Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 3,520
Likes: 12
From: Colorado Springs, CO
Bikes: 1959 Bottecchia Milano-Sanremo (frame), 1966 Bottecchia Professional (frame), 1971 Bottecchia Professional (frame), 1973 Bottecchia Gran Turismo, 1974 Bottecchia Special, 1977 Bottecchia Special (frame), 1974 Peugeot UO-8
Originally Posted by
mstrpete
I was referring to one of the quotes I got for powdercoating. Sorry to be less than perfectly clear.
ETA: the idea of a chrome-look powdercoat is interesting. One of the local places uses Cardinal, so I'll have a look at that.
I understand the idea of finding a finished bike, but...that could end up being as much legwork and money as anything else, versus preserving and improving the appearance of a frame that I already know and love to ride. I mean, if something sweet falls into my lap, then great-but I'm not going to out chasing wild geese. Besides, I'd still have the Fuji, and looking like heck too.
I tend to agree with you there - I'm a Bottecchia fan and always on the lookout for a nice chrome Bottecchia. For the last couple of years I've had a saved search on eBay that will email me every Bottecchia auction. In the last two years+ I've seen three chrome Bottecchias, all bare frames and none of them in particularly good condition (certainly nothing like those sweet Paramounts that turn up now and then). So I don't see how waiting for the right already chromed bike is likely to lead to success. And then you'd have to hope it was the right size. Unless you are looking for one of the few models that commonly came in chrome in the early 70's I figure your odds are pretty small of finding one. If I came across a nice late 50's - early 60's Bottecchia I'd just go ahead and have it chromed.
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1959 Bottecchia Milano-Sanremo(frame), 1966 Bottecchia Professional (frame), 1971 Bottecchia Professional (frame),
1973 Bottecchia Gran Turismo, 1974 Bottecchia Special, 1977 Bottecchia Special (frame),
1974 Peugeot UO-8, 1988 Panasonic PT-3500, 2002 Bianchi Veloce, 2004 Bianchi Pista