Restore an Old "Balkan" Bike

by skoko in Outside > Bikes

3326 Views, 17 Favorites, 0 Comments

Restore an Old "Balkan" Bike

IMG_20140928_113853.jpg

Balkan bikes have been around in Bulgaria for years no longer produced they have been pushed for newer models.They are very sturdy bikes and are foldable (some models).

Find a Project Bike

50910335_1_800x600_rev004.jpg

I found this bike for 15lv which is about 10$ or 7 euro.Which is a steal but it will need a lot of work.

Strip the Bike

IMG_20140826_081535.jpg
IMG_20140826_081559.jpg
IMG_20140826_081607.jpg
IMG_20140907_095213.jpg
IMG_20140907_095219.jpg
IMG_20140910_071150.jpg
IMG_20140825_081749.jpg

Strip every part you can.I couldn't get the chain off since i don't have the tool but i wasn't that big of a problem.

Next you will need to strip the paint.I mostly used chemicals but a wire brush was needed on some spots.

Priming and Painting

IMG_20140920_093820.jpg
IMG_20140922_161105.jpg
IMG_20140922_161108.jpg
IMG_20140922_175906.jpg
IMG_20140922_175916.jpg
IMG_20140906_151043.jpg
IMG_20140906_151154.jpg
IMG_20140906_151213.jpg
IMG_20140907_123301.jpg

Prime the bike and paint the color you want.I went with plain mat black.

New Parts

IMG_20140919_100840.jpg
IMG_20140919_100851.jpg
IMG_20140919_100858.jpg

Since the bike is old some parts are beyond saving and need to be replaced.This type of Balkan bike does not have break livers and pads if you wanted to brake you start pedaling back and that blocked the back tire witch was effective but not for me.I got a donor bike for cheep and dismantled it for parts such as brakes, tyres ,handles and some other small parts.Some parts need to be bout new such as pedals,break lines,crank set,chain ring,seat post and a new seat .

Assemble

IMG_20140919_131553.jpg
IMG_20140920_155448.jpg
IMG_20140920_155420.jpg
IMG_20140920_155433.jpg
IMG_20140921_104335.jpg
IMG_20140928_101810.jpg
IMG_20140928_101818.jpg
IMG_20140928_101822.jpg
IMG_20140928_101825.jpg
IMG_20140928_101830.jpg
IMG_20140928_114851.jpg
IMG_20140928_113819.jpg

Start assembling you bike.I put the brake lines inside the frame so its less messy.Had to get creative whit the brakes since there is no room for them and they went on the bottom but it works fine.

Ride

IMG_20140928_113853.jpg
IMG_20140928_113909.jpg
IMG_20140928_113900.jpg
IMG_20140928_114006.jpg
IMG_20140928_114100.jpg
IMG_20140928_114829.jpg

Ride your bike :)