Classic & Vintage - Frejus headbadge question

I have seen a number of frejus headbadges from ebay auctions to CR and bikecult etc.. I have yet to see one where the paint has lifted off to show anything but brass or whatever underneath. Well, one chrome bike appeared to have a badge with a smidge of chrome showing through. Poor resolution.
I'm just wondering whether or not any were left full chrome. It just seems odd that for a bike in good condition -eventhough the decals must have worn off long ago/seperate issue- that the paint wouldn't still be there to some degree. I see no paint. NONE. Not a sliver anywhere. Not even in the cutout of the seat tube -cluster? lug. Strange that the headbadge, head tube and cutout are all left without any evidence of enamel ever being there. Were any bikes left full chrome -sans paint- by special order?
I don't know. I'm probably keeping it the way it is ..but sometimes I do ponder painting it (headbadge) myself if that's the way it should be. I paint and have all the specialty brushes needed to do the job.

I'm just really curious. Maybe one of you knows better just how easily the paint can be stripped. Perhaps someone wanted a full chrome and did the removal themselves. Possible, I guess.


Also
I know asking mike swantak by email would be best
but I'm sure someone here has had decals made for a chrome bike
..and I don't want to bother him any till I make up my mind on color/s
sooooo
Do his decals give the same translucent quality as the originals would have? I don't have clear stock to try myself.

I read somewhere that he may be having difficulty with some orders
True or not true? Any issues with frejus due to rarity or something?
I'm getting to the point where I'm almost ready to order.

This is a little pic of the headtube and badge.

Thanks for any help.

there

All chrome was a not uncommon finish in the old days, especially on track bikes. There was also a popular finish of transparent lacquer over chrome, maybe that was removed? But I agree, the headbage should be painted. Maybe some previous owner had it chromed?

Nick at Lloyds has some Frejus decals.

http://ourworld.compuserve.com/homepages/NICK_AT_LLOYDS/decals.htm

I am sitting here holding a fully painted Frejus headbadge. As best I can describe the outer border is a cobalt blue, the inner backround is white, the shield is red with white letters trimmed in gold, what the star like leaves are green and of course the diagonal bands are the world colors.
I hope this helps your quest. I don't have a ccess to send you a picture of it, I am working on it.
Ciao!

you could email Jim Langley, he has an extensive headbadge collection. He used to work at Bicycling Magazine.

jim@jimlangley.net