2x low gear mountain bike commuter - vintage mtb restoration / build

[@tblakemusic]

love that you included footage for cleaning up the nuts and bolts--maybe not the prettiest thing but i'm glad you included every little step of the process!

[@garysprojects]

Cheers Tyler ! Cleaning is a big part of restoration so I wanted to show it ! Feels good when everything is clean

[@ashpunting]

The most important part of restoration is a thorough cleaning of the bike parts and knowing what Chemicals to use is what you have shown me and that's the easy bit then you after be a bike technician ✔️😊

[@garysprojects]

Yes ! It helps to know what methods to use for sure! I myself am still learning with each build but definitely knowing what to use saves a lot of time!

[@bryanmacias8162]

Great build. Love how you explain how and why you do things. Nicely done..

[@garysprojects]

Cheers man i appreciate that! Glad you like the voice over ! 🙏

[@joaopedrodefreitaslima2936]

Nice touch with the pedals!

[@garysprojects]

cheers mate!

[@ztsb_koneko]

Man this was satisfying to watch. I love picking up these old bikes and going through them, it's so relaxing and even just doing a deep clean, lube and re-assembly it makes a huge difference for some of these abused clunkers.

[@garysprojects]

Thank you my dude I appreciate that. Nothing like a good refresh !

[@murphyspain3864]

Bit of WD-40 and a wire brush (x300) 😂 love the content man

[@garysprojects]

hahah 60mins of that

[@6ryba6]

I'm a taper greaser as well, cheers from sunny Gdańsk, Poland

[@garysprojects]

You are very smart 🫡😂 !! Cheers from Melbourne australia !

[@mythcrab6047]

It would be sick to see you go to Japan and hunt the used bike shops. Then ship everything back and put together the bike.

[@garysprojects]

Hahah yes I would love to do that !!

[@josfliers]

Very nice. I like these old steel frames, the versatility and their long life span. You can buy on expensive new bike or rebuild on old one and get the same ride quality 9or even better) cheaper. Dialled in exactly how you want it and the satisfaction of having done it yourself is very rewarding. Als when you do for friends, reuse!! Inspirational.

[@garysprojects]

Cheers ! Yes I think these older bikes are a lot of fun and parts tend to be serviceable and saved vs new parts where they break and can’t fix them as easily. And yes! Recycling helps saves waste! Thank you 😊

[@20Kilogram]

Great video, that last view with the city skyline in the background was incredible 👍

[@garysprojects]

Cheers mate! Lucky to live in Melbourne 💕

[@20Kilogram]

@@garysprojects truly 👍

[@yanyangustian5603]

Nice work brow.. without eliminate the authentic of bike you have made glow & shine again.. awesome 👍

[@garysprojects]

@@yanyangustian5603 thank you very much i appreciate that 🙏

[@mochster]

one word bro. CRISP. great job always

[@garysprojects]

Hahah cheers buddy tryna keep it CRISPY 💕🍟

[@geoffdavies1199]

Never seen a screw on freewheel stuck that tight! You were right to use axle or skewer to hold the tool in place. Glad you greased the threads for the new freewheel.

[@garysprojects]

hell ya this was definitely by far the hardest one i had to get off. made sure i greased it up!!

[@el_micha]

as you work the drivetrain it pulls the freewheel on more onto the threads of the hub. The longer and harder it was driven the better. Taken into account the bike's very old and got lots of rusted bits it was being in moist environments for longer. That adds to it. Also freewheel might have been factory mounted with too little or no grease at all to save on time and costs.

[@theretrobikeshed3392]

What a great build bud really enjoyed that vid 👍🚴‍♂️👌

[@garysprojects]

Cheers mate I appreciate that thank you !

[@ThisTimeTheWorld]

Khs Taiwan frames are awesome quality, and never were terribly expensive new. I'm surprised they don't seem to have such a big following in USA.

[@hrieg]

Sick build man! Love this style of video too, the explanation behind what you're doing and why is super handy to a total noob like myself hahaha.

[@garysprojects]

Awesome ! I’m glad it’s helpful. Glad I’m not just talking to myself haha 🙏😊

[@johnbrann75]

To remove free wheels I put the tool in a bench vice facing up. Slip the wheel on it so the contact points meet. Using the wheel for leverage just turn it counter clockwise and the free wheel will spin off. This only works if you have a bench vice but it is a very effective method for removing free wheels.

