Front and rear derailleurs on AMF bike
02-10-18, 10:41 AM
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Front and rear derailleurs on AMF bike
I know I may be pushing the limits of "vintage" here (versus just old) with this post, but I just picked up this bike ($10) and noticed the interesting front and rear derailleurs. Does anyone know anything about these?
02-10-18, 10:55 AM
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02-10-18, 11:42 AM
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02-10-18, 01:25 PM
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If you want to build a single-speed that's worth the time and money, start with a '70's or '80's Japanese bike. It should be relatively cheap, relatively common, and parts will be easily available. I did this with an '80's Schwinn Le Tour (actually a "Mississippi Schwinn") and it was a reliable, nice-riding bike.
OTOH, it's your time and money.
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02-10-18, 03:24 PM
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Not really worth the time to put any effort to make that bike into anything. Anything you put on thst AMF would be a total waste 9f money.
AMF (American Machine and Foundry) made pretty bad stuff and it really shows on that bike.
A conglomerate that took on products it had no experience in making and selling them so that quality and value suffered tremendously. They did such a bad job on everything that they even almost killed Harley Davidson when they owned them in the 70's.....
For just a bit more money, you can buy a used base level model Japanese bike that will build up to a 100 times better riding bicycle that that AMF ever will be.
AMF (American Machine and Foundry) made pretty bad stuff and it really shows on that bike.
A conglomerate that took on products it had no experience in making and selling them so that quality and value suffered tremendously. They did such a bad job on everything that they even almost killed Harley Davidson when they owned them in the 70's.....
For just a bit more money, you can buy a used base level model Japanese bike that will build up to a 100 times better riding bicycle that that AMF ever will be.
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Last edited by Chombi1; 02-10-18 at 04:40 PM.
02-10-18, 03:41 PM
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I know your best option with this one is to abandon the project before it gains any momentum, quietly reminding yourself that $10 is a bargain-basement price for a lesson learned.
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A race bike in any era is a highly personal choice that at its "best" balances the requirements of fit, weight, handling, durability and cost tempered by the willingness to toss it and oneself down the pavement at considerable speed. ~Bandera
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02-10-18, 04:00 PM
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As others have said, don't waste any more time or money on it. You could pick up an old Schwinn Varsity or Continental that's at least a well constructed frame (although heavy).
02-10-18, 04:58 PM
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The derailleurs are mildly interesting, only because they were made in USA. Maybe you could console yourself over your purchase by pulling the derailleurs, cleaning them up, and throwing them on your bench as interesting talking points... if/when you find another project. If you end up scrapping the whole bike, the loss of the derailleurs to the scrap cost would be minimal. Actually, working on a craptastical bike provides many a valuable lesson... for me, the most valuable lesson was that no matter how good a mechanic I might be, I could never keep the super cheap parts in tune; eventually, that point drove itself home.
02-10-18, 05:28 PM
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gotta luv that phun stern arrestor cable loop!
and speaking of arrestors...who owns the piscatorial logo?
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gotta luv that phun stern arrestor cable loop!
and speaking of arrestors...who owns the piscatorial logo?
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02-10-18, 06:03 PM
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https://www.ebay.com/itm/NOS-Vintage...-/173119754534
02-10-18, 06:07 PM
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You spent $10 too much. As others have mentioned, dont put another dime into it. It will only bring sorry and sadness. 
02-10-18, 06:18 PM
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That's a Yoshikawa, but you knew that already I'll bet
https://www.ebay.com/itm/NOS-Vintage...-/173119754534
https://www.ebay.com/itm/NOS-Vintage...-/173119754534
Thanks so much!
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02-10-18, 06:30 PM
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Maybe five each...
02-10-18, 06:36 PM
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Who'd a-thunk it?!?!
Even department store bike fittings have their followings.
juvela, wondering whot i could git fer this boite o' roosty thunderbird mechs?
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02-10-18, 08:35 PM
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Puke
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02-10-18, 08:41 PM
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Asking fifty. Getting...?
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A race bike in any era is a highly personal choice that at its "best" balances the requirements of fit, weight, handling, durability and cost tempered by the willingness to toss it and oneself down the pavement at considerable speed. ~Bandera
A race bike in any era is a highly personal choice that at its "best" balances the requirements of fit, weight, handling, durability and cost tempered by the willingness to toss it and oneself down the pavement at considerable speed. ~Bandera
02-11-18, 07:47 PM
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The derailleurs are mildly interesting, only because they were made in USA. Maybe you could console yourself over your purchase by pulling the derailleurs, cleaning them up, and throwing them on your bench as interesting talking points... if/when you find another project. If you end up scrapping the whole bike, the loss of the derailleurs to the scrap cost would be minimal. Actually, working on a craptastical bike provides many a valuable lesson... for me, the most valuable lesson was that no matter how good a mechanic I might be, I could never keep the super cheap parts in tune; eventually, that point drove itself home.
02-11-18, 08:01 PM
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In looking at the machine's fittings I was reminded of the old Brit advert appellation - "...the all steel bicycle..." as it appears there be not a single alloy fitting in the whole shebang.
If the Yoshikawa brakes have some collector value then perhaps the cycle's Cecor pedals will as well.
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In looking at the machine's fittings I was reminded of the old Brit advert appellation - "...the all steel bicycle..." as it appears there be not a single alloy fitting in the whole shebang.
If the Yoshikawa brakes have some collector value then perhaps the cycle's Cecor pedals will as well.
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02-14-18, 12:02 PM
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The machine's Excel mech ensemble definitely deserves entry in this forum thread -
https://m.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=716418
Probably no need for lavandation.
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The machine's Excel mech ensemble definitely deserves entry in this forum thread -
https://m.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=716418
Probably no need for lavandation.
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02-14-18, 04:13 PM
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Slightly off topic but I had an AMF Javelin with factory disc brakes out of the 70s/80s once. Total piece of junk but sold it for $30 so they could keep it as a conversation piece
02-14-18, 04:33 PM
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02-14-18, 04:35 PM
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IIRC there was as well the AMC Javelin.
Ah, har she be -
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/AMC_Javelin
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02-14-18, 04:37 PM
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AMF took over a bunch of companies in the 70s and 80s, started chopping, and turned their products into crap.
Head and Harley just to mention two. Tim
Head and Harley just to mention two. Tim
02-14-18, 05:53 PM
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wrt Harley -
recall it well; each new bike in the showroom required a drip pan, or scrap of cardboard, under its engine.
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