Singlespeed & Fixed Gear - Just having Fun - Painting a Frame (PICS)

Some time ago I salvaged an old Univega SportTour from the dumpster at my father inlaw's home. It was dirty, banged up and greasy as a crack-addict ba$tard. I was going to throw it away, but decided I'd do something with it. So...

I stripped it with Jasco (and this is after thoroughly cleaning the frame for the stripping):

http://i147.photobucket.com/albums/r306/javapunch/Bike1.jpg

Then I primed it several coats, wet-sanded it down and gave it several coats of base color ("Arctic White"). Then wet-sanded it to make it smooth.

Then I gave it to my neighbor's 12-year-old daughter to put a little art work to it. She's no pro, but it was important that I gave her the project because 1) it teaches me to let go of my anal-tendency toward my own project, 2) the girl is battling cancer, and 3) there are things in the world that we do that is bigger and more permanent than us. Letting a 12-year-old put a brush-stroke to a carefully prepared frame is one of those things.

http://i147.photobucket.com/albums/r306/javapunch/Bike2.jpg

She asked me what iconic symbol I wanted on my bike, and I told her that I don't know. She said, "How about a 'heart'?" I said a heart is very good.

http://i147.photobucket.com/albums/r306/javapunch/Bike4.jpg

She placed a heart on the head tube and one at the back of the seat tube.

And then she asked me if I wanted to give my bike a name. I said that I don't know what it should be, so she asked me if I remembered the name of my first pet. It was a red-bellied Piranha named "Atrocity Jones." She gave me a long look, the kind that held back what she wanted to say but would rather not. And so she gave my bike a name.

http://i147.photobucket.com/albums/r306/javapunch/Bike3.jpg

I think it came out pretty good. I will take it in to an auto-paint shop and have them shoot a professional-grade clear coat on it. I had intended this bike to be my beater, but now I'm thinking twice. Where as once it was just an old Japanese frame that was to become another conversion, it now carries a little more sentimental value. I'll ride it, but I'll ride it with care, I think.

Hopefully you used a primer so her art wont chip away. I like the hearts though, kinda like the DeRosa frames.

Thanks! I did use a primer, as stated.

Great write up man. I think it looks very cool and props to you for A: saving a frame B: helping out that girl and C: doing a good job. Now build it up, and make this thread a "build/Project" thread. I'd love to see what it could become.

its very refreshing to see this and I think it turned out great. Good luck with the clear coat and take care of that thing.

you won't realize it now but that bike is going to mean much more than you think it will in the coming months/years. tell her to keep fighting...

voted FGSS feel-good post of the year.

That is true art! Id get the clearcoat done, build her up, and hang it on a wall! but thats just me ;)

And here's what she did for the fork.

She painted a heart on the top of each fork crown, and asked my wife what it's like to be in love. She hopes to fall in love one day. I'll spare you the detail of their conversation but I will tell you that I had a hard time listening.

http://i147.photobucket.com/albums/r306/javapunch/Bike7.jpg

I remember when I was 12 years old and doing silly projects for fun. I had so many that I don't remember most of them. But I don't think this girl painted my bike as a silly project for fun. Under her circumstance, I believe that every stroke of the paint brush meant something to her. In this case, the heart represents hope. I think that, to her, who is forced to live only in the present, "being in love" simply represents beating cancer.

http://i147.photobucket.com/albums/r306/javapunch/Bike8.jpg

She really enjoyed doing the project. She wants for me to put it together soon and she has high hopes that she'll get to see me ride it every morning to work.

http://i147.photobucket.com/albums/r306/javapunch/Bike6.jpg

voted FGSS feel-good post of the year.

co-signed. thats awesome dude

make her sign the bike on the top tube, seat tube or somewhere visible.

make her sign the bike on the top tube, seat tube or somewhere visible.


I will ask her.
Thanks for the replies, everyone.
It's a beautiful bike now, and a tough situation.
But I'm very happy to own it.

yes she needs to sign it.

Great thread.

Agreed signed on top of the top tube, near the head tube. When you look down, inspiration.

