Originally Posted by
Rusty and Crust
Hi there,
New to this. I am just about to start restoring an old Raleigh Clubman circa 1950 - I think. It has Weinman 500 and 750 brakes and thats about all I know. I am taking the componentry off and will tidy them up. Then its the frame to get back to its shop state.
Any tips will be mush appreciated. I may have a few questions along the way.
Here's one - Is it best to take the components to a metal restorer, or is this the sort of thing i can do my self with an off the shelf product?
Cheers,
R&C
The toll you must pay to the troll around here is photographic. Give us pics of your bike--body shots and closeups. Try to locate the serial number (unless you're sure about the date).
Most parts you can easily clean up (the rust and crust, as it were) and polish. Unless the parts are really in rough shape, people around here (bloody moralizing purists) are unlikely to recommend that you submit them to re-chroming. We're all in favor of polish, though.
Re repainting: As for the frame, unless the paint is TOTALLY trashed, someone is going to tell you this: It's only original once.
Welcome to C&V! People are really nice here. They say so themselves:
http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=526913
Let's see some pics of your bike, and we'll talk turkey about restoration.