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| A Restoration of a Czechoslovakian Favorite - Bicycle After Restoration |
About two weeks ago I started work on a restoration of this Czechoslovakian 5 speed branded Favorite. This is the first Czechoslovakian bicycle I have ever worked on. At first look there are some very cool things going on like the alloy fenders, the five speed drive train, the Favorite stamped stem and it actually has some very nice 700c wheels with alloy rims. What I think is most surprising of the Favorite is that is is very surprisingly light. Almost like 531 light but I can't imagine it would be 531 and there are no 531 decals.
Bicycles like this are very cool to me, they are different and I always like nice fenders. The metallic avocado green is a n interesting color as well. The Favorite will receive a total restoration along with new cables, new cable housings, new saddle, and tire tubes. I can't wait to see the alloy fenders polished out.
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| A Restoration of a Czechoslovakian Favorite - Bicycle Before |
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| A Restoration of a Czechoslovakian Favorite - Bicycle Before Handlebars |
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| A Restoration of a Czechoslovakian Favorite - Bicycle Before Stem |
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| A Restoration of a Czechoslovakian Favorite - Bicycle Before Head Tube |
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| A Restoration of a Czechoslovakian Favorite - Bicycle Before Front Brake |
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| A Restoration of a Czechoslovakian Favorite - Bicycle Before Front Wheel Hub |
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| A Restoration of a Czechoslovakian Favorite - Bicycle Before Front Wheel Rim |
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| A Restoration of a Czechoslovakian Favorite - Bicycle Before Brake Levers |
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| A Restoration of a Czechoslovakian Favorite - Bicycle Before Headset |
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| A Restoration of a Czechoslovakian Favorite - Bicycle Before Fork Crown |
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| A Restoration of a Czechoslovakian Favorite - Bicycle Before Front Brake |
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| A Restoration of a Czechoslovakian Favorite - Bicycle Before Shift Lever |
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| A Restoration of a Czechoslovakian Favorite - Bicycle Before Front Fender |
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| A Restoration of a Czechoslovakian Favorite - Bicycle Before Down Tube |
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| A Restoration of a Czechoslovakian Favorite - Bicycle Before Saddle |
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| A Restoration of a Czechoslovakian Favorite - Bicycle Before Seat Tube |
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| A Restoration of a Czechoslovakian Favorite - Bicycle Before Bottom Bracket |
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| A Restoration of a Czechoslovakian Favorite - Bicycle Before Crank |
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| A Restoration of a Czechoslovakian Favorite - Bicycle Before Pedals |
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| A Restoration of a Czechoslovakian Favorite - Bicycle Before Seat Lug |
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| A Restoration of a Czechoslovakian Favorite - Bicycle Before Rear Fender |
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| A Restoration of a Czechoslovakian Favorite - Bicycle Before Rear Brake |
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| A Restoration of a Czechoslovakian Favorite - Bicycle Before Rear Derailleur |
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| A Restoration of a Czechoslovakian Favorite - Bicycle Before Chain Stay |
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| A Restoration of a Czechoslovakian Favorite - Bicycle Before Rear Fender Reflector |
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| A Restoration of a Czechoslovakian Favorite - Bicycle Before Rear Wheel Hub |
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| A Restoration of a Czechoslovakian Favorite - Bicycle Before Rear View |
With the components stripped from the frame I do not see any major chips or scratches in the paint. The green paint almost looks like a transparent wash put over a silver or chrome paint. The decals are not in great shape but not bad for the chrome style decals, they do not hold up well at all.
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| A Restoration of a Czechoslovakian Favorite - Frame Before |
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| A Restoration of a Czechoslovakian Favorite - Frame Before Head Tube |
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| A Restoration of a Czechoslovakian Favorite - Frame Before Head Tube |
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| A Restoration of a Czechoslovakian Favorite - Frame Before Down Tube |
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| A Restoration of a Czechoslovakian Favorite - Frame Before Down Tube Decal |
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| A Restoration of a Czechoslovakian Favorite - Frame Before Seat Lug |
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| A Restoration of a Czechoslovakian Favorite - Frame Before Seat Tube Decal |
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| A Restoration of a Czechoslovakian Favorite - Frame Before Bottom Bracket |
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| A Restoration of a Czechoslovakian Favorite - Frame Before Bottom Bracket |
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| A Restoration of a Czechoslovakian Favorite - Frame Before Bottom Bracket |
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| A Restoration of a Czechoslovakian Favorite - Frame Before Seat Lug |
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| A Restoration of a Czechoslovakian Favorite - Frame Before Brake Bridge |
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| A Restoration of a Czechoslovakian Favorite - Frame Before Drop Outs |
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| A Restoration of a Czechoslovakian Favorite - Frame Before Fork |
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| A Restoration of a Czechoslovakian Favorite - Frame Before Fork Crown |
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| A Restoration of a Czechoslovakian Favorite - Frame Before Fork Crown |
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| A Restoration of a Czechoslovakian Favorite - Frame Before Fork Crown |
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| A Restoration of a Czechoslovakian Favorite - Frame Before Drop Outs |
The frame cleaned extremely nice, polishing was not easy. The green colored wash over the silver paint is very thin an soft making it very difficult to polish. To much polishing and it would polish all the green paint away. Slow careful polishing did the trick and the green polished very nicely. A little bit of sealer wax and the frame looks great!!