[@garysprojects]

Yesss I think this is the best way to do it, one day when I get a bench & vice , things will be easier!! 😂

[@gregrobertson9957]

You can put the wheel up against a wall as well and it will give you more return for your effort.

[@garysprojects]

@@gregrobertson9957 yes great idea ! Cheers

[@ThisTimeTheWorld]

Truck vice

[@ThisTimeTheWorld]

​@@garysprojects I put the tire at low pressure and roll it against a brick wall, put a big wrench or breaker on the tool, and slowly step on the wrench till the freewheel gives up. Some pb blaster in the threads helps.

[@generalruler]

13:31 It seems like you know what you're doing Gareth, like with the bikes n stuff I guess, building them and whatnot... but I'm not sure why you'd want to make it less spooooooky

[@garysprojects]

Spiders kill here in Australia 😂😂😂

[@paulmaurice4491]

The chain whip to open the seat post was a surprise,, I didn’t think you had one after watching you fight with the free wheel,

[@garysprojects]

Hahah yaaa , for a free wheel you don’t need a chain whip to remove it

[@midge148]

Great job 👍. A joy to watch and brought back memories from my childhood of tinkering away on old bikes to make good ones. Subbed!

[@garysprojects]

Thank you mate i appreciate that ! Good times 👍

[@squaretapercrank]

nice build!! i think diamondback used the exact same frames, i've got a '95 DB topanga with the exact same rear dropouts, same cable stop placement, same cantilever bridge, etc.

[@garysprojects]

Ooo nice! Yes could totally be the same , I think most bikes come out of the 2 big factories in Taiwan, companies can specify what they want / geo etc , and sometimes it ends up being the same with just different logos/finishes. It still happens today with a lot of parts like chainrings/ bolts etc

[@Paul58069]

Beautiful bike, well done !

[@garysprojects]

Thank you Paul! I appreciate that ! 😊

[@Windingify]

Amazing build! Got the mothbars on my bike as Well. Love Them!

[@garysprojects]

Cheers mate! They are great bars ! 😊

[@el_micha]

I'm interested in them. Aren't they a bit wide? From the looks they got beach cruiser vibes to me. In my area (the next beach is 100s of km's away lol) just show-offs are riding beach cruiser bikes.

[@garysprojects]

@@el_micha hahah nice, check out the review video that I did on them, should provide more info - cheers!

[@gregrobertson9957]

I replied to your short on this bike, but unfortunately do not see it again. I had asked about the bars you have there. What are they? I dig them! Nice work as per usual, Gary.

[@garysprojects]

Cheers mate ! They are MOTHBARS by magic components www.magiccomponents.work

[@JohnPilling25]

Great video. Really nice explanations. That frame came up really nice. The bike looks super nice.

[@garysprojects]

Thanks mate glad you liked it!! Stoked with how it turned out , cheers!

[@sveablu]

Looks good! Yeah, the last bike I restored, I thought of you spraying bug spray to kill any spiders. Of course I didn't do that and there was a scary one living in the head tube that I found staring up at me when I removed the stem. Yikes! You forgot to spray into the head tube. I was afraid for you, LOL, Nice build. Oh, and the freewheel was stuck on my last build as well. I tried and tried and just gave up on it. But it wasn't as worn as yours.

[@garysprojects]

Cheers! hahah nice!! omg i totally forget about the headtube!! glad one didnt pop out! ahhhh yess freewheels can be annoying! glad you were still able to reuse yours

[@ThisTimeTheWorld]

Put mineral oil in the seat tube and turn the bike around in a workstand clamp. No bugs and no rust.

[@glennpettersson9002]

You can use a brake noodle off of a v brake when you have a sharp entry angle for the front brake cable hanger on the stem. I'm a greaser too, seized seat posts and cranks are a nightmare.😳

[@garysprojects]

Oh nice! That’s a good tip thank you 😊 haha yes if anyone has ever struggled with a seized component they will learn to grease for sure!! Cheers

[@jhgfdsalk]

I was just introduced to ur channel by the eaglemont dirt jumps video and I'm already loving what u put out. Great to see someone doing jumps that I can get to.

