[Closed] worth doing up?

did it have new dropouts welded on or just using a tensioner for the SS conversion?

i did up an old kona last year as a ride to work/pub bike, totally worth it, great ride and really light, I managed to get some 500lx bits off a bike I found at the local tip so i didn't even pay for parts, run it 1x7, so alivo will be more than enough, it all works well enough just weighs a bit more.
it has the added advantage of being old enough that nobody would steal it either.
do it yourself as well to keep it on the cheap.

I used a chain tensioner which didnt really work that well TBH...

pictures to follow chaps, just uploading to photobucket...

Kona cindercone 97...

[IMG] [/IMG]

[IMG] [/IMG]

[IMG] [/IMG]

[IMG] [/IMG]

If staying SS
Ditch the spung tensioner get one that bolts in place, & the chain looks too long still maybe a half link, or try a half link chain to get it without a tensioner at all...(it does wear though and need playing with occasionally)

It looks OK to me just a nice patina, depends where you want to go with it. Well worth getting it powdercoated if thats your bag, or just ride it.

I think that riding position would kill me these days (even with a seat), could maybe mess about with stems & risers n stuff.

It could be worse you could be made to ride that yellow & black number behind it.
I would prefer shaving my goolies with the rock.

The riding position does need sorting out and I have alternative stems and risers to jig it around. It is an 18 inch frame and i am 5 10 so about right.

Can you recommend a fixed tensioner?

Problem with SS with no sliding drop out is the chain stretches and therefore changes length and tension continuously!

well I am still not sure whether to take this on myself or give it to the LBS and whether to revert back to fears or stay SS

...

cost of getting the LBS to do it would most likely be more than a new bike.

Depends on what you mean by do it up???

If you plan on stripping the bike and getting it re-coated then you could go down the route of a whole new deore groupset from merlin for £200.

Apart from contact point which you say you have already got i hand the only other thing you may want to do would be the wheels.

if you do the spannering yourself you could get a lovely looking bike for sub £300.

Spanner yourself, much more satisfying and cheaper. Get over to retrobike.co.uk and pick up some second hand bits and bobs of the right vintage for it and do it right.

Thanks guys...do I need any special tools?

Any tips on fitting gears etc?

DIY job, definitely - unless you're planning on a proper paint job. And it's definitely worth doing - if only cos you'll learn how to do it on your "proper" bike.

Gears are easy, just follow the instructions on something like the [url= http://www.parktool.com/blog/repair-help ]Park Tools site[/url]. The main thing to remember is that on the smallest cog the cable should be just slightly loose, not flapping around but not under tension either. Set the limit screws by pulling on the cable, not playing with the shifters. (i.e. pull hard to move up the cogs, let go to move down). You can use the shifters but personally I find it easier this way. DON'T CUT THE CABLE UNTIL YOU'RE SURE THE GEARS ARE RIGHT. Once you think they're right, go for a quick spin, ideally somewhere with a bit of a hill. Then adjust.

Top tip: get a workstand, it will make your life so much easier.

Tools: (metric) allen keys, ideally cable cutters, and then any special tools like Shimano bottom bracket spanners etc.

thanks guys...