Dad’s 1970’s Dawes bike restoration
12-04-21, 09:28 AM
#26
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I recently brought a Brooks Competition back from the dead using Lexol. As someone else noted, you need something thinner than the waxy treatments like proofide or obenaufs LP, although those are good to protect it once you get it revitalized. Mine was in worse shape than this one. I drenched it in Lexol and let it sit like that for a couple of days wrapped in kitchen foil. After it's soaked, start working the Lexol in by hand using some force. Repeat as necessary.
12-04-21, 09:56 AM
#27
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Bikes: 1966 Dawes Double Blue, 1976 Raleigh Gran Sport, 1975 Raleigh Sprite 27, 1980 Univega Viva Sport, 1971 Gitane Tour de France, 1984 Lotus Classique, 1976 Motobecane Grand Record
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I recently brought a Brooks Competition back from the dead using Lexol. As someone else noted, you need something thinner than the waxy treatments like proofide or obenaufs LP, although those are good to protect it once you get it revitalized. Mine was in worse shape than this one. I drenched it in Lexol and let it sit like that for a couple of days wrapped in kitchen foil. After it's soaked, start working the Lexol in by hand using some force. Repeat as necessary.
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12-04-21, 10:06 AM
#28
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Bikes: 1972 Peugeot PX10, 1979 Gios Torino Super Record, 1984 Centurion Pro Tour 15, 1989 Cinelli Supercorsa, 2015 Moots Routt 45, 2018 Yeti SB5.5 Turq, 2020 Giant TCR SL Team, 2021 Salsa Beargrease
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12-04-21, 05:55 PM
#30
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Well in that case i'd douse it in neatsfoot oil and forget about it. That should prevent any further decay. I would also look into putting the badge from the original saddle on the new one for the correct vintage look.
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12-05-21, 05:08 PM
#32
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Just rode around the block fir the first time in 30 plus years of storage. Tune up and new rubber breaths some life back into her.
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12-10-21, 02:33 AM
#34
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I love the look of your new Brooks saddle and bar tape! Good choice. I happened to have picked up the exact same bike back in October. The seller told me he’s sure it’s from 1974, I’m not certain but I think he’s gotta be pretty close. It came with a cheap saddle that I replaced with an Ideale Record Type 80 I pulled off of a 1980 Motobecane Grand Record. Your saddle is nice and will break in much quicker than my Ideale. These things are notoriously difficult. Even though it’s over forty years old it’s still hard as a rock but I’m determined to be the guy that finally breaks one in. It also came with some cheap wheels with steel rims, I took the wheels off of my 1980 Schwinn Voyageur and put them here so I could ride around with decent tire pressure and good braking in wet weather. It’s not my final build for the Dawes but this will work for now. Congratulations on a nice bike!
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12-10-21, 07:28 AM
#35
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That’s a nice find. I will likely be changing little things for safety and reliability until it is dialed in. My goal is to use it as a commuter bike to work in the city. I definitely need reliable brakes as there is a big hill where I live. I’ve heard the steel wheels and brakes are not good in wet weather a few times. I’m sensing a new set of wheels are in my near future.