[@garysprojects]

Cheers man Nez appreciate that!!

[@caltafacilitator9823]

Love your work. Keep it up!

[@garysprojects]

Thank you! I appreciate that, will do my best 🙏💕

[@thorespencerditua3372]

Pretty cool bike built 👌

[@garysprojects]

Thanks i appreciate that 😊🙏

[@JohnPilling25]

A tip for polishing aluminium... there is a past❤e cleaner for glass cooktops - essentially it is alumina - very fine - spread that on the aluminium and it will polish up really nicely

[@garysprojects]

Ooo that is a good tip! I will take a look next time I’m at the grocery store , cheers!

[@Mainsail1975au]

Nice work, both on the bike and how you put together the video. I keep meaning to tidy up my old Repco Hotham, but havent got around to it. It's nothing special, but it's still mine.

[@garysprojects]

Cheers man i appreciate that! Yes you should do it up if you get the chance, very rewarding !

[@timetravelfilms727]

22:13 - What I do is I place the wheel on the edge of a wall, then you can almost stand on the breaker bar, so your body weight is on it. Well done anyway, you got it out.

[@garysprojects]

Ooo that’s a good tip! Cheers for that. Haha yesss so stoked I got it off!

[@dazzasp3]

Great build 🇬🇧👍

[@garysprojects]

Cheers Dazza i appreciate that! 😊👍

[@ThisTimeTheWorld]

You can make cool chainguards out of the 42 rings by bench grinding the teeth off.

[@garysprojects]

That is true

[@layspeed]

Nice solid cruiser Gary. Man those bars are crazy wide though. Haha! And man with a stem that long you have to have that much backsweep to be comfy! I would anyways.

[@garysprojects]

Thanks man! Haha yes they are super wide , super comfy. The stem helped the back sweep for sure ! Cheers

[@billyjo1148]

nice economy refurb of a decent old frameset

[@garysprojects]

Cheers mate! I appreciate that 🙏

[@nickdavis9280]

Nice build!

[@garysprojects]

Cheers mate!!

[@oreocarlton3343]

Supercool bar, front tire is a risk, use it for rear when needed and some nicer ruubber for front

[@garysprojects]

Cheers Oreo!! 😂✌️

[@themelkishevsvlog4649]

Hey so i like this project fron old MTB:D Hard nouse and agressive protectors its so fun:D Perfect:D i too build bikes from retro framesets made in USSR :D Salut from Russia

[@garysprojects]

Awesome !! Thank you my dude glad you like it. Greetings from Melbourne, Australia

[@alejo007]

Excelente bicicleta, gran armado, saludos desde Colombia

[@garysprojects]

Cheers! Greetings from Melbourne australia! 😊

[@willasomavich]

I would recommend using stainless steel bolts for all rusty bolts

[@garysprojects]

cheers thats a great idea !

[@ThisTimeTheWorld]

It's good to support the RD when removing the bolt, to avoid thread damage.

[@garysprojects]

That’s true 👍

[@willasomavich]

Also wet sand the aluminum parts and use aluminum polish so they will come out nice and shiny

[@garysprojects]

Thank you mate! i kinda did the stem for the cannondale video, maybe in the future , cheers

[@Saints66]

Another gem🎉

[@garysprojects]

Thank you mate! 🙏💕

[@LVL60Beltran]

Have you tried reaching out to Park Tool for a partner ship? It’s painful seeing you struggle by not having the correct tools

[@garysprojects]

Hahah I haven’t yet maybe one day

[@WingmanLive]

@3:29 I love it, first step EXTERMINATE EXTERMINATE!😂😂😂

[@garysprojects]

Hahha australia , u got to!

[@WingmanLive]

​@@garysprojects haha yes mate! I only noticed this vid because i just brought a 90's Saracen backtrax and i noticed i have the same Shimano altus cantilever brakes. I do like old skool bikes, i have a 1989 Raleigh Mustang aswell all steel even the rims and seat post are nice and shiney chrome! Turning into an obsession!

[@garysprojects]

@@WingmanLive hell ya dude that’s awesome! Cool bikes! Definitely gets addictive for sure haha

[@PRH123]

Nice. Like the sweep, but bars are too wide for a commuter though i think. One does need to often slip through tight spaces.

