Originally Posted by
rm -rf
I don't have any good "after" pictures, and it's raining now, but here's a shot of the chrome after the oxalic acid bath. The paint looks good, too.

Whoah! That is awesome. That is exactly the way I would like to get this bike looking. Luckily the bike I received is in really pretty good shape. I don't think it will take much to get it looking really nice. It is already in fine mechanical shape. What I can't get over is how smooth and quiet this bike is. There is no clicking while coasting etc. It is almost stealth. It really is true that they simply do not make things like they used to.
Shifting gears on this thing I just kept thinking, "Where did this type of precision go?" My other bike is a 2008 Redline R750 which is a really a fine bike but the Raleigh is just something special. I think I am going to keep the current wheels on hand but switch it to clinchers for regular riding. I can't wait to take this thing on a club ride and cruise amongst all the fancy, space age, carbon fiber fishing lures