The "Before And After" Thread
#2826
Senior Member

Joined: Nov 2015
Posts: 1,328
Likes: 525
From: Dublin, Ireland
Bikes: Bianchi Ti Megatube; Colnago Competition; Planet-X EC-130E; Klein Pulse; Amp Research B4; Litespeed Catalyst; Trek Y11
Quite a few of my mates are getting into cycling, but they seem to forget what "cleaning" is... or maybe they never knew, I dunno.
Good thing for them I seem to like working on bikes as much as riding them.

Good thing for them I seem to like working on bikes as much as riding them.

#2830
Senior Member




Joined: Oct 2015
Posts: 16,073
Likes: 9,429
From: PDX
Bikes: Merz x 5 + Specialized Merz Allez x 2, Strawberry/Newlands/DiNucci/Ti x3, Gordon, Fuso/Moulton x2, Bornstein, Paisley,1958-74 Paramounts x3, 3rensho, 74 Moto TC, 73-78 Raleigh Pro's x5, Marinoni x2, 1960 Cinelli SC, 1980 Bianchi SC, PX-10 X 2
[MENTION=86899]martl[/MENTION]
Great work, back from the brink!
#2832
Overdoing projects

Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 2,464
Likes: 1,369
From: Rotterdam, former republic of the Netherlands
Bikes: Batavus Randonneur GL, Gazelle Orange Excellent, Gazelle Super Licht, Gazelle Grand Tourist, Gazelle Lausanne, Gazelle Tandem, Koga-Miyata SilverAce, Koga-Miyata WorldTraveller
#2833
Junior Member
Joined: Nov 2018
Posts: 167
Likes: 204
From: Burnaby, British Columbia
Bikes: 1984 & 1990 Marinoni Specials - 1990 Bianchi Sika - 1993 Cannondale M800 - 1996 GT Zaskar - 1993 Kona Kilauea - 1987 Ritchey Ascent - 1996 Rocky Mountain Vertex - 2008 Kona Dogma - 1976 Schwinn Suburban - 1994 Kuwahara Makai
This is not a typical build for me but could not resist as it is my guinea pig build where I'm trying my hand at custom stencil logos with rattle can paint, pretty happy with the result, bought one of those vinyl cutting machines. Bit of learning curve though placing layered stencils and lining them up. Bought this sad FS bike for $50 figuring the parts would justify it. Learned it is a 1999 Norco VPS-2 which sold for well over $2,000 USD. Picked up a Marzocchi long travel fork, new frame pivot bearings, etc. Plan to sell it (without the Race Face cranks or XT RD). Was a fun build for sure
As purchased

After rebuild and logo close up


As purchased

After rebuild and logo close up


#2834
Full Member
Joined: Jun 2020
Posts: 477
Likes: 765
Bikes: 91 Ritchey Ultra, 1992 Specialized Stumpjumper, 1990 Klein Rascal, 97 Trek OCLV9700, 90 Minnelli Eclipse, 95 Marin Bear Valley SE, 1991 Breezer Lightning Flash 1991 Diamondback Axis 1992 Stumpjumper Comp 1983 Stumpjumper Sport

As found at the recycling depot

As is and done
#2836
#2837


I bought this 1973ish Cinelli Speciale Corsa in 2013 but really never had time for it until covid
It was ridden daily as a commuter by an elderly gentleman but had been "leaning against a shed in Sudbury, Ontario for many years" according to the seller, his son. You can see the remnants of a set of fenders as well as a kickstand(!) and lots of reflective tape.
Eagle-eyed Torontonians may recognize the blue Bloor Cycle shop sticker on the downtube, they were a great shop back in the day and everything was well-greased and nothing was seized except the saddle clamp on the seatpost.
The brake hood is a re-production campy hood and ripped when I was putting on the bartape. Any recommendations for a good set of reproductions?
The stem is super fugly but the frame is too big for me and this was the shortest stem I had on hand. Same with the pedals, they will be sorted out soon.
Wheels are these black Phil Wood hubs that are 130mm but oddly take a threaded freewheel (?) laced to Mavic Open Sports that I found on CL
I am kind of enjoying it for cruising, I am going for a French fit gravel-grinder kind of thing
I wil to try to get some old Honjo fenders on there but I may have to change the tires out from 32s to 28s (I love the green with the gold, anyone know of a 28mm green gumwall tire, I don't think Panaracer makes GKs that thin)

