Would you buy a Bare knuckle with paint stripped?
 

I saw a BK for sale that the guy started stripping the paint and got the frame mostly done and stopped.
The fork is still painted.

I have never ridden a BK or any track bike except at the LBS, Pista, KHS etc. I have a conversion.
Would you buy it and paint it? He wants $400, just frame and fork. It has 1 small ding in the down tube.

Yes, but not for 400.

I've seen some clean frames going for 400 on CL, so you should really try and get a lower price on it.

What color was it before?

I saw the ad you are talking about. I asked him why he stripped the green paint off but he didn't reply. It's probably stolen lol.

I talked to him about the paint. He said he wanted to change the color and he was selling because it is too big for him. He said he works at a bike shop and told me which one. I asked him specific questions about what parts he had on it.
I don't think it's stolen but $400 does seem a bit high.

Since it would need paint maybe $350?
The consensus here seems to be that people either love them or think they are overpriced and ugly, (no lugs, fugly fork). I don't have an opinion since I haven't ridden one.


AD>>>>>Eai Bareknuckle - $400
56cm eai bareknuckle. some small parts of paint still on it. small pin head size ding on the downtube, came that way from the factory right out of the box.

the paint is the only complaint i've ever had with my bareknuckle. if you can get him down to 300 i say go for it. you can get frame professionally stripped and powdercoated for 100-150 bucks so it'd still be a decent deal. that is if it isn't stolen, and if that ding isn't structural.

Yeah I say get him down to 300 since you're going to want it painted asap. Or since he works at a shop see if he'll cut you a deal on some parts with the $450 price.

If the only complaints you've heard about bk's have to do with the price and looks this sounds like the perfect approach to getting one.

I'd buy it.

I picked up the frame yesterday. I offered a lower price on Wednesday and he said no. Then he contacted me and said yes after 2 days. The ding was small in the down tube. I already put bondo on it once and sanded it.

I had to put the parts on it from my other bike to ride it a little before it gets painted. I almost didn't have enough tire clearance with the 49 x 17 gearing. Might change to 18t cog and add a chain link.

The ride is quick, stiff (for steel) but still comfortable that I would take it on a longer ride. First time I have ridden a track frame except at the LBS.

I am thinking blue for the paint. (here's a pic of a blue one I found) I would go green and leave the fork alone but the paint most likely would not match.

And I will get a shorter stem. That's all I had for today from my junk drawer. Maybe a Thompson. Don't know but probably silver. And silver wheels. Drop bars most likely.

sounds like a sound plan. id like to see it all finished up.

Finished it today. Got some DA cranks for a good price on CL w/ BB and chain ring. I will probably ride with drop bars.

nice bike!:) love the blue


I think it looks better with the risers, but really anything would look better than those road bars. Ah ****, I'm just being jealous.... ride whatever is comfortable