Free bike from fb marketplace came with new tubes and tires.
My feet and the bike It’s all i got for transportation.
I got tools and time. And like under 60$ a month i can throw at this bike to modernize it and maintain it.
by devonon2707
Free bike from fb marketplace came with new tubes and tires.
My feet and the bike It’s all i got for transportation.
I got tools and time. And like under 60$ a month i can throw at this bike to modernize it and maintain it.
by devonon2707
8 Comments
Old varsity. It’s a tank but you’ll run over folks and never know. Great starter especially for the price. Don’t let anyone give you crap for it. You’re gonna be limited on modernization because it’s all imperial and everything today is metric. You won’t be able to get over 10 speed with that frame. Make it yours and have a good time. Ride it to death.
Just keep the tires inflated, brake pads up to date (I believe they had steel rims and you need special brake pads for them- look for “salmon pads “ from Kool Stop or Scott-Mathauser. A decent pump can be found for around $25.00. Park Tools has a YouTube channel with instructions on how to fix or repair just about anything.
Those things are built to last and easy to maintain. Just remember, it’s all about the engine, powering the bike.
Looks to be in nice shape. Keep it friction shifted and upgrade brakes and then look one eBay for a 6 or 7 speed freewheel with decent range maybe like a 12-34 tooth and you’ll be able to do almost anything you want
I had an old varsity until a few years ago. It was a fun bike. Love the green!
1) Keep tires inflated properly. Best to check before every ride!
2) Consider modern bar tape – even over the classic stuff. Taping bars is a little difficult – watch many videos, and try with a used tube (ask a shop for a blown tube – it’ll be free) a few times to build up confidence.
Otherwise, just ride it.
That’s a really cool classic bike…I’d keep it exactly as it is, ride it and maintain it…just tires, tubes and chains…with an overhaul that you can do yourself to save a ton of money on maintenance.
Just check the stem height…it looks a bit too high from my glance…
On the side of the stem, there will be a horozontal line that might be labeled ” MAX HT “.
At that line, it’s at the maximum when the line is at the level of the top fork nut…lower than that is ok too..but not higher.
The stem is made so it expands in the fork column when tightened..likely with a wedge or plug nut.
If the stem is set too high, that expansion nut can put too much pressure on the THREADS of the fork, which can split or break them…and way too high, the stem can just fail to hold and potentially fall out…that can happen suddenly too. It may work for a while, but eventually it is at risk of failing.
When it comes to steering the bike, that has everything to do with the balance of the riding the bike…so that stem needs to be in the right place for height and tight.
Any fail there..and you will fall instantly…
So take care…and have fun..
P.S…(with steel rims, give yourself alot of time and distance to stop when the rims are wet…you’ll know what and why when you try the brakes in the rain…aluminum rims help that problem alot…but steel rims can make your brake feel like a gearing clutch..not a brake, when wet.)
I like this bike a lot