Vintage Bicycle Parts - Where To Get Them :: Author : Harv
From the ‘Workstand and Tools’ blog , Gary G asks,”Do you know of any bike shops in the West San Gabriel valley that stock a good selection of bike parts for everyday and older bikes?”.
Not being one to frequent LBSs in search of new parts for vintage bikes, I am poorly qualified to give you a recommendation for such a source in the San Gabriel valley. However, I can tell you what my approach has been. I do not go to an LBS for vintage parts, or parts for ‘everyday’ bikes. I have tried this, but quickly realized the futility of the effort.
“You want a right-hand threaded bottom bracket fixed cup for a 1972 Peugeot UE-8? Just got a fresh batch in yesterday”
You sort of suggested a solution to your problem — mail order! If you have to wait a few days for your LBS to receive ordered parts anyway, why not order them yourself? This is what I do for new bits that I need. Usually these are the small items that are needed to rebuild the various bearing surfaces: axles, cones, headsets, bottom brackets, and brake parts. Other items like wheels, freewheels, stems, pedals, complete brakes and brake levers, I try to salvage from other old bikes. Sometimes new parts for modern bikes can be used for these applications. In which case, your LBS should have them on the shelf.
In the case of obsolete parts that were never highly regarded (cottered cranks, Helicomatic hubs, steel wheels, old French bottom brackets, odd sized tyres, and other weird stuff) you are on your own and must be clever and resourceful if you want to press on with bikes thusly equipped. Believe it or not there are Luddites who relish the challenge. (I am guilty of this myself). Workarounds are key to this pursuit.
“An indicator spindle for a 1970 Sturmey-Archer AW 3-speed hub? I’ll check in the back.”
There was a time when you could walk into a bike shop or auto parts store for that matter (Western Auto) and see bins full of small parts for most bikes extant. Those days are long over. Not enough profit in devoting space to such items. Never again will be. I suggest getting acquainted with mail order suppliers such as Bike Tools Etc, Niagara, and Loose Screws. If they don’t have what you need, you will have to go to Plan C, which is Cannabilization.
Good luck. Let me know if there is a specific problem I can help you with.
All good suggestions…
Cannibalization works wonders — it is worth it to salvage EVERY odd bolt, screw, spring and washer from a no-longer-useable bicycle component. Over the years I have collected four carefully-sorted plastic bins of these “bits and bobs”, and this collection has saved my bacon hundreds of times! I even save the stuff that appears to be completely worn out, because these items could be pressed into service for emergencies.
There are a lot of vintage parts dealers on the Web, now, too. It is worthwhile to do some Internet searching for odd parts…I could list a number of favorite “destinations” (Yellow Jersey in Madison WI springs to mind, as does VIA Bicycle in Philly), but you should have fun searching on your own!!!
Don’t forget Ebay, as well. There, it pays to phrase your search in a number of different ways, since the sellers don’t often use the same descriptive terms YOU might use in your search. I have had reasonably good success finding vintage goodies there, and have actually managed to get some decent deals!
Happy hunting!!
Comment by Ghost Rider — December 3, 2006 @ 11:23 am
Walt, I don’t have any, but there are a couple up for bid now on Ebay.
Comment by Harv — March 10, 2007 @ 3:49 pm
I need a Shimano Crane front deraillure for a Schwinn World Voyager along with the spring coverings for the front and rear derailluer cables and the end pieces that cover the spring cable coverings where they go into the dreailluers.
Thank you,
Frank Warner
Comment by Frank Warner — July 20, 2007 @ 7:27 am
Frank,
Almost any front derailer that will fit the diameter of your frame will work. Just set the limits for your double chainring setup. You do not need a Schwinn World Voyager-specific part. The cables, housing, and ferrules are equally non-specific items and can be purchased at your local bike shop for a couple of dollars for each assembly.
Comment by Harv — July 20, 2007 @ 7:36 am
Looking for a set of headset wrenches for the old Shimano 600 EX “flower” shaped headset from the 80’s. Any help will be appreciated. outbill@ptd.net.
Comment by Bill D. — July 31, 2007 @ 6:23 pm
Hi,
I am looking for a Ofmega Mistral Rear Derailleur.
The outer chain cage is made of a black plastic resin.
Trek’s 660 (1985) bike had it as part of its original equipment.
Do you know where I can get one?
Best regards,
Dave
Comment by David T — November 29, 2007 @ 11:14 am
Hi, I’m looking for a gray colored shifter cable for a Schwinn 5 speed Cruiser that I think is about a 1980 model. Thanks, Bill
Comment by William Mitchell — January 9, 2008 @ 11:16 pm
Niagara ( http://www.niagaracycle.com) has grey shifter cable housing and the inner cable. Cable sets are not made for individual bicycle models. You have to custom fit the assembly for your application by trimming the inner cable to length, then cut the housing and put a ferrul on the cut end.
Comment by Harv — January 10, 2008 @ 7:47 am
Jockey Wheels for old derailleurs are an issue.
I have an old Simplex. It might be possible that I could use something for a new Shimano or SRAM, but I don’t know the dimensions. I need wheels with a 6mm axle hole, 10 teeth, about 10mm thick, with ball bearings. Is there any place to find this information for new Wheels?
Comment by James Tyrer — September 4, 2008 @ 9:46 am
That Peugeot looks great! I can remember that same bicycle being in high demand in the 70’s!
Comment by Dan — February 7, 2009 @ 8:44 pm
That Peugeot looks great! I can remember that same bicycle being in high demand in the 70’s!
Comment by Dan — February 7, 2009 @ 8:45 pm
I recently purchased a shelby made hiawatha…and I’m having trouble finding the handlebars for it…they look like rams horns……I believe they’re called airflo type..can anyone help to point me in the right direction on how to find them……thank you
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