The bike was pretty much complete. The original wood rims were shot, so I bought some Ghisallo's. The saddle which is a Persons or a early Brooks will be sent out to be rebuilt with new leather. I've managed to save just about everything else, even the chain (which was hours of work to get freed up)

The frame and fork were originally fully nickel plated, but it would have been a monstrous task to re-create that, so I'm having it painted a dark maroon red as they also came that way and in black. It will be box-lined in gold as well.

As for plating the races, the plater told me not to worry about it so I didn't. I guess it does not adhear to interior surfaces, and they just "flash" parts like the axles and cone-nuts, etc. Anyway, none of the bearing surfaces have any plating build up on them so I guess he knew what he was doing. As for the races themselves, they were all actually in great shape. The exterior of the bike was super rough, but the headset, pedal interiors, BB, etc were all in good shape and not pitted. Really the only reason I decide to to try and save it. If you had to replace all the mechanical parts it would take years to do.

I cannot wait to see the end product...get busy!

I'm close but still have not tracked down decals or good enough images to make decals from. Everything else is on track. Should be painted by next week, and I'll start building the wheels this weekend. Also need to track down some cool grips like seen in the before photo.

Otis,
Add me to the list of those anxiously awaiting photos of the final product.
The plating looks fantastic. Who are you using to repair the Saddle?

Marty

Like I need another obsession. I really want to try an oooold bike...

I want the lathe.

The Pog' turned out well too.

I also want a Bridgeport

Here's the Cannondale R600 I got a couple of weeks ago. I changed a lot of things, and it's really a nice ride now. I'm headed to work on it tomorrow morning. I know not really vintage, but still a nice looking bike in my humble opinion.,,,,BD


Before.



After

^^^ Nice job on the Cannondale. Too bad Ambrosio bar tape isn't available in gold. You know, with a black saddle, that bike would look like a modern version of the classic Black Lightning.

I picked up two nice Cannondales this week. Will post picks when the builds are complete.

Great job on the Cannondale. It looks really nice; thanks so much for trashing that bar tape!

Hi there,
Not sure if you heard much about the bike, but the brand and bloke Ken Self is from Hobart, Tasmania Australia.

Lovely Frame

Cheers
Steve

Before:


After:


More Pics:
https://picasaweb.google.com/jenser0/Vitus_Carbone_9

That Vitus looks amazing! Good job!

+1, Very well done!!
Though I'm a little disappointed there's not an empty beer bottle in the "after" shot.

BeforePicture 093.jpg

Picture 094.jpg

AfterPicture 101.jpg
Picture 102.jpg

Not too bad for $10.00 and some effort.

Thanks for the comments on my not so vintage C'dale. I wonder if I used some adhesion promoter, would gold spray paint would stay on vinyl? I'm not sure if SEM makes a gold metallic dye yet. I don't remember it on the sample sheets at work. The second they do, it will have gold tape ASAP. It is begging for gold wrap, I was thinking that the whole time I was building it.,,,,BD

Hmm, I just found out about a vintage mustang interior color. It's called nugget gold, and is supposed to be a metallic. I couldn't find a photo of it, but the color looks close on the solid color chip most sites show. Now do I want to spend $14.25 plus shipping for a can of it? Of course I do, lol.,,,,BD

^^ Must see that when it's done.

A humble entry to the thread, but a pleasing transformation nevertheless. This bike actually belongs to BlankCrows, but it needed overhauling and my bike stand was empty, so......

The Nishiki looks great, BBM! Good call on the white tape -- much better than that package of speckled stuff I left with you.

Before: 89 Centurion Dave Scott Ironman Expert (frame/fork only)
After: 89 Centurion Black Dog Ironman (it's not your Daddy's Ironman, any more)

I met this guy through a friend who was looking to unload some bikes from his collection. This Matsuri was one of them. It needed a lot of TLC and a lot of parts too...

BEFORE:



AFTER:



Turned into a nice little ride. Now, off to CL to find a happy new home.

Dan

Here is something different!
Elswick Hopper Safeway, made in Barton on Humber UK, probably in the early70s.
Looks a basket case here, but it was a barn find and at least had a good rear rack!



Decided to do something with it last week.
Had a nice set of cream Blumels Club Sport guards, cream sprung saddle, and a wicker basket which I thought might go well with the flamboyant red.
Put it together, with a pair of Raleigh wheels with a 3 speed hub and I reckon it's now a cool machine.
Just waiting for the chain-guard to be painted as close to the guards as I can get it.


Also found a nice matching Blumels pump!

Damn! Not sure what it is, but that bike really does it for me. Gorgeous!!


Here's hopefully the last before/during/after of my R600. I think the new additions kicked up the looks quite a bit. Not sure how long I'm going to keep it, because as beautiful as it is, it beats me to death everytime I ride it. The new additions are a Giant CF seatpost acquired at a garage sale, along with the SI Trans Am saddle. I could not pass them up for $35. I thought CF was supposed to help the ride of a bike though? I don't remember it being that bad before, maybe I'll change back? The other new thing is custom dyed GOLD Ambrosio bar tape. Snazzy eh?,,,,BD

Before



During



After

And a before/during after of my Shogun Alpine GT tourer. Added bluemels found on a Schwinn Le Tour tourist, trekking bars, Airzound, etc. Pretty fast, and a smooth ride. It was my commuter for a while, it
will be again soon after realizing how stiff riding the Speedster and R600 are.,,,,BD

I think I prepped the after pic but never posted it? If I did please disregard. My memory isn't as good as it used to be, hehe.

Before



During



After

Cannondale ST600 Touring bike.

Before:


After:


New tires, new bartape, brake cables and housings and she's off to a happy, new CL home. She's a biggin at 63cm!

Dan