1983 Peugeot Vitesses PB-14 Restoration - Price $450

Peugeot Vitesses Restoration - Bicycle After

Peugeot Vitesses - Bicycle Before

I recently found this Peugeot Vitesses from the 1980's and wanted to get started on it soon.  I will be putting it up for sale when it is complete.  The Vitesses is a very nice bike, very lite double butted frame and some fairly nice components.  The wheels are some fairly high end 700c Mallard hubs and Rigida rims.

I like this Peugeot a lot! I also really like the red and decal scheme.  Peugeot has always done beautifully with there color and decal schemes, from there classic black and white with gold highlights from the Eddie Merxx era to the graduate orange and yellow decals from the 1980's.

The Peugeot Vitesses has been in storage for a long time by the looks of it but should restore beautifully.  The plane is for new tubes and some very fast new 23 mm tires along with new handlebar tape, saddle, all new cables and cable housings, new brake pads, new bearing balls and new brake lever hoods.  I am thinking white cable housings and bar tape to go against the red or maybe blue housings and tape to match the blue in the decals.

I started by stripping the frame of the components and cleaning the frame, the frame paint was very dirty and had a rough texture to the finish but had very little chips or scratches.  The frame cleaned the frame well.

Peugeot Vitesses - Bicycle Before

Peugeot Vitesses - Bicycle Before
Headset Area

Peugeot Vitesses - Bicycle Before - Handlebars

Peugeot Vitesses - Bicycle Before
Front Brake Caliper

Peugeot Vitesses - Bicycle Before
Rear Wheel Hub Area

Peugeot Vitesses - Bicycle Before
Peddles

Peugeot Vitesses - Bicycle Before
Wheel Rim

Peugeot Vitesses - Bicycle Before - Drive Train

Peugeot Vitesses - Bicycle Before
Double Butted Magnalite Frame
Sticker

Peugeot Vitesses - Bicycle Before
Stronglite Crank

Below are photos of the dull textured paint before cleaning and polishing.

Peugeot Vitesses - Frame Before Cleaning & Polishing

Peugeot Vitesses - Frame Before Cleaning & Polishing

Peugeot Vitesses - Frame Before Cleaning & Polishing

Peugeot Vitesses - Frame Before Cleaning & Polishing

Peugeot Vitesses - Frame Before Cleaning & Polishing

Peugeot Vitesses - Frame Before Cleaning & Polishing

The Peugeot was sitting for a long time with dust and dirt, over time the frame's paint developed a rough texture on the surface. The polishing took four steps and each step a couple of times but turned out beautiful, I am so pleased and proud of it! The red pops now and the the paint surface is like glass! It just took the willingness to put a lot of elbow grease and time into it.

Peugeot Vitesses - Frame Cleaned & Polished

Peugeot Vitesses - Frame Polished
Seat Stays

Peugeot Vitesses - Frame Polished
Head Tube

Peugeot Vitesses - Frame Polished
Seat Stays

Peugeot Vitesses - Frame Polished
Fork

While cleaning and polishing I put the headset and bottom bracket components into the crock pot on low for de-greasing.  The headset and bottom bracket polished super nice and the shine really pops against the red of the frame, plus they spin super smooth.  I also polished the stem and handlebars at the same time.  The stem is one of the nicer looking stems I have seen, very nice shape almost looks like an older Cinelli stem with the shape.  In the photos of the handlebars I wish the logo stampings would show up better because they are very cool.

Overall I am very happy with the results of the headset, bottom bracket, stem and handlebars, it going to be a wonderful restoration.

Peugeot Vitesses - Headset & Bottom Bracket - Before

Peugeot Vitesses - Bottom Bracket
Polished

Peugeot Vitesses - Bottom Bracket - Greased

Peugeot Vitesses - Bottom Bracket
Complete

Peugeot Vitesses - Handlebars, Stem & All Components
Polished

Peugeot Vitesses - Headset Polished

Peugeot Vitesses - Headset Cups
Pressed

Peugeot Vitesses - Headset Bearings Packed in Grease

Peugeot Vitesses - Headset Fork
Installed

Peugeot Vitesses - Handlebar, Stem & Brake Levers - Before

Peugeot Vitesses - Stem Polished

Peugeot Vitesses - Handlebars & Stem
Installed

Peugeot Vitesses - Handlebars & Stem
Installed

Peugeot Vitesses - Handlebar Stampings

Next is the wheels, in the photos of the wheels you can really see the how long the bicycle has been sitting by the level of dust.  But these wheels should be beautiful when restored.

