Classic & Vintage - How hard should I kick myself?

I was at the bike swap today, and the guy next to me pulls out a very faded Mondia Special frame, which was RIGHT, at the bottom of my size range. We put some wheels on it real quick, and despite the short top tube, the height seemed perfect for me. No tubing label, but was chromed Nervex lugs, with pinstripes. Campy drops, etc. Seemed really light, but needed a full repaint. I was also worried about toe overlap. The price you ask? $75.....! I had a pocket full of cash, and I should have bought it on the spot, right?,,,,BD

Hindsight SUCKS!:rolleyes:

I hate that feeling. I passed a garage sale saturday on my morning ride, I was waiting on my brother in law to catch up so I checked it out. I saw a raleigh technium for $30 in good condition (easy flip.) I should have went right back as soon as I finished... but I did not. So was the Mondia about a 57-58cm?

Don't kick too hard. At $75, you'd need to sink another $450 or so into the paint job. One color is expensive enough, but re-doing the pinstripes and fade gets pricey real quick - not to mention decals.

You may have acctually done the right thing - albeit by accident. :)

I once bought got a complete (but totally beat) one for $5. By the time I was done fooling with it, I had spent $750-$800.

Yeah, I'd 'a worried about toe overlap - NOT !!!

Full repaint is a No Sale in my book - unless it is anywhere from free-$20, or something unusually special (by that, I mean more unusual then another damn Paramount).

-Kurt

Kick hard, I would have bought it no doubt, paint can be done and done well on the cheap if you know someone, my body and fender guy (15 years) will paint any bike for me for a song. ;)

I know someone, ME....lol. I can do the paint, and the striping on the lugs, but probably not on the tubes. Someone bought it five minutes later. All I could was watch, sigh.,,,BD

For $75 and if it were my size I would've bought it as well... Turn it into a very slowwww project.

I know someone, ME....lol. I can do the paint, and the striping on the lugs, but probably not on the tubes. Someone bought it five minutes later. All I could was watch, sigh.,,,BD

I'm sure with practice you can :thumb: I know this old dude, about 68, he paints a straight line by hand, no problems! So you should be an expert in say....another 30 years! (give or take a decade) :lol: ;)

I know someone, ME....lol. I can do the paint, and the striping on the lugs, but probably not on the tubes. Someone bought it five minutes later. All I could was watch, sigh.,,,BD

You have enough already. Go find a Paramount in your size.

:p

-Kurt

There is always powdercoat, lots cheaper than a spray paint job but no fades and then you have to do any striping yourself but hey at 75.00 if it was my size I would have bought it but then I wasn't there. Bottom line if it didn't feel right for you then you did the right thing by walking away.

I know someone, ME....lol. I can do the paint, and the striping on the lugs, but probably not on the tubes. Someone bought it five minutes later. All I could was watch, sigh.,,,BD
You may want to get a running start on that kick...:lol: but I dunnow. Full repaint, good work and one color here is $250 to incl base and clear over the decals. So you'd be at $325 to start. So don't kick too hard.