Commuter bicycles, classic bicycles and custom bicycles

Marie and Ryan from New Jersey’s Folk Engineered recently completed a simultaneous restoration for two brothers, Drew and Fred. Drew bought this Raleigh International in 1971, and a year later Fred got a Motebecane Le Champion. 39 years later, the boys must be feeling the same joy the bikes would have brought them when they rolled out the door.

Marie tells the story: “The framesets were stripped and re-painted with original colors and decal reproductions. Salvageable components were thoroughly cleaned and polished. Each bike got new cables, housing, chain, freewheel, bar tape, brake hoods, and Brooks Professional saddles. Both bikes sport wheels re-built with original hubs and modern clincher rims. Please note that these are not archival, museum-quality restorations. These bikes are restored to the set-up that the owner rode (for example, Drew didn’t have the original Weinmann brakes) and for the purpose of riding again (for example, switching to clincher tires for functionality). Drew and Fred originally used their bikes around town, for long rides, and on tour. Now, they get to re-live it all.”

Treat yourself to more details of the transformation of both the Raleigh and the Motobecane on the Folk Engineered flickr stream. Marie and Ryan can be contacted through their website, and while you’re there, check out their Sports Tourer, it’s really something.