This Puch Bergmeister followed me home last night.
05-28-16, 10:10 AM
#1
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This Puch Bergmeister followed me home last night.
While walking the dog up our normal route last night, I noticed my neighbor schlepping big bags of trash up from the curb. It turns out he had mistaken his bulk pickup day, which is next week, and he didn't want that stuff sitting there for so long. There was a bike, and I asked if he was getting rid of it. Sure enough, it was mine to take.
He bought it new in 1972 and commuted to Berkeley for years, but it's been decommissioned for a long time.
Had I been ten minutes later, it would have been up his driveway, and if he'd gotten the day right, it would be scrap by now. There must be something to that, no?
I don't need another project, but I like the idea of giving this hefty old Austrian a second life. I can't get to it for a while, but I will keep this thread updated when I can finally tackle it...
He bought it new in 1972 and commuted to Berkeley for years, but it's been decommissioned for a long time.
Had I been ten minutes later, it would have been up his driveway, and if he'd gotten the day right, it would be scrap by now. There must be something to that, no?
I don't need another project, but I like the idea of giving this hefty old Austrian a second life. I can't get to it for a while, but I will keep this thread updated when I can finally tackle it...
05-28-16, 10:27 AM
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Thanks for sharing your Bergie find noobinsf. 
Will look forward to following the progress.
Californians always know a machine is pre-'77 when it wears a municipal license. '77 was the year a statewide license system put into effect.
Will look forward to following the progress.
Californians always know a machine is pre-'77 when it wears a municipal license. '77 was the year a statewide license system put into effect.
05-28-16, 10:35 AM
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That should clean up pretty nice. Is it your size? Of course there are dozens of threads here discussing in detail the best ways to do every stage of said cleanup. Use your favorite search engine (not BF's search function) to find them.
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● 1971 Grandis SL ● 1972 Lambert Grand Prix frankenbike ● 1972 Raleigh Super Course fixie ● 1973 Nishiki Semi-Pro ● 1979 Motobecane Grand Jubile ●1980 Apollo "Legnano" ● 1984 Peugeot Vagabond ● 1985 Shogun Prairie Breaker ● 1986 Merckx Super Corsa ● 1987 Schwinn Tempo ● 1988 Schwinn Voyageur ● 1989 Bottechia Team ADR replica ● 1990 Cannondale ST600 ● 1993 Technium RT600 ● 1996 Kona Lava Dome ●
● 1971 Grandis SL ● 1972 Lambert Grand Prix frankenbike ● 1972 Raleigh Super Course fixie ● 1973 Nishiki Semi-Pro ● 1979 Motobecane Grand Jubile ●1980 Apollo "Legnano" ● 1984 Peugeot Vagabond ● 1985 Shogun Prairie Breaker ● 1986 Merckx Super Corsa ● 1987 Schwinn Tempo ● 1988 Schwinn Voyageur ● 1989 Bottechia Team ADR replica ● 1990 Cannondale ST600 ● 1993 Technium RT600 ● 1996 Kona Lava Dome ●
05-28-16, 11:05 AM
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My neighbor is about as tall as I am, so I figured there was a good chance it's my size. It's 56.5cm from center of BB to top of seat tube, which is spot on perfect. There is some pitting rust on the top surfaces, but yes, you're right - plenty of advice on how to deal with that with just a cursory search. It's certainly pretty. More pics shortly.
05-28-16, 11:28 AM
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You can see the copper plating under the paint. Pitting and grime will be the main issues.
Still, such an interesting bike...
Still, such an interesting bike...
Last edited by noobinsf; 05-28-16 at 11:44 AM.
05-28-16, 11:47 AM
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You might like to look at this thread from OrangeBike about restoring a Sears Steyr -
https://www.bikeforums.net/classic-vi...pic-heavy.html
It was taken in in much the same manner as your find...
https://www.bikeforums.net/classic-vi...pic-heavy.html
It was taken in in much the same manner as your find...
05-28-16, 11:47 AM
#7
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Classic bike! Those Bergies are interesting. I think the BF members have had a few show up on threads here. Will follow the cleanup.
05-28-16, 01:46 PM
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I always thought those looked pretty unique and always had my eyes peeled for one. Would make an excellent upright city bike, probably.
05-28-16, 02:04 PM
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You might like to look at this thread from OrangeBike about restoring a Sears Steyr -
https://www.bikeforums.net/classic-vi...pic-heavy.html
It was taken in in much the same manner as your find...
https://www.bikeforums.net/classic-vi...pic-heavy.html
It was taken in in much the same manner as your find...
Last edited by noobinsf; 05-28-16 at 03:00 PM.
05-28-16, 02:58 PM
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05-28-16, 05:37 PM
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As an unabashed fan of Austrian bikes (mine are from that smaller company in Vienna, rather than the big one in Graz), I applaud your rescue operation!
