Let's talk about restoration
I have the likely opportunity to buy a very nice vintage bike for a couple of 100 pounds. This being the sort of bike which might sell for £1000 when tarted up. The problem is this - I don't know a lot about restoring things. It has a Major Taylor stem, which I could get rechromed, maybe the cranks too. The wheels look ok, but they're 4 speed Sturmey hub gear, and I'm not sure it's right for the bike. Worst of all, the frame has been brush painted. What might I expect to do to sort this out, and, given the unknown state of all the bearings, how difficult is it to get replacement parts for 50's high end bikes?
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not that difficult to get parts, especially S/A hubs, and given your
location should be quite easy. You might want to speak to one of the older bespoke builders (or even hilary stone of cycling +) about a proper restoration, or a respray at minimum. What kind of bike? any pics? marty |
Figure it will take somewhere between 100 - 200 pounds to get the bike professionally painted. The parts really depend on what they are. Bearings aren't likely to present a problem, but the other bits might. Too bad TheOtherGuy doesn't post here any more, he would have a lot of input for you.
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I don't wanna jinx it by saying too much! I'll let y'all know in a few days. I'm going to ask this advice on the CR list as well, and I'm sure I'll get Hilary's advice that way. I don't think this bike was hub gear equipped to start with, so I might be sourcing some odd old derailleurs. I've also never had anything rechromed before, and certainly never resprayed. I can probably manage to strip the frame and remove any rust, but what sort of paint to I need, and what kind of paint shop will handle it? What about prepping parts for chroming? I suspect I might need to go to some cycle jumbles....
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Make sure you sign off properly. :D
There are several good painters in England. Some of your countrymen on CR have discussed the merits of some of them within the past 4 months. |
Mick Butler (yorkshireman I believe)
Norris Lockley are some of the CR members you want to talk about. If this is a true collectable bike you really don't want to skimp on the resto. Talk to them about refinishing, there just might be original paint under the bad brushed on job and a bike in original condition (even with lots of "patina" is worth more than a repaint. Chroming is rather expensive, well at least it is here. Marty |
Originally Posted by Sammyboy
I have the likely opportunity to buy a very nice vintage bike for a couple of 100 pounds. This being the sort of bike which might sell for £1000 when tarted up. The problem is this - I don't know a lot about restoring things. It has a Major Taylor stem, which I could get rechromed, maybe the cranks too. The wheels look ok, but they're 4 speed Sturmey hub gear, and I'm not sure it's right for the bike. Worst of all, the frame has been brush painted. What might I expect to do to sort this out, and, given the unknown state of all the bearings, how difficult is it to get replacement parts for 50's high end bikes?
I don't know about the UK, but in the US old bike restorations almost never bring in a reasonable return on investment. The most valuable old bikes are original examples in "like new" condition. Failing that, a professionally restored vintage bike may bring in a nice chunk of change, but professional restoration is very expensive. In the US chrome plating is expensive due to strict environmental regulations. A botched DIY restoration will surely ruin the value of the bike. To sum up, I would only pay for a professional restoration if I really wanted the bike in my collection and not as an investment. |
Hmmm. Any resto that gets done is gonna be largely by me, paintjob and chrome aside. We'll see.
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Originally Posted by Sammyboy
Hmmm. Any resto that gets done is gonna be largely by me, paintjob and chrome aside. We'll see.
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1 Attachment(s)
Originally Posted by Sammyboy
... It has a Major Taylor stem ...
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If you try the cr list Nigel Land,Neil Foddering,or Noris Lockley sure know their stuff.But you won't find Mick Butler on Cr.
One good guy to talk to is M.Baker.CWM-Y-GEIST FACH LLANBISTER ROAD RADNORSHIRE LD1 5UW PHONE 01547-550606 My 2cents is bikes that have been brush painted are ripe for the do-it-yourself.How can you hurt one that's already in a state of need?BBs are standard parts so replacement parts are easy to get.Same for headsets.(tang is often a modern replacement for a vintage headset)And many of the 50s english L/Ws were fixed gear/single speeds(S/A 4 speeds fit close as well as Cyclo chain pull derailers in 3 speed)Good rims are the weak link it seems.---sam |
Originally Posted by John E
Cool. :)
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