My next project! My original plan was to buy an old Rudge frame and build a vintage path racer mainly for a bit of fun. Bike theft is quite high in Cambridge, so the thought of buying a Pashley Guvnor made me very nervous!

My current project is a lovely 1935 Rudge Whitworth roadster which has been respectfully restored using original parts in wartime black, however I wanted to be creative with this new project..shiney new, minimal single speeded 'fixie', drop North Road bars, drum brake, cream tyres, Rudge maroon respray.

I've had the frame for two days now and it is growing on me as it is...faded lustre orange finish with beautiful transfers, but if I were going to do a restoration job, I would need to try re-create the transfers myself in Adobe Illustrator. It's still got that old fusty metal smell.

So what do I do?

I'm not a fan of club road racers so I've no plans to faithfully restore the bike, but should I keep the frame, spray some clear lacquer for that rat look? Bear in mind that all other parts will most likely be sparkly new.








http://i971.photobucket.com/albums/a...c/f4e766b6.jpg