The "Before And After" Thread
#2376
Senior Member

That said, maybe Cannondale bags are never going to be wrong on a Cannondale. Granted, they were never beauty contest winners.
#2377
Old Boy
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Well thanks, @greg3rd48! 
This is only my second year building bikes, but I have had some good tutors.
Basically, I like the functionality of modern components, but I always look backwards for styling cues. Lugs and quill stems, leather saddles and fenders are all timeless and beautiful. Eliminating as much plastic as possible is also key. And color coordination, of course.
Here's another gratuitous photo, just because I haven't posted this one yet... I think.


This is only my second year building bikes, but I have had some good tutors.
Basically, I like the functionality of modern components, but I always look backwards for styling cues. Lugs and quill stems, leather saddles and fenders are all timeless and beautiful. Eliminating as much plastic as possible is also key. And color coordination, of course.
Here's another gratuitous photo, just because I haven't posted this one yet... I think.

__________________
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!
#2378
Master Parts Rearranger
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I've had a few rides under my belt with her and she is wonderful!
1977 Schwinn Super Le Tour 12.2 in all chrome! As purchased state saw a sad-looking bike that was otherwise straight and worthy of restoration. My low monetary buy-in price of $40 was to be greatly offset with hours and hours of rust-removing, glaze/film-removing, and chrome polishing--to say nothing of completely re-outfitting the old, tired/worn out components with thoroughly modern ones, almost all of which were from a super light weight modern (2016) build that had me not jazzed about ultra light bikes (16.2 lbs--very nice manners, solid bike, but I wasn't feeling the love, nor the extra weight that I actually kinda liked). To the photos!
Everything but a freewheel:

At least they employed a rubber buffer. Alas, RUST:

Poor thing.
I will make you better!

Better! So much better!

All that top tube for all that name:

Not so rusty any more, are we??? Up close, the scars are visible, but that shares her history. New decals (Velocals) and plenty of Dura Ace (7900 shifters, 7800 FD, RD, crankset, BB) mark the beginning of her new era.

Keeper.
1977 Schwinn Super Le Tour 12.2 in all chrome! As purchased state saw a sad-looking bike that was otherwise straight and worthy of restoration. My low monetary buy-in price of $40 was to be greatly offset with hours and hours of rust-removing, glaze/film-removing, and chrome polishing--to say nothing of completely re-outfitting the old, tired/worn out components with thoroughly modern ones, almost all of which were from a super light weight modern (2016) build that had me not jazzed about ultra light bikes (16.2 lbs--very nice manners, solid bike, but I wasn't feeling the love, nor the extra weight that I actually kinda liked). To the photos!
Everything but a freewheel:

At least they employed a rubber buffer. Alas, RUST:

Poor thing.


Better! So much better!

All that top tube for all that name:

Not so rusty any more, are we??? Up close, the scars are visible, but that shares her history. New decals (Velocals) and plenty of Dura Ace (7900 shifters, 7800 FD, RD, crankset, BB) mark the beginning of her new era.

Keeper.


#2379
tantum vehi
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Wow, @RiddleOfSteel, that is an amazing restoration! Very much like!!!

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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
#2380
Senior Member
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Excellent job, you got this down. 
Any report from the show?

Any report from the show?
#2381
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Wow, @RiddleOfSteel, that is an amazing restoration! Very much like!!! 

Thank you, too!
As for the show, if you mean the Seattle Bike Show, it has had its second year at the Century Link convention/exhibition hall (Auto and Boat show are also held here) and it shares its space with the Seattle Golf Show. Not as busy as last year, and that is apparently part of a trend for the show, which is too bad. I volunteered with Bike Works to do a half shift of bike valet parking. I ended up not seeing much of the show save for a guy who bought out a large section to show about 40 or so stunning vintage rides. Of course I didn't take any pictures (......) but highlights included a very early 65cm track Paramount with an inch-pitch chainring and similar rear cog, a Short Coupled Paramount, a shaft drive safety bike from 1896, that multi-colored Hobbs that belongs to a BF member, and a zillion Colnagos et al (with their corresponding tons of Campagnolo) from the '60s and '70s, some in top level Concours shape (factory original and perfect). Lots of drool-worthy steeds.
#2382
Old Boy
Join Date: Jan 2016
Location: Minnesota
Posts: 2,390
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.
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I've had a few rides under my belt with her and she is wonderful!
1977 Schwinn Super Le Tour 12.2 in all chrome! As purchased state saw a sad-looking bike that was otherwise straight and worthy of restoration. My low monetary buy-in price of $40 was to be greatly offset with hours and hours of rust-removing, glaze/film-removing, and chrome polishing--to say nothing of completely re-outfitting the old, tired/worn out components with thoroughly modern ones, almost all of which were from a super light weight modern (2016) build that had me not jazzed about ultra light bikes (16.2 lbs--very nice manners, solid bike, but I wasn't feeling the love, nor the extra weight that I actually kinda liked). To the photos!
Everything but a freewheel:
At least they employed a rubber buffer. Alas, RUST:
Poor thing.
I will make you better!
Better! So much better!
All that top tube for all that name:
Not so rusty any more, are we??? Up close, the scars are visible, but that shares her history. New decals (Velocals) and plenty of Dura Ace (7900 shifters, 7800 FD, RD, crankset, BB) mark the beginning of her new era.
Keeper.

1977 Schwinn Super Le Tour 12.2 in all chrome! As purchased state saw a sad-looking bike that was otherwise straight and worthy of restoration. My low monetary buy-in price of $40 was to be greatly offset with hours and hours of rust-removing, glaze/film-removing, and chrome polishing--to say nothing of completely re-outfitting the old, tired/worn out components with thoroughly modern ones, almost all of which were from a super light weight modern (2016) build that had me not jazzed about ultra light bikes (16.2 lbs--very nice manners, solid bike, but I wasn't feeling the love, nor the extra weight that I actually kinda liked). To the photos!
Everything but a freewheel:
At least they employed a rubber buffer. Alas, RUST:
Poor thing.

