Bike Forums - View Single Post - my 1921 Raleigh Golden arrow.

11-07-10 | 01:56 PM

#4

ftwelder

Senior Member

Joined: Apr 2010

Posts: 3,081

Likes: 10

From: vermont

Bikes: Many

The final effect totally reminds me of my earliest recognitions of surface textures. Things like fixtures in school and on the playground where some areas were so worn by thousands of hands touching. The fenders, handlebars, stem BB cups and hardware was all polished. The fenders have the texture of bird eggs and areas along the ridges had deeper stains that required the use of a pencil eraser dipped in compound to bring the color back. I dried the bike in the sun to help finish the wax coat and the fenders remained cool to the touch after hours in the sun.

The saddle was another interesting experience. I knew I wasn't going to be using any solvents on the saddle and so I began with soap and water on top surface. The skin of the saddle is some type of canvas but very thin and somehow "plasticized" for lack of a better word. If feels like the skin of a really old person.

I tried the soap and water

nothing.

I tried a bit of my kerosene solution.

nothing.

My heart was pounding when I grabbed the 0000 steel wool and began to address the surface.

still nothing.
I ended up using the 7447 pad again and quite aggresively before any of the tan stain would receed. I am not sure what this eighty-year-old fabric is but I am sure it would give Kevlar a good run for durability. Once I had the surface cleaned of the melted cover I brushed the thin leather liner that exists under the skin with olive oil. The springs under the saddle have nearly completely rusted away and some stitches have vanished to a rebuild is in the future.

The wheels and cables are also issues that will be on-going. I plan to replace the wires and cast new ends. The original housings will be used after several coats of linseed oil.

I have also decided to use the original rims if I can't find suitable 1-1/4" replacements. I also have plans the get the odd, wide ratio K series hub rebuilt.

Although the steel brake calipers look like sports calipers, they actually have shorter reach. I used a belt sander to flatten and freshen the original brake pads. The headset uses removable races and are have no angular contact (like a shopping cart wheel)

I hope to source a pair of the original rat-trap pedals at some point.

I am sorry I don't have more photographs of the assembly. I really was completely consumed and didn't have the patience to deal with my quirky camera. Please enjoy these images of the machine as of the last two weeks.