The "Before And After" Thread
Somehow, you even get those gold calipers to work. Well done.
01-14-17 | 11:24 PM
#2331
tantum vehi
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 4,617
Likes: 1,312
From: Flathead Valley, MT
Bikes: More than I care to admit
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.
__________________
Regular rides:
1977 Austro-Daimler Inter-10 (an experiment in valley-floor road riding)
1979 Trek 710 (first frame-up build)
1984 Specialized Stumpjumper Sport (daily driver)
1984 Peugeot Urban Express (funky rando-esque 26" gravel grinder)
2014 Salsa Mukluk (daily winter driver)
2015 Elephant NFE (Gugiefied gravel grinder)
2019 Electric Queen (first "real" MTB)
2024 Salsa Blackthorn (summer slayer of trails)
2024 Farley 9.6 (winter slayer of trails)
1977 Austro-Daimler Inter-10 (an experiment in valley-floor road riding)
1979 Trek 710 (first frame-up build)
1984 Specialized Stumpjumper Sport (daily driver)
1984 Peugeot Urban Express (funky rando-esque 26" gravel grinder)
2014 Salsa Mukluk (daily winter driver)
2015 Elephant NFE (Gugiefied gravel grinder)
2019 Electric Queen (first "real" MTB)
2024 Salsa Blackthorn (summer slayer of trails)
2024 Farley 9.6 (winter slayer of trails)
01-15-17 | 09:26 AM
#2332
Old Boy
Joined: Jan 2016
Posts: 2,127
Likes: 1,736
From: Minnesota
Bikes: Mostly 1st-generation, top-of-the-line, non-unicrown MTBs/ATBs: All 1984 models: Dawes Ranger, Peugeot Canyon Express, Ross Mt. Whitney (chrome), Schwinn High Sierra, and a 1983 Trek 850.
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!
01-15-17 | 10:04 PM
#2333
Master Parts Rearranger
Joined: Mar 2015
Posts: 4,840
Likes: 2,781
From: Portlandia's Kuiper Belt, OR
Bikes: 1987 Woodrup Competition - 2025 Trek Checkpoint SL 6 Gen 3 - 1987 Lotus Legend - 2024 Trek Emonda ALR Rim Brake - 1980 Trek 510 - 1988 Cannondale SR500 - 1985 Trek 670 - 1982 Trek 730
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.
01-16-17 | 09:39 AM
#2334
Senior Member
Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 320
Likes: 12
From: Central Florida
Bikes: 2010 Schwinn Madison, 1994 Kona Lava Dome, 1991 Quattro Assi, 1990 Bottecchia Team ADR SL
1987 Schwinn LeTour in 61cm.. bought for $10 for the crankset and RD, but rust turned out to be all surface rust so cleaned and built it up to flip it:
01-16-17 | 10:04 AM
#2335
Old Boy
Joined: Jan 2016
Posts: 2,127
Likes: 1,736
From: Minnesota
Bikes: Mostly 1st-generation, top-of-the-line, non-unicrown MTBs/ATBs: All 1984 models: Dawes Ranger, Peugeot Canyon Express, Ross Mt. Whitney (chrome), Schwinn High Sierra, and a 1983 Trek 850.
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.
__________________
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!
01-16-17 | 04:43 PM
#2336
Senior Member
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 1,229
Likes: 286
From: Magnolia State, 100° with 110% humidity
Bikes: American, Italian, and Japanese.. in no particular order.
What brand/model drop handlebars did you use?
01-17-17 | 09:25 AM
#2337
Senior Member
Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 320
Likes: 12
From: Central Florida
Bikes: 2010 Schwinn Madison, 1994 Kona Lava Dome, 1991 Quattro Assi, 1990 Bottecchia Team ADR SL
01-17-17 | 12:09 PM
#2338
Senior Member
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 1,229
Likes: 286
From: Magnolia State, 100° with 110% humidity
Bikes: American, Italian, and Japanese.. in no particular order.
01-21-17 | 03:58 PM
#2339
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 76
Likes: 0
Bikes: 2010 Trek Madone 6.5, 2009 Trek 8000, 2007 Gary Fisher Tassajara, 1984 Trek 560, 1999 Trek 2500
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.
01-21-17 | 04:23 PM
#2342
Senior Member
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 15,369
Likes: 4,391
From: Alta California
02-07-17 | 08:49 PM
#2343
Senior Member
Joined: Dec 2016
Posts: 568
Likes: 80
From: Bush, Louisiana
Bikes: 1984 Centurion Elite GT 15, 1985 Centurion Ironman Dave Scott, 1983 Diamond Back Ridge Runner, 1985 Mongoose ATB, 1987 Ross Centaur, 1986 Raleigh Marathon
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!:
02-09-17 | 02:07 PM
#2344
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
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!
...
02-14-17 | 04:51 AM
#2348
tantum vehi
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 4,617
Likes: 1,312
From: Flathead Valley, MT
Bikes: More than I care to admit
Wow! There must be a story behind this bike - do tell!
__________________
Regular rides:
1977 Austro-Daimler Inter-10 (an experiment in valley-floor road riding)
1979 Trek 710 (first frame-up build)
1984 Specialized Stumpjumper Sport (daily driver)
1984 Peugeot Urban Express (funky rando-esque 26" gravel grinder)
2014 Salsa Mukluk (daily winter driver)
2015 Elephant NFE (Gugiefied gravel grinder)
2019 Electric Queen (first "real" MTB)
2024 Salsa Blackthorn (summer slayer of trails)
2024 Farley 9.6 (winter slayer of trails)
1977 Austro-Daimler Inter-10 (an experiment in valley-floor road riding)
1979 Trek 710 (first frame-up build)
1984 Specialized Stumpjumper Sport (daily driver)
1984 Peugeot Urban Express (funky rando-esque 26" gravel grinder)
2014 Salsa Mukluk (daily winter driver)
2015 Elephant NFE (Gugiefied gravel grinder)
2019 Electric Queen (first "real" MTB)
2024 Salsa Blackthorn (summer slayer of trails)
2024 Farley 9.6 (winter slayer of trails)
02-14-17 | 04:52 AM
#2349
tantum vehi
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 4,617
Likes: 1,312
From: Flathead Valley, MT
Bikes: More than I care to admit
Welcome, Niner9! Nice Hiawatha. Did the saddle get repainted too?
__________________
Regular rides:
1977 Austro-Daimler Inter-10 (an experiment in valley-floor road riding)
1979 Trek 710 (first frame-up build)
1984 Specialized Stumpjumper Sport (daily driver)
1984 Peugeot Urban Express (funky rando-esque 26" gravel grinder)
2014 Salsa Mukluk (daily winter driver)
2015 Elephant NFE (Gugiefied gravel grinder)
2019 Electric Queen (first "real" MTB)
2024 Salsa Blackthorn (summer slayer of trails)
2024 Farley 9.6 (winter slayer of trails)
1977 Austro-Daimler Inter-10 (an experiment in valley-floor road riding)
1979 Trek 710 (first frame-up build)
1984 Specialized Stumpjumper Sport (daily driver)
1984 Peugeot Urban Express (funky rando-esque 26" gravel grinder)
2014 Salsa Mukluk (daily winter driver)
2015 Elephant NFE (Gugiefied gravel grinder)
2019 Electric Queen (first "real" MTB)
2024 Salsa Blackthorn (summer slayer of trails)
2024 Farley 9.6 (winter slayer of trails)
02-14-17 | 06:56 AM
#2350
Junior Member
Joined: Feb 2017
Posts: 17
Likes: 0
From: Lacombe Alberta
Bikes: 1950 Rudge
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.