After much waiting for parts, missed deliveries, wrong orders, back orders, and general mayhem, I can finally show some progress on the PAFF that I acquired last fall.

For background, please refer to http://www.bikeforums.net/classic-vi...-50s-paff.html

So: when last I posted, I had discovered the original fork had what appeared to be rust damage, and the cost to repair it was astronomical. I found to my surprise that a Tange fork I had in my spares pile (I used it as a cheap truing stand) not only had the same curve to the fork blades, but the same bottom race and the exact steerer tube needed; so on it went. No chrome socks though. I have kept the original fork in case I want to go the big bucks route to a "real" restoration some day.

I then stripped the wheels: the front rim was original but had rusted completely through, the rear was a substitute (on the original hub) from the mid 70s. So both were replaced with Alex DM18s, with new DT Swiss spokes and nipples. Tires are now replaced with Paselas, 700x32c.

The original Regina freewheel (single speed) was worn out (hooked teeth), but my attempt to secure one of 2 available in italy for a decent price went unfulfilled. So a cheap Taiwanese one is on there now until I can find a proper replacement.

The fenders were in rough condition under the non-original paint - lots of rust and splits. I have kept them and will look into fixing them but in the mean time a spare set of fenders I had match the original profile almost exactly, and are in chrome which brightens the bike up a bit.

Finally, I was trying hard to save the original handlebars, with their integral levers, but.....after removing the grips it turns out the entire bar under the grips (both sides) had turned to dust....only a modicum of metal left. Glad I found out as they were ready to break off. So a spare set of Velo Orange Northroads and an SR stem are on there now. I kept the good part of the bars and will look into getting them repaired, and rechromed if I ever decide to try for a more museum type build.

So the only things left to do, when the weather warms up, is strip and paint the chaincase (and remount it), and paint the forks. Add some brake pads and I think we're ready to go! Yay!

Still need to adjust the rear fender line, saddle, bars and chain....but this is just an in progress picture. And yes it is snowing again....

[edit: just noticed the brake cables move when I took the bike out....that's been fixed...]