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| A Restoration of a Czechoslovakian Favorite - Frame Polished |
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| A Restoration of a Czechoslovakian Favorite - Frame Polished Head Tube |
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| A Restoration of a Czechoslovakian Favorite - Frame Polished Head Tube |
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| A Restoration of a Czechoslovakian Favorite - Frame Polished Down Tube Decal |
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| A Restoration of a Czechoslovakian Favorite - Frame Polished Seat Lug |
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| A Restoration of a Czechoslovakian Favorite - Frame Polished Seat Tube Decal |
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| A Restoration of a Czechoslovakian Favorite - Frame Polished Bottom Bracket |
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| A Restoration of a Czechoslovakian Favorite - Frame Polished Bottom Bracket |
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| A Restoration of a Czechoslovakian Favorite - Frame Polished Bottom Bracket |
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| A Restoration of a Czechoslovakian Favorite - Frame Polished Seat Lug |
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| A Restoration of a Czechoslovakian Favorite - Frame Polished Drop Outs |
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| A Restoration of a Czechoslovakian Favorite - Frame Polished Fork |
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| A Restoration of a Czechoslovakian Favorite - Frame Polished Fork Crown |
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| A Restoration of a Czechoslovakian Favorite - Frame Polished Fork Blades |
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| A Restoration of a Czechoslovakian Favorite - Frame Polished Fork Drop Outs |
The crank was loose which was nice because that meant the cotter pins where not too stuck but they where still stuck enough that I bent the cotter pins but at least I didn't have to drill the pins out. The headset and bottom bracket went into the crock pot for cleaning. After cleaning the pieces polished beautifully!
Installed the headset and bottom bracket look great!
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| A Restoration of a Czechoslovakian Favorite - Headset & Bottom Bracket Before |
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| A Restoration of a Czechoslovakian Favorite - Headset & Bottom Bracket Polished |
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| A Restoration of a Czechoslovakian Favorite Headset Cups - Pressed |
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| A Restoration of a Czechoslovakian Favorite Headset - Complete |
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| A Restoration of a Czechoslovakian Favorite Headset - Complete |
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| A Restoration of a Czechoslovakian Favorite - Bottom Bracket Bearings Packed |
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| A Restoration of a Czechoslovakian Favorite - Bottom Bracket Complete |
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| A Restoration of a Czechoslovakian Favorite - Headset & Bottom Bracket Complete |
The stem has a nice shape and I like the Favorite lettering stamped in the side. I was surprised that the Favorite has alloy handlebars, a very nice touch. The only thing on the whole bike that is sketchy is the brake levers. They are just straight handlebars that where bent to go around the bend of the handlebars. Being bent the brake levers do not work the greatest.
I cleaned all the handlebar area pieces and then got on with the polishing. The stem polished very nicely and the handlebars polished amazingly. Installed the handlebars and stem look amazing against the green avocado paint. I am extremely pleased with the results! I really like the shape and look of the handlebars.
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| A Restoration of a Czechoslovakian Favorite - Handlebars & Stem Before |
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| A Restoration of a Czechoslovakian Favorite - Stem - Before |
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| A Restoration of a Czechoslovakian Favorite - Stem & Handlebars Before |
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| A Restoration of a Czechoslovakian Favorite - Handlebars Before |
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| A Restoration of a Czechoslovakian Favorite - Stem & Handlebars Polished |
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| A Restoration of a Czechoslovakian Favorite - Stem - Polished |
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| A Restoration of a Czechoslovakian Favorite - Stem & Handlebars Complete |
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| A Restoration of a Czechoslovakian Favorite Stem & Handlebars - Complete |
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| A Restoration of a Czechoslovakian Favorite - Stem & Handlebars Complete |
As I mentioned before I do not like that the brake levers where bent around the shape of the handlebars but the brake levers did polish very nicely. I am pleased with the polished brake levers and they do look great.
