Rauler....many pics.
 

Here is the bike I started a thread about people keeping bikes that are too small, yet you can't let go. It's too small for me, but given that I just love the lugs and the whole bike in general; it's a keeper. I got it for the equivalent of $125. I haven't done anything to it yet; including cleaning it. I'm still in the process of figuring out what model it is from the catalog on the Bulgier site. Check out the "modified" brake levers. It's pretty much all SR, except for the RD and the outer chain ring. Any one have an extra SR derailleur?? I'm going to be ordering new decals since the ones on it are flacking off. You guys think that with a bit of Blue magic and some fine steel wool the chrome will shine again?? If anyone knows more info on this bike or brand, please share. It seem not much has been discussed about this brand. Check out the pics. SO....would you keep it even if it didn't fit you???

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3156/...e068af21_b.jpg
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3105/...0e837eba_b.jpg
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http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3041/...3276e294d0.jpg
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3248/...70a521e7be.jpg
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3193/...7977616516.jpg
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Ya......That one would have to stick around if it didn't fit. All of the lug details are fantastic. Love it!

"some fine steel wool the chrome will shine again??" QUOTE.


FAB bike!

NEVER, NEVER, NEVER, use steel wool, or any ABRASIVE on chrome or aluminium.


Regards,
J T

Gorgeous bike! Love it.

+1. Did I say Never?

Karl

That fork crown is the coolest.

Beautiful bike - use chrome polish - it will really shine.

Great lugs, looks like they got a lotta fancy road bikes out there in belgium, whereas north america was stuffed to the gills with department store crap!

Thanks for the compliment. I guess one can't really see that there is a bit of rust on the lugs that I thought I'd remove with some steel wool. I have done this to my Concorde and to Colnago Super with Chrome lugs that had some rush and it came out great. I saw some articles on the web about using steel wool on chrome a while back that said it was a great way to get rid of rush. I normally use my Bench grinder with buffing pads after to bring it to a shine.

What part of NEVER

do you not UNDERSTAND?


Regards,
J T

That bike looks like my size, so yes, I would keep it as well :)

How is it when you ride in the hoods though? Can you feel the cable housing?

LOL! Fine, I'll just buff it out. Thanks!:D

I wish the wife would realize that and just let me buy all the bikes I see for sale here. Hell, since we are due to return back to the states next year, I'm buying as many nice bikes as I can right now. And by the looks of our garage, I'm doing one hell of a job.:D

It's way smaller than what I normally ride (59,60) but it's a beauty. I haven't taken it for a ride yet but since it doesn't have any hoods, I bet I'll feel the cable housing for sure. I'm trying to find a set of hoods for it as we speak. Hint..hint...

"What part of NEVER

do you not UNDERSTAND?" MY QUOTE.


For the benefit of others, seeing that you don't want to listen,

a buffing wheel uses an ABRASIVE to "make it shine".


You have destroyed the chrome on your other bikes, and are

down to the nickel plate. (Look for a yellowish cast after about

6 months; the nickel is starting to oxidize, the chrome plate

had served to prtect the nickel from that, and give a silvery

"chrome-like", finish. Plating is porus, having removed some/all of

the chrome, you are left with one less layer of protection.

OBTW, the chrome plated layer is only 5 microns thick, much

thinner than the nickel and if you are lucky, the base of copper.


Regards,
J T

Wow!!! Given that i was actually trying to convey to you that I would take your word, BUT,since you HAVE seen all my bikes, I guess you are right; "I have destroyed" the chrome on all my bikes. Also, can you explain what an abrasive does??? Oh yeah, not only does it scratch, but removes material. I guess some super fine scratches caused by fine steel wool can not be removed by buffing using an abrasive. I did say that there was some rust and that many people I know, including people who do chrome plating have suggested using steel wool to remove the rust. Oh well, who reads everything ones write.

Seems to me that you had better change the people that you know, and/or

UNDERSTAND THE CONCEPTS related to plating, yourself.

Regards,
J T

Back to the topic at hand. That would definitely be a keeper for me. Course it looks like it would fit me perfectly. :) :o

I think it's a 54cm or 56cm; can't remember. What color tape should I put on it? The one on it is tooo much for my eyes. I was thinking black to match the saddle but it has yellow cable housing so maybe white.....????

Looks like a 53 or 54 cm c/c to me, you´re not interested in selling it then? The seatpin and stem are very low in the photos so you might try raising them a bit and see how it feels. I´d use either black or yellow or white bar tape and change the cable housing instead.

It's a 54cm C-t-c. The only way I would ever sell it, is if I were to find another Rauler in my size.:D
I;m going to change the bar tape to black and also the cable housing to black. It should look pretty clean after that.

Yellow Benotto tape gets my vote.

It must be contagious, because I just bought a too-small Rauler a couple days ago. The frame is early/mid 70s and very plain in comparison to yours. There are no decals and it's possibly been repainted, but it's definitely a Rauler (very distinctive cutouts).

The seller insisted that it was a Colnago, but I didn't care as it's obviously a nice bike and the Nuovo Record gruppo (74) was worth more than he was asking (nowhere near as cheap as yours, though!).

Beautiful bike that you have there. Love the lugs and chrome. Yellow Benotto tape.

Keep up the good work. You're finding some really nice bikes over there.

Very pretty bike! :D

Try telling that to my wife. Check out the Colnago I just got. It too is sweet. Not as "Blingy" as this one but very nice. I'm on a mission to get a hold of as many nice/cool bikes while I'm here, because after that.... it's back to the "real" world. http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=456486

Yeah, I just had to explain to my wife why the Rauler was such a good deal and such a nice bike. It's a 56 though, and I generally ride 57-59. So, it's still up in the air on whether I'll keep it.

Wow, that's a cool Colnago.

You're going to need a shipping container to get them all home! It'll be worth it, though.

Good thing Uncle Sam will be flipping the bill.