John’s Univega Safari Ten

Posted

 Today’s OTS is a Univega Safari Ten sent by John.

 John, I’m all for comfort, but I’m not sure of your seat choice for this one.  If it looks this portly from the side, I could only imagine would it looks like from overhead.:)  Nevertheless, another great looking resto.

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Just finished restoring this classic Univega.When I found the bike, it looked like it had never been ridden. The dry rotted wheels still had the nipples on them. The paint had no dings or scratches at all. I could see the potential this bike had through all of the grunge, rust and dust that it was covered in. This bike had been sitting in an old thrift store for many years. Being passed up and discarded as a piece of junk. I could not resist picking it up. After a ton of elbow grease (and lots of metal polish and wax), this bike ended up looking better than most new bikes at the local bike shop. (OK, maybe not as sleek and attractive as some of the newer road bikes, but closer to mint condition than 99% of the bikes I have ever restored.)

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  • Black_Pearl

    How do you remove the rust from the brake springs and other parts in doing a restore?

    • John

      First thing you have to do is totally take everything apart. SOS pads and brass/steel toothbrushes work really good on steel parts. Sometimes you have to apply a little naval jelly. Then you polish everything with “Never dull” and auto wax and you end up with a beautiful old ten speed.

  • Candis

    Hey there,

    I just picked up the same bike, in the same condition, maybe worse? The bike has obviously been riden hard at one point, and a previous owner even attempted adding a gear that is not currently in use when im riding. its got so much potential, you are dead on about that.
    mine still needs a ton of grease and rust to be removed. your tips have me really excited again about completing the project.
    the only thing i dont like about the bike is the seat!

    thanks for the tips

  • http://http//NumisTopTeam.com Robert Garcia

    I’ve recently gotten into restoring old vintage bikes and was wondering what is the best way to remove the rust on the pedals since it’s hard to get into the small areas

    Thanks

    Robert Garcia
    Tampa,Fl

  • Edhy_0465

    do you have calculation in the design bike…