[@garysprojects]

Ya valid point , all depends on your commute

[@MaximRecoil]

Those hardware store split washers you used with the chainring bolts look pretty janky. What I do with chainring bolts/nuts that are too long is sand or file them down to a shorter length. For shortening the bolt you can use an Allen key bit in an electric drill and just spin it against some rough sandpaper until it's the length you need (I use 80-grit laying on top of a perfectly flat 1/4" thick steel plate, but you could use rougher than that, or a file). For shortening the nuts, I screw the bolt into the nut from the opposite side that it normally screws in, then I can use the power drill + Allen bit on it.

[@garysprojects]

Cheers man I’ve had no problems with them yet and I’ve had em on a few bikes already. Thanks for the the tip tho , that’s a good method for ppl that don’t want to use washers!

[@MaximRecoil]

@@garysprojects Yeah, I wouldn't expect there to be any functional problems with the washers; it just makes the install not look as clean.

[@garysprojects]

@@MaximRecoil true true I agree with that for sure

[@dunnotck1]

This is a great tip, thank you for sharing!

[@babyrabies]

man that handlebar is gorgeous. I wonder if there is anything similar in the market today

[@garysprojects]

@lekerleks on ig has something similar 👍

[@reidreiid]

Great job again Gary! Did you consider treating the inside of the frame? Curious if condition of the inside of frame is something you go over during inspection, and when it makes sense to treat the inside. Thanks for sharing the build.

[@garysprojects]

Cheers dude i appreciate that ! I usually take a quick look inside the frame to see what’s going on but most of the time it’s fine. Sometimes I spray some wd40 to give it a light protective coat , but honestly I haven’t had to do it that often. I know some people use a type of oil spray to protect the inside, but personally with these frames I don’t think there is the need unless you ride in the snow or wet a lot. I would say 100% of the frames I looked inside had no rust or corrosion, might be from living in australia where it’s completely dry!

[@el_micha]

@@garysprojects Fluid film is actually the best for protecting the inside of the frame. For a tight budget you can also use linseed oil or linseed oil varnish (varnish dries much quicker).

[@myvicariouslife4012]

@22:13 My issue with this method is that my cheap spanner kept slipping off of the freewheel remover tool. What I did is buy a cheap burly old school pipe wrench for like $5 at a yard sale. Once I tighten it down it is not gonna loosen up. Yes, it will leave tool marks on the freewheel remover but no worries.

[@garysprojects]

Ahhhhh yess try old school pipe wrench! Gotta get one of those, would come in handy for a few things!

[@michaelaiello9525]

Hey what’s the outro song. It’s driving me crazy ; I can’t place it. Looks like a fun ride. Love the moth bars.

[@garysprojects]

its from the KZbin music library called "the bluest star - the 126ers". cheers mate fun ride indeed!

[@MikeAlatorre-rb9tz]

Excelente trabajo!! Que usaste para remover el óxido de los tornillos?

[@garysprojects]

thank you! i used a product called evaporust

[@MikeAlatorre-rb9tz]

@@garysprojects gracias

[@willasomavich]

You should try to polish all the aluminum parts your builds would come out sweeter

[@o0giri0o]

Super cool

[@garysprojects]

Cheers mate!

[@Crankaholic]

Love it

[@garysprojects]

Cheers Nate!

[@doescanarethere]

sick one!!

[@garysprojects]

Cheers mate!!

[@isbemorph]

22:54 i bought a suntour 2 tool from China and it literally sheared off at first attempt. Actually using these tools is waste of time. Its easier to unscrew the front washer with two holes with a pinch and hammer, left-hand thread. Remove the cogs, secure the remaining bit in a vice, and just undo the wheel.

[@vertsamers]

GARY DA GAWD

[@garysprojects]

hahah thanks G!!

[@rafiarzi]

I have the same colour bike ,the same same components also but called “Trek 820 ״😂

[@garysprojects]

Hahah nice!! They made a lot of bikes the same back in the day!

[@mariuszmac5801]

Another cool bike :) Do you know the CORRATEC brand? - great bikes, great frames from these Bow - series. I don't know if they are / were available in Australia - it's a German brand, I'm from Europe, best regards

[@garysprojects]

Cheers! :) I’m not familiar with that brand but sounds cool ! Greetings from Melbourne australia!

