The "Before And After" Thread
#2326
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1986 Nishiki Olympic after
After
Last edited by Trekx3; 01-14-17 at 05:59 PM.
#2327
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1986 Nishiki Olympic after
A few more after
#2328
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1986 Nishiki Olympic after
a few more-
#2330
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#2331
tantum vehi
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That Raleigh just looked like it was being tortured. While I'm more of a drop bar fan than a straight bar guy, she now looks sexy and free.
__________________
1970 Gitane TdF; 1973 Gitane TdF
1979 Trek 710; 1981 Trek 412; 1981 Trek 710
1983 Specialized Stumpjumper Sport; 1985 Specialized Allez SE; 1988 Specialized Sirrus; 1989 Specialized Rock Combo
1984 Ross Mt. Hood
1988 Centurion Ironman Expert
1991 Bridgestone RB-1
1992 Serotta Colorado TG
2015 Elephant NFE
1979 Trek 710; 1981 Trek 412; 1981 Trek 710
1983 Specialized Stumpjumper Sport; 1985 Specialized Allez SE; 1988 Specialized Sirrus; 1989 Specialized Rock Combo
1984 Ross Mt. Hood
1988 Centurion Ironman Expert
1991 Bridgestone RB-1
1992 Serotta Colorado TG
2015 Elephant NFE
#2332
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Boss Ross, before and after
Before - 1982 Ross Aristocrat:

Ishiwata 024 frame, Shimano 600EX "Arabesque" groupset, traded my `95 Specialized Rockhopper for it.
After - Boss Ross:

Nitto Technomic Stem, V.O. Milan handlebar, Ergon GC1 Biokork grips, V.O. city brake levers, V.O. Moderne bottle cage w/ "twined" Klean Kanteen,moved beautiful Arabesque shift lever to handlebar with Paul "Thumbie", MKS pedals w/ wire cage, and mounted a Woody's Chopped Chort mahogany rear fender. Tires are now Pasela PTs.
This is now my favorite ride.


Ishiwata 024 frame, Shimano 600EX "Arabesque" groupset, traded my `95 Specialized Rockhopper for it.
After - Boss Ross:

Nitto Technomic Stem, V.O. Milan handlebar, Ergon GC1 Biokork grips, V.O. city brake levers, V.O. Moderne bottle cage w/ "twined" Klean Kanteen,moved beautiful Arabesque shift lever to handlebar with Paul "Thumbie", MKS pedals w/ wire cage, and mounted a Woody's Chopped Chort mahogany rear fender. Tires are now Pasela PTs.
This is now my favorite ride.


__________________
Roulez pour la joie, jamais pour la douleur.
USMC 1981-1991 Semper Fi!
Roulez pour la joie, jamais pour la douleur.
USMC 1981-1991 Semper Fi!
#2333
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Very nice color coordination on the Boss Ross--with browns it's so hard. It also has good presence and stance. The before image of its original condition is remarkable--it survived virtually unscathed all these years. And as much of a drop bar guy as I am (especially with racier geometry), rocking an upright riding position on a classy and classic steel ride is not only really comfortable (set up correctly, of course..) but really enjoyable. I built one up for a friend and have another for my brother mid-build. On the first one, I smiled pretty much the whole 3.7 mile test ride. I am a fan of the Arabesque parts--they glisten in the sunlight and I have found they work well, too.
#2334
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#2335
Old Boy
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Very nice color coordination on the Boss Ross--with browns it's so hard. It also has good presence and stance. The before image of its original condition is remarkable--it survived virtually unscathed all these years. And as much of a drop bar guy as I am (especially with racier geometry), rocking an upright riding position on a classy and classic steel ride is not only really comfortable (set up correctly, of course..) but really enjoyable. I built one up for a friend and have another for my brother mid-build. On the first one, I smiled pretty much the whole 3.7 mile test ride. I am a fan of the Arabesque parts--they glisten in the sunlight and I have found they work well, too.
Yeah, it really was in good shape when I got it. The decision to convert it was not taken lightly, but I just can't ride comfortably in drops anymore. Too many injuries from motorcycle racing. That handlebar/stem/grip setup is so nice I am using it on several other bikes now.
Oh, and the Arabesque group? Yeah, I know what you mean. Gorgeous! I recently bought another set off eBay just to have it ready for the next nice frame that comes my way. I like to buy second-or-third tier bikes and frames because they can be had so much cheaper than the premium stuff. And I'm giving up what? A couple of pounds weight and components that are merely excellent, but not perfect? Suits my riding style just fine, and I'm able to enjoy many more of them on my small budget.
Next up in the project queue: Peugeot Versailles - similar conversion to the Ross, and a Raysport Grand Turismo (531 frame, fancy chrome lugs) that is being built into an English-style light roadster with Sturmey-Archer 5-speed drivetrain, V.O. fenders, Soma racks, and Ostrich bags.
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Roulez pour la joie, jamais pour la douleur.
USMC 1981-1991 Semper Fi!
Roulez pour la joie, jamais pour la douleur.
USMC 1981-1991 Semper Fi!
#2336
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What brand/model drop handlebars did you use?
#2337
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#2339
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1986 Fuji Sagre Before
Well, I don't have a before because I stupidly forgo to save the craigslist photos or take any of my own. Basically it looked like it does in the ad, only not as nice, all stock except it had 1986 Scott Aerobars on it- which by the way I am selling on ebay so if you want them go make an offer.
#2340
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1986 Fuji Sagre after
After
Last edited by Trekx3; 01-21-17 at 08:09 PM.
#2342
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#2343
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A friend of mine came to me with this rusty Murray Valiant Classic and asked if I could clean it up some, and make it look a little better for him.
I just finished it up today, and thought I'd share a few before, during, and after pics with the forum. I went a little farther than just cleaning it up some. I gave it a full overhaul!
Before:

