Originally Posted by
GordoTrek
That frame looks beautiful, you are probably right with the Michel, the panto seems to fit. I'm no french expert, but they will be along shortly. There is tons of info on how to free a stuck stem/seatpost etc on this forum. The transmission/acetone mixture is probably the easiest to do if you don't have access to traditional methods like I do in the US. One thing I would look into if the Chemical part doesn't work, is see if you can rent a slide hammer. The auto supply stores here in the US have them for rent. I don't know where you would find one in the Phillipines, but hopefully you can locate one.
Are you going to paint this frame? a good restoration decal source is Cyclemondo on ebay and Velocals. Cyclomondo has great prices and you can get just 1 or 2 decals. Velocals is a little more pricey but his decals are top notch.
If you are going to paint, are you thinking of powdercoating or a paint shop? White is tough to match ins some cases, you could probably touch up those areas with model paint or nail polish if you found a good match.
Keep us updated, we love to see build progress and keep taking detailed pictures. Good Job and Good Luck with that seat post!
I'll probably be going with the easiest methods as you said, because for one thing I barely have any tools. All I really have right now is an allen wrench set and a tool set I got free with a Newsweek subscription *cringe* For now that has sufficed to take the bike apart... except for the crank and BB. None of my tools seemed to help in that area so I'll probably have to take the bike down to my local bike shop to get it removed. I'll probably start collecting my own tools as well, although I hear a bike stand is a recommended first buy. In place of a bike stand I currently use a loyal friend who is willing to stand and hold my bike steady. Works nicely for now
I'm a little torn about painting the bike. Part of me wants to see it preserved as is, but the other half of me wants to make it mine... with my own custom look. Nothing crazy... just a colour change, probably to black and chrome. Although in that area I'm a little stuck as well, I can't make up my mind. I'm trying to figure out how best to make the lugs "pop". In the current paint they're pretty subdued... barely noticeable unless you're up close.
And as for decals, I haven't really found anything re: Alain Michel decals online. Most bikes he built were custom orders for athletes or bike shops as I understand it, and subsequently would bear the name of the athlete or shop in the decals. If you were referring to smaller decals, well... I have absolutely no idea what would be appropriate...