Hi Motoyuki-
If you were dealing with rust I would refer you to the many threads on Oxalic Acid rust removal, but it sounds like you just have some oxidized alloy parts.

The first step is pretty much as you surmised, with a complete dis-assembly, and thorough cleaning with WD40, soap, water and elbow grease.
The second step is to read Khatfull's treatise on polishing Aluminum.

Wow! That is one amazing and detailed guide. I will definitely use it to polish up the aluminum parts. Thanks for directing me towards it auchencrow. And thanks to Khatfull for a wonderful guide of course.

Great work!

Before

1966 Raleigh Sports

That Soma is fantastic, I love the arabesque crankset. I didn't realize Soma had been around that long does any one have any more info?

They haven't been, that is actually a different company from the Soma we know today.

That particular fork looks like a prime candidate to rebend back to its original shape.

Puch Force xii/before and after...

Before:


Here is my 1988 Raleigh Technium 400 with a few upgrades I just finished: RSX shifters, new chain, freewheel, bars, cables, seat, and rear derailleur (because it shifts quicker than the light action derailleur that was on there)

After:

Nice work by both juls and Viperplayer5220.

I've posted this to the "Your Classic & Vintage Rides" thread before, but I figured it's probably appropriate to post here as well...


1976 Raleigh Tourist- Before and After

1976 Raleigh Tourist. Mostly stock with a few upgrades:
- New bearings and lube
- New Schwalbe Delta Cruiser Cream Tires (and tubes and rim tape)
- New Brooks B66 Honey Saddle (the old B66 went onto my Raleigh Sprite)
- New Sunlite 16" Frame Pump
- NOS Sturmey Archer Shifter
- Rivendell Portuguese Cork Grips treated with Amber Shellac
- 'Upgraded' the plastic fulcrum sleeve and cable pulley to the older metal versions
- Black Acorn tool roll (which is actually full of tools)
- New Fibrax brake pads.
- New Black Izumi Chain (original chain broke on my first ride and shortening wasn't an option)
- Used Raleigh Pedals (from a 1978 Raleigh Sports)

Added since the photo was taken:
- 22-Tooth Sturmey Archer Rear Sprocket
- SOMA Torpedo 1-Watt LED headlamp and headlamp bracket clamp
- Crane Suzu Brass Bell
- Catseye Aluminum Fender Reflector (NOS)

Here's my most recent photo of the Tourist with the headlamp, reflectors, bell, and sprocket installed.


1976 Raleigh Tourist

What the heck is that seat in the before pic?

Good question. I was afraid to ask. And that pump?

Looks like a seat cover.

Beautiful bike! Nice work. What was that seat you replaced?!

Wonderful job! I love it.

My 81 Gran Turismo I just rebuilt........ Striped it down and did a complete overhaul. I had to drill the chainrings out as they were so rusted they would not budge. It looks pretty good, but rides like a million bucks.

BEFORE:





AFTER:

I have a few takeaways from this thread:

- Firstly, I'm humbled. You guys just really love BIKES! Any kind of bike! Any odd combination, frame, handlebar configuration or manufacturer. You just clearly love bicycles and riding. I've seen a ton of bikes that I wouldn't look at twice being lovingly and painstakingly restored to glory. Typically, in whatever area of interest I personally have, I tend towards snobbery and focus only on a small subset that I consider interesting or worth my attention. I've been challenged to broaden my scope and be open to new types of riding, or to at least try riding them first!
- Secondly, I'm inspired to really get my bikes to shine! I've always wondered how to make the bikes and components look better and now I have a few good tips.
- Thirdly, I'm motivated to actually get out and ride! I tend to obsess over bikes as aesthetic objects and that wholly guides my choices in how I build them (hence my propensity towards stripped-down fixies), that I sort of forget to ride them very much. This year I'd like to ride to work every day or try!
- Fourthly, I joined BF a while back, but jumped back on after some questions about a recent Battaglin purchase and having moved away from my bikey neighbour who's helped me in all my builds, and I've super appreciated the help and community since then. I've already picked up some components cheap and continue to be inspired to develop my own bike-culture. Thanks for that!

Cool, I actually have a couple. Excuse the picture quality!

Halfway through:


After:



Before:


After:


I confess my neighbour did most of the second rebuild, he was awesome though! Gave me that set of tires and loaned me a bottom-bracket until I replaced it with Dura-Ace one. Both these were taken from me.

Matt, the previous owner of the Cannondale, did his knuckles drag on the ground? I mean that's one longass reach to those bars.

I'm not sure he ever rode it. Got a sweet deal for it though. Man, I miss that bike.

This one is the bee's knees.

yeah that raleigh tourist is dreamy