Peugeot 1919. What a restoration! Owners words translated below.

This Peugeot was discovered at the back of a garage that was being emptied for destruction in November 2010.
It is very rusty, with some black paint remaining, as well as bits of gold decoration threads.
It is a touring bike that has been modified by one of its owners. It has racing handlebars and a very long racing saddle. It was fitted with lighting probably in the late 30'-40'.
Its condition would require a new paint job but economic reasons lead me to adopt a method with rustol protection.

A good treatment with WD40 on all the elements to be dismantled, complete dismantling.
Then clean and degrease.

Painted parts: Piotr method, steel wool 000 soaked in car polish. Then polishing with a rag.

Apply two coats of rustol to protect the whole.

Rusty metal parts: Brushing with a red nylon brush mounted on a drill, then steel wool 000 soaked in Belgom alu, then polishing and rustol.

Non-rusty metal parts: Steel wool 000 soaked in Belgom alu, then polishing.
Saddle: The saddle was cleaned with warm water and St Marc lye, dried, then the inside was nourished with ox foot oil and the outside with saddle leather balm.

The saddle carriage was broken. The whole thing had to be dismantled to re-weld it. This required the saddle to be riveted back together.

The rims: The spokes were at the end of their life, so they were cut with wire cutters. The hubs are restored, dismantled, cleaned, degreased, opened, balls cleaned and new lithium grease, then at the end brushed with a nylon brush mounted on a drill, then varnished. The rims are brushed with a nylon brush mounted on a drill, then rustol in two coats. The front rim is changed because of too many shocks.

Mechanics: Of course, all bearings are degreased, cleaned and new grease is put on. The brake cables are changed.
The sheaths are soaked in white vinegar for several days, then rinsed and brushed. They get their shine back.

The bike is re-equipped according to its era, with candle lighting at the front and a reflector at the rear. A pump is fitted again.

PEUGEOT 1919 1.JPG PEUGEOT 1919 2.JPG PEUGEOT 1919 3.JPG PEUGEOT 1919 4.JPG PEUGEOT 1919 5.JPG PEUGEOT 1919 6.JPG PEUGEOT 1919 7.JPG PEUGEOT 1919 8.JPG PEUGEOT 1919 9.JPG PEUGEOT 1919 10.JPG
 
Wonder 1935, beautiful and original. Restored very sympathetically. Owners words translated below.

A Wonder from the 30's in quite exceptional condition.

Its paint and chrome are in pretty good condition, the equipment is all period and quite original, even the pump is still on the bike and works perfectly.

It must not have been used much because there are no scratches or dents on the enamel, the chromes are covered with a layer of dried grease that has protected them (except the handlebars).

Its tax plate is dated 1937, which would mean that it was not used after that date, and the rear mudguard was not painted white, so it was not used during the war.
Wonder 1935 1.JPG Wonder 1935 2.JPG Wonder 1935 3.JPG Wonder 1935 4.JPG Wonder 1935 5.JPG Wonder 1935 6.jpg Wonder 1935 7.JPG Wonder 1935 8.JPG Wonder 1935 9.JPG Wonder 1935 10.JPG
 
This thread needs a restraining order. 😜

The Mimosa and catalogue show some fascinating advancements in bike tech. 1300 old French Franc is 1057 Eur taking into account inflation, deflation and price erosion according to the national statistics economic institute. That sounds like a lot of bike for the money and better value than today. Makes you think if the bike industry today is a bit of a rip off.

Both the Mimosa and Pug had a very pro-level top class restoration, including re-chroming and re-nickel plating. The amount of WD40 used must have been eye watering! Every nut and bolt must have been a mini-adventure. Both are museum grade historical bikes and deserve this kind of attention. :)

The Liberia is interesting here because it represents something more achievable - a few parts swapped out (the 70s gear lever and Mafac hoods), freshened up and ready to ride. 🤗
 

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