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Fixing an Batavus Champion

restoring retro glory with some help from the Internet

Sep. 3, 2016 -

Almost a year ago I bought an old steel racing bike from 1978. I wanted to figure out if using a bike to commute worked for me. It did! I used it to ride more than 1000KM before I decided to get a modern road bike. Now, almost a year later, I decided to put the powers of the internet into good use: to bring the bike back to its retro glory!

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Old school bike brakes, slowing you down in retro style
Old school bike brakes, slowing you down in retro style
The rear derailleur was rusty and not original to this bike
The rear derailleur was rusty and not original to this bike
The Hurret rear derailleur (which was flown in from the other side of the world) fits nicely
The Hurret rear derailleur (which was flown in from the other side of the world) fits nicely
After cleaning and degreasing the bike, its retro glory became visible
After cleaning and degreasing the bike, its retro glory became visible
Batavus Champion bike from 1978 - ready for a ride!
Batavus Champion bike from 1978 - ready for a ride!
Thank you Ebay: a period correct Hurret rear derailleur
Thank you Ebay: a period correct Hurret rear derailleur

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