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| A Restoration of a Czechoslovakian Favorite - Brake Levers Before |
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| A Restoration of a Czechoslovakian Favorite - Brake Levers Polished |
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| A Restoration of a Czechoslovakian Favorite - Brake Levers Installed |
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| A Restoration of a Czechoslovakian Favorite - Handlebar Grips Installed |
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| A Restoration of a Czechoslovakian Favorite - Handlebar Grips Installed |
I like the crank a lot. There is always something nice about cotter cranks, they have such classic character and they usually restore nicely. This crank polished very nicely and has very nice character with the star shape spider. I installed new cotter pins and installed the crank look fantastic. I really really like the way the Favorite is coming along.
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| A Restoration of a Czechoslovakian Favorite - Crank Before |
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| A Restoration of a Czechoslovakian Favorite - Crank Polished New Cotter Pins |
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| A Restoration of a Czechoslovakian Favorite Crank - Complete |
The brake calipers are pretty standard but a cool feature is they have Favorite stamped into them. I cleaned the brake pieces and then did the polishing. The polishing turned out fantastic and with new brake pads the calipers look fantastic installed. I love this stuff!
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| A Restoration of a Czechoslovakian Favorite - Brake Calipers Before |
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| A Restoration of a Czechoslovakian Favorite - Brake Calipers Exploded |
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| A Restoration of a Czechoslovakian Favorite - Brake Calipers Polished |
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| A Restoration of a Czechoslovakian Favorite - Brake Calipers Complete |
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| A Restoration of a Czechoslovakian Favorite Front Caliper Installed |
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| A Restoration of a Czechoslovakian Favorite Rear Brake Caliper - Installed |
The rear derailleur is a basic Hurett derailleur. These are not my favorite derailleurs to restore but they sure do look goo when they have been restored. These derailleurs are complicated derailleurs and take some doing to restore. This derailleur looks great installed!
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| A Restoration of a Czechoslovakian Favorite - Rear Derailleur Before |
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| A Restoration of a Czechoslovakian Favorite - Rear Derailleur Exploded |
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| A Restoration of a Czechoslovakian Favorite - Rear Derailleur Polished |
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| A Restoration of a Czechoslovakian Favorite - Rear Derailleur Complete |
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| A Restoration of a Czechoslovakian Favorite Rear Derailleur - Installed |
The shift lever is actually better constructed then it looks. I don't know where the after installed photo went but the shift lever looks great installed. The white plastic cape really came back nice. I like it.
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| A Restoration of a Czechoslovakian Favorite - Shift Lever Before |
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| A Restoration of a Czechoslovakian Favorite - Shift Lever Exploded |
The pedals are nice and still function very tight and smooth. I cleaned and polished the pedals and they lok great and that will be seen later on down the post.
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| A Restoration of a Czechoslovakian Favorite - Pedals Before |
The seat post is in good shape. The old saddle is done and is being replaced with a synthetic brown leather one. I think the saddle has a good look for the Favorite.
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| A Restoration of a Czechoslovakian Favorite - Seat Post - Before |
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| A Restoration of a Czechoslovakian Favorite - Seat Post Polished New Saddle |
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| A Restoration of a Czechoslovakian Favorite Saddle - Installed |
The fenders are nice alloy fenders. They have some interesting hardware but I like the way it connects to the rear brake bridge.
I disassembled the fenders and straightened the fender struts. The fender struts came out nice and straight.
Polishing took some time, a few grits on the power polisher but it was worth every bit of time. The fenders are beautiful, absolutely beautiful and make the whole bicycle!
Polished hardware and then installation and then amazing!
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| A Restoration of a Czechoslovakian Favorite - Front Fender Before |
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| A Restoration of a Czechoslovakian Favorite - Front Fender Before |
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| A Restoration of a Czechoslovakian Favorite - Front Fender Before |
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| A Restoration of a Czechoslovakian Favorite - Front Fender Strut & Hardware - Before |
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| A Restoration of a Czechoslovakian Favorite - Front Fender Hardware |
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| A Restoration of a Czechoslovakian Favorite - Rear Fender Before |
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| A Restoration of a Czechoslovakian Favorite - Rear Fender Before |
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| A Restoration of a Czechoslovakian Favorite Rear Fender - Before |
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| A Restoration of a Czechoslovakian Favorite Rear Fender Reflector - Before |
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| A Restoration of a Czechoslovakian Favorite - Rear Fender Strut Before |
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| A Restoration of a Czechoslovakian Favorite - Fender Hardware Polished |
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| A Restoration of a Czechoslovakian Favorite - Fender Struts Straightened |
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| A Restoration of a Czechoslovakian Favorite - Fenders Installed |
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| A Restoration of a Czechoslovakian Favorite - Front Fender Complete |
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| A Restoration of a Czechoslovakian Favorite Front Fender - Complete |
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| A Restoration of a Czechoslovakian Favorite - Rear Fender Compelte |
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| A Restoration of a Czechoslovakian Favorite Rear Fender - Compelte |
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| A Restoration of a Czechoslovakian Favorite Rear Fender Reflector - Complete |
The wheels are in good starting shape. The wheel rims polished very nicely! I am very pleased with the results of the wheel polishing. The wheel hubs where cleaned and rebuilt and spin very nice. The tires that where on the Favorite are being reused for now. I don't think the tires where ever used because all the mold marks are still on them. Installed under those fenders the wheels look fantastic!!
