Restoring a Model C

[bornnslippy]

Hi

Lockdown hasnt been very kind to the body as i had to sell my Model D i bought at the beginning of the year so i was looking at getting a Concept Rower once again and get in shape again

So i started looking for one and wow the prices have gone through the roof here in the uk and then i came across this Model C they wanted £315 after a few messages i managed to get it for £120 even though it needs a lot or TLC

I worked it out, with some new parts and a monitor it would probably work out between £300 and £400 fully restored not bad compared to the £600 - £700 some Model C are being advertised for

Parts looking at replacing

Chain Axle Sprocket Replacement Kit Model C
Handle Retrofit Kit
Damper Replacement Kit
Seat Top with Screws
Monitor Pickup and Screw Kit
Chain Guide?
Shock Cord?
Seat Roller, Bottom
Seat Roller (Top) with Hardware

A few questions

Has anyone painted there Erg before if so what paint did u use?
How can i tell if the shock cord needs replacing?

Ive included a few pics of the condition of the rower and one id like to try to restore it too

Any advice would be great thanks

Thanks

[Citroen]

You won't often see a model C with a working PM1. So part of your budget will include £155 for a new PM5.

I worked it out, with some new parts and a monitor it would probably work out between £300 and £400 fully restored not bad compared to the £600 - £700 some Model C are being advertised for ...

Restore it, sell it on the auction site for that inflated price to a mug punter who doesn't know what they're buying. Spend the profit on a brand new model D with a PM5.

[bornnslippy]

Thanks for the reply

Sounds like a Plan

The prices that these are going for is crazy

What price would u think it would fetch restored?

Thanks

[Citroen]

Sensible folks wouldn't pay £400 for an ancient old model C - you can get a new model D (in stealth black with a PM5) for £860 with free delivery. You've already spent £120 more than your basket case is worth.

[Carl Watts]

Really wouldn't spend much on it.

Can you row on it in its current state ? if so just clean up the slide and rollers put a bit of oil on the chain, check for any loose bolts, try 3 new SR44 or 357 batteries in the PM1 monitor and reset the monitor properly and use it if it works. Make sure the battery terminals are clean.

Hate to say it but most people use a rower for less than 6 months and then sell it anyway. If your still going hard on it after 6 months sell it and buy a new Model D rower when we come out of this Pandemic.

Sounds like you lot in the UK are going to be first up for the Vaccine so we are quietly sitting back and watching.

[bornnslippy]

Thanks for the replies guys

To be honest i just bought it so i can get back in to keeping fit and getting into shape as i find other exercises boring

When looking at the prices now and what a Concept 2 is going for i thought it was a cheap option

Ive been made redundant due to the covid situation id love to buy a new Concept D but moneys tight and u cant get one for another 10 weeks or pay the silly money that people are asking and i thought doing a refurb would keep me busy and a would be the cheaper option as ive got a lot of time on my hands now

Im not really intrested in doing it up and selling it on to be honest i just want it for myself and after its restored i can take pride knowing ive turned a Basket Case into a decent rower with new parts that will probably last me for a good few years and i havent payed the silly money that people are wanting for them now

If some one can show me where u can get a Concept 2 for £300 - £400 today id love to know

Anyway Thanks Guys

[GreenStratMan]

Thanks for the replies guys

To be honest i just bought it so i can get back in to keeping fit and getting into shape as i find other exercises boring

When looking at the prices now and what a Concept 2 is going for i thought it was a cheap option

Ive been made redundant due to the covid situation id love to buy a new Concept D but moneys tight and u cant get one for another 10 weeks or pay the silly money that people are asking and i thought doing a refurb would keep me busy and a would be the cheaper option as ive got a lot of time on my hands now

Im not really intrested in doing it up and selling it on to be honest i just want it for myself and after its restored i can take pride knowing ive turned a Basket Case into a decent rower with new parts that will probably last me for a good few years and i havent payed the silly money that people are wanting for them now

If some one can show me where u can get a Concept 2 for £300 - £400 today id love to know

Anyway Thanks Guys

I wish you all the best with your project. I can’t see me upgrading my model C any time soon and I’ve done a lot of meters on a D at the gym. There are a few others on here still enjoying their C’s. I put a PM5 on mine, which is brilliant I’m going to replace the shock cord (although only because I don’t know how old it is, the tension is below spec and for the cost, I may as well). There are a few cracks in the monitor cable, which still works, but I’ll replace that. I don’t mind the wooden handle.

I’m sure you’ll enjoy it once you’re finished. And enjoy the process too. I too like to maintain my own stuff, so rewarding. I’m a guitarist, I started to set up my own guitars then went on to build my own electric guitars and an acoustic too from scratch. It creates an affinity you wouldn’t otherwise have.

Paint-wise. I used Hammerite smooth on my house radiators about 20 years ago with a spray gun and the finish was great. They still look good now. You can paint on bare metal and even rust, as long as it’s not loose and flakey. It goes nice and flat when brushed too. You can buy aerosol too, I would use that on the perforated part of the fan housing.

[bornnslippy]

Thanks for the advice GreenStratMan

[c2jonw]

make sure that you get the seat on right. It's backwards in the pic....

[GreenStratMan]

make sure that you get the seat on right. It's backwards in the pic....

Maybe he needs somewhere to put his lunch box! ;o)

[Nomath]

make sure that you get the seat on right. It's backwards in the pic....

Sure? Mine is the same as bottom pic. I always thought it was shaped this way to facilitate tailwinds.

[c2jonw]

Sure? Mine is the same as bottom pic. I always thought it was shaped this way to facilitate tailwinds.

Bottom pic of the Model D is correct- top pic of the Model B has it backwards- not unusual as it was a customer assembly step. The low spot is for your tailbone when at the finish position.

[Tsnor]

wow. Nice catch on the backwards C seat!

[StevenWayne]

Wonderful project, bornnslippy.

Please keep us abreast of the steps you take (eg type of paint, etc), and photos, and perhaps most importantly, your enjoyment when using it.

[bornnslippy]

And Shes finished apart from the caster wheels need sorting out as one of the bolts snapped off when trying to remove it

Im very happy with the outcome its better than i expected to be honest

I managed to do to it all for the grand total of £320 so thats the rower, new parts, Pm3 Monitor, Paint & extra bits

Hope you agree shes looking good

Now do i paint the monorail or not?