After much waiting for parts, missed deliveries, wrong orders, back orders, and general mayhem, I can finally show some progress on the PAFF that I acquired last fall.

For background, please refer to https://www.bikeforums.net/classic-vi...-50s-paff.html

So: when last I posted, I had discovered the original fork had what appeared to be rust damage, and the cost to repair it was astronomical. I found to my surprise that a Tange fork I had in my spares pile (I used it as a cheap truing stand) not only had the same curve to the fork blades, but the same bottom race and the exact steerer tube needed; so on it went. No chrome socks though. I have kept the original fork in case I want to go the big bucks route to a "real" restoration some day.

I then stripped the wheels: the front rim was original but had rusted completely through, the rear was a substitute (on the original hub) from the mid 70s. So both were replaced with Alex DM18s, with new DT Swiss spokes and nipples. Tires are now replaced with Paselas, 700x32c.

The original Regina freewheel (single speed) was worn out (hooked teeth), but my attempt to secure one of 2 available in italy for a decent price went unfulfilled. So a cheap Taiwanese one is on there now until I can find a proper replacement.

The fenders were in rough condition under the non-original paint - lots of rust and splits. I have kept them and will look into fixing them but in the mean time a spare set of fenders I had match the original profile almost exactly, and are in chrome which brightens the bike up a bit.

Finally, I was trying hard to save the original handlebars, with their integral levers, but.....after removing the grips it turns out the entire bar under the grips (both sides) had turned to dust....only a modicum of metal left. Glad I found out as they were ready to break off. So a spare set of Velo Orange Northroads and an SR stem are on there now. I kept the good part of the bars and will look into getting them repaired, and rechromed if I ever decide to try for a more museum type build.

So the only things left to do, when the weather warms up, is strip and paint the chaincase (and remount it), and paint the forks. Add some brake pads and I think we're ready to go! Yay!

Still need to adjust the rear fender line, saddle, bars and chain....but this is just an in progress picture. And yes it is snowing again....

[edit: just noticed the brake cables move when I took the bike out....that's been fixed...]

So took the bike out for a spin - beautiful sunny day today though still below freezing. Roads were mostly clear with ice patches. Before I went I had finished adjusting fender line, adjusted the seat height etc.

What what was it like? I loved it! Not what I expected....I thought since it was a single speed utility bike it would be closer in ride to the 49 Humber, but the frame clearly has racing blood in it. The geometry gives it away a bit, since the fork angle is (for 1952) quite steep. the Paselas at 95psi didn't hurt (though they transmit a lot of road feel), and the alloy rims made the bike all that much more sprightly. The top tube is quite short feeling, but was fine in the upright riding position.

Very little frame flex; no handed riding was a breeze; accellerating up hills even with only one gear was great. And the bike was silent - those 64 year old FB hubs were smooth as silk.

Braking was just so-so - the calipers flex a huge amount, especially the front since there is nothing really to hold them back...the rears bump into the seat stays.

I can really say my only disappointment so far is the paint job I did - it looks great mind you, but the enamel I used is very soft and chips if you look at it sideways. Depending on what the future holds for this bike, when I do go to get all the old bits rechromed I may just spring for a professional repaint in the same colour.

I weighed the bike and as pictured above (with brake pads!) it came in at 26 lbs on the bathroom scale....

Can't wait for spring for some longer rides. I will finish the paint on the forks and chaincase, mount everything back up and see how it feels in the more open countryside. I can certainly imagine Ernesto (the original owner, father of the friend I got the bike from) riding to meet up with his future wife in the next village....the bike certainly didn't hold him back!

Very nice! I'd let some air out of those tires and then I think you'll like the smoothness of the ride even more.

Thanks Neal....re: pressure. The sidewalls of these Paselas are marked "keep inflated to 6.7bar - 95psi". I had assumed that less could lead to bad things. I have a set of Col de la Vie's on the Humber and they are marked as only 65psi max. Would like to run a little less pressure but is it safe?

Another questions for anyone with an opinion (whoo boy!) - the original paint scheme on the bike had a white panel on the steerer tube, and a white panel on the seat tube with a pair of white stripes above and below. I really like the solid green but should I go to the original? Also, it appears the original had every single cutout in every lug also painted white, though that may have been the original owner's customization. I think that might be overkill.....but what do you all think?

Finally, if I leave it all green, what about gold lining on the lugs?

Since no one really knows what the decals might have looked like on this bike (I only found evidence of one on the seat tube), I am thinking of making up some simple PAFF labels in the style of the logo on the chainguard and using them on the downtube. Probably just plain gold with white outline or white with gold outline.... Thoughts? Or just leave it plain?