1930s Sun Supalite Strip - Vintage Bicycle Restoration - Rare "Barn Find"

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In this video: Part 2 of the Sun Supalite build. Stripping the bike back! Suprisingly for a 90 year old bike it's in very good condition and none of the bolts really fought back! I'm still doing a bit of investigating as to the true age but it's looking like quite a rare gem.

[@nickdavis9280]

Had to watch this again. I was gifted a 1936 New Hudson recently. I have been soaking all the bits that need to come off in penetrating oil for the last 3 weeks. Tomorrow is the day I put a spanner to it. Thanks for the great videos ☺

[@danielbetancortelvira6286]

It,s from 40's. Beautiful

[@leestimson12]

Really liking this build. I 100% agree with your plans. Keep this one on the front burner.

[@MonkeyShred]

Thanks Lee. I'm hoping it will turn out to be a real beauty.

[@nor0845]

Nice find, doesn’t look like an ‘old’ bike. Really like the brake design. Great find. Thanks for posting.

[@MonkeyShred]

Thanks. Hopefully it'll be togther again soon!

[@classic_driver]

Favourite line: “As with everything... fire!” Looking forward to seeing this come together

[@MonkeyShred]

Haha well yes. My go to bolt freeing solution!

[@duringthemeanwhilst]

that bike must have ben exceptionally well maintained - deserves a sympathetic restoration which I'm sure you'll do :-)

[@MonkeyShred]

The previous owner sort of hinted they wanted to see a full resto so I'll be giving this a nice paint job whereas the Raleigh I have from him I'll be keeping original as it has more of the original decals/branding.

[@BicycleRestorationMan]

Love that rear derailleur

[@MonkeyShred]

They are a thing of beauty those old mechs.

[@BicycleRestorationMan]

@@MonkeyShred have one similar to yours on a 1960 Schwinn Continental, first year for the 10 speed.

[@scotthughes29]

Unbelievable that everything came off that bike. So impressed with your go-to attitude with tackling a project like this. Awesome. Thank you for sharing...and for Torvi too

[@MonkeyShred]

Nothing would get done without the supervisors approval ;)

[@1961kickboxer]

That is one beautiful bike.

[@MonkeyShred]

I hope it transforms in to something even more beautiful

[@ocelot2234]

Love the older Vintage Bicycles Excited for the next videos and restoration of this bike Keep up the excellent work and vids 😊

[@MonkeyShred]

Thanks! I hope I can do it justice.

[@johnhix7400]

I like watching your videos; they're very relaxing and informative...

[@MonkeyShred]

Glad you like them!

[@bikermonster8354]

Awesome project. I've never believe that the seatpost comes out so easy and i never know that Dunlop Made saddles. Can't wait the result of this rebuild. Really interessting bike. Best regards from germany 🤩👍

[@MonkeyShred]

It was pure bliss when I realised I could just lift it out! Ah yes! I knew they made saddles but didn't realise it was rubber until I was asked to check.

[@bikermonster8354]

@@MonkeyShred Yeah the Dunlop saddle was a big surprise, specially the material rubber, but now we know brooks with cambium saddle wasn't first with rubber material 😉👍. It is really awesome such a project and i can't wait the update video. Good luck with your project. Stay well, best regards from germany ✌😉👍

[@swingkid100]

So pleased the Sun came apart without too much trouble. When you first showed this, I thought it looked particularly crusty! I'm guessing the bike was stored with at least some cover. The period mods are very interesting, the Benelux gearing a mid fifties addition I think. An expensive lightweight of it's time, and probably comparably good with other bikes available well into the sixties. This is a very exciting build, and I will greatly look forward to how you proceed. Once back on the road, I'm sure it will ride superbly. Hope the clean up/rebuild treats you well All the best PS I'm just beginning a rebuild of a 59' Raleigh Trent Sports, it's been great fun so far!

[@MonkeyShred]

The chap that owned it (I'm guessing his entire life) was a bike shop owner. Multiple bike shops in fact so it was definitely looked after and stored well.

[@ronalmeida2536]

I am in love with the front brakes!

[@MonkeyShred]

They're an awesome bit of kit but I need to work out if I can replace the cables or if I have to keep the original. They look very specialist!

[@VegasCyclingFreak]

Unbelievable that you basically had almost no seized parts on that old bike

[@nickdowdell2441]

Truly amazing for a bike that is 80 to 90 yrs old for it to come apart so great. That front brake was a thing of wonder (i've never seen one). Even though it is a super lite i'm guessing about 30lbs.