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| A Restoration of a Czechoslovakian Favorite Rear Wheel - Before |
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| A Restoration of a Czechoslovakian Favorite - Rear Wheel Hub Before |
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| A Restoration of a Czechoslovakian Favorite - Rear Wheel Hub Before |
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| A Restoration of a Czechoslovakian Favorite - Rear Wheel Rim Before |
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| A Restoration of a Czechoslovakian Favorite - Rear Wheel Hub Polished |
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| A Restoration of a Czechoslovakian Favorite - Rear Wheel Rim Polished |
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| A Restoration of a Czechoslovakian Favorite - Wheel Hub Axle Pieces - Ready |
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| A Restoration of a Czechoslovakian Favorite Rear Wheel - Complete |
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| A Restoration of a Czechoslovakian Favorite Front Wheel - Before |
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| A Restoration of a Czechoslovakian Favorite - Front Wheel Hub Before |
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| A Restoration of a Czechoslovakian Favorite - Front Wheel Rim Before |
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| A Restoration of a Czechoslovakian Favorite - Front Wheel Hub Old Grease |
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| A Restoration of a Czechoslovakian Favorite - Front Wheel Hub Polished |
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| A Restoration of a Czechoslovakian Favorite - Front Wheel Bearings Packed |
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| A Restoration of a Czechoslovakian Favorite Front Wheel - Complete |
I really like the axle bolts photoed below. Something you don't see all the time and they polished great!
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| A Restoration of a Czechoslovakian Favorite - Wheel Axle Nuts Polished |
I wanted to photo the freewheel. You really never see a freewheel stamped "Made in Czechoslovakia".
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| A Restoration of a Czechoslovakian Favorite - Czechoslovakia Freewheel |
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| A Restoration of a Czechoslovakian Favorite - Wheels Complete |
Next is to wire the bicycle. Ice gray cable housings again because they just look right. Wired the bicycle shifts very well.
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| A Restoration of a Czechoslovakian Favorite - New Cables & Cable Housings |
The pedals cleaned and polished beautifully! I really like these pedals. Installed they look amazing and its rare to have pedals in this good of shape.
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| A Restoration of a Czechoslovakian Favorite - Pedals Polished |
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| A Restoration of a Czechoslovakian Favorite - Pedals Installed |
That completes the Favorite!
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| A Restoration of a Czechoslovakian Favorite - Bicycle Complete |
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| A Restoration of a Czechoslovakian Favorite - Bicycle Complete |
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| A Restoration of a Czechoslovakian Favorite - Bicycle Complete |
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| A Restoration of a Czechoslovakian Favorite - Bicycle Complete Handlebars |
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| A Restoration of a Czechoslovakian Favorite - Bicycle Complete Head Tube |
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| A Restoration of a Czechoslovakian Favorite - Bicycle Complete Front Brake |
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| A Restoration of a Czechoslovakian Favorite - Bicycle Complete Front Wheel Hub |
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| A Restoration of a Czechoslovakian Favorite - Bicycle Complete Front Wheel Rim |
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| A Restoration of a Czechoslovakian Favorite - Bicycle Complete Stem |
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| A Restoration of a Czechoslovakian Favorite - Bicycle Complete Shift Lever |
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| A Restoration of a Czechoslovakian Favorite - Bicycle Complete Front Half |
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| A Restoration of a Czechoslovakian Favorite - Bicycle Complete Down Tube |
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| A Restoration of a Czechoslovakian Favorite - Bicycle Complete Saddle |
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| A Restoration of a Czechoslovakian Favorite - Bicycle Complete Drive Train |
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| A Restoration of a Czechoslovakian Favorite - Bicycle Complete Crank |
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| A Restoration of a Czechoslovakian Favorite - Bicycle Complete Rear Derailleur |
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| A Restoration of a Czechoslovakian Favorite - Bicycle Complete Rear Brake |
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| A Restoration of a Czechoslovakian Favorite - Bicycle Complete Rear Wheel Hub |
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| A Restoration of a Czechoslovakian Favorite - Bicycle Complete Rear Fender |
Thank you for all the interest!
John Z.