Better! So much better!
All that top tube for all that name:
Not so rusty any more, are we??? Up close, the scars are visible, but that shares her history. New decals (Velocals) and plenty of Dura Ace (7900 shifters, 7800 FD, RD, crankset, BB) mark the beginning of her new era.
Keeper.



__________________
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!
#2383
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Way to go, @RiddleOfSteel!
Ya gotta love a chrome frame, and seeing how you brought it back from its sorry state, you know that is some quality chrome. Excellent selection of components to go with it. That's a top-notch resto-mod.


#2384
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Nishiki Custom sport
Here is the Nishiki sport I did a couple years ago.
#2385
Full Member
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#2386
Senior Member
@RiddleOfSteel, riddle solved on that Schwinn!! Super job on that one!
What size tires are you running? They go great with the build...
What size tires are you running? They go great with the build...
#2387
Pedal to the medal
#2388
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@ratfink76 , thank you so much!
I am running Kenda Kwik Roller Sport tires in their 700x32C size. Kenda's propaganda says the tire possesses puncture resistance and a lower rolling resistance than a standard tire. For $4 for the virtually new pair, including an inner tube, I was more than game to try them. For all the seriousness of the bike, I enjoyed putting on something with a silly name--the "SPORT" is even in cute bubble letters that float in an arc like balloons. Reviews had them competent enough, so, you know, what the heck? I like them so far. People can rightly clamor about Paselas, but I wanted the bike to figure itself out a little before making that jump (in price).
I am running Kenda Kwik Roller Sport tires in their 700x32C size. Kenda's propaganda says the tire possesses puncture resistance and a lower rolling resistance than a standard tire. For $4 for the virtually new pair, including an inner tube, I was more than game to try them. For all the seriousness of the bike, I enjoyed putting on something with a silly name--the "SPORT" is even in cute bubble letters that float in an arc like balloons. Reviews had them competent enough, so, you know, what the heck? I like them so far. People can rightly clamor about Paselas, but I wanted the bike to figure itself out a little before making that jump (in price).
#2389
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1984 Univega Gran Rally. I got it from the original owner who bought it brand new and kept it on a trainer in Arizona for 33 years, it was never ridden on the road. The original tires and brake pads showed no signs of wear. Easiest resto I ever did, about all I had to do was replace the consumables, polish it up and lube everything. I have a spare set of wheels on it, I'm relacing the original ones with Sapim Race spokes.
before:


after:





before:


after:






#2394
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1984 Univega Gran Rally. I got it from the original owner who bought it brand new and kept it on a trainer in Arizona for 33 years, it was never ridden on the road. The original tires and brake pads showed no signs of wear. Easiest resto I ever did, about all I had to do was replace the consumables, polish it up and lube everything. I have a spare set of wheels on it, I'm relacing the original ones with Sapim Race spokes.
after:




after:





#2395
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When I opened the box I was very happy, the color looked way better than the sellers pictures. I've had a 50 foot roll of blue cable housing for about 15 years and was glad I finally had a bike to use it on.
#2399
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'87 Panasonic DX-3000
Before:

After:

Almost passed on the bike, it's been in a front end (rippled downtube/Cracked paint), tracked straight and grabbed it for the price of the the thick slick tires. Wheels were shot, and the 700x25c tires rubbed. Decided to go 650x38 (CdV tires) - there is still clearance for 42's. It's my new to me commuter/hardpack ride. May try to snag a new Sora or Tiagra group to throw on. So far she's smooth and still faster than me!
Before:

After:

Almost passed on the bike, it's been in a front end (rippled downtube/Cracked paint), tracked straight and grabbed it for the price of the the thick slick tires. Wheels were shot, and the 700x25c tires rubbed. Decided to go 650x38 (CdV tires) - there is still clearance for 42's. It's my new to me commuter/hardpack ride. May try to snag a new Sora or Tiagra group to throw on. So far she's smooth and still faster than me!
I notice 8 -
Bar tape
Wheels / tyres
Red thing
Chain on large ring
Brake levers
Gear levers in different position
Pedal arms in different position
Dork disc removed
#2400
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Yeah, I can't believe he got rid of the red thing. I loved the red thing.

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● 1971 Grandis SL ● 1972 Lambert Grand Prix frankenbike ● 1972 Raleigh Super Course fixie ● 1973 Nishiki Semi-Pro ● 1979 Motobecane Grand Jubile ●1980 Apollo "Legnano" ● 1984 Peugeot Vagabond ● 1985 Shogun Prairie Breaker ● 1986 Merckx Super Corsa ● 1987 Schwinn Tempo ● 1988 Schwinn Voyageur ● 1989 Bottechia Team ADR replica ● 1990 Cannondale ST600 ● 1993 Technium RT600 ● 1996 Kona Lava Dome ●
● 1971 Grandis SL ● 1972 Lambert Grand Prix frankenbike ● 1972 Raleigh Super Course fixie ● 1973 Nishiki Semi-Pro ● 1979 Motobecane Grand Jubile ●1980 Apollo "Legnano" ● 1984 Peugeot Vagabond ● 1985 Shogun Prairie Breaker ● 1986 Merckx Super Corsa ● 1987 Schwinn Tempo ● 1988 Schwinn Voyageur ● 1989 Bottechia Team ADR replica ● 1990 Cannondale ST600 ● 1993 Technium RT600 ● 1996 Kona Lava Dome ●