The "Before And After" Thread
#652
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Brakes aren't new...just cleaned and polished and they actually look better now, I worked on them a bit more. Funny, the quick releases were really crappy and hard to move...until polishing and a bit of teflon lube. Smooth as silk now


I know what you mean about the brake cable. I tested it each side and went the side that resulted in the least aggressive rub on the head tube.
#653
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#655
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1971 Mirella Road Bike
This was my Mirella when I bought it last year. It only had three decals, one being from the LBS back then and the paint was in bad shape.
BEFORE:

AFTER:

All components are mainly Campagnolo Nuovo Record. The handlebar and stem are 3T and the pedals are Way-Assauto. These are the original wheels that came with the bike (Nisi Moncalieri). A lot of polishing went into this one. Hope you like!
BEFORE:

AFTER:

All components are mainly Campagnolo Nuovo Record. The handlebar and stem are 3T and the pedals are Way-Assauto. These are the original wheels that came with the bike (Nisi Moncalieri). A lot of polishing went into this one. Hope you like!

#657
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This was my Mirella when I bought it last year. It only had three decals, one being from the LBS back then and the paint was in bad shape.
BEFORE:

AFTER:

All components are mainly Campagnolo Nuovo Record. The handlebar and stem are 3T and the pedals are Way-Assauto. These are the original wheels that came with the bike (Nisi Moncalieri). A lot of polishing went into this one. Hope you like!
BEFORE:

AFTER:

All components are mainly Campagnolo Nuovo Record. The handlebar and stem are 3T and the pedals are Way-Assauto. These are the original wheels that came with the bike (Nisi Moncalieri). A lot of polishing went into this one. Hope you like!

#660
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#661
K2ProFlex baby!
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BTW, I still have that green Brooks Pro, would look great on that ugly green bike of yours. ;0)
__________________
You see, their morals, their code...it's a bad joke, dropped at the first sign of trouble. They're only as good as the world allows them to be. I'll show you. When the chips are down, these...These "civilized" people...they'll eat each other. See, I'm not a monster. I'm just ahead of the curve
You see, their morals, their code...it's a bad joke, dropped at the first sign of trouble. They're only as good as the world allows them to be. I'll show you. When the chips are down, these...These "civilized" people...they'll eat each other. See, I'm not a monster. I'm just ahead of the curve
Last edited by ilikebikes; 02-21-10 at 12:27 PM.
#662
Bicycle Repair Man !!!
Well... it is about time I showed off some better pictures.
It was a few years ago that my friend, in gratitude for giving him a nearly mint Trek 720, brought me this raggedy old Raleigh Sports that had been gathering dust in his shed.
I snapped a few pictures that night... the bike had it's original EA1 wheels and someone had already converted it into a drop bar bike.



It sat in my shop for a few years and about a month ago I managed to free the frozen stem after many hours of work, a lot of chemicals, and a few choice words.
After that things got a lot easier and I decided to try fitting the bike with 700c wheels since EA1's are obsolete and it is very difficult to get decent tyres... I know this because my 1955 Raleigh Lenton is fitted out this way.
So I have been posting teasers for a few weeks and today we had our inaugural ride and it was fabulous... the bike was smooth, comfortable, handles like a dream, and the only noise came form the kickstand as it bounced up and down a little.
I rode at least 40 km...
Here's a few after shots...
That Lycette saddle looks even better in the sun and the fire was a welcome as it was a little crisp when I was riding through the valley... the bike handles wonderfully in the hard pack and the ride is amazing.


New bars, brakes, and tape...she will be a working bike and not a garage queen.

And you thought brifters were new ?

And what is an English bike without a pub in the background ?

Money shots to follow...
It was a few years ago that my friend, in gratitude for giving him a nearly mint Trek 720, brought me this raggedy old Raleigh Sports that had been gathering dust in his shed.
I snapped a few pictures that night... the bike had it's original EA1 wheels and someone had already converted it into a drop bar bike.



It sat in my shop for a few years and about a month ago I managed to free the frozen stem after many hours of work, a lot of chemicals, and a few choice words.
After that things got a lot easier and I decided to try fitting the bike with 700c wheels since EA1's are obsolete and it is very difficult to get decent tyres... I know this because my 1955 Raleigh Lenton is fitted out this way.
So I have been posting teasers for a few weeks and today we had our inaugural ride and it was fabulous... the bike was smooth, comfortable, handles like a dream, and the only noise came form the kickstand as it bounced up and down a little.
I rode at least 40 km...

Here's a few after shots...
That Lycette saddle looks even better in the sun and the fire was a welcome as it was a little crisp when I was riding through the valley... the bike handles wonderfully in the hard pack and the ride is amazing.
New bars, brakes, and tape...she will be a working bike and not a garage queen.
And you thought brifters were new ?
And what is an English bike without a pub in the background ?
Money shots to follow...

