Cleaning up (upgrading) an English tourer, a Dawes Super Galaxy
07-05-20, 08:31 AM
#1
Member
Thread Starter
Cleaning up (upgrading) an English tourer, a Dawes Super Galaxy
Got my hands on this 1986 Dawes Super Galaxy and am currently figuring out my course of action.
My original idea was to find a large touring frame that I could build up from the ground, my first such project. I saw this one for sale locally for a good price. When I picked it up, I was surprised to see it was all original except (I think) for the tires. Still, I wanted to add a modern drivetrain, brifters, and new tires at the least. I was wavering a bit about this decision and so I posted these pics to the Dawes facebook group. As you'd expect, they all encouraged me to keep it original. So I think I'll do that. Besides taking it apart, cleaning it up, and greasing everything, I think the only change I'll make is to replace the foam grips (in excellent shape, by the way) with some black leather bar tape. I'll post my progress.
I do have some outstanding questions that the folks here might be able to answer. Simply, do you need to replace components on an old bike even if the bike doesn't have many miles on it? In particular, I'm curious if I should replace the cables, chain, and brake pads. All I have is a ruler, but the chain doesn't look to be too lose.
My original idea was to find a large touring frame that I could build up from the ground, my first such project. I saw this one for sale locally for a good price. When I picked it up, I was surprised to see it was all original except (I think) for the tires. Still, I wanted to add a modern drivetrain, brifters, and new tires at the least. I was wavering a bit about this decision and so I posted these pics to the Dawes facebook group. As you'd expect, they all encouraged me to keep it original. So I think I'll do that. Besides taking it apart, cleaning it up, and greasing everything, I think the only change I'll make is to replace the foam grips (in excellent shape, by the way) with some black leather bar tape. I'll post my progress.
I do have some outstanding questions that the folks here might be able to answer. Simply, do you need to replace components on an old bike even if the bike doesn't have many miles on it? In particular, I'm curious if I should replace the cables, chain, and brake pads. All I have is a ruler, but the chain doesn't look to be too lose.
Likes For liquid_liquid:
07-05-20, 08:38 AM
#2
Senior Member
MO, keep it original after lube, cleaning. Ride for awhile and change what doesn’t suit you. Great buy there!
Likes For 3speedslow:
07-05-20, 08:50 AM
#3
Shifting is fun!
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: South Holland, NL
Posts: 11,006
Bikes: Yes, please.
Mentioned: 280 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2198 Post(s)
Liked 4,600 Times
in
1,764 Posts
Nice find! Great color, too. @3speedslow's advice is sound, and what I would have given as well. After that, put brifters on it. 
Likes For non-fixie:
07-05-20, 08:51 AM
#4
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2018
Location: The Urban Shores Of Michigami
Posts: 1,749
Bikes: ........................................ .....Holdsworth "Special"..... .......Falcon "Special".......... .........Miyata 912........... ........................................
Mentioned: 11 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 702 Post(s)
Liked 672 Times
in
420 Posts
liquid_liquid I agree with 3speedslow , keep it original. No need to discard perfectly usable parts.
I would be concerned about the bearing grease. Over time, grease dries up and loses its effectiveness. Before you take it on a long ride, pull both wheels off and spin them while holding the axels to feel for grinding. If they grind, then paln on repacking them as well as the bottom bracket and headset.
I would be concerned about the bearing grease. Over time, grease dries up and loses its effectiveness. Before you take it on a long ride, pull both wheels off and spin them while holding the axels to feel for grinding. If they grind, then paln on repacking them as well as the bottom bracket and headset.
Likes For branko_76:
