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| Matt's Peugeot P8 Restoration - Bicycle - After |
I also started today Matt's Peugeot P8 restoration. I am very excited to start work on Matt's Peugeot, I do not get to work on or restore many Peugeots and they are one of my favorite brands of bicycles. Peugeot are also very difficult to figure out years and models but with some help from my friend Darrel we at least narrowed it down to a P8.
This Peugeot was given to Matt by his aunt and uncle, I think a great story to continue the Peugeot's life.
Matt's Peugeot is in pretty good starting condition. I love the deep reddish or maroonish color with the yellow and orange decals, a very classic Peugeot look. The Carbolite 103 frame is lite and the components are very nice. The Peugeot P8 will get a complete restoration with new tires and tubes, all new cables and cable housing, new bearings, new brake pads and new handlebar tape. Matt made some great choices on the new pieces and i think this is going to be one heck of a bike when it is done.
The frame is pretty good under the dullness and grime with only a few scratches and chips. After polishing the frame color is really going to pop with a deep finish. The components are dull but after restoration the alloy and chrome is really going to shine and set off that deep maroon paint.
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| Matt's Peugeot P8 Restoration - Bicycle Before |
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Matt's Peugeot P8 Restoration - Bicycle Before
Handlebars |
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Matt's Peugeot P8 Restoration - Bicycle Before
Handlebars |
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Matt's Peugeot P8 Restoration - Bicycle Before
Stem & Shift Levers |
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Matt's Peugeot P8 Restoration - Bicycle Before
Front Brake |
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Matt's Peugeot P8 Restoration - Bicycle Before
Front Wheel Hub |
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Matt's Peugeot P8 Restoration - Bicycle Before
Front Wheel Rim |
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Matt's Peugeot P8 Restoration - Bicycle Before
Seat post |
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Matt's Peugeot P8 Restoration - Bicycle Before
Brake Cable Hanger |
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Matt's Peugeot P8 Restoration - Bicycle Before
Crank |
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Matt's Peugeot P8 Restoration - Bicycle Before
Front Derailleur |
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Matt's Peugeot P8 Restoration - Bicycle Before
Rear Brake |
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Matt's Peugeot P8 Restoration - Bicycle Before
Rear Derailleur |
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Matt's Peugeot P8 Restoration - Bicycle Before
Rear Wheel |
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Matt's Peugeot P8 Restoration - Bicycle Before
Bottom Bracket |
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Matt's Peugeot P8 Restoration - Bicycle Before
Pedals |
I stripped down the components to the frame. With the components off I can see the frame is in better shape then I thought, It is dirty and dull but it should clean up and polish beautifully.
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| Matt's Peugeot P8 Restoration - Frame Before |
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Matt's Peugeot P8 Restoration - Frame Before
Headtube |
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Matt's Peugeot P8 Restoration - Frame Before
Seat Lug |
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Matt's Peugeot P8 Restoration - Frame Before
Brake Bridge |
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Matt's Peugeot P8 Restoration - Frame Before
Drop Outs |
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Matt's Peugeot P8 Restoration - Frame Before
Chain Stay |
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Matt's Peugeot P8 Restoration - Frame Before
Fork |
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Matt's Peugeot P8 Restoration - Frame Before
Fork |
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Matt's Peugeot P8 Restoration - Frame Before
Carbolite 103 Decal |
I have not gotten as much work in on the Peugeot as I wanted too. At the beginning of the week I had a round of aroara migraine headaches which I get occasionally and they really slow me down for a few days. But now mostly recovered its time to get going on the Peugeot.
I cleaned and polished the frame. The frame cleaned beautifully, I started with a very course polishing compound and worked my way down to a very fine. A good deal of the scuffs and scraps came out of the paint and the dark red took on a deep glossy finish. I love the the dark red and am super happy with the results of the frame. The dark red with the yellow and orange of the decals is quite striking.
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| Matt's Peugeot P8 Restoration - Frame - Polished |
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Matt's Peugeot P8 Restoration - Frame Polished
Head Tube |
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Matt's Peugeot P8 Restoration - Frame Polished
I love the Dark Red & Yellow/Orange Decals |
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Matt's Peugeot P8 Restoration - Frame Polished
Bottom Bracket |
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Matt's Peugeot P8 Restoration
Frame Polished - Seat Tube Logo |
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Matt's Peugeot P8 Restoration - Fork
Polished |
With the frame polished I broke the components down for cleaning and polishing. What I really love about Peugeot's and Matt's Peugeot in particular are the little details. Every piece to every components have little details in there design and shape, a nice line here or a unusual detail there. Here the headset just doesn't look quite like any other, the lock nut has a tall refined shape. The bottom bracket has little ridges and indents stamped in that gives so much character that is so plane on other components. The stem has a beautiful shape that is just a little more shaped then normal. Even the stamped handlebar logos are just beautiful, so detailed!
The headset and bottom bracket are soaking now in the crock pot. New bearings will be installed.
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Matt's Peugeot P8 Restoration - Headset & Bottom Bracket
Before |
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| Matt's Peugeot P8 Restoration - Stem - Before |
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| Matt's Peugeot P8 Restoration - Stem & Handlebars - Before |
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| Matt's Peugeot P8 Restoration - Handlebars - Before |
The headset and bottom bracket polished very nice, you can see in the photos he little details each piece has. I am happy with the results. The headset installed very nice and turns very smooth. The bottom bracket I am waiting for new bearings to arrive, I have gone through so many recently I got a head of the current order that should be here soon.
The stem polished beautifully!! I really like this stem, its hard to see in photos but it tapers in as it goes down and around, almost like an upside down shark body. The polishing went really well also, the tips I got are really paying off.
The handlebars also polished very nice, there are a few gauges that will not polish out but the surface has a mirror finish.
I think the stem and handlebars in this area is what takes a beautiful bicycle tot eh next level and this stem and handlebars are doing that nicely!
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Matt's Peugeot P8 Restoration - Headset & Bottom Bracket
Polished |
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| Matt's Peugeot P8 Restoration - Stem Polished |
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| Matt's Peugeot P8 Restoration - Handlebars Polished |
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| Matt's Peugeot P8 Restoration - Handlebar Stamped Logos |
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Matt's Peugeot P8 Restoration
Headset Cups - pressed |
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Matt's Peugeot P8 Restoration - Headset Cups
Pressed |
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Matt's Peugeot P8 Restoration - Headset - New Bearings
Installed |
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Matt's Peugeot P8 Restoration - Headset
Complete |
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Matt's Peugeot P8 Restoration - Stem & Handlebars
Installed |
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| Matt's Peugeot P8 Restoration - Stem & Handlebars - Installed |
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Matt's Peugeot P8 Restoration - Headset - Stem - Handlebars
Complete |
I like the crank a lot, the shapes and lines of it are really nice, the crank arms are narrow the depth way so they are like fan blades cutting through the air. Also the pin wheel arms on he drive side are very nicely shaped, the have a nice roundness to them. You don not see thought like this put into the shape and lines of a crank very often. That is why I like Peugeot's from this era so much.
I cleaned all the components to the crank and got to work with the power polisher. The large chain ring on the inside has some gouging from the chain getting stuck but that will not be see. The small chain ring also has some gauging that is a little more visible but over all not to noticeable. Everything polished beautifully and after assembling the crank is quit stunning!! I am so happy with the crank, I would like to have one for myself.
I will install the crank and take a photo as soon as the new bottom bracket bearings get here.
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| Matt's Peugeot P8 Restoration - Crank - Before |
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| Matt's Peugeot P8 Restoration - Crank - Exploded |
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| Matt's Peugeot P8 Restoration - Crank Polished |
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| Matt's Peugeot P8 Restoration - Crank - Complete |
I like the brake calipers. I like center pull brakes for the era they work better then the side pull brakes from the era. These brake calipers turned out fantastic, It took a good deal of polishing but it was all worth it. The caliper arms shine better then new and with the new brake pads installed they should work like new. I am very proud of the results.
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| Matt's Peugeot P8 Restoration - Brakes - Before |
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| Matt's Peugeot P8 Restoration - Brakes - Exploded |
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| Matt's Peugeot P8 Restoration - Brake Calipers Polished |
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| Matt's Peugeot P8 Restoration - Brake Calipers - Complete |
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Matt's Peugeot P8 Restoration
Front Brake - Installed |
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Matt's Peugeot P8 Restoration
Rear Brake - Installed |
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Matt's Peugeot P8 Restoration
Front Reflector - Complete |
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Matt's Peugeot P8 Restoration
Rear Reflector - Complete |
The front derailleur is a Shimano, I have restored this one many times and I really like the lines and design of it. The front derailleur cleaned up very nice and polished beautifully. The derailleur looks fantastic installed.
The rear derailleur is not original to the Peugeot, the derailleur cleaned nice but the sticker fell off during cleaning to reveal another sticker under it. I cleaned and polished the derailleur the best it would polish. the derailleur looks descent but functions very smooth.
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| Matt's Peugeot P8 Restoration - Derailleurs - Before |
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| Matt's Peugeot P8 Restoration - Derailleurs - Exploded |
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| Matt's Peugeot P8 Restoration - Derailleurs - Polished |
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| Matt's Peugeot P8 Restoration - Front Derailleur - Installed |
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Matt's Peugeot P8 Restoration
Rear Derailleur - Installed |
The shift levers are Shimano, I like these shift levers because they always polish very nice. I cleaned, flushed, lubricated and polished the shift levers, they look great installed and function very smooth.
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| Matt's Peugeot P8 Restoration - Shift Levers - Before |
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| Matt's Peugeot P8 Restoration - Shift Levers - Complete |
The brake levers are nice Die-Comps, I like the drilling of the handles. I cleaned and then polished the brake levers, they turned out very nice, I am happy with the shine. I also flushed and lubricated the brake levers and they work very smooth.
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| Matt's Peugeot P8 Restoration - Brake Levers - Before |
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| Matt's Peugeot P8 Restoration - Brake Levers - Polished |
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| Matt's Peugeot P8 Restoration - Brake Levers - Installed |
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| Matt's Peugeot P8 Restoration - Brake Levers - Installed |
He seat post is fluted so I like it! The seat Post is surprisingly light. I also cleaned and polished the seat binder bolt and cable hanger at this time. Both the seat post and cable hanger turned out very nice and look good installed.
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Matt's Peugeot P8 Restoration - Rear Brake Cable Hanger
Before |
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| Matt's Peugeot P8 Restoration - Seat Post & Saddle - Before |
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| Matt's Peugeot P8 Restoration - Seat Post - Exploded |
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Matt's Peugeot P8 Restoration - Seat Post & Cable Hanger
Polished |
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Matt's Peugeot P8 Restoration
Seat Post & Cable Hanger
Installed |
The wheels are a mix match, i think the rear wheel is an original, the front is an alloy replacement wheel. I like the rear wheel, I know it is chrome but there is just something really nice about a polished chrome wheel. I cleaned and polished the wheel and replaced the bearings. The chrome rim polished to almost perfect. I then installed the Panaracer Pasela tires, I think a perfect choice for the Peugeot.
The front wheel is a replacement, I have not heard of the brand before but right of it feels very light. I cleaned and polished the hub and replaced the bearings. The rim has a textured finish that is not polishable but it cleaned very well. I like the front wheel, in spins very nice and looks great with the Panaracer tire installed.
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Matt's Peugeot P8 Restoration
Rear Wheel - Before |
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| Matt's Peugeot P8 Restoration - Freewheel - Before |
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| Matt's Peugeot P8 Restoration - Rear Wheel Hub - Before |
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Matt's Peugeot P8 Restoration - Rear Wheel Rim
Before |
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| Matt's Peugeot P8 Restoration - Rear Wheel - Old Grease |
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| Matt's Peugeot P8 Restoration - Rear Wheel hub - Polished |
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| Matt's Peugeot P8 Restoration - Rear Wheel Rim - Polished |
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| Matt's Peugeot P8 Restoration - Rear Wheel - New Grease & Bearings |
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Matt's Peugeot P8 Restoration
New Panaracer Tires |
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| Matt's Peugeot P8 Restoration - Rear Wheel - Compelte |
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Matt's Peugeot P8 Restoration - Rear Wheel Rim
Complete |
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Matt's Peugeot P8 Restoration
Front Wheel - Before |
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| Matt's Peugeot P8 Restoration - Front Wheel Hub - Before |
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| Matt's Peugeot P8 Restoration - Frotn Wheel Rim - Before |
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| Matt's Peugeot P8 Restoration - Front Wheel - New Grease |
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| Matt's Peugeot P8 Restoration - Front Wheel - Complete |
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| Matt's Peugeot P8 Restoration - Front Wheel Rim - Complete |
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| Matt's Peugeot P8 Restoration - Wheels - Complete |
With the bearings here the bottom bracket and crank installed very quickly. The crank looks fantastic installed.
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Matt's Peugeot P8 Restoration - Bottom Bracket Bearings
Packed |
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Matt's Peugeot P8 Restoration
Bottom Bracket - Complete |
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Matt's Peugeot P8 Restoration
Crank - Installed |
Only thing left is to wire the bike, install the handlebar tape and install the pedals. I installed the cables and the cable housings, the charcoal/silver color was chosen and looks great with the dark red.
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| Matt's Peugeot P8 Restoration - New Pieces |
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| Matt's Peugeot P8 Restoration - Cables Installed |
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Matt's Peugeot P8 Restoration
Cables - Installed |
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| Matt's Peugeot P8 Restoration - Cables - Installed |
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| Matt's Peugeot P8 Restoration - Cables - Installed |
The handlebar tape is a synthetic leather like handlebar tape with gel padding. It is a great classic look and looks great installed.
