Classic & Vintage - Ross Restoration and Rebuild

I looked around but saw no forum that highlighted restorations. My professional business is restoration so I decided to take my father in laws old ROSS and give it new life. But this thread is not yet about a finished product but my shock at the weight of some of the components. The frame,,, http://spookeaymarine.info/photos/f1.jpg10Lb 8 Oz.. Ok, no big shock there.

But the wheels, and the rear foremost. 12 Lbs! The front 6 Lbs.http://spookeaymarine.info/photos/w1.jpg


The cluster & brakes, Derailleurs, chain bars and cables, http://spookeaymarine.info/photos/c1.jpgyada yada 8 Lbs...
WOW what a tank!!!!!!

I'm going to media blast it here in the shop and start to hunt for newer components and see what we can get the weight down to. As for paint, I like white and some accent colour. Maybe a fogging 2 tone like many of the 80's bikes had. Should be fun and make for a fun ride & project when all over.

Yeah, Ross' are typically pretty low end, and what comes with a low end bike is a crap ton of weight.

However, should be a fun project. Have fun with it!

Your Ross appears to be in very good shape and should make the restoration go smooth. It looks similar to my '82 Ross Diamond Cruiser, with the fork being the exception. The frame and details look identical. You may run into problems with the stem on these. Ross used a 22mm instead of the more standard 22.2mm. A lot of weight can be spared by tossing the 1-piece crank. Adapters exist for using a 3-piece cotterless crank. My Ross came stock with an aluminum SR Custom crank with a square taper spindle for these over sized BBs.
Aluminum wheels, and seat post are the expected ways to further pare down the weight.
Looking forward to your progress. It'll give me ideas on how to restore mine.

I had a Ross that came equipped with Shimano 600. Not a bad riding bike, just heavy. Enjoy your resto!

Thanks,,, Well I did the media blasting this evening. I was interested to discover the frame is not welded but brazed... Kewl Hua... Never restored a bicycle before, just boats. Any way. I'm going to the paint store in the next day or so to get polyurethane for a project in the shop so I think I will take some of that and paint the bike. all the bearings look good still have the beezwax grease in them and shiney. SO, on to the next steps.190895190896190897

Well I take that back I had to paint it tonight. In just a Hr or so it started to get skin rust. So,,, I had some Grady White cream from BASF left over so that will be my base. I like cream it works for me! :)
I think I will do the rear, set stays & chain stays in black and cut it into the forward frame with some graphic stenciling edging.
http://spookeaymarine.info/photos/f3.jpg
http://spookeaymarine.info/photos/bb2.jpg

That's some shiny paint. You're good at that!

Well, I do it for a living... No bikes mind you. I've been in restoration for about 24 years.

My website....http://spookeaymarine.info/
(http://spookeaymarine.info/)

OK it's dry, got my friend up the road who has a Cricut machine on the move.
She will be reproducing the Ross decal so I can paint over it then peel it off and feather... And then it's about putting this thing on a diet!
Wheels,,,, first thing a wheel set.... then crank & posts.http://spookeaymarine.info/photos/dry.jpg

Laid down the second colour tonight turquoise . Next to remove the masking to reveal the cream underlay graphics, letter and clear.:love:http://spookeaymarine.info/photos/ross.jpg
http://spookeaymarine.info/photos/ross2.jpg

Got it out in the Sun today. she's Looking wild! it will never be worth more than $20 but it's a fun project.
http://spookeaymarine.info/photos/ross4.jpg

I will admit, that is turning out to be a great looking project! How fun!

I will admit, that is turning out to be a great looking project! How fun!

Thanks Snarky,,,,
I am just playing it by ear. Still to do the ROSS decals and clear coat it. It is just fun colours... Kinda has that mid 80's look to the design and colour.
One thing about this bike it will pick up speed on a down hill. It's like 48 pounds....
http://spookeaymarine.info/photos/ross5.jpghttp://spookeaymarine.info/photos/ross6.jpg

Who cares if it's not worth cash, it's gorgeous!

Who cares if it's not worth cash, it's gorgeous!
Well thanks!!!!!!:p
It is turning out pretty. I had a plan but just went free style in the end. Still need to tare it back down for letter and clear... Maybe I can find a crank that will fit it. Not sure what to look for as I am new to the mechanics of bicycles, but I am sure I will learn fast.:o

Just have one word, WOW!
:)
Love what you did with the paint.
As for cranks, if you are planning to run a single chainring, you might research the BMX offerings for a nice 1-piece crank or other style that'll fit the large BB shell.

