Originally Posted by
OrangeBike
Since I started refurbing another old bike, I've noticed a lot of vintage parts available... and I would love to build a frankenbike from all these beautiful old parts (for some crazy reason I think I have the time).
So, what I would be looking for is something nice enough to be quality, but not so nice that stripping it down, repainting it and slapping non-original parts on it would be a sin. And something that I can find suitable components for, something with popular threadings..? I dunno, I'm not familiar with enough with the brands and history to make a qualified gamble on something. Since it's a first-time frank for me, I'm not interested in breaking the bank.
Some brands I see that are within my price range are Motobecane, Raleigh, Volkscycle... pretty old lugged frames that can be cleaned up and painted.
And I'd be building a road bike.
Thanks.
Hey
OrangeBike,
I was in the same boat you are earlier this year, I had the same specifics regarding the frame, and my spare part bins had more than enough mish mash to build a Frankenbike. An old customer going back 20 years brought me a tasty package deal, one of the frames was an early 1990's Miele made from lugged Columbus CROMOR tubing. We agreed that the frame and fork were equal to $50.00 in parts that I had to swap. The paint was shot but he did have a replacement set of decals, so I figured it was worthy of stripping and powder coating. I went with "Wet Black" powder coat, it looked to be similar to the gloss black paint the steer tube. The sand blasting and powder coating cost $65.00, the pair of NOS Ciussi Elite bottle cages cost another $5.00 each plus $5.00 shipping, all the rest will come from spare parts. Roughly speaking I have $130.00 into the frame and fork, I think she is a beauty and the Columbus frame is more than worthy of a Frakenbuild. Miele frames are under valued and you might be able to pick up a nice Italian Columbus steel frame like mine cheaply.
Good luck and enjoy the build!
-D-
