Basically, until I decide I don’t really like it, or possibly like it. Then I will come up with some sort of Jdawg-type silliness for the paint job.

I might strip it and let it remain unpainted...or perhaps paint it metallic copper (rattle can), leaving the chrome lugs and pieces.

Lots of parts to move to new homes. Which is good because my puppy might need surgery for a mass.

I’ve got a couple bikes in the raw right now, my ‘87 Ironman and my Trek 990. I am going to advocate for the raw treatment….

1. 20% of the work. No paint prep!
2. No stress of getting paintwork right or wrong
3. No waiting for paint to dry!
4. Still looks awesome, especially a gun blued finish
5. Cost is way less!
6. Uncommon! Higher novelty factor
7. Quite possibly the best secret ‘bike life hack’ I’ve found…you never worry ever again about paint scrapes…ever! Which means you never shy away from riding you bike due to fear of paint scrapes. Which means you get fitter. Which changes your life.


Ya ya ya everyone will scream and cry ‘RUST’ but let’s be honest, this bike probably was already rusting away on the Raleigh showroom floor:innocent::D.

Besides, if one takes care of their bike (how one should!) you will never let it get rusty. It’s not like paint never rusts - my beautiful light green Imron painted Trek has those little rust veins which are a pain. Touch ups - non issue!

Sorry to hear about your pup.

Involuntary shudder. Could see that chained to a campus rack for three consecutive semesters, never touched.

I DO like how the chain goes through the freewheel, then BACK THROUGH the freewheel before going through the derailleur and continuing on to the chainring:lol: Maybe it was chained to the campus rack for about 38 years?

You forgot weight savings. I heard recently that NASA saved something like 600 pounds when they stopped painting the fuel tank on the space shuttle. For a bike it's more like 150 grams, but that's a big savings by weight weenie standards.

On the other hand, I've seen [MENTION=381793]gugie[/MENTION] ride bikes that he had partially stripped to bare metal for braze ons, and I swear they started rusting before he got home on the first ride.

Drillium Dude had a Colnago and a Casati that he stripped and polished. I think he eventually clear coated the Casati. Rust spiders can actually look pretty nice.

The good news is that I think the repaint should be reasonably easy to unpaint.

Yes, of course! How could I forget something like that! Even one more reasons RBAB (Raw bikes are better)! I've seen pictures of both DD's Colnago and Casati, and they are fabulous.

You guys are sort of making up my mind on this one.

https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...b40dfb7176.jpg

Haha!

Oh no! Your co-pilot is a bundle of sweetness. Hope this ends well.

Thank you. She IS a sweetheart and full of life.

Some decent results on the fork. Lots of elbow grease and Quick glo.


https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...c27bf9fa8.jpeg
https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...3f0444b60.jpeg
https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...0ec1f63a2.jpeg

For posterity’s sake...


https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...5f40ab172.jpeg

Also,
Original 1972 BB cleaned up well. Another BSA Campy BB. Not sure how I amassed all of those guys. Will be sharing the wealth soon on those.

Headset is soaking as we speak. Looks good but dirty but we shall see.

And a propos of "international graveling", here's what mine currently looks like, wearing 700x40 Marathon Supremes and the ever-dependable Tektros:

https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...aaa8e3d7f1.png

Good to know it fits 40s!

Pretty sure I could still get fenders in there too - the earlier frames seem to have headroom out the wazoo. Don't have a pic handy of the rear, but these 40s are tight between the chain-stays - just a few mm either side. This frame has the "rapid-taper" stays - suspect the regular crimped stays may have a bit more room to play with?

I’m still cleaning it up, and getting some bits off to those who asked, and Thelma Beagle just had successful surgery which delayed my futzing around.

i plan on cold setting to 128 (haven’t measured yet), so that should add a slight bit more.


https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...e029578ac.jpeg
Cone of shame shame face
https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...f8c04d3b3.jpeg
Cone of shame questioning face...

Great to hear!

Looks like she's a bit more chill than our little fireball...


https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...90c36fe5c.jpeg

Howdy! Before you toss those Weinmann Vainquers, be advised that they are AWESOME on your International's down-scale stablemate, the infamous De Selby, the '73 Raleigh Competition with the dual dingle drive!

https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...cffc75feef.jpg

If you have the "rapid taper" stays, 35s will fit, 38s maybe ... these are 35s.

She needed a compression wrap because her movement caused a bit of seepage.


https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...423741bc5.jpeg

Haven't tried fitting yet. Still inventorying my boxes of stuff, in order to pare down stuff I will never use.

Sweet ol' gal. Hope she gets better soon.

Thank you! She hates the wrap. She thinks it renders her right leg unusable. But the surgery was good, and it looks like no cancer!

On the subject of the Raleigh, I think I have the build laid out...sort of. The Andys inspired my creativity.