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| Matt's Peugeot P8 Restoration - Handlebar Tape - Installed |
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| Matt's Peugeot P8 Restoration - Handlebar Tape - Installed |
The pedals where in rough shape but pedals usually are, pedals take a real beating. I cleaned and polished the pedals the best they would and flushed and lubricated the pedals. The pedals spin good and look fairly good.
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| Matt's Peugeot P8 Restoration - Pedals - Polished |
The bicycle is complete at this time and stand tuned, test ride and road tuning to go.
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| Matt's Peugeot P8 Restoration - Bicycle Stand Complete |
I test road the Peugeot, it fought me a lot in the road tuning. I had to change out the change and adjust the straightness of the chain rings but eventually got it tuned nicely. The chain rings are a little more worn then they appear which made it a little tricky to tune. I believe there is a lot of life left in the chain rings yet.
Once the Peugeot was tuned I gave it a good hard test ride, the Peugeot rides extremely nice, the Panaracer tires are very comfortable and very fast. I really like this Peugeot, it has a fantastic classic look with lots of little design lines and details you do not get today. The dark red is an amazing color, the black accents and charcoal cable housings are a perfect complement and all the shiny parts and gum wall tires are perfect.
I love this stuff, I love bring back a forgotten rough bicycle and having it ride great again and look great.
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| Matt's Peugeot P8 Restoration - Bicycle - Complete |
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| Matt's Peugeot P8 Restoration - Bicycle - Complete |
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Matt's Peugeot P8 Restoration - Bicycle Complete
Front |
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| Matt's Peugeot P8 Restoration - Bicycle Complete - Handlebars |
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Matt's Peugeot P8 Restoration
Bicycle Complete - Front Brake |
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Matt's Peugeot P8 Restoration
Bicycle Complete - Front Half |
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| Matt's Peugeot P8 Restoration - Bicycle Complete - Stem |
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| Matt's Peugeot P8 Restoration - Bicycle Complete - Saddle |
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Matt's Peugeot P8 Restoration - Bicycle Complete
Drive Train |
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Matt's Peugeot P8 Restoration - Bicycle Complete
Rear Brake |
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Matt's Peugeot P8 Restoration - Bicycle Complete
Rear Wheel |
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| Matt's Peugeot P8 Restoration - Bicycle Complete - Rear |
Thank you for the interest,
John Z.
The bike looks awesome! I have just picked up a very similar bike, can you tell me if the cranks came off with a standard tool, or did you have to use something Stronglight specific?
ReplyDeleteHello J. Howard,
DeleteI had no problem removing the crank with the Standard Park Tool crank puller. Actually no problem with both Peugeot's on the web site that had a Stronglight crank. I think older cranks you might have a problem.
Thanks,
John Z.
chain specs? I am in need of chain for identical bicycle.
ReplyDeleteHello James,
ReplyDeleteI do not know the chain length, I just got a standard 6-7 speed chain and fitted it to the two large gears with one chain link extra. A standard fitting.
Thanks,
John
Awesome write-up, I am doing my first restoration now on an '85 P8; this is extremely helpful.
ReplyDeleteI was hoping to find out what size bearing balls and how many you used on the bottom bracket and headset? My LBS disassembled my frame and I am left with many loose bearing balls and one caged bearing set but unsure on what goes where.
Any information would be appreciated, thanks!
Turned out beautiful! I'd like to restore my girlfriend's Peugeot also it's a P6, how did you clean and polish the chrome parts so well? It's a huge part of that extra shine your bikes have, it's awesome how you get to show all the intricate details of the bike.
ReplyDeleteI have a real soft spot for old Peugeots despite their eccentricities and love seeing them brought back to life as useful bikes - bravo on the restoration. I agree they are hard to pinpoint for years and have found this site very helpful when trying to narrow down year and type http://cyclespeugeot.com/ModelID.html
ReplyDeleteI owned one like that at one time.but mine was pearl white and 2 shades of blue lettering
ReplyDeleteI'm building the same frame right now! Going to be a cyclocross bike with more modern components though.
ReplyDeleteCan I ask you what the diameter of the seat post is? I am looking for a seat post for the exact same bike and can't figure out what the size is. Thank you!
ReplyDeleteI have the same model. I purchased it used from a friend when I was in the service. I recently pulled out, cleaned it up. It still works. Do you know what the value of the bike is? I paid $10, had to some parts into it. All the parts cost me $30 extra. georgedavidson1122@gmail.com
ReplyDeleteHello James!
ReplyDeleteThanks for this post. I recently purchased the same model, and I love it, I'm trying to restore some parts of it although I'm not an expert. I've trouble trying to adjust the brakes, can u give me any insights. Thanks in advance.