Eddie coached Tony Doyle and built his track wheels. Eddie used BH Airlight hubs as they were better than Campag. This is what Tony used to win the 5KM world championship pursuit in France in 1980 after he wasn't allowed to ride in the Moscow Olympics.

Another Liverpool builder was H M Dickinson, 184 Tunnel Rd, Liverpool. Anyone heard of him or can supply information about this frame builder?

Raleigh produced the Granada touring bike for two years only 1987 and 1988. The difference between the 1987 model and 1988 version is the 1987 one had a silver head tube. Frame was 531 double butted main tubes and forks with Raleigh's own cromo tubes for the rear triangle. I bought a a frame on ebay in 2001 for very little money. Built it up this year and it rides really well.

Father told me that Harden Hubs were usually built into sprints (his were) . They were good hubs for time trials or track but the bearings were not very robust and were not as durable as Airlites. This seems to back up the point robbo was making about the bearings.

I have used purple extreme and found it very good as a lubricant. I would relube sooner than the 500 miles recommended after initial application. I have used it to lube very rusty and stiff chains (repairs for other people who leave bikes outside in the rain) without any of the effects related by New Horizon.

I have no experience of Shimano chains as I always personally use Sachs - usually PC48/PC58 which work very well. I am finding more KMC or TAYA chains on a lot of bikes coming in for some attention. I have used this lubricant on both 1/8 and derailleur chains without problems and it rains a hell of a lot here.

thirdcrank is partly right.

What about getting the MFAC one and fitting an adjuster yourself? I would try using a cable adjuster from a cheap Shimano mech. Drill hole, tap and fit adjuster.

Try checking the Cycling Ireland website. Although dedicated to racing there will be people there who can help and point you in the right direction.

Get good wet weather gear. It has been a very wet and usually mild and stormy winter here. A 'soft day' can test your waterproofs to the limit.