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That old Univega is cool. Try to find a "bike kitchen" or co-op in your area. They will work on it for free if you help, basically you do most of the work with their tools under their supervision.
Since it's been sitting so long I'd suggest repacking the hubs, bottom bracket and headset. While it's apart the kitchen staff can tell you how much life is left in the bearings and races. Might as well ditch that pie-plate too, unless you like it. Without the spoke protector (useless on a correctly adjusted bike) shop employees will take you more seriously when you go to the LBS (local bike shop).
I like "dry lube" for my chains, I've been using Rock-n-Roll lube lately and love it. Wet lube lasts longer but it attracts dust here in Denver.
Learn to change a tube, ask about "the cotton ball trick" to find small things stuck in the tire and learn how to patch. Use good patches. Keep an extra tube around so you don't have to patch the tube just to go somewhere. I tie knots in the tubes that need to be patched and sit around and do them when I get a few built up.
That's really about it. Keep your chain lubed and stay out of the glass and you don't really have to spend much money on biking.
Four people, six bikes in the family. Soon to be seven bikes because the youngest just learned the joys of riding a geared bike on his moms.
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smoore
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