[@mariuszmac5801]

@@garysprojects Therefore, it is worth getting acquainted with Corratec bikes :) Greetings from Toruń in Poland

[@garysprojects]

@@mariuszmac5801 haha indeed! Cheers

[@TrevorSweetPeaNelson]

What size are the chainrings? 38/28 or 40/28 maybe?

[@garysprojects]

Ya basically it 40/28

[@antekslawa]

38:22 proper techno sound

[@garysprojects]

Hahaha yes

[@Peo_Sahlin]

I wondered why you were so afraid of some spiders, until I noticed you're in Australia. Then I understood your caution. 😄

[@garysprojects]

Hahah yea ! Gotta be careful in aus 😂

[@arremmm]

How much does your evaporust stink on a scale of gag to projectile?

[@garysprojects]

Probably like 3/10 isn’t that bad tbh

[@myvicariouslife4012]

@16:40 Gary, when are you gonna come to the dark side and invest in an ultrasonic cleaner?

[@garysprojects]

Hahah when I find a cheap one!

[@francescolavilla271]

nice restoration but i think the handlrbar looks wrong, just an opinion, i love your channel.

[@garysprojects]

All good! Everyone has different taste! Cheers !

[@djkenny1202]

What stem and pedals? Cool Build!

[@garysprojects]

animal pedals and think its a kally or HL stem, just a generic one

[@garysprojects]

kalloy

[@ThisTimeTheWorld]

What handle bars did you use?

[@garysprojects]

These are moth bar by magic components

[@ThisTimeTheWorld]

@@garysprojects thanks. It looks great.

[@ThisTimeTheWorld]

The handlebars are far wider than I expected from the video still.

[@garysprojects]

True

[@quaiddiamond4760]

I would put yellow pedals on it, maybe gold

[@garysprojects]

Good idea 👍

[@mochster]

@@garysprojects I thought u hit home with the purples.

[@garysprojects]

@@mochster cheers man i appreciate that !! Can’t go wrong with purple! 🙏😊

[@camt1818]

I just got some new evaporust and it does not look like that. Yours is looking like some diluted orange juice haha. Almost looks like the evaporust dissolved the inside of your bucket.

[@garysprojects]

Hahah yes I’m not sure wha happened to it!! Still works though, stoked !

[@camt1818]

@@garysprojects lucked out! And of course, siicck build!!

[@garysprojects]

@@camt1818 cheers mate!! 💕

[@JohnPilling25]

50:41 - yes the longer B one goes on the front.

[@garysprojects]

Nice! I was unsure, glad I got it right thank you!

[@ThisTimeTheWorld]

What shifter is that?

[@garysprojects]

Just the same one that was on the bike, think it’s shimano

[@ThisTimeTheWorld]

@@garysprojects I thought it was a lawnmower throttle. I like how it's just a sliding lever.

[@twojsbike4803]

Don’t mix the evaporust.

[@garysprojects]

Okay 👍

[@chickenjoymanok1]

thats a chromoly steel, it is light and were designed for BMX bikes ,

[@garysprojects]

Yea nice and strong !

[@superpotato4274]

what the handlebar bar name??

[@garysprojects]

Mothbar by magic components

[@JAMaxeRestoration]

Weinmann "USA" rims? Nope, Weinmann were never made in the USA. The manufacturer was Alesa of Belgium.

[@garysprojects]

You’re wrong , 519 is made in usa 😂

[@darcysnell6243]

Uhhh, first!(?) 😄

[@garysprojects]

Hahaha yessss!!

[@f1hotrod527]

The made in Taiwan, republic of China thing is interesting. Right now, China demands that you don't recognize Taiwan as a country. And now the whole world bows down to China and tows the line on this. Back when this bike was made, much of the world did not recognize the Communist government of China the legitimate government of China, and actually referred to Taiwan as the Republic of China, and the China mainland as the peoples republic of China. I am old enough to still remember my teachers in grade school calling Taiwan as "China" and the mainland the other country of "the peoples republic of China". Crazy how times, and money to be made in the Chinese market change things.

[@garysprojects]

ya out of my area of expertise, crazy world though haha