SWB0 Grand Jubile aka the Waterloo Watusi

[Pondo]

I broke out the new SRAM 8 speed chain to check things. It seems to fit fine on both chainrings and also the rear cogs.

I adjusted the derailleur stops and it does reach the whole freewheel. Couldn’t get a pic on the 34t cog, not enough hands. I’m not sure it’s going to actually clear the 34 though so I’m going to order a derailleur hanger extender just in case.

A lot of YouTube bike builders recommend cleaning off the oil that comes on new chains. Is that necessary? I’ve always just left it but it would be easy to clean it off.

 

[OddJob]

Leave it on and when it wears down use your chain lube right over the top of the factory stuff. Youtube bike mechanics, sheesh.

 

[twojs.bike]

Looks like you may have already figured this out. I have never tried this , but remember reading about it.

https://bike.bikegremlin.com/1220/1-bicycle-chains-compatibility/

 

[Pondo]

Leave it on and when it wears down use your chain lube right over the top of the factory stuff. Youtube bike mechanics, sheesh.

My thoughts as well, thanks OJ!

Looks like you may have already figured this out. I have never tried this , but remember reading about it.

https://bike.bikegremlin.com/1220/1-bicycle-chains-compatibility/

View attachment 288373

I'm hoping it will shift ok with this chain but we'll see. I just got lucky with this gear setup. I looked up the specs for this derailleur and it is designed to fit with a 34t cog plus it's exactly the right total capacity for the gears I have.

 

[OddJob]

Yes, the B pivot screw will have to be adjusted quite a bit to get the top pulley to run low enough to clear the 34t.
I'm still curious about that chainring matching up with the chain size. Under load and shifting is different that running through it in the stand for sure. You best chance would be a 9 speed chain, or an 8 speed chain that worked with the old Shimano road series, like the 8 speed version of Shimano 105.

 

[Pondo]

Yes, the B pivot screw will have to be adjusted quite a bit to get the top pulley to run low enough to clear the 34t.
I'm still curious about that chainring matching up with the chain size. Under load and shifting is different that running through it in the stand for sure. You best chance would be a 9 speed chain, or an 8 speed chain that worked with the old Shimano road series, like the 8 speed version of Shimano 105.

I think I might have a 9 speed chain, I'll try that. Hopefully something will shift ok with this setup.

 

[Pondo]

Looks like you may have already figured this out. I have never tried this , but remember reading about it.

https://bike.bikegremlin.com/1220/1-bicycle-chains-compatibility/

View attachment 288373

That was a pretty interesting read, thanks for posting it TwoJs! Here's an interesting look at the chains from that article:

 

[OddJob]

I'll be interested in your results.

 

[OddJob]

SWEET SPOT!

 

[Pondo]

The small chrome bits came out of the OA bath looking much better.

I was rummaging thru my spares today and came across this oddball sized seatpost, 26.4mm. And it is a good fit for the Motobecane frame! That simplifies things so I’m not going to swap the frame. I’ll complete the build on the original frame and swap it later if it’s just too big for me. Now hopefully I can finish this build shortly.

 

[Pondo]

eBay is a real crapshoot. Seems like at least a third of the used parts I buy there are barely functional or just junk. This otherwise very cool Shimano 600 rear derailleur for example. When I got it the mounting bolt slipped out and I thought I need to keep track of that. What I didn’t realize was the B screw was missing. Looks like it’s held on with a clip so it was removed rather than just falling off.

I don’t know if I can adapt one from an old derailleur or not. More likely I think this is just a decorative piece now. It wasn’t too expensive but too expensive for not being usable.

Another thing I just realized is the 38t inner chainring I got is narrow/wide. I think that’s going to screw up the shifting. If it doesn’t shift down exactly right the chain will get out of phase with the chainring and not slide on. The joys of fixing up old stuff with mix and match parts.

I can use a different derailleur and just leave the chain on the inner chainring for now to get it rideable.

 

[Captain Awesome]

eBay is a real crapshoot. Seems like at least a third of the used parts I buy there are barely functional or just junk. This otherwise very cool Shimano 600 rear derailleur for example. When I got it the mounting bolt slipped out and I thought I need to keep track of that. What I didn’t realize was the B screw was missing. Looks like it’s held on with a clip so it was removed rather than just falling off.
View attachment 288565

I don’t know if I can adapt one from an old derailleur or not. More likely I think this is just a decorative piece now. It wasn’t too expensive but too expensive for not being usable.

Another thing I just realized is the 38t inner chainring I got is narrow/wide. I think that’s going to screw up the shifting. If it doesn’t shift down exactly right the chain will get out of phase with the chainring and not slide on. The joys of fixing up old stuff with mix and match parts.

I can use a different derailleur and just leave the chain on the inner chainring for now to get it rideable.

@ingola

You got any 600’s in your stash?

 

[ingola]

@ingola

You got any 600’s in your stash?

I may

 

[Captain Awesome]

I may

 

[Pondo]

@ingola

You got any 600’s in your stash?

I may

Thanks guys. I'm going to look at my used derailleurs and see if I can pillage some parts. It should be a simple job if I have something that fits. I don't mind using a different derailleur. I have some decent options. I just thought it would be neat to match the stuff. But I think this is going 1x on the cranks now due to that narrow/wide chainring. In the future I'd like to rebuild the rear wheel with a cassette hub and gear it way down for the hills.

On another note, I just took it off the stand to give the standover another try. It's way too tall for me. I think I'm going to go with the smaller Fuji frame after all so I can wind up with a bike I can actually use. I'll find someone with a longer inseam that needs this frame. I think it's 56-57cm and I ride in the 52-54 range.

 

[Pondo]

Went to strip this frame down and…

Found a cracked frame lug (!) at the head tube. I knew this frame had been crashed but I had my fingers crossed.

Anyone know if a 27” wheel will fit in a 26” MTB frame?

 

[ingola]

Went to strip this frame down and…
View attachment 288567

Found a cracked frame lug (!) at the head tube. I knew this frame had been crashed but I had my fingers crossed.
View attachment 288568

Anyone know if a 27” wheel will fit in a 26” MTB frame?

It doesn't looked cracked looks like where the two lugs meet

 

[Pondo]

I think it’s cracked right at the head tube, not at the edge of the lug. Maybe I could try to braze it?

The 27” wheel does go into a MTB frame, sort of. I won’t use this Novarra frame, it’s really heavy. I have that Trek frame somewhere

 

[Pondo]

I think this Trek 830 is going to do the trick

The shop inspector approves

It’s a better size for me, the seatpost is the same size, the caliper brake will work and it will easily fit a cassette hub in the future.

I’ll strip all the existing parts off and get it ready for paint. No frame lugs so it won’t be an exact match but I’ll add some red accents to match a little better. Maybe this weekend I can get it assembled.

 

[Captain Awesome]

Better change your build name to the Waterloo Watusi