BTW, what size wheels are those....27"?

Thanks for the accolades on the paint. Had some one tell me it looked like a Cherokee Indian painted it... I said well thank you,,, Yes, I am as a mater of fact. Or at least 1/4th any way LOL. And yes, they are 27" wheels. I want to try to lighten it up a bit and make it a 10 speed. It's a 5 now. I know it will never be a CADD10 but I would like to get it into the high 20's. I just don't know if newer light parts can be made to fit this old frame. I have been looking at quill stems and think I have that at least taken care of. But the BB,,, yea. I was thinking, I have a small lath and milling machine in my shop. Maybe I could make a insert to allow a modern crank??? Maybe?

what type of brand paint is that, and how is it holding up? looks great, and keep up the good work!

It's what I paint boats with.

It's BASF, 2 part polyurethane.
It holds up well. Keeps a shine and lays on thick like a powder coat.
As a thick poly, it's very chip resistant too contrary to initial thought.
Good stuff and the price is not that bad.

You could go into the frame painting business and make a quarter of what you make now. ;)

Great paint job.
From the first photos it looks like it has the "Forward Freewheel" bottom bracket.
That means the rear wheel is 'locked'. The freewheel does not spin.
So keep that in mind when you're choosing a BB and rear end.

Great paint job.
From the first photos it looks like it has the "Forward Freewheel" bottom bracket.
That means the rear wheel is 'locked'. The freewheel does not spin.
So keep that in mind when you're choosing a BB and rear end.

Ummm yes, your right. well, I need a new wheel set any way.

You could go into the frame painting business and make a quarter of what you make now. ;)
LOL, well maybe:) sometimes I wish I was painting bikes. It's a lot less to work on.

^ You definitely have talent and skill. Frame looks great! I have to refinish my old Ross some day. You've raised the bar as to how nice one can make it look. I'd like to turn mine into a comfort cruiser and replace its 26" mtb wheels with possibly 650B rims. Fitting 27" on your's gives me hope.
When your bike is complete, you must post high res pics of it for us. There is an existing Ross thread with photos somewhere buried here. ;)

Fitting 27" on your's gives me hope.
When your bike is complete, you must post high res pics of it for us.
Well,,, the bike came with the wheels you see on it. In the meantime I am more than likely put it back with all it's original components.
But I do want to get a lighter crank and wheel set.
I'm starting to see a lot of the old familiar problems I see in my every day business.
When it comes to customization of any thing, things don't fit or interchangeability leads to further and more complex modifications than can kill the fun of a project so I think I am going to "K.I.S.S" for now.

You will need one of these adapters to mount a standard cup/cartridge BB:

http://cgi.ebay.com/MRP-BMX-Bottom-Bracket-Euro-Conversion-Cups-/200581460778?pt=Cycling_Parts_Accessories&hash=item2eb396332a

You will need one of these adapters to mount a standard cup/cartridge BB:
http://cgi.ebay.com/MRP-BMX-Bottom-Bracket-Euro-Conversion-Cups-/200581460778?pt=Cycling_Parts_Accessories&hash=item2eb396332a

OK great!!!
This is the kind of help I like. So,,, is my ROSS a stander size BB? Because I don't notice a size given in the E-bay add. Or is it universal?
I'm one to do my own research, but starting from such a low understanding of the mechanics and verbiage of cycles, a jump start helps. TNX

The Ross's bottom bracket is sized for "Ashtabula" 1-piece cranks. http://www.sheldonbrown.com/opc.html
BMX bikes mostly used such a BB as well.
It's considered one of the established standard sizes.
Most higher end bikes use a smaller, threaded bottom bracket shell. There are several standardized dimensions and threadings. But the surviving ones are English 68mm (BSC) and Italian 70mm (BSA).
The adapter I posted will allow you to install an English BB; which is basically all current Asian manufactured products unless noted for Italian threading.

The Sheldon Brown site I posted is a great start for anyone. Lot's of useful info on bike mechanics, info, history, etc.

Thanks for the info above WNG. I will be ordering that soon.

