tjkwood

Further to my previous thread, I've now picked up the Triumph and it's quite something:



It's got a 23 inch frame (my size!) and it still rides to an extent - the gear cable is seized but everything else is moving freely. Now for some closeups:

Seat tube decal:



Down tube decal (what remains of it):



Fork crown (after a bit of Brasso):



Cyclo Benelux Standard rear derailleur:



An example of the lugwork:



The Triumph chainring:




So what's the plan? I intend to:

1) Replace the steel wheels with alu Weinmann equivilents. They're the old size 26 x 1 1/4 so my options are rather limited
2) Replace the rear derailleur with another one of the same model - the chrome has been lost in large areas and they're not expensive to pick up
3) Replace the 4 speed freewheel with a NOS one, although this could be tricky to find
4) Possibly upgrade the hubs, not sure with what yet
5) Replace the stock brakes with a GB Sports brakeset
6) Replace the non-period handlebars with the correct style for the era
7) Repaint the frame in the carmine red from the original catalogue, and replace all decals and the headbadge. I haven't been able to track down a set of decals, but I have found a set for the Maid of Clubs. I hope to pay a traditional signwriter to reproduce a decal set for me on this basis.
8) Use oxalic acid to revive the chainring and any other chrome parts
9) Replace the steel mudguards with Bluemels spearpoints in cream/white
10) Obviously, overhaul all bearings and replace all cables

So, what are your thoughts? My aim is to bring this back to factory fresh condition with as much accuracy as possible, save a few period upgrades. Excited!

Michael Angelo 

Looks a like a nice bike, it should turn out beautiful. Try H Lloyds for the decals.

tjkwood

Thanks for the tip - I've been in touch with Nick and he's the one providing the Maid decals

Michael Angelo 

Nick is a great guy, he makes fantastic decals. He made these for my last project.



Carlton Professional Decal set

rhm

The paint is too good, I think, to justify a repaint. I may be wrong. But I would suggest you leave step no. 7 for last; see if you can match it and touch up the scratches; see how it looks when you're done. I believe you will be pleased.

The mudguards, those I would paint. Unless there's a Triumph decal on the rear?

You can probably fit 700c wheels.

I probably wouldn't upgrade the components that much; GB hiduminium brakes and plastic mudguards will not make the bike ride better. I would clean the original ones up, replace spokes as necessary, true them, keep them. If it turns out you want to ride this bike a lot, a new(ish) pair of 700c wheels will work fine, probably even with these brakes.

Keep at it with the brasso!

tjkwood

I initially thought the paint could be saved too, but only around 50% is intact and the rest is rust. The paint has also lost its original lustre (still visible around the decals), and I've wanted a red/white 50s road bike for some time.... I'll have to sacrifice it, unfortunately! I should've taken a photo of the top and down tubes, as it is these that are primarily rust, as well as the chain stays.

I'm going to put the guards in an oxalic acid bath and then probably repaint them as you suggested, but they may end up on another bike of mine.

Most of my decisions here are aesthetic - I love the look of the Bluemels originally specified by Triumph, and GB brakes just look much nicer than the Raleigh standard set. Thanks for the tip about 700c, I'll explore that route as I want to ride this a lot! Even as it is now the bike rides beautifully (without gears or brakes, mind... ), so I'm sticking to factory spec as close as possible whilst treating myself to a few shiny bits and pieces!

SoreFeet

Tie some string and plastic bags around the decal areas...use mothers white buffing compound after you have washed it out...Don't do a restoration, keep it stock. Clean it up but don't polish out the patina. If you insist...get the derailleurs and cranks re-chromed...That won't cost nearly as much as a good paint job.

tjkwood

I must admit I'm not a huge fan of the patina approach to restoration... If the bike had been worn in over years of riding with a firm history I'd leave it as is, but it's been left outside for some years and just looks fairly rough to be honest! The cost of a paint job isn't an issue (got contacts who will do it for me in return for some freelance work) so I'm going to run with it

Flying Merkel

Between the chainwheel, fork crown, and logo you have a winner. That's going to be a showpiece.

vjp

If you are going to repaint it then I would suggest that you ship it to Argos and have them do it all including replating the chrome bits.

I would clean it, wax it, adjust it and ride it, as is.

tjkwood

That's my next quandary - how likely is enamel to stand up to regular riding and parking? Powder coating has served me well in the past, but obviously there's drawbacks... thoughts?

tjkwood

Unfortunately, due to space restrictions and the fact I'm moving out after uni, I'm having to move this one on will be sad to see it go