Peugeot Vitesses - Front Wheel - Before

Peugeot Vitesses - Front Wheel Hub - Before

Peugeot Vitesses - Front Wheel Rim - Before

The front wheel was very dirty, greasy and the bearings where shot, but after cleaning and then a lot of polishing it turned out fantastic.  The rim are very nice, the hubs polished nice and new bearings and grease have the front wheel spinning fast and smooth!

Peugeot Vitesses - Front Wheel - Old Grease

Peugeot Vitesses - Front Wheel Hub - Polished

Peugeot Vitesses - Front Wheel Components - Polished

Peugeot Vitesses - Front Wheel Rim - Polished

Peugeot Vitesses - Front Wheel - Installed

Peugeot Vitesses - Front Wheel - Installed

The rear wheel is slightly uncommon with the set up, but it is actually very simple in the way it works, no special tools needed.  The free wheel slides on to a spiraled spindle instead of screwing on.  The freewheel easily screws of with just a wrench.  The freewheel cogs also easily come apart for changing or cleaning.  The rear wheel polished very nice and trued easily, I did have to replace a couple of spokes nipples, but that was no big deal.  I am super happy with the wheels on the Peugeot!

Peugeot Vitesses - Rear Wheel Before

Peugeot Vitesses - Rear Wheel Hub - Before

Peugeot Vitesses - Rear Wheel - Old Grease

Peugeot Vitesses - Cogs - Before

Peugeot Vitesses - Rear Wheel Rim
Before

Peugeot Vitesses - Rear Wheel Spiral Spindle

Peugeot Vitesses - Rear Wheel Complete

Peugeot Vitesses - Rear Wheel Installed

Peugeot Vitesses - Wheel - Complete

Next was the derailleurs.  The derailleurs where in pretty rough shape, the old dust and grease and really set in and there was some rust.  I soaked both in oil for a little while and then put a lot of work into them cleaning and polishing, in the end they look pretty good, especially from where they started.  I do need to get silver touch up paint for the rear derailleur and it will look a lot better.  Both derailleurs function super smooth now which is actually amazing for there start.  I am extremely happy with the results and the Peugeot as a whole so far!!

Peugeot Vitesses - Derailleurs - Before

Peugeot Vitesses - Front Derailleur - Before

Peugeot Vitesses - Front Derailleur - Cleaned & Polished

Peugeot Vitesses - Front Derailleur
Complete

Peugeot Vitesses - Rear Derailleur - Before

Peugeot Vitesses - Rear Derailleur - Polished

Peugeot Vitesses - Rear Derailleur
Complete

The last thing for today is the seat post and seat post bolt.  In the image I placed the original saddle for the bike, I wish it was in slightly better condition, but I will give a restoration attempt at it but as of now I am thinking replacement.  The seat post did polish beautifully and this is my favorite seat post.  I also love fluted seat posts.  The seat bolt is probably better then new.

Peugeot Vitesses - Seat Post & Original Saddle - Before

Peugeot Vitesses -  Seat Post & Bolt
Complete

Oh, and last I started the brake levers today, I knew the lever hoods where going to crumble before I started work and ordered new a few days ago.  

Peugeot Vitesses - Brake Levers - Before

Peugeot Vitesses - Brake Lever Hoods - Crumbled

The brake lever hoods came in and I installed those.  I really am pleased with the results of the brake levers, they just have a very nice classic look and look better then new.

Peugeot Vitesses - Brake Levers Polished
New Brake Lever Hoods

Peugeot Vitesses - Brake Levers Installed

I also installed the new tires at this time.  I thought about Continentals, maybe a wider tire but I went with 23 mm Michelin slicks all black, the bike is so light it was just made to go fast and these tires will help.  Continental tires are also good tires, but they just are not quite as fast.

Peugeot Vitesses - New Tires

The crank is a Stonge Light crank, a very nice one.  French bicycles sometimes have strange sizes, but this crank is standard. I disassembled the crank, polished all the components including all the crank bolt, ran a tap through a few of them to clean up the threads and now the crank is beautiful!  It looks awesome, my photographic abilities do not do it justice.  I also installed new chrome crank bolt dust caps, the old where mismatched.

