jjames1452 

Agree or disagree, restore the Puch Starleicht.



I purchased the frame from Columbus Cycle in Columbus Ohio in the mid-80's. I built the bike, including the wheels myself.
(That was my time spent working through college in a Schwinn Shop and Lawnmower shop on the South Side of Columbus)
I have ridden this bike on numerous community bike rides in the 80's, and most recently, TOSRV a couple of years ago.

Here is the Photobucket site that will show the condition of the frame.
Puch Starleicht Photos by jjamespapa1452 | Photobucket

It is all 531, set up for speed rather than touring. There are no eyelets for rack, etc.
The seat tube is 24 1/2 inches ctc - perfect fit for me. The top tube is 23 inches.

My plan is to let Franklin Frames in Newark Ohio repaint (wet paint) the bike, add the appropriate decals i can find, and clear coat.
Maybe they could add some braze ons for comfort.
It is going to get a blue Brooks saddle, blue bullseye derailleur pulleys, loose the gold seat binder, get blue bottle cage, and get blue Brooks handle bar tape. And yes - I will change the pedals.

I am never going to sell the bike. It would simply be to enjoy the bike until I can no longer ride.
Thoughts?

bikemig 

Most of the posters here will, I suspect, disagree. They love patina on old bikes. Back when bikes like this Puch weren't vintage, no one thought twice about painting steel frames. Heck that's what you did after it got beat up. I say do it if you want. Franklin does a terrific job painting bikes. And you will have a "new" bike to ride and enjoy.