#2839
Full Member
Joined: Jun 2020
Posts: 477
Likes: 765
Bikes: 91 Ritchey Ultra, 1992 Specialized Stumpjumper, 1990 Klein Rascal, 97 Trek OCLV9700, 90 Minnelli Eclipse, 95 Marin Bear Valley SE, 1991 Breezer Lightning Flash 1991 Diamondback Axis 1992 Stumpjumper Comp 1983 Stumpjumper Sport
That is so classy, wow
#2841
Senior Member


Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 1,009
Likes: 838
From: Newport RI
Bikes: enough one would think, but thinking isn't my strong point

well, finally got some things done on this unknown 40-50's era mystery italian frame in need of love. mostly stuff from the parts bin, with ambrosio rims and cheapo K35 27 inchers, FB brivio hubs, campy single downtube shifter with veloce RD (that may not be a keeper... we'll see). VO cranks and saddle, dura ace BB, dia compe gold finger BMX levers, tektro brakes, and a generous donation of some chain links to make this happen. added a bandana on the stem and some innocuous grand turismo left over decals so it can have a name! just need to tighten things up and add some cable end crimps, and it's off for a test ride. i'd like to organize some vintage bike rides in my Newport area this fall, so had this in mind for making this bike. (like i needed an excuse!)

from art bikes... no idea for the manufacturer







frame.
Last edited by cocoabeachcrab; 07-20-21 at 10:58 AM.
#2842
bOsscO
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 746
Likes: 361
From: Vancouver
Bikes: 2024 Spec Crux, 2015 Norco Search S1, 93 Mongoose IBOC COMP
The lamp on the front is incredible cocoabeachcrab
#2843
Senior Member


Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 3,433
Likes: 1,602
From: 700 Ft. above sea level.
Bikes: Not as many as there were awhile ago.
I did this 1985 Fuji Espree for a lady who bought it new in 1985 then rode it on 4 consecutive full RAGBRAI rides and 2 partials. She bought a new bike and the Fuji got borrowed by kids and shuffled to the back of the garage over the years. she gave me the bike with the condition that she got first chance to buy it back it back but then told ne to go ahead and sell it but she'd like pictures when it was done. As she and her husband were leaving he slipped me his number and said he'd buy it back when it was done and do whatever it needed and make any improvements I thought she'd like. I made some upgrades for her like the brifters and replaced the 6 speed freewheel with a 7 speed. I cleaned the rust and clearcoated the frame and fork but didn't do any paint touchup. She wanted to keep all the scratches as they were part of the bikes history. Every piece was cleaned and polished, all bearings cleaned and regreased.
We sprung the surprise tonight, she was totally surprised and thrilled.
BEFORE:


AFTER:




We sprung the surprise tonight, she was totally surprised and thrilled.
BEFORE:


AFTER:




__________________
".....distasteful and easily triggered."
".....distasteful and easily triggered."
#2844
Senior Member
Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 4,217
Likes: 1,398
From: Pico Rivera, CA
Bikes: 1983 Basso Gap...2013 Colnago CX-1...2015 Bianchi Intenso
This Trek came back to me after 11 years since building it for a friend who had a $400 budget.
Before

After.




Before

After.




Last edited by bfuser10291295; 12-16-21 at 11:27 PM.
#2847
WV is not flat..

Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 1,446
Likes: 591
From: Charles Town,Wv.
Bikes: 1 away from divorce!
Let's revive this thread. Here is one of my latest rebuilds that turned out pretty well. Great utilitarian bike and will go to our neighbor who is going to be going to Fla as a snowbird this month.
#2848
Junior Member

Joined: Jun 2020
Posts: 95
Likes: 83
Here's my latest restoration build. Paconi was a local Melbourne frame builder (Kevin Wigham) around in the late 80s and 90s. I usually keep the original paint but this frame had hideous yellow powder coat and the wrong decals.
Before

After
Before

After
#2850
Full Member
Joined: Jun 2020
Posts: 477
Likes: 765
Bikes: 91 Ritchey Ultra, 1992 Specialized Stumpjumper, 1990 Klein Rascal, 97 Trek OCLV9700, 90 Minnelli Eclipse, 95 Marin Bear Valley SE, 1991 Breezer Lightning Flash 1991 Diamondback Axis 1992 Stumpjumper Comp 1983 Stumpjumper Sport
1990 Klein Rascal

Before

After






















