Is it worth it? Advice Needed.
 

Sorry for the poor quality pic. It's the only one I have right now.
1966 Frejus TDF #108025 size 60cm.
Bought at Wastyn's in Chicago 6.16.66 by my wife's great uncle ($130.00 w/tax).
Gran Sport Der.'s
Balilla centerpull brakes - no hoods. Can't find 'em. Gave up looking.
Cottered crank marked Frejus but probably Magistroni.
TTT stem and bars (38 - way to small).
Ideale saddle.
Paint is almost OK. It's a nice metallic red with silver (gray) head tube, panels and stripes. There's a lot of little scratches (a lot) down to bare metal.
Decals are fairly worn through, at least the main ones.
If anybody here had this bike, would you be willing to spend the money to restore it?
What ceiling should I put on the paint and decal resto? Or is the sky the limit?
According to Wastyn's when I stopped in there this summer, the bike isn't worth the time or effort since they tried to sell me a new comfort bike "for less than you'd spend fixing that up" and then recommended an auto refinisher that might be able to do it for $50. I'm not interested in either option.
So would I be wasting my money/time/effort or should I just enjoy it as is?
If anybody thinks it's worth it I can try for some real pic's later on.
Thanks in advance.

Forgot to mention that the top tube has been repainted with what appears to be model paint - it doesn't match the original finish - tomato red.

What is it worth to you ?
If everything works I would just clean it up, spraybomb it and you have a
real nice lugged, steel frame, vintage daily rider for the price of a few
hours and a can or two of paint. Seems like a good investment to me.

If the top tube had not been repainted, I would have said - just take enough care of it so that it won't rust. However, since it has been defaced already, the answer is a resounding "it depends".

If you are comfortable with undertaking the task of refinishing it yourself, then it is certainly worth it. If it were mine, and I had to spend more than $150.00 to finish the task, I wouldn't bother - your threshold, and others' thresholds for this obviously might be different. That's just mine. If you want decals... mswantak can almost certainly hook you up.

Frejus are a very collectible brand. Without seeing it, in person, it is hard to say, but my approach would probably be to leave it as original as possible. Just clean things up and get an auto shop to match the existing paint and repaint just the top tube.

You can get an idea of what it would cost you for paint and decals by one of the top shops here:

http://tinyurl.com/7amga

You'll need to download the pdf order form.

I gave up the idea of having my PX10 repainted after studying that form. I still may send the frame to them for touch ups. They could probably touch yours up and repaint just that top tube for you.

You can ship a frame by FEDEX for less than $20.

Patiently scrub some paint off of the top tube. If it's model paint you can get it to come away from the original finish easily enough. The reason it's painted is because a sweater rode it and the top tube has some rust, probably. If you can get that crap off, and the rust isn't awful, then you can find a closer match and just paint the top tube. It looks like the rest of the finish isn't too bad...I guess we need better pictures to help any more...

The Cyclart site is mainly what prompted me to post this.
I don't think my wife is going to go for a full-on restoration of ANY bike after I showed her the checklist.
It looks like there's no paint under the touchup-toptube.
I'll post some more pics tomorrow (hopefully) of some of the worst areas.
My deepest gratitude to the replies so far.
Thanks.

There are cheaper solutions than cyclart, although probably none better. I personally would recommend Franklin Frame (franklinframe@alltel.net). Jack does an excellent job and is very reasonably priced. He's been around for a long time. Just remember that he builds his own line of bicycles and you have to be reasonably patient.

I think there are better than cyclart (and that isn't to slam them either)
try Vintage Cycle Studios. Brian Baylis does some wonderful work
and his prices are a bit more reasonable. I concur that a full repaint may not
be required, in which case it may be even cheaper.
A Frejus of that vintage that has been in the family that long
deserves to be respected. Tell your wife it's an homage to her
great uncle, a family heirloom to be passed to your kids. . .
works every time.

marty

The only way the homage to her great uncle line will work is if I go through my father in law (he'd inderstand that) and let him pester her. But it's a good idea.
I've also been saving up (time and money) to one day get a Franklin frame custom made. I've only seen 2 ever and they were very beautiful bikes. My Bianchi would have to break/be damaged first. This might be a way to get that started and they're not too far away (45 min drive).
Thanks again.

Malcom,
If you are looking for custom frames in the future be careful
around Brian Baylis. His bikes are rolling works of art and highly
functional. The main problem I see is that they are pretty expensive
the lugwork and overall build is about the best I have seen so worth it.
Just hard to justify the price to someone who doesn't understand.
The date of purchase on the Frejus (61666 ) is probably highly
significant in numerology and you would probably bring the wrath
of Zoltar down upon you if you sold the bike. (that sounds pretty
good)

marty

I have no intention to sell the bike.
I think you misread my post (or maybe not) - I'm looking at/thinking of a Franklin Frame.
They're reasonable enough for a custom and I wouldn't be affraid to use it.
While I like the idea of keeping something pristine, I'd rather put it to it's intended use while handling with a modest amount of care. I can't be trusted to leave things alone (obviously, judging by this ramble..).
As much as I like the Baylis' I think I need something I wouldn't sweat over sweating over. And now I'm getting witty.....This is much more enjoyable than work.

well of course this is more enjoyable than work.
I didn't think you intended to sell it the whole purchase date 61666
bad mojo was just a poor attempt at humor.

I agree I'd be afraid to sweat onto a baylis, heck I'd be
afraid to scratch it by picking it up. ..

marty