CyclArt?
#1
Death fork? Naaaah!!
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CyclArt?
Tax season has presented me with a surplus of play money, for a change. I'm considering sending the Mirella frame and fork to CyclArt (or any other such shop) to have it refinished. Has anyone here done business with these folks (or recommend some one else)? It's really too nice a bike for my usual powdercoat and Velocal job.
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You know it's going to be a good day when the stem and seatpost come right out.
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You know it's going to be a good day when the stem and seatpost come right out.
(looking for a picture and not seeing it? Thank the Photobucket fiasco.PM me and I'll link it up.)
#2
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Very, very fine work.
Keith Anderson is also very good. Google his name.
Joe Bell is yet one more.
None of them are cheap, but each does fabulously fine work.
Keith Anderson is also very good. Google his name.
Joe Bell is yet one more.
None of them are cheap, but each does fabulously fine work.
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1959 Hilton Wrigley Connoisseur (my favorite!)
1963 Hetchins Mountain King
1971 Gitane Tour de France (original owner)
* 1971 Gitane Super Corsa (crashed)
* rebuilt as upright cruiser
1971 Gitane Super Corsa #2 (sweet replacement)
1980 Ritchey Road Touring (The Grail Bike)
1982 Tom Ritchey Everest
(replacing stolen 1981 TR Everest custom)
1982 Tom Ritchey McKinley (touring pickup truck)
1985 ALAN Record (Glued & Screwed. A gift.)
1959 Hilton Wrigley Connoisseur (my favorite!)
1963 Hetchins Mountain King
1971 Gitane Tour de France (original owner)
* 1971 Gitane Super Corsa (crashed)
* rebuilt as upright cruiser
1971 Gitane Super Corsa #2 (sweet replacement)
1980 Ritchey Road Touring (The Grail Bike)
1982 Tom Ritchey Everest
(replacing stolen 1981 TR Everest custom)
1982 Tom Ritchey McKinley (touring pickup truck)
1985 ALAN Record (Glued & Screwed. A gift.)
#3
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Add Al Wanta to the list. I own four Wanta resprays, each is a masterpiece.
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#4
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I remember some forum member having a very difficult time with Cycle Art. IIRC, they maid him pay for pictures of the work in progress and were months late on their estimated completion date. I have had very good results with Bilenky Cycle Works (in Philadelphia) and Franklin frames. Franklin used to do the paint for Bilenky and other frame builders as well.
#5
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IMO CyclArt is way overpriced. But to each his own. Franklin Frame is my framework/painter of choice.
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Spectrum Powderworks is another option. I've only heard good things.
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I remember some forum member having a very difficult time with Cycle Art. IIRC, they maid him pay for pictures of the work in progress and were months late on their estimated completion date. I have had very good results with Bilenky Cycle Works (in Philadelphia) and Franklin frames. Franklin used to do the paint for Bilenky and other frame builders as well.
In the second, third and fourth posts are some good selections if you are willing to ship a frame cross country, I am going to look into Al Wanta, also on the West Coast but I live within same day driving distance.
Personally, if I was east of the Mississippi I would look on that side of the country. I really like the images of Keith's work, but my only hesitation is the shipment and I am in Southern California.
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I must add Chris Kvale to this list though.
If it were mine, I would drive it over to him and have a nice chat.
An up and comer to watch is forum member Sloar. I wouldn't underestimate him.
He works really hard to get it right and he's learning very quickly.
#10
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I would keep it in New England and either send your bike to Hot Tubes or Circle A.
https://www.hottubes.com/Home.html
https://www.circleacycles.com/
They both do great work.
https://www.hottubes.com/Home.html
https://www.circleacycles.com/
They both do great work.
#11
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Thank you Grady. I do plan on doing more frames, maybe someday I can at least be at the bottom of the recommended list.
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You are talented and you listen to people.
You just need to paint more frames to hone your skills.
They already are nice.
Now, we just need to get you going on some House of Kolor colors and you'll be cooking with gas.
#13
What??? Only 2 wheels?
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Top, I'm with JJS on this. Consider Hottubes in Shirley or Circle-A in Providence. Hottubes (Toby Stanton) did my Masi for less than Circle-A would have charged. He also claims to be the only person in N.Am. authorized to paint a Cervelo.
