Czechoslovakian “Favorite”

About two weeks ago I started work on a restoration of this Czechoslovakian 5 speed branded Favorite. This is the first Czechoslovakian bicycle I have ever worked on. At first look there are some very cool things going on like the alloy fenders, the five speed drive train, the Favorite stamped stem and it actually has some very nice 700c wheels with alloy rims. What I think is most surprising of the Favorite is that is is very surprisingly light. Almost like 531 light but I can’t imagine it would be 531 and there are no 531 decals.

Bicycles like this are very cool to me, they are different and I always like nice fenders. The metallic avocado green is a n interesting color as well. The Favorite will receive a total restoration along with new cables, new cable housings, new saddle, and tire tubes. I can’t wait to see the alloy fenders polished out.
With the components stripped from the frame I do not see any major chips or scratches in the paint. The green paint almost looks like a transparent wash put over a silver or chrome paint. The decals are not in great shape but not bad for the chrome style decals, they do not hold up well at all.

The frame cleaned extremely nice, polishing was not easy. The green colored wash over the silver paint is very thin an soft making it very difficult to polish. To much polishing and it would polish all the green paint away. Slow careful polishing did the trick and the green polished very nicely. A little bit of sealer wax and the frame looks great!!

The crank was loose which was nice because that meant the cotter pins where not too stuck but they where still stuck enough that I bent the cotter pins but at least I didn’t have to drill the pins out. The headset and bottom bracket went into the crock pot for cleaning. After cleaning the pieces polished beautifully!

The stem has a nice shape and I like the Favorite lettering stamped in the side. I was surprised that the Favorite has alloy handlebars, a very nice touch. The only thing on the whole bike that is sketchy is the brake levers. They are just straight handlebars that where bent to go around the bend of the handlebars. Being bent the brake levers do not work the greatest.

I cleaned all the handlebar area pieces and then got on with the polishing. The stem polished very nicely and the handlebars polished amazingly. Installed the handlebars and stem look amazing against the green avocado paint. I am extremely pleased with the results! I really like the shape and look of the handlebars.

The shift lever is actually better constructed then it looks. I don’t know where the after installed photo went but the shift lever looks great installed. The white plastic cape really came back nice. I like it.

The pedals are nice and still function very tight and smooth. I cleaned and polished the pedals and they lok great and that will be seen later on down the post.
The fenders are nice alloy fenders. They have some interesting hardware but I like the way it connects to the rear brake bridge.

I disassembled the fenders and straightened the fender struts. The fender struts came out nice and straight.

Polishing took some time, a few grits on the power polisher but it was worth every bit of time. The fenders are beautiful, absolutely beautiful and make the whole bicycle!

The wheels are in good starting shape. The wheel rims polished very nicely! I am very pleased with the results of the wheel polishing. The wheel hubs where cleaned and rebuilt and spin very nice. The tires that where on the Favorite are being reused for now. I don’t think the tires where ever used because all the mold marks are still on them. Installed under those fenders the wheels look fantastic!!

Bicycle Complete
I have become very impressed with the Czechoslovakian Favorite. It is surprising made very well and is very light and the look of the Favorite is very cool. I love those fenders and the color has really grown on me. I like it a lot!! The restoration came out beautifully!

Thank you for all the interest!