I haven’t ridden this badboy for about 12 years, during which time it’s often been left to the elements. I’m toying with the idea of getting it running again, but can’t decide if it’s worth it or not. For example, is it likely to need a new BB and/or hub bearings? I know nothing about Skyways. Opinions please.
And if it does become a project, should I remove the rust or intentionally oxidise the rest of the frame? 🤔
Dog tax paid in second slide
by andymbc
6 Comments
U gonna sitdown fakie on that?
Fix it up and get it back out there.
Most likely will need all new bearings. They’ll all be looseball, but in a way that makes it easier. You can buy bags of the right diameter bearings (just make sure you get hardened bearings not cheap crap).
Clean out all the races and give them a polish too. Fresh bearings will last 10 seconds if they’re rolling under pressue on crappy surfaces.
If the races are oxidised you can get burnishing heads and paste for Dremels or drills and burnish them back to smooth.
Personally with the frame I would embrace the patina and give it all a good scrub over with Autosol, and then a good polish so it’s smooth… degrease it, then coat it in a hard wax like Poorboys, and buff it up. I wouldn’t try to clearcoat it, and I wouldn’t try to strip the frame either.
Chain will be useless by now as will brake cables, brake pads, inner tubes and tires.
Nah, not worth it. Some of the parts that i recognize are obsolete or hard to find these days. Save your money & start fresh with a clean slate.
Well apart from its own nostalgia to yourself it’s nothing special and really is a Walmart level bike, so I’d say it’s not worth the time really.
You can fix it up,but you will very honestly never get that money out of it.
So it has to have a lot of sentimental value to you. For example,to get everything dipped in chrome,it may cost you over $1k
There is a guy that I found who can do it,that resides in Tucson Arizona. He strips the chrome off also.
You could. Should? Unsure. But may I suggest if you want to hang on to the bike just use it as art and hang the frame