I considered Cyclart but thought they might be more expensive and take longer. In the end a deciding factor was that I didn't like that idea of them putting their own decal on the chain stay. I don't plan on selling the bike as original and a few details aren't correct anyway, but that was just a step too far for my taste. However YMMV.
I considered Cyclart but thought they might be more expensive and take longer. In the end a deciding factor was that I didn't like that idea of them putting their own decal on the chain stay. I don't plan on selling the bike as original and a few details aren't correct anyway, but that was just a step too far for my taste. However YMMV.
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I've used both Waterford and Cyclart for re-finishes. I was delighted with the work from Waterford, and would use them again. My next project however, is going to Joe Bell. I've seen a lot of his work, and really want him to spray my frame.
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Also, sometimes I find the resprays (CycleArt and others, too) to look too glossy, especially with older Italian frames that did not have that "wet" look. Not necessarily a bad thing, unless matching the original finish is important to you.
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Important point, Gaucho777. While I haven't had it done, many of the respray pics I see seem too glossy and often too thick. Is that a function of the paints they all use? Two part Urethanes, etc. I wonder how one achieves that plain , old "thin" enamel look like most bikes of the period back in the 70's. I'm assuming they just used standard enamels back then.
#17
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Now, we just need to get you going on some House of Kolor colors and you'll be cooking with gas. [/QUOTE]
I can spray any type of paint, but that's when the prices go through the roof. Paint has gotten very expensive.
I can spray any type of paint, but that's when the prices go through the roof. Paint has gotten very expensive.
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+1 on Hot Tubes. Toby Stanton is very good.
I would keep it in New England and either send your bike to Hot Tubes or Circle A.
https://www.hottubes.com/Home.html
https://www.circleacycles.com/
They both do great work.
https://www.hottubes.com/Home.html
https://www.circleacycles.com/
They both do great work.
Last edited by RobbieTunes; 09-24-20 at 10:26 AM.
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There's a custom builder in Iowa who does incredibly nice work - both as a builder and as a custom painter. Google his name, Jeff Bock, for contact info. He's been building bikes since 1974. He's really good.
#20
Senior Member
I've seen two Wanta resprays now and they are very nice.
I must add Chris Kvale to this list though.
If it were mine, I would drive it over to him and have a nice chat.
An up and comer to watch is forum member Sloar. I wouldn't underestimate him.
He works really hard to get it right and he's learning very quickly.
I must add Chris Kvale to this list though.
If it were mine, I would drive it over to him and have a nice chat.
An up and comer to watch is forum member Sloar. I wouldn't underestimate him.
He works really hard to get it right and he's learning very quickly.
Give Chris a call:
Chris Kvale Cycles
2637 27th Avenue S.
Minneapolis, MN 55406
612-724-8843
https://www.chriskvalecycles.com/CKC/Home.html
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+1. I find the CycleArt respray decal they insist on using a bit too conspicuous.
Also, sometimes I find the resprays (CycleArt and others, too) to look too glossy, especially with older Italian frames that did not have that "wet" look. Not necessarily a bad thing, unless matching the original finish is important to you.
Also, sometimes I find the resprays (CycleArt and others, too) to look too glossy, especially with older Italian frames that did not have that "wet" look. Not necessarily a bad thing, unless matching the original finish is important to you.
That doesn't mean that I recommend Cyclart.
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I can spray any type of paint, but that's when the prices go through the roof. Paint has gotten very expensive.[/QUOTE]
There is a sunk cost on paint. When one commits to a toner set and you can mix your own the "per bike" cost can drop but the overhead goes way up.
There are some bikes like Gios that come to mind and most of that brand anyway will be one color, Gios Blue... HofK Marine Blue over red oxide primer is as good as you are going to get by the way.
But those kind of examples are few and far between.
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The logo and that Cat. I, Cat II finish tag is for me a deal breaker. I understand the desire to "sign" the work, place the transfer on the fork steerer then. Otherwise it is just free advertising.
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I'd pick sloar over CyclArt. And yes, I'm being serious.
If you'd like to know why, check out this thread: https://www.bikeforums.net/showthread...er+restoration
Or PM me for details; to much to list here and I already hijacked a thread earlier in the week
DD
If you'd like to know why, check out this thread: https://www.bikeforums.net/showthread...er+restoration
Or PM me for details; to much to list here and I already hijacked a thread earlier in the week
DD