Well, not COMPLETELY, and there's still a fair bit of red around the bb...this is the Nishiki Modulus that I got on Tuesday. The guy had painted everything pink with red spraypaint, (because he felt girly riding a bike with pink) and as a result, the entire bike was flecked with red, including the crankset. I didn't take it apart, but I wiped out as much red as I could from the chainrings.

Aside from the hideous paintjob, it seemed to be in fairly good shape, until I got to the pedals. The drive side crank is partially cross threaded, so the only pedals I had that would fit it (as the original had eaten its bearings for supper at one point) is a set of old Raleigh pedals that have threading just a scosh smaller than the 9/16 threading. I've already put an order in for a Park pedal tap and I think I'm going with standard touring pedals. Doubt I'm going to put toeclips on this bike - it's just too damn fun without 'em!

Also, it's been a while since I've ridden a bike with anything higher than 48X14, so the 52X13 on this thing makes it feel like a rocket ship! I am having some troubles going from 175 back to 170 though. Eh, I'll get used to it.

So, it's on the road. Things still to do - pink/blue bar tape (harlequin style - shellacked), and a white saddle. I also need to keep cleaning the brake hoods, as they're nasty brown and sticky (the little I have cleaned, it looks perfect underneath the funk).

I've also decided that I really, really, really like biopace.

nice looking bike. I can't wait to see the tape when it is done.



shimano would love your biopace endorsement but you are about 20yrs to late for it LOL

I really, really, really like biopace too. So THERE Bianchigirll

Slightly better shots:



The new Bontrager saddle (got it for half-off!)


Believe it or not, these used to be black. They're still smoker's-teeth yellow...I need to figure a way to bleach them.


Red paint! It's everywhere, and the lugs are the worst. I'm actually at a loss for how to clean out the bb lugs and cable guides.


More red paint. More importantly - what's the little nibby-thing? Pump peg? Seems kinda far down for a peg.


Oh yeah...Tange 900


Just to show the march of time - as-is, it weighs 23.5 lbs. With good tires, I can probably get it to 23 flat. My Raleigh Pro weighed 23 lbs in "race" trim with tubulars and Reynolds 531. I'm really impressed with the weight of this thing.

Ahhh... I miss '80s hairstyles.

Anyway, I've not yet heard a good way to get paint off of other paint without damaging the important stuff. I have done it before, however, and it looks like you're in better shape than I was. Years ago, I bought a Super Course Mk II frame that, reverse-coincidentally, was originally red and had been entirely spraypainted pink. I was able to scrape the spraypaint off very (very!) carefully with the dull side of a knife blade. It took absolutely forever and I can't really say that I'd recommend it, but it did work and I didn't do too much damage to the original paint. In fact, I even managed to preserve most of the original decals. So if you can't come up with a better option, it can be done. And the great thing about yours is that when you get about halfway done and start questioning your existance you can always quit without the frame looking any worse than it does now.

Looks like it cleaned up pretty well so far, glad to see that the original paint was sound! I like how the pink and blue meet on the head tube, and that they alternated the colors so much, rather than a typical three-color fade scheme. I'm tempted to have a look at the Modulus on the local Craigslist, I think it might fit my wife...

Very nice. I think a Turbo or maybe even a Regal would look way better on it though.

Thanks guys!

I found that for the spray paint, acetone works really well, as long as you don't rub too hard. Rub too hard, and you start taking off the clear coat. I rode the saddle for about 10 miles, and it damn near crippled me...this thing is getting a B17 until I can spring the cash for a Professional or one of those VO racing saddles.

Nice bike.

Maybe you could get some canvas loafers with SPD...then you could ride around sockless and tell people the department loans you a bike they confiscated from drug dealers so you could pose as one undercover.

Very pretty bike. You might try graffiti remover on the spraybomb red. If you're quick, I think the bike paint is hard enough to survive.
I think Helicoil makes a pedal insert, just in case retapping fails.