Orient Express

I cleaned up and oiled the bike. I replaced tubes/tires front and rear. I
got the wheels trued. I tightened up a loose bottom bracket. The brake
levers & shifters are worn and banged up, but they still work! So, I've
been riding the bike now for about a month, and it is holding up okay...

Where can I find replacement parts for an old bike like this? The
components are Shimano SIS "Exage" (light action). I am on a budget. Used
parts are fine.

Thanks for your help and suggestions.

"Zoot Katz" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Mon, 16 May 2005 15:38:45 -0800, <[email hidden]>,

Home User said:

I have an old Peugeot Orient Express, a mountain bike I
purchased in the mid-80's. I haven't ridden on it over 10 years, but if I
knock the dirt and dust off it, I think it will be good to go. Honestly,

do

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

you think it is worth restoring? If so, what would be some suggestions on
improvements/upgrades?

Tires might need replacement. If they've deteriorated they'll look
cracked and dry. If you're planning to ride it on pavement you might
want to invest in slicks.

Grease in the hubs, crank and head will set need to be renewed. Chain
and cables will need lubrication or maybe replacement.

If the bike was in good mechanical condition when you put it away then
it should still be good to go. If it needed repairs then it will still
need them. I've rescued dozens of trashed bikes with zero or minimal
cash outlay and a small investment of time.

Get it going and ride it before contemplating upgrades.
It may prove to be an excellent second bike.
--
zk

Home User said:

I cleaned up and oiled the bike. I replaced tubes/tires front and rear. I
got the wheels trued. I tightened up a loose bottom bracket. The brake
levers & shifters are worn and banged up, but they still work! So, I've
been riding the bike now for about a month, and it is holding up okay...

Sounds like you've done a good job resurrecting an older bike.

Quoted message said:

Where can I find replacement parts for an old bike like this? The
components are Shimano SIS "Exage" (light action). I am on a budget. Used
parts are fine.

For the derailleurs, since your components are SIS you're in fairly good
shape. For rear derailleurs use road components if you are using smaller
cassettes ( 25 or smaller for your largest rear sprocket ). Otherwise
use a mountain derailleur. The cable-pull ratio is the really important
part, and that has remained constant.

You should be able to find seven speed MTB shifter components and other
things for it used or new for not much dosh. If you had an older bike,
or Zoroaster Help You, an old French bike, things would be stickier.

--
Dane Jackson - z u v e m b i @ u n i x b i g o t s . o r g
To a Californian, all New Yorkers are cold; even in heat they rarely go
above fifty-eight degrees. If you collapse on a street in New York, plan
to spend a few days there. -- From "East vs. West: The War Between the Coasts

At this point, I want to replace my brake levers and thumb shifters. I'm
competent with hand tools, and I'm sure I can swap them out. If I can find
exact replacements, it would be easy.

If I have to retro-fit something, well ... I'm really not a bicycle
mechanic, and I might have to leave that to a more qualified person.

This bike is a mid-1980's design, 18 speeds, nothing too fancy (compared to
today's bikes!). I really like the bike. I've been to just a few bike
shops, but nobody is stocking old replacement parts. Where would I look
on-line to order some parts? Any ideas?

Thanks for your help!

"Dane Jackson" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Home User said:

I cleaned up and oiled the bike. I replaced tubes/tires front and rear.

I

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

got the wheels trued. I tightened up a loose bottom bracket. The brake
levers & shifters are worn and banged up, but they still work! So, I've
been riding the bike now for about a month, and it is holding up okay...

Sounds like you've done a good job resurrecting an older bike.

Quoted message said:

Where can I find replacement parts for an old bike like this? The
components are Shimano SIS "Exage" (light action). I am on a budget.

Used

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

parts are fine.

For the derailleurs, since your components are SIS you're in fairly good
shape. For rear derailleurs use road components if you are using smaller
cassettes ( 25 or smaller for your largest rear sprocket ). Otherwise
use a mountain derailleur. The cable-pull ratio is the really important
part, and that has remained constant.

You should be able to find seven speed MTB shifter components and other
things for it used or new for not much dosh. If you had an older bike,
or Zoroaster Help You, an old French bike, things would be stickier.

--
Dane Jackson - z u v e m b i @ u n i x b i g o t s . o r g
To a Californian, all New Yorkers are cold; even in heat they rarely go
above fifty-eight degrees. If you collapse on a street in New York, plan
to spend a few days there. -- From "East vs. West: The War Between the

Coasts

Home User said:

At this point, I want to replace my brake levers and thumb shifters. I'm
competent with hand tools, and I'm sure I can swap them out. If I can find
exact replacements, it would be easy.

Harris Cyclery appears to carry some six-speed Shimano MTB stuff.

http://sheldonbrown.com/harris/shifters.html#topmount

The brake levers should be easy as 3.14159 to find replacements.

Quoted message said:

If I have to retro-fit something, well ... I'm really not a bicycle
mechanic, and I might have to leave that to a more qualified person.

Quoted message said:

This bike is a mid-1980's design, 18 speeds, nothing too fancy (compared to
today's bikes!). I really like the bike. I've been to just a few bike
shops, but nobody is stocking old replacement parts. Where would I look
on-line to order some parts? Any ideas?

Six speed stuff is definitely harder to find than 7/8/9 speed stuff.
But it is out there. Keep in mind, it may be more economical to buy
a new un-suspended MTB than to fix this one up too much.

http://www.trekbikes.com/bikes/2003/mountain/800.jsp

MSRP: $250

--
Dane Jackson - z u v e m b i @ u n i x b i g o t s . o r g
"The Internet is the most powerful stupidity amplifier ever invented.
It's like television without the television part." -- James "Kibo" Parry

Thank you for the info and links.

"Dane Jackson" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Home User said:

At this point, I want to replace my brake levers and thumb shifters.

I'm

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

competent with hand tools, and I'm sure I can swap them out. If I can

find

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

exact replacements, it would be easy.

Harris Cyclery appears to carry some six-speed Shimano MTB stuff.

http://sheldonbrown.com/harris/shifters.html#topmount

The brake levers should be easy as 3.14159 to find replacements.

Quoted message said:

If I have to retro-fit something, well ... I'm really not a bicycle
mechanic, and I might have to leave that to a more qualified person.

Quoted message said:

This bike is a mid-1980's design, 18 speeds, nothing too fancy (compared

to

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

today's bikes!). I really like the bike. I've been to just a few bike
shops, but nobody is stocking old replacement parts. Where would I look
on-line to order some parts? Any ideas?

Six speed stuff is definitely harder to find than 7/8/9 speed stuff.
But it is out there. Keep in mind, it may be more economical to buy
a new un-suspended MTB than to fix this one up too much.

http://www.trekbikes.com/bikes/2003/mountain/800.jsp

MSRP: $250

--
Dane Jackson - z u v e m b i @ u n i x b i g o t s . o r g
"The Internet is the most powerful stupidity amplifier ever invented.
It's like television without the television part." -- James "Kibo" Parry