Man, the story with the fork brought a tear to my eye. For a 12 yr old, that's an awesome paint job. She does need to sign that. Can't wait to see that bike put together.

Man that's sick, so glad you prepped it properly. FWIW I don't think the painting is "bad", the lug lines are squiggly, but it's a 12 year old! And that's beautiful, I love the downtube. Please please go to a reputable auto shop that will put the right type of clear on it!!

Rad, I especially like the fork.

the lug lines are squiggly, but it's a 12 year old!

We suspect that the chemotherapy adversely affects the nerves. She had complained of tingly sensations in her hands. It is one of the many common side-effects of treatment. I suspect the squiggly lines on the painting might not be her doing.

We suspect that the chemotherapy adversely affects the nerves. She had complained of tingly sensations in her hands. It is one of the many common side-effects of treatment. I suspect the squiggly lines on the painting might not be her doing.

She paints a mean heart. Even if they are squiggly they add a childish characteristic that is to be desired.

That's the character and soul of a 12 year old girl. She definitely put her "heart" into it. It is amazing what resides in the being of an innocent child. That is something that shall be cherished for many many years, isn't it?

I'm hoping the best for her recovery.

That's a nice imitation De Rosa you've got there...;)
Love the glossy white and red.

you're a pretty rad human being. what inspired your actions? this thread should be on digg.

love it. build that bike up proper!

...what inspired your actions?

I'm not sure why I did it. I suppose it's one of the many indispensable duties by which I earn the rights to be human.

But in the end, it's not about me.

she did a great job

Simple gestures like that is what will continue to encourage that little girl to keep fighting. Awesome job by her, you tell her she's got skills and that she did a great job.

i am not trying to steal your thread, or jack the topic, rather id like to share something that i participated in that should, or every little bit helps her cause. i lost my grandmother to breast cancer a little over 2 years ago from May. My mom and sister are very active in raising money and participating in walk marathons to raise money for cancer research. I am a proud wearer of a livestrong bracelet and find stories like this very inspirational.

Just recently i painted this chair for a breast cancer "chair-ity" with the theme that "we wont sit until we find a cure." They had about 8 chairs donated and painted by local artist to be auctioned off for a fund raiser. they raised over 4 grand with the event.

here are a couple of pictures, and if you want, show her this picture. my frame actually has a "lugged, or welded" heart on the bottom of the downtube behind the fork that i made sure to keep red after i did the work. she might think its kind of cool!

pics.
http://i95.photobucket.com/albums/l149/hockdub/Random/IMG_1458.jpg

http://i95.photobucket.com/albums/l149/hockdub/Random/IMG_1460.jpg

and the heart with dancing!
http://i95.photobucket.com/albums/l149/hockdub/Bikes/IMG_2255.jpg

when i first looked at the thread i saw the hearts and it reminded me of the heart on the bottom of my bike. i wondered why it was there originally, but after reading your thread it brings a bit of a new meaning.

definately have her sign the bike.

to be honest, i think it would be a really great event to do the "chair event" that i mentioned with some old road frames like yours. i think it would bring some great money for the cause!

But in the end, it's not about me.

more people need to understand this simple thing.

Atrocity Jones. Awesome.

So sweet...love it.

I like it.

we need more stuff like this- not bitterness about how a black crank ruins a chromed out pista and bs like that. That would be a great fundraiser- assuming she would be cool with it. I would buy it for a pretty penny if i had room in my stable knowing that it is going to a good cause

thanks for sharing, a great post for sure.

Today I told her that I really like the work she did on the frame and that I'm keeping it inside the house and not the garage. She laughed and said that a bicycle belongs in the garage or on the road. But I think she understood what I meant.

Then, with the advice from some of you, I asked her if she would sign her work. She paused for a moment and then said that she will sign it when she's older.

It wasn't easy but I immediately said OK. I told her I'm holding her to it. So, I guess I'll have to wait for the signature.

Thanks for all your comments.

I wish my bike was called 'Atrocity Jones'. Awsome. Great project, at all levels, looking forward to seeing some built up photos.
And for sure she's right, bikes are for riding, and Atrocity Jones needs to be ridden.

