From ten gears to single speed in an hour.

I thought I would time it takes to create a single speed bicycle. The first being a bicycle with all it's parts attached and the second just a frame, (another post)

This first artical I will list the stages I took and hopefully this will help others try it.

Before I started I made sure I had all the tools I needed, including

Chain link remover

Chain whip

Socket set

Bottom bracket tools

Grease

Wd40

Selection of spanners 

Free wheel remover

Allen key set

Tyre levers

To start the task i bought a bike which was complete and fully working and for £40 I managed to get a holdsworth 531 Reynolds tubing frame with sunshine wheels and campagnolo parts. The frame is a les west model and unsure of its date. Believed 1979s

An absolute bargin.

To start I removed the rear wheel and remove the freewheel and replace with a single speed.

I use the chain tool to remove the chain, (leave in some degreaser) and clean.

I them remove the front and rear mechs and shifts. I also leave these in the degreaser so that I can clean and polish later. These items I will sell as not needed. 

Nice and clean 

I remove the cotter pins, carefully making sure that I do not bend the tops when removing and usually use a punch to hammer them out.

Once this is removed I take the crank off and remove the 3 bolts retaining the second ring. 

With the rear wheel back in position I applied the chain and ensured it was the right length and used the tool to re attach the links.

I then like to tension the chain to make sure it is in place correctly, I usually do this by pumping up the tire and applying a little force to the wheel so that it tensions the chain.

I always remove the seat post and apply a little gease as sometimes these old bicycles tend to rust if left outside for to long making it very difficult to remove the seat post in the future.

I'm not a fan of mud guard so remove and clean, these will also be sold. 

When the guards are off I check the brakes and tighten and adjust we're needed.

I also like to lower the stem as I feel this looks more aesthetic.

I always check headset and wheels spindles to ensure they are tight and working as they should. 

I washed the bicycle and give everything a little grease.

With this bike the gb handle bars never had any tap so I fitted some cloth tape. I will varnish later.

Bicycle finished.