Restoring to original condition or more modern look?
09-08-15, 02:48 AM
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Restoring to original condition or more modern look?
A while ago I bought 1980 Nishiki Trim Master. It's in pretty good condition, equipped with Shinano 600 Arabesque parts.
I would like to ask how big sin would be to change its original look? New paintwork could be white pearl with black details. Also black tyres with black or silver rims.
That bike would not need a big restoring at minimum, but I would give some freshness on the look. That original brownish paint isn't very beautiful
I would like to ask how big sin would be to change its original look? New paintwork could be white pearl with black details. Also black tyres with black or silver rims.
That bike would not need a big restoring at minimum, but I would give some freshness on the look. That original brownish paint isn't very beautiful
09-08-15, 03:29 AM
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Yes, current paint is ok condition, some touch up painting required at least. Chromes are very good, some polishing would give a new life them too. Maybe I will go with original paint and look
09-08-15, 04:49 AM
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Clean, lubricate and tune up the bicycle, just the way it is, ensuring that it is road worthy and safe to ride. Then ride it for a month or two. If the ride quality is to your liking, then consider upgrades.
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09-08-15, 05:08 AM
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While this is not a tremendously collectible bike...and that really drives the "keep it original"...it is in pretty good shape...and you confirm that! It is IMPOSSIBLE to go back once you paint it...it can never be original again. So, repaint with caution! Of course, this is your bike...and you can do whatever makes you happy and wanting to ride it!
As for me, I would do as @randyjawa says...clean it up and ride it...if it becomes one of your happy riders...then maybe upgrade. But...starting out...you can always clean and polish it (that will help it look better) and...you can really do a lot with handlebar tape! I took a pretty dull black bike...and, using handlebar tape with twining...and a funky saddle...to give it a good deal of "pop!"
Gratuitous picture shown here...
While this is not a tremendously collectible bike...and that really drives the "keep it original"...it is in pretty good shape...and you confirm that! It is IMPOSSIBLE to go back once you paint it...it can never be original again. So, repaint with caution! Of course, this is your bike...and you can do whatever makes you happy and wanting to ride it!
As for me, I would do as @randyjawa says...clean it up and ride it...if it becomes one of your happy riders...then maybe upgrade. But...starting out...you can always clean and polish it (that will help it look better) and...you can really do a lot with handlebar tape! I took a pretty dull black bike...and, using handlebar tape with twining...and a funky saddle...to give it a good deal of "pop!"
Gratuitous picture shown here...
09-08-15, 06:22 AM
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I really don't have a dog in the fight. I say do what you want.
But if you don't have a high quality paint job, which tend to be quite spendy, your white pearl will look like crap in no time.
If you are especially anal about recovering costs, as many are on this forum, you will never recover the cost of a good paint job on that bike. Even if you do it yourself, your labor will be "free".
But if you don't have a high quality paint job, which tend to be quite spendy, your white pearl will look like crap in no time.
If you are especially anal about recovering costs, as many are on this forum, you will never recover the cost of a good paint job on that bike. Even if you do it yourself, your labor will be "free".
09-08-15, 06:27 AM
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I really don't have a dog in the fight. I say do what you want.
But if you don't have a high quality paint job, which tend to be quite spendy, your white pearl will look like crap in no time.
If you are especially anal about recovering costs, as many are on this forum, you will never recover the cost of a good paint job on that bike. Even if you do it yourself, your labor will be "free".
But if you don't have a high quality paint job, which tend to be quite spendy, your white pearl will look like crap in no time.
If you are especially anal about recovering costs, as many are on this forum, you will never recover the cost of a good paint job on that bike. Even if you do it yourself, your labor will be "free".
But I think I'll do basic cleaning and polishing at this point, winter is coming here in Scandinavia and this resto will be done during off-season.
And by the way, I don't care about the costs. It takes what it takes to make feel & look good
Last edited by mkuivama; 09-08-15 at 06:30 AM.
09-08-15, 07:16 AM
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09-08-15, 07:38 AM
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Rat Rod that sucker. No wait, Drew it!
(j/k)
I like the color. As for going modern, have at it and lighten it up with a decent wheelset. That alone will make a huge improvement......other than removing those ugly aero bars.