All stripped down:

And finally all cleaned up with a new lease on life!:
I just finished it up today, and thought I'd share a few before, during, and after pics with the forum. I went a little farther than just cleaning it up some. I gave it a full overhaul!
Before:

All stripped down:

And finally all cleaned up with a new lease on life!:

#2344
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A friend of mine came to me with this rusty Murray Valiant Classic and asked if I could clean it up some, and make it look a little better for him.
I just finished it up today, and thought I'd share a few before, during, and after pics with the forum. I went a little farther than just cleaning it up some. I gave it a full overhaul!
...
I just finished it up today, and thought I'd share a few before, during, and after pics with the forum. I went a little farther than just cleaning it up some. I gave it a full overhaul!
...
#2346
Senior Member
@ El Chaba - Excellent work!!! Love the updated grouppo as well!
#2348
tantum vehi
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Wow! There must be a story behind this bike - do tell!
__________________
1970 Gitane TdF; 1973 Gitane TdF
1979 Trek 710; 1981 Trek 412; 1981 Trek 710
1983 Specialized Stumpjumper Sport; 1985 Specialized Allez SE; 1988 Specialized Sirrus; 1989 Specialized Rock Combo
1984 Ross Mt. Hood
1988 Centurion Ironman Expert
1991 Bridgestone RB-1
1992 Serotta Colorado TG
2015 Elephant NFE
1979 Trek 710; 1981 Trek 412; 1981 Trek 710
1983 Specialized Stumpjumper Sport; 1985 Specialized Allez SE; 1988 Specialized Sirrus; 1989 Specialized Rock Combo
1984 Ross Mt. Hood
1988 Centurion Ironman Expert
1991 Bridgestone RB-1
1992 Serotta Colorado TG
2015 Elephant NFE
#2349
tantum vehi
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Welcome, Niner9! Nice Hiawatha. Did the saddle get repainted too?
__________________
1970 Gitane TdF; 1973 Gitane TdF
1979 Trek 710; 1981 Trek 412; 1981 Trek 710
1983 Specialized Stumpjumper Sport; 1985 Specialized Allez SE; 1988 Specialized Sirrus; 1989 Specialized Rock Combo
1984 Ross Mt. Hood
1988 Centurion Ironman Expert
1991 Bridgestone RB-1
1992 Serotta Colorado TG
2015 Elephant NFE
1979 Trek 710; 1981 Trek 412; 1981 Trek 710
1983 Specialized Stumpjumper Sport; 1985 Specialized Allez SE; 1988 Specialized Sirrus; 1989 Specialized Rock Combo
1984 Ross Mt. Hood
1988 Centurion Ironman Expert
1991 Bridgestone RB-1
1992 Serotta Colorado TG
2015 Elephant NFE
#2350
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Thanks. It's not painted. I sand blasted the frame and then wire brushed and polished the steel. I found that bike at the scrap yard and cleaned her up. The saddle is off a Hiawatha kids tricycle, bullet hole in seat was in there when I salvaged it too. The grips are off a couple pump sprayers that fit inside the handle bars perfectly.