Peugeot Vitesses - Strong Light Crank - Before

Peugeot Vitesses - Strong Light Crank - Disassembled

Peugeot Vitesses - Stong light Crank
 Polished 

Peugeot Vitesses - Strong Light Crank
Complete

Peugeot Vitesses - Strong Light Crank
Installed

While I worked on the crank I also worked on the pedals.  The pedals are outstanding pedals with Christophe toe clips, very high quality clips.  The leather straps are surprisingly soft yet with some dirt. I polished the toe clips and the mounting hardware but will not install them.  They toe clips will go with the Peugeot when sold, but i do not want them on there if someone test rides the bicycle.  If the person is not use to them it will not be good and they will get scratched.

Peugeot Vitesses - Pedals - Before

Peugeot Vitesses - Pedal - Before

Peugeot Vitesses - Pedal - Installed

The last of the components to go was the shift levers.  The shift levers where a little rough, they where all gummed up and the rear lever bolt old not come out at first.  After some penetrating oil the bolt was removed and I cleaned up the threads with a tap and die, the bolt now works perfectly.  Over all the shift levers polished very nice and they have a very crisp feel to them, I like the results and the longer lever.

Peugeot Vitesses - Shift Levers - Exploded View

Peugeot Vitesses - Shift levers - Complete

At this point I ran the new cables and cable housings.  The Peugeot original had black cable housings but I think the white is a much better choice with the red frame.

Peugeot Vitesses - New Cables & Cable Housings

Peugeot Vitesses - Cables Installed

I checked the chain for wear, it was in good shape and was going to new blue handlebar tape but the blue I had on hand was to dark, the dark would look great with a silver bike but not the blue highlights on the Peugeot.  I ordered a artificial leather blue gel handlebar tape, I think this will be the best of both the vintage original tape and modern gel tape, will look great with the comfort of gel.

Photo of the Peugeot now, just waiting on handlebar tape and deciding on the saddle.

Peugeot Vitesses - Bicycle as of Now

I finally made a choice on the saddle for the Peugeot Vitesses, I actually found the same tone blue as the handlebar tape.  I really like the way the seat pulls everything together.

I really like the Peugeot, I think it may be my favorite restoration I have done, I love the look, the era, the style.  The bike is made for speed and that is how it is set up.

The Peugeot will be going up for sale shortly, I am in the process of writing it, hope to get it done soon but i have a high school basketball game to get to soon.  The tentative price range will be $400-$450.

Final photos will be coming soon also if he sun comes out, hey, not bad today 18 degrees and 30 mph winds!  Only in this area do we have conversations that go "hey, its not bad out today, made it up to 18!

Thanks,
John Z.

Peugeot Vitesses Restoration - Bicycle Complete

Peugeot Vitesses Restoration - Bicycle Complete

Peugeot Vitesses Restoration - Bicycle Complete

Peugeot Vitesses Restoration - Bicycle complete - Handlebars

Peugeot Vitesses Restoration - Bicycle Complete - Front Brake

Peugeot Vitesses Restoration - Bicycle Complete - Handlebars & Stem

Peugeot Vitesses Restoration - Bicycle Complete - Stem

Peugeot Vitesses Restoration - Bicycle Complete
Front Half

Peugeot Vitesses Restoration - Bicycle Complete - Front Wheel Hub

Peugeot Vitesses Restoration - Bicycle Complete - Rear Brake

Peugeot Vitesses Restoration - Bicycle Complete - Rear WHeel Hub

Peugeot Vitesses Restoration - Bicycle Complete - Drive Train

The Peugeot Vitesses turned out incredible, like I said many times in the post, if it was built for my 6'-4" height I would ride it.

Price - $450

!980's Peugeot Vitesses Specs,

22 Inch / 56 cm Magnalite Double Butted Frame
Rigada 700c alloy wheels
New Tire tubes
New Michelin Dynamic Sport 700c Tires
Beautiful Stronglite Crank
Stronglite Derailleurs
New Deda Modern Take Classic Handlebar Tape
New Saddle
New Crane Creek Brake Lever Hoods
All New bearings
All New Brake and Shift Cables
All New Cable Housings
All New Brake Pads