how to build a bike?

My girlfriend has an old ten-speed (late 70's Puch) that I decided to fix up for her, using mostly parts I already have. Problem is, I don't really know how to start. 

[Before you encourage West Town Bikes, be aware that I work on Tuesday and Wednesday nights and Saturdays, so scheduling-wise that's out.]

Can anyone recommend a book (preferably with lots of graphics) about basic bike maintenance or building?

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Permalink Reply by heather s on January 20, 2010 at 5:45pm
Yeah, I figured that after I finished working on it, I will still bring it to a bike shop for a final tune-up or at least have someone look it over to make sure everything is safe.
Permalink Reply by Brendan Kevenides on January 21, 2010 at 4:29am
Permalink Reply by A.K.A Paul on January 21, 2010 at 4:58am
Chicago Bicycle Advocate said:

YES it is!
Permalink Reply by Nate W on January 21, 2010 at 5:04am
I'll third that suggestion. There is simply no better resource for someone just starting out working on bikes than Sheldon's site.

It's perfectly geared to the aspiring home mechanic because it's very honest about when you need the "right" tool and when you can work around it.

Plus it's free, and browsing around that site you get a sense for what a great guy he was -- passionate about cycling, opinionated, and witty. As others have mentioned, when overhauling an older bike you're always going to bump up against unexpected problems -- a fixed cup that won't budge, stuck seatpost, french threading, stubborn cotters, whatever -- and chances are Sheldon dealt with thousands of them and had a thought about the best plan of attack.
Permalink Reply by Primitive Don on January 21, 2010 at 6:06am
+100 Sheldon Brown's site - lots of old-bike-specific info. I would definitely hit up a fellow bike nerd of the classic and vintage variety to help look over the project. That Puch should be a fun project!
Permalink Reply by mindfrieze on January 21, 2010 at 6:42am
I've learned a ton over the years by just tinkering on my own and buying a tool here and there when I needed it. At this point, there's almost nothing I can't rebuild in my own home.

But every now and then, I want to double check the exact method for a procedure. In these cases, I always go to the Park Tool repair page.

They have the most complete, most detailed, most focused online repair manual I've run across. You should be able to figure out how to overhaul any part of your bike at this site (and exactly which Park Tool you'll need to buy to do it. ;-)
Permalink Reply by Bikefreeek on January 21, 2010 at 9:43am
Check this out

WOMEN AND TRANS CLASSES

The Sunday Morning series of classes has started, but there are still two sessions left.

Sign up for the second series which starts on JANUARY 31st!

or

Sign up for the third series which starts FEBRUARY 21st!

Each series consists of three consecutive sunday classes! Don’t miss out. It’s a great way to learn how to fix your bike in a comfortable setting. All you need is a bicycle and $60.
Permalink Reply by Tony Adams on January 21, 2010 at 11:00am
on2wheels said:
My advise is, if you have the time, patience and organizational skills - make this a learing experience.
- Take the bike apart, as far as you dare - ask LBS to help with special tools, either buy or have them loosen - Carefully record what you take off, what order it goes in and where - clean, degrease and dry everything
- Re-grease and re-assemble according to previous notes
- Replace parts where necessary
- Make adjustments and take to LBS for a verification

Remember - bikes are pretty simple and very forgiving and you have a huge base of knowledge here and elsewhere on the internet.

This (and all the other advice in this thread) is (mostly) great. I would add one practice to consider to the "carefully record..." mentioned above, assuming you have a digital camera - take pictures of everything before and during disassembly. Fill the frame and have a lot of light - which will be helpful anyway. If your camera is still in nice condition, have a used plastic bag (or something like that) laying around to use as a big mitten to protect your camera from your greasy or dirty fingers.

The pics will help you get it back together and in the event that you need to go online for help, they will help show what is going on with your particular problem. It would also be fun for us on the Chainlink to be able to watch your progress. It could be a learning opportunity for all of us.

bikeforums.net is pretty great. I can't say that I've used the Mechanics forum, but the people in Classic and Vintage are hugely helpful and patient and seem to have seen everything and can probably help with whatever issues you run into.

That Puch isn't the gold tall frame road bike that disappeared from my back porch in 1989 or so is it? ;)
Permalink Reply by cutifly on January 21, 2010 at 6:38pm
best to leave it up to the boys
Permalink Reply by Ron on January 21, 2010 at 7:48pm
You could send me a note. We are around til all hours, most days and late into the evening. I could show you lot's of things and have everything on hand to assist you in completing the project.

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