Today I told her that I really like the work she did on the frame and that I'm keeping it inside the house and not the garage. She laughed and said that a bicycle belongs in the garage or on the road. But I think she understood what I meant.

Then, with the advice from some of you, I asked her if she would sign her work. She paused for a moment and then said that she will sign it when she's older.

It wasn't easy but I immediately said OK. I told her I'm holding her to it. So, I guess I'll have to wait for the signature.


Thanks for all your comments.

sounds good man. just please do as I recommended and find a auto shop worth their salt... one that you can trust will do a test coat before spraying the whole thing!!

I will use the original crankset that came with the bike, an old 42-teeth Sugino Super Custom. It is dirty and I will put it into a bucket of soapy water to soak over night, and then polish it up. I also will salvage the original 1-inch stem; it needs heavy polishing, but will shine. Both are silver and will look good on the white and red frame, I believe. I have a Brooks B17 and a couple of silver wheels, with a silver cog. I also have a silver Origin8 headset. I will need only a seat post and a bottom bracket.

Tomorrow I will take the frame in to a local auto-paint shop to have them put a quality coat of clear on the bike. I spoke to the manager today and he understands what I need to do to the frame, and why. He said he will personally work on the frame.

Tomorrow I will take the frame in to a local auto-paint store to have them put a quality coat of clear on the bike. I spoke to the manager today and he understands what I need to do to the frame, and why. He said he will personally work on the frame.



:love:

edit: cant hurt to throw some simple green/degreaser in that bucket stew.

looks every bit as nice as one of them pegaretto? or how ever the heck you spell it..

nice job

:love:

edit: cant hurt to throw some simple green/degreaser in that bucket stew.

Actually, good idea about the Simple Green. Thanks.

Best thread that I've read on here in a long time. Great story.

awesome:thumb::)

Tell your neighbors daughter she should go get a job working for Pegoretti!

http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?p=7148100#post7148100

http://i165.photobucket.com/albums/u72/kumaneko2/DSC_0021.jpg

http://i165.photobucket.com/albums/u72/kumaneko2/DSC_1207.jpg

http://i165.photobucket.com/albums/u72/kumaneko2/DSC_0024.jpg

http://i165.photobucket.com/albums/u72/kumaneko2/DSC_0027.jpg

http://i165.photobucket.com/albums/u72/kumaneko2/DSC_0013.jpg

http://i165.photobucket.com/albums/u72/kumaneko2/DSC_1209.jpg

http://i165.photobucket.com/albums/u72/kumaneko2/DSC_1217.jpg

http://i165.photobucket.com/albums/u72/kumaneko2/DSC_1205.jpg

first thread i open in this forum and its such a great story. first post couldnt go in a better thread. hopefully this forum is filled with threads like this.

thats a very nice looking paint job. very impressive for a 12 year old. i dont even remember what kind of things i was into when i was that age.

just wanted to say, thanks for the heart felt story.
i come on here every once and while and after reading the "CRAP" posted in the roadie section. it almost makes me want to toss the bike and take up running again. there is such an awfull materialistic side of that culture, but your simple story of letting a ill little girl take brush and paint to a bike frame and in the end what a really nice job of it she did, gave me a bit of a lift in spirit. i just wish that sort of attitude was fostered by others more often.


please let her know how awesome her graphics work really is appreciated.

ride on

so ill, im loving it.

dario is the ****.

his 13 year old son is working his way up the ranks...

but video games are holding him back.

Atrocity Jones ... amazing!!!!
That bike is fantastic. And yeah, thanks for a good thread I hope there is a happy ending.

Also, the hearts are awesome. I've been looking for a heart sticker to put on my bike .. because well, I like hearts, I love my bike and I love riding my bike I just thought it was fitting.
My two little cousins, 11 and 13 lost their mother to cancer this past boxing day. Cancer is one of those things that affects us all and it's important that people do positive things in light of it.

Does this little girl ride bikes?
Maybe you can find an old frame in her size and have her do her own custom bike? Then when she's better she has something to keep you company on.

kudos