Project 3- 1987 Mongoose Decade

[laidback]

Good morning guys.

I'm pleased to announce that the next project has arrived.  I bit the bullet and went for a 1987 ( I think) Decade   It is 99.9% complete and original. 

I'll let the photos do the talking:















As you can see, it's in pretty good survivor condition   As far as i can tell, everything on it is standard, apart from the tyres and brake cables. Perhaps a Decade guru would like to confirm?

The only bit of damage i can see on the frame unfortunately, is a bent rear drop out:


i118.photobucket.com/albums/o114/lowback/IMG_4868_zps0a4a44a3.jpg[/IMG][/URL]


Any suggestions on how to fix this? will a vice and a bit of brute force work, or will i need to heat it up and use a different technique? If you look at the inside of the chainstay tubing, the tubes are flat leading to the drop out, but only on the sprocket side.  Is this normal, or is it damage?

I'll keep you posted on progress

[insectbones]

Yeah its an '87 

Dropout is easy to sort, couple of bits of protection either side and slip a large adjustable spanner over the end, tighten it up to grip, and bend back 

[fischflo]

This 1987  has it flat, too, so i guess it's like that http://bmxmuseum.com/forums/viewtopic.php?pid=3481224

animalic Steve

Use 2 blocks of wood in a vice 2 straighten that  If u try just bending it cold it may snap 

think i'd try without the heat incase you want to keep the surivor mint  and i'd use a miami vice too

edit: the adjustable spanner trick sounds tops

[laidback]

Looks like it's been claimed already

[skippyg]

if I was there ,I would have claimed it as well

[laidback]

Can anyone tell me what brakes are on it? Are they Tech 5 Levers, with an 880 front caliper? What's the rear?

[skippyg]

dia compe 750 centre pull brake on the rear,thats what mine had on it
 

[insectbones]

Can anyone tell me what brakes are on it? Are they Tech 5 Levers, with an 880 front caliper?

Yep 

[laidback]

I made the most of the sunny afternoon we are having and decided to make a start on the bike.  I have completely stripped it, and was surprised how easily it came apart.  Everything is still perfectly serviceable, apart from the freewheel and brake cables, so i shall be cleaning them up and re-using everything else

I decided to make a start on the wheels today.  They are the original Skyway OE's, and as you can see, they were yellowed and very dirty. I didn't hold out much hope of getting them white again!

Before:




I had read various threads about whitening Tuffs, most of which involved the use of a bathroom cleaner containing bleach, and then some form of peroxide solution.  This is the route i have decided to take in the hope of getting mine white again.

I used Ciillt Bang with bleach, and some cream cleaner to remove the brake rub:


During:


The above photo shows how well the Cillit Bang lifts off the dirt without any scrubbing.

After:




One wheel cleaned, the other still to do:




Quite pleased with them!  I have ordered some peroxide gel, which i shall hopefully be using at the weekend.  Watch this space for the finished results

[skippyg]

whats the peroxide gel for? whitening the wheels?

[laidback]

Yes Skippy. Although they look white, they could be whiter! Debating whether to leave them as they are, considering it's a survivor, or to go the whole hog

[insectbones]

They came up really well, nice work 

[laidback]

Yep, pretty pleased with them. Just finished the front, it's just as good.  Im debating whether to peroxide them or not. They will be true white, rather than off white if i do. I wonder whether to leave them as they are, considering it's a survivor?

[insectbones]

If you're leaving the f+f and bars as is, personally I would leave the wheels alone now 

[brakedancer]

lookin sweet fella ...

nice job on the wheels too....

[deeman]

If you're leaving the f+f and bars as is, personally I would leave the wheels alone now 

^^^this! 
I was going to try and make a solution called 'retrobrite' gel which is popular amongst star wars figure collectors.Google it but it involved peroxide, vanish oxy action, and xanthe gum and glycerine as far as I remember....then some sunlight /uv light. Never got round to it in the end but worth a look.   

[laidback]

If you're leaving the f+f and bars as is, personally I would leave the wheels alone now 

^^^this! 
I was going to try and make a solution called 'retrobrite' gel which is popular amongst star wars figure collectors.Google it but it involved peroxide, vanish oxy action, and xanthe gum and glycerine as far as I remember....then some sunlight /uv light. Never got round to it in the end but worth a look.   

I've seen the Retrobrite stuff on a BMX Museum thread, that's where i read about using bathroom cleaner with bleach.  A pretty straight forward wheel resto. I've been cracking on with it this week, when i've had the chance.

Scabby old seat:




Bleached and then chucked in an OA bath, along with the cranks and some very rusty seat guts:


Result:



Seat guts before OA Bath:


After the OA Bath:

Although still a bit rusty, I think i will use them.  It's a survivor and they are original to the bike afterall!

Cleaned and serviced a few bits:





Serviced the freewheel, using the handy guide on here



Took delivery of these:


Cleaned and rebuilt the hubs:


And finished off the wheels :




Pleased with the whiteness of the tyres.  Not too bright, so they match (kind of) the rest of the white parts

And started to put the old girl back together after cleaning and polishing the frame:




It's nowhere near finished yet, still needs brake cables and tweaking.  Trying to get it ready for the London Ride. 

[oldschoolace]

Gotta love a seafoam green decade

[laidback]

Gotta love a seafoam green decade

Malibu Mint - or is it Seafoam?! It's becoming my favourite build! No hassle, no hunting for parts, and it's taken two weeks to do

[insectbones]

Spot on that is 

Nice work!

[oldschoolace]

Looks like it's in similar condition to mine. Nearly gave it the full resto treatment when I got it, so glad I didn't 

[laidback]

Looks like it's in similar condition to mine. Nearly gave it the full resto treatment when I got it, so glad I didn't 

Very nice :)I'm of the opinion that unless it is a complete basket case and needs major work, then survivor is the way forward. A bit of patina shows a bit of history/tells a story.  Anyone can re powder a frame and make it mint, but it's only original once, and those scuffs and scrapes take years to develop, and are irreplaceable.

And you can ride the thing without worrying about scratching it

[oldschoolace]

Exactly! A while back in here it seemed like everyone was getting stuff stripped and powdered white.... sad times 

[laidback]

A couple of finished pics, just dialled in the brakes ready for tomorrow's London Ride

[brakedancer]

spot on dude look tremendous .....