What a find

Taking the trash out has never before been so rewarding. This Peugeot Record du Monde racing bike was leaning against the gate waiting to be picked up by the garbage truck. 

Complete with 10 speed gearing, gum wall tyres, and a beautifully butted frame it would have been sad to see it die. Obviously the previous owner didn't have the patience to clean it or time to ride it. Spiders had taken up residence in the frame, over the handlebars and between the spokes. Grease and debris had clogged the gearing and seized the chain. The rubber housings around the gear levers has perishes and the tyres are flat.

Within a couple of hours of rescuing this gem from the alley I had started to strip the bike back to a bare frame. Off came the wheels, brakes, derailures, seat, cables and pedals. The only parts still together are the handlebars, brake levers, crank and fork.

Covered in grime all of the components went straight into some degreaser and were hit hard with an old toothbrush uncovering chrome and fine detailing on some of the components.  The only parts to have escaped the wash are the crank, rear cassette and frame. They will have to wait until I manage to beat the sun home from work, or at least until the weekend.

So far the pieces that have to be replaced are the:

chain

jockey wheels

cables

tubes

Seatpost (this one is too short probably unsafe)

Pieces that will probably have to be replaced:

brake pads

tyres

Pieces I would like to replace:

seat

bar tape

rubber brake lever covers

I am loving the chrome details on this bike. Half chrome forks, and rear stays, embossed gear shifter bracket and head stem. The colour is also great with world championship decals.

Hopefully it all cleans up great and the spots of rust will disappear. It's going to take a lot of elbow grease but it will be worth it in the end. Watch this space for updates along the way.