Scratches on nice C&V components. Sigh.
I pretty much hang out in the C&V section. When something comes up that’s a bit too ... well, specific, then I come here.
I have a vintage piece that, if perfect, would be worth gold. But, it isn’t and it ain’t.
Besides just cleaning, bit of rubbing and declaring them battle scars, are there specific home-brew options for making this 1st generation C-Record RD look better?
If these were MY battle scars, I’d wear them proudly. Unfortunately, this came off a 1985 (531 anniversary decals) Mercian. I am the second owner. It was originally purchased fully dressed in 1st Gen C-Record (not Delta brakes, tho).
But the first owner abused it, caring little for its condition. It was a long-distance CL buy, and I was/am a bit too trusting. Some real issues were hidden, and the seller proved a right jerk. A bonafide lounge lizard. There’s a kink in the drive chain stay. The axle lines up fine, but the derailleur angle is off.
I can comment that this classic RD shifts like an utter POS. I don’t think I’ve ever had such poor performance. BUT, it is most likely a problem from the kink, which is quite nearby, rather than the fault of this RD. I’ve disassembled the RD, and it doesn’t appear to be bent. I actually do have another of these derailleurs in the treasure trove, but my eye-ball comparison is inconclusive.
Anyway, pretty much every component on this bike, including the saddle, is scratched up.
I leave aside, for now, the question about the kink in the drive side chain stay.
SO, the question here is what, at best, can I do about these scratches – besides ignore and use? A little Mothers Mag & Alum polish, Scratch-X, what else?
Thanks.