Aaand… tear it on down! A bike is made of surprisingly few components. Friction shifting drivetrain, steel rat trap pedals, and most charmingly – a cup and cone bottom bracket.
These photos show up the grime a bit better. Will turn to sparkles!
Month:
Pret-tee. This rides faster but less comfortably than my other bikes (even heavier old steel MTBs). Kickstands and suicide/safety levers are out of fashion, but this is 30+ years old, and RED. The paddle shifters are surprising useful in the dark (you can tell what gear you're already in by feel), but the downtube positioning and friction shifting take plenty of getting used to.
One thing I won't be getting used to is the 42/30 low gear (so soft). Here in the Metacomet hills, that's right out.
