Old Fat Guy

I (mostly) finished stripping the clear coat off a 12.2 that my wife picked up at a garage sale a few weeks ago. I was going to flip it, but I'm not so sure now, in fact I turned down a generous offer yesterday. It is my size, and sure does shine!

I removed the 12.2 decals on the top tube, they were in bad shape anyway, and think I may remove the seat tube stickers as well. I was thinking of just a plain black pinstripe running down the tube, similar to what a Cinelli SC has on it.

In any case, it will have to wait until Spring. I'm off to AZ for the Winter in a couple of weeks, and this will stay behind. Here are some pictures for the time being, because I know how y'all like to see pictures:

pastorbobnlnh 

A beauty indeed! I'd be hard pressed to let that one slip from my hands. The chrome 12.2 Le Tour and the 11.8 Voyageur were both very worthy alternatives to the chrome Paramounts. I'd be tempted to hang '80s vintage Campagnolo or Suntour all over it. It will be hard to wait until next summer to see it completed.

Sierra

Yah, what he said!

well biked

Wow, nice frame. I'd keep the decals you have just like they are, from what I can see they look great. Do you know what year model it is?

McDave

Drool!!!! I would keep it too!

Question: How did you strip the clearcoat without messing up the rest of the decals?

barndoor

Wow! I'd keep it if I were you....that is a gorgeous frame!

I echo previous sentiment in hanging Campy stuff all over it.

Old Fat Guy

Thanks Folks,

I am very tempted to keep it, just for the bling. I tossed some 700c wheels on the frame today, after I mounted the fork, and I think the original Dia Compes should reach, so that is an alternative. I may have a mish-mash of period correct Suntour/Campy/Shimano that I could build it up with. It is dated as a late '76, but I think it is an '77, because chrome wasn't offered in '76, expert opinions, anyone?

I also have a slightly smaller Voyageur SP that I picked up that is not as shiny, but may be a better frame, all in all. When I return to MI in the Spring I will have a couple of interesting projects waiting for me.

I have to apologize to the good Reverend, but the Le Tour will have to wait until next Summer to bear fruit, and then it's a death match with the Voyageur SP to see who stays. I'm more about ride quality than looks. I do want an alternative to my race bikes, and I think one of these will fit the bill.

I have a Campy SR equipped SL Rossin in AZ to keep me busy when I return, and my new toy of a buffing machine and a pile of buffing wheels.

I have been playing with the Rossin fork that I posted about eons ago. I'll try to find time for the latest pictures soon. It does look pretty dang good for just polished steel, at this point. I'm tempted to just put a coat of wax on it and let it go at that. The chrome rattle can paint has also tempted me, but that's a different thread...

If anyone would like to sell/trade a set of just the 'Schwinn' decals that match the ones in the picture, please PM me. I sure would like to just dip the whole frame in paint stripper and get rid of the old clear coat, but I like the looks of the black/white Schwinn decals.

Maybe I should just have them sandblasted into the frame, like Rad55's Pinarello!

well biked

It's a '76 or '77, not an '86 or '87.

Old Fat Guy

Duh, I knew that, brain fart! Edited above post to reflect that.

well biked

I think you're right, it's a '77. No full chrome in '76.

green814

Only one word can describe that, WOW! Very sharp OFG. If it was between the 12.2 & the SP ( if it is the one you told me about ), I THINK the 12.2 would win. & I am not one for a lot of chrome, but that is sharp.

Chris

redneckwes

Wow, is something of an understatement. Thats a stunner!

Scooper

Gorgeous frame! Keep it, put Campy on it, and ride it.

Very, very nice.

cudak888 

Probably the nicest French-styled lugs ever to come on a Japanese-production bike. Sharp.

You won't regret keeping it. If you do, send it to me

-Kurt

dannyg1 

Are you buffing the chrome somehow? I tried to polish Italian chrome once and it was a very big mistake (polishing compound to a very mildly pitted chainstay. If you can polish a plated frame, without somehow eating trough the chrome, or just without danger, I'd love to know how.

I've got a couple of frames that are chromed but painted and it seems that the manufacturers liked to rough up the metal, possibly before they chromed the frame.

Can these be made smoothly shiny?

Tanks,
Danny

yellowjeep

no chrome can not be buffed. Read:https://www.finishing.com/faqs/chrome.html

Bikedued

That does it, my 12.2 is going on the stand this weekend!! Yeah it's blue, but still a nice bike Just needs a clean/re-lube/re-cable/re-wrap.,,,,BD

Old Fat Guy

The frame was in remarkable shape to begin with, no pitting at all. I used some old Turtle Wax Chrome Polish that my wife also got at a garage sale, once I removed the clear coat with paint remover. I used a cotton t-shirt and some 0000 steel wool with a light touch where necessary.

So far, so good. I haven't gone through the chrome and the only place that has any rust at all is behind the seat stays at the top of the seat tube.

Scooper

Your wife found the frame and the chrome polish at garage sales?? She sounds like a keeper!

Old Fat Guy

I'm embarrassed to say that she finds most of the bikes I flip. The chrome polish was in a box with car wax, rubbing compound(2 tins), dry gas(5 bottles), car wash soap and 2 cans of Simple Green Wheel Cleaner--total cost ...$1

The 12.2 wasn't even for sale, she saw it tucked in the corner and asked if they wanted to sell it, you'd hate me if I told what she paid for it.

She also found the Raleigh Mountie that Dr. Deltron now owns and this Raleigh Sport:
More pictures here: https://picasaweb.google.com/A2UsedBi...71RaleighSport

beakgeek

I need to look at the clear coat on my wife's 12.2. It is a bit scuffed on the top tube.

BikeManDan

I wouldn't let that frame go if it was a fit

Are you going to spray new clear or leave it as is?

Old Fat Guy

I'm thinking of just putting a good coat of Zymol auto wax on it.