Shopsi

Hello
i found a sears roebuck cycle on the road (free giveaway) but it’s rusted and I would like to paint it. I would like to take it apart (leaving bottom bracket in).

without splurging on tools, what are the basic tools I should buy to begin this project?

many thanks
sapsi

Andrew R Stewart 

If you can't figure out how to take apart a bike to paint it I'm not sure I'd want you reassembling a bike I'd have to ride. Sorry if that's harsh but the laws of entropy suggest taking apart stuff is vastly easier then putting it all back together properly.

Having said that I would suggest you check out the Park Blue Book, Sheldon Brown's site and dozens of vids for what to do. Why do i focus on what to do and not the tools? Because you will learn by watching or reading what tools are commonly used. You will also learn more about terms and how to focus your questions to a narrow topic so people like us here will be more likely to offer specific advice.

As to the painting I strongly suggest you don't leave the BB in place if at all possible. So too with the headset. It will make pre paint prep and after finishing easier and the results nicer. Andy

Geepig

Masking tape, newspaper or other paper to cover large areas like the wheels, seat and handlebars, a selection of abrasive paper etc.

Stripping and rebuilding a bicycle is a very time consuming experience for the beginner, and there are usually some parts that refuse to come off because they have corroded on and require specialist techniques or advice, like you can find on here.

If you have a set of spanners then you could at least get the wheels off, plus saddle. Fenders can be tricky, as the bolts rust solid, and the nuts and bolt heads can be tricky to even get a spanner on. Brakes are not usually a problem, but the cables often fray and have to be replaced. The chain is unlikely to have a split link, so you either need to buy a chain splitter tool or leave it on and try and paint around it.

Anything else, like cranks, take more specific tools, and we would have to see pictures to know what tools they would need.

Iride01 

Bikes mostly just need screw drivers and wrenches. Sometimes thinner wrenches for things like the nuts on some wheel axles and for pedals. A set of allen wrenches and some torx points will sometimes be needed too.

If you are disassembling it fully and removing the crank and BB, then those might require specific tools, but on a really old bike you sometimes can just use a cold punch and hammer.

When you get to the point of needing special stuff on a bike frame, you need to consider how often you will be doing that. BB changes for many will be a once in a lifetime thing per bike and between two different bikes they may well require two different tools.

So for those onetime things, consider just letting a shop loosen it and retighten it for you.


Essentially, don't buy tools until you know what you need. The specialty tools you may only use once can add up quick.

Bmach

Take it apart, take pix as you do to help putting it back together. Take your time and enjoy.

zandoval 

Rust is not necessarily a bad thing when getting out to ride. Clean it up and scrub it down. Then oil everything. Sometimes I use Automatic Transmission oil ATF to get into tight spaces and clean them up. Make sure everything works. Youtube can be your instructor and don't forget to look up Reverend Sheldon Brown. Do what ya can to make the bike ride worthy and get to the paint when your locked up for winter. If you have no bike experience then have someone who does give the bike a going over to make sure it is safe. I do not mean taking it to a bike shop though. Often going to a bike shop is like taking your car to the dealership for repairs. Getting an old ride working is fun fun fun... Happy Happy, Joy Joy...

If that old Sears Bike is a Ted Williams you may have a hidden gem. Some of the old Ted Williams bikes had light weight Austrian Puch frames. But that's another story...

lucas602

A basic mechanics tool set from harbor freight isnt a bad thing to have. The thing is, unless you work in bangladesh, this adventure probably won't be worth your time. But if it's a hobby, who cares. A lot of places have a coop where you can go in and use tools. Stop by there to get the cranks off, wheels apart, etc

tyrion

A basic $50 bicycle toolkit will cover most of your needs. This one is out of stock but will give you an idea of what I'm talking about:

https://www.nashbar.com/spin-doctor-...2vqqqaweqeyaa2

Bike shops use better quality tools like Parktool but you don't need that for just refurbishing a bike or 2.

Chuck M 

I would look to see if there is a bike cooperative near you. There should be tools and experienced people to help you there. Even though you seem hesitant to remove the bottom bracket, you would get better results if you did and you could properly lube and reassemble it. Good luck.

billridesbikes

For old bikes, a set of box wrenches, an adjustable wrench, screw drivers, a hammer, and vice grip pliers, plus oil, rags is pretty much all you need.

If you can find a used copy of ‘Glenn’s Complete Bicycle manual’ Harold T. Glenn 1973 buy it. Otherwise watch some YouTube videos, go slow and be patient, take notes and pictures of how things are assembled as you take it apart.

We all started somewhere taking our bikes apart, and even although it seems like there are 10,000+ nuts, washers, screws, and bolt with practice and perseverance you can do it. You might even eventually get good enough that you’ll one day be able to make snarky comments on Bike Forums about how only experienced people should work on bikes.

If these tools are out of reach, consider joining a local bicycle co-op. Usually for a small membership fee you can get some time in their workshop and there will be folks that can help you with dis/re assembly.

Russ Roth

You will probably need 15mm wrench to remove the rear wheel, 15 or 13mm wrench for the front. A 12 or 13mm wrench or 6mm allen wrench for the stem. Seatpost will be 10 or 11mm wrench or 5mm allen wrench. Brakes will be bolted on with 10mm nuts, cable fixing bolts on the brakes will be 8 or 9mm, derailleur will be 9 or 10mm wrench. 14mm socket to remove the crank fixing bolt, you'll need a crank puller to remove the cranks. Headset will probably be 32mm, possibly 30mm if you pull the fork off which isn't a bad idea but tape the headset so you don't have to hammer it out and press in a new one. To adjust the headset you'll need two wrenches or one wrench and a large adjustable.

dedhed

​​​​​​Old Sears Roebuck - An adjustable wrench, some screwdrivers, and a chain tool.

Shopsi

Thank you everyone for taking the time to answer . Looking forward to a “new” bike!