(j/k)
I like the color. As for going modern, have at it and lighten it up with a decent wheelset. That alone will make a huge improvement......other than removing those ugly aero bars.
09-08-15, 07:46 AM
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I think that seat tube graphic is pretty cool. I wouldn't paint over it. Modernize it all you want component wise, but I'd leave the paint. That's my two cents.
09-08-15, 08:12 AM
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Are you a tall rider?
Are the forks bent?
One finds quickly that upgrades can get very expensive, although it may not hurt to start prowling Craigslist for a good deal on some new wheels if you wish. You can add a few more gears in the process (with the likely issues of 126mm vs 130mm dropouts).
As others have mentioned, it isn't an extremely expensive collectors edition. So, upgrade to your heart's content. Even painting, although consider your desired graphics and logos before painting.
Are the forks bent?
One finds quickly that upgrades can get very expensive, although it may not hurt to start prowling Craigslist for a good deal on some new wheels if you wish. You can add a few more gears in the process (with the likely issues of 126mm vs 130mm dropouts).
As others have mentioned, it isn't an extremely expensive collectors edition. So, upgrade to your heart's content. Even painting, although consider your desired graphics and logos before painting.
09-08-15, 08:45 AM
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Are you a tall rider?
Are the forks bent?
Are the forks bent?
That Aero bar was removed immediately, I just took pictures for reference before I touched it
09-08-15, 08:56 AM
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It's your wallet..
paint condition seems fine, just change parts you dont think are good enough.
paint condition seems fine, just change parts you dont think are good enough.
09-08-15, 09:56 AM
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Keeping a bike in original condition (paint, parts, etc.) is over-rated, IMO.
Keeping money in your pocket when the paint is in good shape, only needing some touch-up is not.
Keeping money in your pocket when the paint is in good shape, only needing some touch-up is not.
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09-08-15, 11:50 AM
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Fastest and quickest way to make that bike look great is to remove that black elbow bar. It dominates the view and pulls the eye away from the clean lines and understated but elegant paint.
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09-08-15, 11:55 AM
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If you want a fun rehab project, this one looks like a good candidate. Not a collector quality bike + ugly color + fairly dinged up paint + a friend with proper painting gear and experience = go for it.
I'm thinking of doing a celeste job on my drab, grey MIJ Bianchi Limited, even though the paint is in just as good a shape as yours. Maybe a faux vintage look like the Tipo Corsa paintjob would be cool?
I'm thinking of doing a celeste job on my drab, grey MIJ Bianchi Limited, even though the paint is in just as good a shape as yours. Maybe a faux vintage look like the Tipo Corsa paintjob would be cool?
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● 1971 Grandis SL ● 1972 Lambert Grand Prix frankenbike ● 1972 Raleigh Super Course fixie ● 1973 Nishiki Semi-Pro ● 1979 Motobecane Grand Jubile ●1980 Apollo "Legnano" ● 1984 Peugeot Vagabond ● 1985 Shogun Prairie Breaker ● 1986 Merckx Super Corsa ● 1987 Schwinn Tempo ● 1988 Schwinn Voyageur ● 1989 Bottechia Team ADR replica ● 1990 Cannondale ST600 ● 1993 Technium RT600 ● 1996 Kona Lava Dome ●
09-08-15, 01:04 PM
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I think the Nishiki's paint looks "good enough," but maybe it is a lot worse up close and in person.
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09-08-15, 02:07 PM
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Well here we go 
After decent wash and polishing it started to look great! It was actually shiny metallic gold paint, real depth of color can be seen until now (hard to see in pics).
After decent wash and polishing it started to look great! It was actually shiny metallic gold paint, real depth of color can be seen until now (hard to see in pics).
09-08-15, 03:20 PM
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I'm with the other guys in terms of refurbishing the bike with the original parts and ride it for a bit. You could always upgrade later.
The beauty of the frame is that it looks like you got some key features that make it worth the upgrade in parts. It has a braze-ons for the shifters. You get the option to use downtube shifters, bar ends, or STIs (or Ergos). It looks like the frame is designed for recessed brakes. You could update to modern dual pivots. A simple dropout stretching and alignment adjustment will give you 8, 9, 10 speed options.
Regardless of which direction that you go, post up some pictures of the final product.
Dennis
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