The human eye is a remarkable thing. It can pick up on incredibly subtle details, and your brain transforms those signals into snap judgements. In the case of bicycles, the eye can pick out imperfections like a magnet. Rust, scuffed and scratched paint, shoddy or worn out components: all are identified almost immediately. If you’re here to learn how to restore a vintage bicycle, I have some good news for you: I know how to trick the eye. Performing a beautiful vintage bicycle restoration isn’t always a trial. You don’t always have to tear it down and start from scratch. There are a few simple and quick ways to restore your vintage bike and make it look like a million bucks (or at least several hundred). I’m convinced that a rider can accomplish a very successful restoration and create a vintage style bicycle with minimal investment and effort. The secret is to focus on whatever is distracting the eye, and fix it. The following are a few classic bicycle restoration tips that should help your older ride turn some heads.

A lot of people overlook the wheels and the tires of a vintage bike when doing a restoration, and it’s a huge mistake.best entry level cruiser motorcyclesBecause they’re one of the largest visual spaces on your ride. best entry level cruiser motorcyclesThey’re really noticeable, and wheels are a prime indicator of a bicycle’s condition. motorcycle helmet price in dubaiWe’re programmed to notice them!motorcycle shops lewisville tx The straightness of the spokes, the shine and condition of the rims, the ‘newness’ of the rubber on your tires; motorcycles for sale in punta gorda fl

these are all things your brain picks out within a half second.motorcycle helmets on gta 5 How you deal with this depends on how stingy you are! motorcycle tires c50The cheapest option is to clean up your wheels. You can pick up some tire shine spray at any auto shop, and it works wonders.You can do a vintage bicycle wheel restoration in a snap with a piece of fine steel wool. It will remove oxidization and make that chrome shine like new. Chrome polish helps too. But sometimes that’s just not enough to pull off a convincing vintage style bicycle restoration. Shimano Wh-R600 Road Bike Wheelset Silver 700c – $229.99 from: Cambria Bicycle Outfitter Getting a set of new wheels and tires will drastically improve the look of your bike. Fortunately, make vintage bikes can be easily upgraded to modern 700c wheelsets without too much of a headache.

The wheelset I’ve added to the side is a great example of a classic look alloy set that’s actually modern, technologically. It’s amazing how good a modern wheel set can look on a vintage bicycle frame. People will still recognize that it’s a classic bicycle, but the new wheels give it a modern feel. Beyond that, new wheels give you a lot of peace of mind. Old spokes are weaker, and it’s often impossible to get a vintage wheel set into true. That ‘charming’ perma wobble gets pretty old. If you do opt to upgrade your wheels on your vintage bicycle restoration project, it’s important to understand there may be a bit of tweaking involved. If you’re switching from, say, classic 27″ wheels to 700c, you’ll probably have to adjust the brake pad position a little. Also, modern wheels tend to have wider hubs, so be sure to do your fork measurements. Forks can stretch a little bit, but you don’t want to overdo it. Any successful vintage bicycle restoration project can’t afford to ignore accessories.

They may not seem integral (and they’re not), but they’re noticeable. I’m perpetually amazed what a difference a new leather saddle can make to an otherwise tired looking bike. Here comes some personal bias: I highly, highly recommend leather accessories for any classic bicycle restoration you undertake. Natural materials just look better. They age well and stand up to time. people in the 40s, 50s and 60s didn’t have access to the cheap plastic junk we have today. An authentic vintage style bicycle should have these elements. Accessories made of natural materials almost always cost more. Waxed canvas, leather, metal and wood will be an investment. That said, they’ll make your bicycle pop and stand out. Did you know that a leather saddle is probably the most comfortable seat you can get? They take a while to wear in, but leather forms to fit your body. Your grandpa didn’t use gel padding, neither should you! Accessories that really seem to make a difference visually: the saddle, handlebar grips / tape, and pannier bags.

I get annoyed when I see a beautiful bike in shoddy shape. It’s sort of like seeing a Lamborghini covered in mud. With a little effort it could look so good! The number one thing standing between you and vintage bike glory is dirt. Give your bike a bath. Next, tackle your rust issues. People who ignore rust speckles on chrome are just lazy. Grab some steel wool or crumpled aluminum foil and give it a shine. Lastly, strip off the ‘makeshift’ detritus. I’m talking about stuff like old, half peeled stickers, ratty bar wrap, electrical tape, that plastic hanger tab from the u-lock you lost. For goodness’ sake, don’t use Goo Gone on your paint! It works wonderfully to remove sticker residue, but it also strips off your clear coat. Use it as a last resort, and sparingly. (Reader Saundra left me a comment below, suggesting you can use a blow dryer to help loosen sticker residue!) All this junk clutters up your bike visually. Part of restoring vintage bicycles is making them look clean and ‘fresh from the showroom’.