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All pictures and text in these pages are (c)2006 Menotomy Vintage Bicycles(tm) and may not be used in any form without written permission from Menotomy Vintage Bicycles(tm). Step-By-Step Restorations and Refurbs We'll be documenting the refurb of this late-1930s Columbia-built Sterling. Over time we'll be documenting a number of restorations and refurbs on this page and hope to build up a good base of pictures, examples and how-to's. 1937-ish Columbia-built Sterling This is a classic pre-war balloon tire bike. Built during The Great Depression (US centric, here) the bike is not a 'loaded' model, though it does have nice features and classic lines. The first step in a refurb involves taking the bicycle apart. Be sure to make notes and take pictures of what goes where, just in case you forget by the time you put it all back together. Use WD-40 or a similar penetrating oil product to free up rusted bolts. On particularly stubborn bolts, let the WD-40 sit for 24 hours. Be sure to keep the WD-40 off of your paint! Once you break loose a rusted bolt, back it out a few turns, and then tighten it in again. Repeat this as you remove the bolt. It will help clean the bolt's threads. More coming. We're short on time right now. Here are some pix. [Vin]