Today I got my friend (http://www.facebook.com/home.php#%21/pages/Hickey-Hill-Crafts-and-Gifts/166267116757103) to do my lettering and a cute seat post badge today. All I need now is air brush some nicks my cat put in it after he knocked it over the other night then clear coat & polish.
http://spookeaymarine.info/photos/ps0.jpg
http://spookeaymarine.info/photos/ps2.jpghttp://spookeaymarine.info/photos/ps1.jp3
http://spookeaymarine.info/photos/ps4.jpghttp://spookeaymarine.info/photos/ps5.jpg
http://spookeaymarine.info/photos/ps6.jpg

Added some shots in early mock-up..... It looks good I think :)
http://spookeaymarine.info/photos/ps8.jpg
http://spookeaymarine.info/photos/ps9.jpg
http://spookeaymarine.info/photos/ps10.jpg

It's coming along nicely. And it's one-of-a-kind!

And it's one-of-a-kind!
A nice way of saying "It's kinda loud is it not?" It's OK that is what I was going for ;)

I'd like to chime in and say it looks damn good!

It just gets cooler, I think, as you go. I think it screams for some sort of "classic" handlebars... not drops, but the upright, swept back kind that work on diamond frame road bikes. Someone here will know what I mean.

Simply awesome transformation!

Very cool can't wait see it finished. I could use some of those Ross decals on my Mt Whitney.

Thanks folks! raider55 (http://www.bikeforums.../member.php/173312-raider55)This is the link to the lady that did mine. http://www.facebook.com/home.php#!/pages/Hickey-Hill-Crafts-and-Gifts/166267116757103
(http://www.facebook.com/home.php#%21/pages/Hickey-Hill-Crafts-and-Gifts/166267116757103)Otherwise most any vinyl lettering shop could make them if you set down with them and decide on a colour and font.

Not at all too loud, Spookeay Bird. I think it's tasteful.

raider55, that's the coolest Ross I've ever seen. I worked on all sorts of Rosses, but that one is one I'd even like owning.

Thanks Noglider :)

Letting her try her fenders back on..... http://spookeaymarine.info/photos/F.jpg
If I am lucky, I will clear it in the morning and begin polishing chrome and aluminum parts.

very fresh looking paint job!

Mine needs a re-paint too! Where do I send it?

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v369/angelpena/DSCF3819.jpg

If your serious, I could.
But I am new to bikes. Been restoring boats for 30 years now.
Bikes so tend to be much easier than boats.
Some story's about me & my work.

http://lakemartinvoice.com/2010/11/04/heather-babecki-of-spookeay-marine-renaissance-artist-of-boat-restoration/

http://www.fiberglassics.com/latest/member-spotlight-heather-babecki

Thanks Noglider :)

Letting her try her fenders back on..... http://spookeaymarine.info/photos/F.jpg
If I am lucky, I will clear it in the morning and begin polishing chrome and aluminum parts.

I like very few bikes (mostly because I only like road bikes with slim saddles), but that's a seriously cool machine (other than the saddle).

All I can say is Wow. There was a discussion recently on CR about restoring bike boom bikes. I think any bike is worth a restoration no matter the value if it makes someone else happy in the end. I think your father is going to be thrilled with it. I think you could get that bike under hernia levels with no problems. The wheels could be upgraded to even a nicer aluminum 27" wheelset and drop a few lbs. The cranks you seem to already have figured out with the adapter that I was going to suggest also.

Well just a short update. I managed to get some time to my self this weekend and have the ROSS clear coated. That's about it for frame. now to start putting it all back together.
http://spookeaymarine.info/photos/rossclear.jpg

Well put a fork in this one. It's done. I have a crank and new wheel set ordered but all in all I give you a 1977 Ross.
http://spookeaymarine.info/photos/fr1.jpg
http://spookeaymarine.info/photos/fr2.jpg
http://spookeaymarine.info/photos/f4.jpg
http://spookeaymarine.info/photos/f1.jpfr4http://spookeaymarine.info/photos/fr4.jpg
http://spookeaymarine.info/photos/fr5.jpg
http://spookeaymarine.info/photos/fr6.jpg

And the Video/Slide Show. Thanks all.....
It was too FUN!
YOUTUBE VIDEO (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0WV7PWK3Ayc)

It looks fantastic!!!

Like snarkypup said, it screams for "north road" bars- but even as it is- it looks terriffic!

The last pic with the boat in the background is just too cool!
:)
Great job! Very inspiring.

It looks fantastic!!!

Like snarkypup said, it screams for "north road" bars- but even as it is- it looks terriffic!

Like this set???
I put a new chain on and rode it today. Too Sweet!!
Also changed the saddle, the one on it was so raged out. Blaaaaa
http://spookeaymarine.info/photos/rossbar1.jpg