[@adredy]

40 years ago steel was steel greease was greease not some shit mixed with water or i dont know with what :/

[@MonkeyShred]

I'll have to weigh the bike when it's all said and done Nick. The big saddle and drum brake on the back will be adding a fair few grams!

[@BruceChastain]

love it

[@MonkeyShred]

Thanks.

[@FrancoDX]

Ha, I couldn’t believe it when the seat post just pulled out. I thought you’d be blowtorching everything! Really interesting project, look forward to seeing the progress.

[@MonkeyShred]

I honestly couldn't believe it either!

[@GreenJimll]

I think I must have had all the rust and seized parts that this bike should have had on the Triumph I'm currently working on! Good to see that some barn/skip finds do actually come apart relatively easily.

[@MonkeyShred]

It's wholey down to the storage isn't it. I've had two of a similar age hung up in a barn for 50 years and they came apart just as easily but bikes that have been left out in the rain.... nightmare.

[@davidgoodwin6522]

Looking forward to next video, enjoyed this one very much

[@MonkeyShred]

Me too! I want this bike glistening.

[@markgorman9935]

Sun bikes are great. Had a similarly easy job stripping down my 1930s Wasp

[@MonkeyShred]

Good to hear! The old slotted screws can be an absolute nightmare sometimes!

[@nickdavis9280]

That came apart amazingly well. Great video, looking forward to the next instalment.

[@MonkeyShred]

Thanks! 👍 Me too!

[@martinwilliams3365]

lovely cat

[@MonkeyShred]

The best

[@paulvale2985]

Fell asleep watching this, when I woke up you'd restored the BSA. Spent 10 minutes questioning your (Monkeyshread) sanity. Don't judge me - Beer, old age. miserable weather and a cosy armchair OK? Video 👍 as always, Cheers MS.

[@MonkeyShred]

I was just about to say "I wish the BSA was restored!" but I'm guessing autoplay went on to one of the older builds? The red one?

[@paulvale2985]

@@MonkeyShred Yes mate, the Red one.

[@keithschrack]

What an astounding find! I would have expected rod brakes on a bike of that age.

[@MonkeyShred]

It's interesting looking back through old catalogues and seeing the evolution of bike parts!

[@BangTheRocksTogether]

Okay. The seatpost isn't stuck. And it's GAME ON!

[@MonkeyShred]

So happy about that!

[@ripleybrowning-smith9617]

Can't wait for monkey shred bike storms London 2021

[@wsmvolunteers8588]

Great video. I had more frozen parts on a 1989 Specialized Rock Combo I'm restoring.

[@MonkeyShred]

You have a Rock Combo??? Damnnnnnn. Now that's a rare ride!

[@wsmvolunteers8588]

@@MonkeyShred My friend of over 50 years bought the RC new in Fort Collins, Colorado in 1989. According to the internet, Specialized made only 500 and only in 1989. He used it hard and passed it on to me. I'm about finished, waiting on a top tube decal.

[@markbudd5250]

Great video- can't wait to see the rebuild. For the wheels- I'd be interested to know a bit more about steel rims compared to aluminium- when were steel rims phased out and all that sort of thing!

[@samphillips4925]

I wonder if it would be cheaper to just do Nickel plateing? It won't be as shiny as chrome, but you can get pretty close.

[@MonkeyShred]

I've been told Nickel plating might be a more period correct way to do things too so... I'll have to look in to it!

[@leqin]

If it hasn't been inspected by Tovey - it isn't a Monkeyshred bike.

[@MonkeyShred]

She definitely thought there was something in the bag for her.

[@nickf.2871]

That seatpost slid out like it was coated in margarine thats unbelieavable just went to war with a specialized sirrus from 1990 post and stem were stuck like they became one

[@MonkeyShred]

Tell me about it! I barely put any effort in to lifting it and yet I'm stuck fighting with late 80s/90s mtbs too.

[@scotthughes29]

Funny how the geometry of the frame is very similar to the road frame that are out on the street today!

[@MonkeyShred]

I know! I'd love to see more from Sun bikes of this time but it seems all the old catalogues for Sun has disappeared.

[@jokodigdoyo8584]

Front brake so rare

[@MonkeyShred]

Right? Nice old tech.

