šŸ LE MIRAGE - An update.

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Joined
Oct 2, 2012
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I was looking at my bicycle collection and decided that it was missing a road or race bike.
So, I started shopping around for a suitable machine. The first one that took my fancy was a Specialized Allez for $1000.

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But when I test rode it, it was too small for my 6ā€™4ā€ frame.
Next, I saw an upmarket Felt, so I drove 2 hours south to Tweed Heads in northern NSW to test ride.
It had been traded-in at a bike shop and I thought it fitted my bill - although the $1,500 asking price was 50% over budget, it appealed because it was a $7+k bike when new and was a 60cm frame.

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And I didnā€™t like riding it at all. Not the machine's fault - a finely tuned brute - but it was too brutal for my recreation and exercise application.

When I got home and there was a message from a seller I'd contacted, who was offering a 'Tall man's Bicycle' for sale.

I drove another half an hour and checked a Vintage Peugeot.
Immediately I saw it - I said 'deal' and paid $110 for it on the spot. Didn't even ride it because it had flat tyres. The whole scene was like something from ā€˜Steptoe and Sonā€™.
I got it home, inflated and rode it around the block - and I love it. It's light, smooth - and steel. And I've got a ton of budget! :cool:

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It's now going to be my entry and I plan to fully restore it (it's quite rough up close - but all there).
My Ph.D in Google tells me it's a slightly modified 1982 Pugeot PBN 10 S from the French Brochure - and in the English Brochure it's called 'Mirage' - thus the hybrid name.

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Some closer shots:

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It's been well travelled. France to the US to Australia. Would have some tales to tell.

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And now the restoration fun begins with my two helpers, ā€˜Silasā€™ and ā€˜Rockā€™.

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Parts are polishing up well while I wait for parts ordered so far.
I'll need a bigger parts bin. And the wheels are going to take a lot of work.

First thing to go on is a Brooks B17 that I had in stock.

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A Dremel and 'Solvol Autosol' is my preferred method.

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On the way - so far. New decals and bits.
The spray.bike product will be interesting.
https://spraybike.com.au/
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Happy Daze!
 

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You have to admit, the old metal frame classic bikes are certainly much better then the new age carbon stuff coming out now...
 
I think it depends on application - competition and such isn't me - I'm here for the exercise and fun.
Yes, that is true. Some of the new bikes are out of this world...
 
STEEL IS REAL! Always my preferrd material for comfort.

Iā€™ve used Spray.Bike before and itā€™s good stuff. Remember to read and follow the directions, esp. about spraying distance. Too far away and it dries before contact leaving a chalky rough finish.
 
Steel is great when you want to weld something to it, but I do love a bit of aluminium when I have to ride far... :)
 
STEEL IS REAL! Always my preferrd material for comfort.

Iā€™ve used Spray.Bike before and itā€™s good stuff. Remember to read and follow the directions, esp. about spraying distance. Too far away and it dries before contact leaving a chalky rough finish.

Thanks - Will do.
I'm keen to give it a try - I'm a terrible painter - and there's no 'undo' key :)
 
Thanks - Will do.
I'm keen to give it a try - I'm a terrible painter - and there's no 'undo' key :)
In all painting projects, whether it is a wall in the kitchen (like yesterday's job) or a bike frame, my motto is "it's easier to add than to take away".

You have a beautiful bike to start with. Already like the Brooksie on there! Keep the photos and progress posts coming~!

And, welcome to the fun of an RRB Build Off!
 
Parts have started arriving.
Tyres, cables and bar tape showed up yesterday.

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I also lashed out on some new tools - My callipers were Craftsman junk so I went for some expensive Kinchrome Digitals to deal with these zany French standards - You were right about that MattiThundrr!!

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Lovely instrument

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But - case in point - the seat post is:
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And it's badly beat up and dented - But fortunately I found a new one on Bay - Youch $ - but even better that it has a slight lay back. Found some new leather toe straps too.

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While I was tool shopping and buying abrasives for the wheel resto, I couldn't help myself with this gadget too - it turns a Dremel into a drill press - or a polishing stand/wheel. Loving it.

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So I gots busy with the other brake components. Nice results.

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The pedals will be a bigger challenge. Rust remover first - then I think they will need a sand.
I did buy some BMX bear traps that look similar for general riding - but I want to do the full resto on these too. My size 14s don't fit the cages so well.

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And of course the play rumble over who got to chew up the old bar tape that one of them nicked from the bin was a hoot.

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Wow! Great work on the cleaning and polishing! The whitewalls will give it sort of a period 'hot rod' look for it's era. You are having fun with this already. Dig the leather toe straps. I had white ones on an old Motobecane (the real ones from the '70s) once upon a time.

I bought a tool stand like yours this past winter to use as a drill press for my guitar build. It worked great.

RaT oN~!
 

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