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Capo: 1959 Modell Campagnolo, S/N 40324; 1960 Sieger (2), S/N 42624, 42597
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"Far and away the best prize that life offers is the chance to work hard at work worth doing." --Theodore Roosevelt
Capo: 1959 Modell Campagnolo, S/N 40324; 1960 Sieger (2), S/N 42624, 42597
Carlton: 1962 Franco Suisse, S/N K7911
Peugeot: 1970 UO-8, S/N 0010468
Bianchi: 1982 Campione d'Italia, S/N 1.M9914
Schwinn: 1988 Project KOM-10, S/N F804069
05-29-16, 05:28 AM
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I'd look a close matching auto touch-up paint color. Nice looking frame!
08-15-16, 04:26 PM
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I had a rare day to spend on this project, so here is a bit of progress. It came apart much more easily than I thought it would!
08-15-16, 05:03 PM
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Whatever you do, don't lose the pieces of that headset! The locknut in particular seems to be irreplaceable. Some reports indicate that you can use a Puch moped headset for the rest in a pinch.
I fixed up this Steyr Clubman for the Clunker 100 Challenge.
It's like your bike's heavier, less athletic brother. There are a lot of similarities though.
I fixed up this Steyr Clubman for the Clunker 100 Challenge.
It's like your bike's heavier, less athletic brother. There are a lot of similarities though.
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08-15-16, 05:24 PM
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You might like to look at this thread from OrangeBike about restoring a Sears Steyr -
https://www.bikeforums.net/classic-vi...pic-heavy.html
It was taken in in much the same manner as your find...
https://www.bikeforums.net/classic-vi...pic-heavy.html
It was taken in in much the same manner as your find...
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08-15-16, 05:29 PM
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Thanks for the tip about the headset! Also, I'm not sure about your assumption that the Puch is lighter. It's pretty substantial -- a far cry from my modern aluminum or old Motobecane. Still looking forward to riding it eventually...
08-15-16, 05:44 PM
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The headsets on these are a bit special as the steerer has an outside diameter of 26.0mm.
@dddd has posted that he found a mail order source for new replacement headsets. iirc it is mentioned in the Orangebike thread.
@dddd has posted that he found a mail order source for new replacement headsets. iirc it is mentioned in the Orangebike thread.
08-15-16, 05:44 PM
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I've weighed my Clubman at over 33 pounds without rack, fenders or even the kickstand. I've made a few modifications to it recently (notably, 700c alloy wheels and a saddle that isn't made entirely of steel) and have it down to 28.5 pounds.
It's hard to be sure from the pictures, but it looks like your Bergmeister has somewhat more standard geometry. My Clubman has 70 degree angles on both the seat tube and head tube. It looks like your Bergmeister might only have the slack seat tube.
In any event, I think they're pretty neat bikes and their quirks only make them more interesting.
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08-15-16, 05:51 PM
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The headsets on these are a bit special as the steerer has an outside diameter of 26.0mm.
@dddd has posted that he found a mail order source for new replacement headsets. iirc it is mentioned in the Orangebike thread.
@dddd has posted that he found a mail order source for new replacement headsets. iirc it is mentioned in the Orangebike thread.
Here's dddd's link, reproduced here for convenience:
https://www.treatland.tv/puch-maxi-f...arings-set.htm
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08-16-16, 04:31 AM
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While walking the dog up our normal route last night, I noticed my neighbor schlepping big bags of trash up from the curb. It turns out he had mistaken his bulk pickup day, which is next week, and he didn't want that stuff sitting there for so long. There was a bike, and I asked if he was getting rid of it. Sure enough, it was mine to take.
He bought it new in 1972 and commuted to Berkeley for years, but it's been decommissioned for a long time.
Had I been ten minutes later, it would have been up his driveway, and if he'd gotten the day right, it would be scrap by now. There must be something to that, no?
I don't need another project, but I like the idea of giving this hefty old Austrian a second life. I can't get to it for a while, but I will keep this thread updated when I can finally tackle it...
He bought it new in 1972 and commuted to Berkeley for years, but it's been decommissioned for a long time.
Had I been ten minutes later, it would have been up his driveway, and if he'd gotten the day right, it would be scrap by now. There must be something to that, no?
I don't need another project, but I like the idea of giving this hefty old Austrian a second life. I can't get to it for a while, but I will keep this thread updated when I can finally tackle it...
08-16-16, 11:29 AM
#21
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Now that @juvela got my expectations and your targets way up, I'll be following this with interest.
All kidding aside: nice save, I hope you'll get lots of enjoyable miles from it!
All kidding aside: nice save, I hope you'll get lots of enjoyable miles from it!
08-16-16, 12:28 PM
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They were copper plated and then then sprayed with a translucent paint. My red one was spectacular when it was new.
08-19-16, 07:35 PM
#23
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The c-clamp method for cotter removal works yet again...
08-27-16, 11:34 AM
#24
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The bottom bracket cups are engraved with "34.8," which Mr. Interwebs tells me is English threading expressed in metric terms. I was going to use the old cottered crank for value's sake, but I'm tempted to get a cheapo cartridge bb and a used JIS crank just to lighten this beast.
08-27-16, 11:44 AM
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This is a great looking bike and a fun project to boot; nothing like dumpster diving for bikes.