[@z0mbie0ma]

Awesome bike! Really looking forward to the wheel restoration attempt. The rear hub looks interesting enough, but would you still try to safe the front hub and the rims aswell? Maybe after a bit of work you can identify them. If they match, it might be worth to safe them?

[@MonkeyShred]

They're sturdy still but I think they would be a bit too much work for anyone to replate (and I definitely want some rims that are shiny!)

[@damopope4664]

Wow! How well did that disassemble lol

[@MonkeyShred]

I wish they all came apart that easy!

[@sprocketandwheel]

A great bike for sure... Are you using the proper sized Whithworth sockets or ring spanners.. If not I suggest you get some.. They fit much better on old British bikes and cars... Also a set of gunsmithing screwdrivers are a must.. they have thinner blades and are not tapered and fit the slotted screws much better.. Looking forward to the end result..

[@MonkeyShred]

I do have a lot of my Grandpa's old tools and tend to use the socket set he had one the older bikes but I can't remember whether they are Whitworth or BS standard.

[@redwallace7934]

Pipe under the crank arm and a BFH!!

[@MonkeyShred]

I'm glad it worked!

[@scottbramley1778]

Hey, great find! How will you get on with the replacement rim, as in aren't the older rims a different spoke count to modern ones? Good luck with the hub that looks tricky. My Hercules has a Perry & Co ltd rear hub brake & unusual stem mounted rod style front brake. I've not been able to find anything on this combo of system anywhere. I'll be following your progress with this one.

[@MonkeyShred]

The problem I'll have isn't really down to the spoke count but the actual size of these ones. There are plenty of rims around in 32/40 hole (common setup for Brit bikes) in the 26" x 1 3/8" size but this bike uses the "sportier" 26" x 1 1/4" and to me knowledge nobody makes replacements so it's down to finding NOS rims or good used rims. I do have a couple of sets spare but I'd have to get them rechromed first. The stem mounted rod brake is called (or nicknamed) a "Bobby Dodger" if that helps.

[@scottbramley1778]

@@MonkeyShred Where do you get your re-chroming done, a local shop quoted me a ridiculous price.

[@Manetty6]

Pls, make a video about thobiasrex! :D

[@MonkeyShred]

Thobiasrex? Do you mean Torvi? She's got one video in her name already ;)

[@redwallace7934]

Nickle plate the parts would be beautiful

[@MonkeyShred]

That might be the way to go.

[@C345OFR]

Other than the chain and the cranks, it looks like the previous owner(s) has/have done a decent job of maintaining the bike over its lifespan (as also evidenced by the occasional upgrade and 3:55 ). Bet it was stored well, too. Surely no way it would have disassembled so easily, otherwise?!

[@MonkeyShred]

I would imagine it was looked after well! The chap who owned it built up a few bike shops in his name over the years ;)

[@C345OFR]

@@MonkeyShred Aye, it shows! Looking forward to the finished article :-)

[@andrewbadder7537]

I’ve recently been gifted a sun bike from a friend of my mother who’s 82ish which belonged to her husband on the front it says sun Birmingham it’s green and it says record on the frame it’s also got similar derailleur’s to this bike but I can’t seem to find any info on it any idea where I could look for info fella

[@MonkeyShred]

There’s a specific group on Facebook dedicated to sun of birmingham. May be worth an ask there!

[@lonerbikes]

what do you use to recording ?

[@barca97100]

Second this. I love the camera. Would really like to know what it is.

[@MonkeyShred]

The camera(s) I use to record are always linked in the description. It's an old Nikon!

[@Yayatouu]

Is that a Carradice Saddlebag?

[@MonkeyShred]

It is yes! It's in a bit of a state though! Torvi was convinced there was something inside it for her.

[@John.M264]

Good luck removing the Freewheel

[@MonkeyShred]

Thanks. I've worked out how to go about it now on a spare wheel I had with an identical freewheel. It's not pretty though.

[@ioan1ionut]

Hello mate. Do you have an Instagram? I have couple of frames. You might be interested.

[@MonkeyShred]

I do, they're always linked in the description.

[@daytch9485]

Are you actually ruining the value of that bike? As an antique probably yes.

[@MonkeyShred]

I don't think so. There are parts of it that would need fixing or replacing to raise the value in the first place. Adding in a proper restoration should only increase that.

[@johnrambo4035]

You talk to much

[@MonkeyShred]

I saw your last film, John Rambo! 89 minute runtime and about 10 minutes of action and you say I talk too much?? ;)