#663
Bicycle Repair Man !!!
Such an awesome day and an awesome ride...



And when I said it was crisp...

My 1954 Raleigh Sports 700c conversion... and I'm not done yet.
But it's a start.
And when I said it was crisp...
My 1954 Raleigh Sports 700c conversion... and I'm not done yet.
But it's a start.
#664
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Late bloomer bike....
I bought this Vitus Plus Carbone 7 pretty much as an impulse to start a bike resto/buildup project.As there was not that many of these Carbones that come up for sale I figured it was now or never last summer when I got this bike......
Before:

It looked to be well used by it's owner and the miles show on the DA7400 components and the condition of the finish of the aluminum parts of the frame. It really had the look of a workhorse with wires for sensors for it's bike computer all over the frame and a "sensible" looking saddle. The bike aso needed a good overhaul as it seems like that some of it's last rides were in very wet and gritty conditions. After tearing down the bike completely and assessing the condition of the components and frame, I decided to make if "fly" like it should with the best French period components I could find plus a good cleaning/polishing of the frame and components I will be keeping (Just the stem and the seatpost)
After:

I ended up spending more money and effort on this project than I expected, but I feel that in the end it was all worth it
Only thing left to do on the bike is to get some fresh replacement decals (from JRrestore, most likely) to replace the slightly chipped ones on the bike
Chombi
Before:

It looked to be well used by it's owner and the miles show on the DA7400 components and the condition of the finish of the aluminum parts of the frame. It really had the look of a workhorse with wires for sensors for it's bike computer all over the frame and a "sensible" looking saddle. The bike aso needed a good overhaul as it seems like that some of it's last rides were in very wet and gritty conditions. After tearing down the bike completely and assessing the condition of the components and frame, I decided to make if "fly" like it should with the best French period components I could find plus a good cleaning/polishing of the frame and components I will be keeping (Just the stem and the seatpost)
After:

I ended up spending more money and effort on this project than I expected, but I feel that in the end it was all worth it

Only thing left to do on the bike is to get some fresh replacement decals (from JRrestore, most likely) to replace the slightly chipped ones on the bike
Chombi
Last edited by Chombi; 02-22-10 at 12:13 AM.
#667
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That is a wonderful Raleigh Sports Sixty Fiver - a cut above all the rest, with those special touches: The white Bluemel(?) fenders, the only brifter set-up that I could ever love (why aren't all the NEW brifters like that ?!?) - and to top it off, the heron head chain wheel. Very cool.
#669
K2ProFlex baby!
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chombi, nice bike dude! Sixty Fiver, always posting a sweet bike!

__________________
You see, their morals, their code...it's a bad joke, dropped at the first sign of trouble. They're only as good as the world allows them to be. I'll show you. When the chips are down, these...These "civilized" people...they'll eat each other. See, I'm not a monster. I'm just ahead of the curve
You see, their morals, their code...it's a bad joke, dropped at the first sign of trouble. They're only as good as the world allows them to be. I'll show you. When the chips are down, these...These "civilized" people...they'll eat each other. See, I'm not a monster. I'm just ahead of the curve
#670
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This was my Mirella when I bought it last year. It only had three decals, one being from the LBS back then and the paint was in bad shape. All components are mainly Campagnolo Nuovo Record. The handlebar and stem are 3T and the pedals are Way-Assauto. These are the original wheels that came with the bike (Nisi Moncalieri). A lot of polishing went into this one. Hope you like! 

Scott
#671
You gonna eat that?


During,


And now.... After. I got the new cable housings on so they are all now black, plus I wrapped the bars in black leather (cut from leather pants from a thrift store). Total investment of about $65 for the bike as is.



#674
Senior Member
1982 Ross Diamond Cruiser
I've had this bike for quite a while and just got around to cleaning her up. Updated the derailers to '90s Shimano and the shifting is smooth. Ukai rims laced to SR large flange hubs are sweet.

#675
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Okay, here is the before and after of my wife's bike that I built up.
Took the Schwinn she had and added $200 worth of parts/materials to make this. Fun project.
In the end, I kept the Headset, BB, RD, frame, fork and wheels. Some VO in there, but a lot of cheaper older parts. Had the Schwinn decals custom made by bikenames.com Also, ground off the teeth on the large ring so that it would act as a guard.
She loves it.
Before:

After:

Took the Schwinn she had and added $200 worth of parts/materials to make this. Fun project.
In the end, I kept the Headset, BB, RD, frame, fork and wheels. Some VO in there, but a lot of cheaper older parts. Had the Schwinn decals custom made by bikenames.com Also, ground off the teeth on the large ring so that it would act as a guard.
She loves it.
Before:

After:

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