Decals or no decals
 

UPDATE ON POST 30




I recently converted my 1982 Sun Solo to FG and now want an opinion on the looks of the bike.

Does it Look better with or without the decals (I haven't removed them yet edit: have now check post 30, the mock-up was done in Photoshop CS3)

With:
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2072/...b0523019_o.jpg

Without:
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2152/...8b0ed4aa_o.jpg

Stickers off right now !!! :)

Have to agree...on that bike decal free looks nicer

Anyone got any ideas how to remove them?

Don't particularly want to remove them all by scraping them with a knife

Try a heat gun or blow dryer. Pick the corner a little and push the heat under the sticker. Pull gently and use gasoline to clean all the glue residue off afterward.

That's what I do.

i think it might look good with only the downtube decal.

+1, it's not a bad decal.

make sure the decals are over the clear coat

is there anything u can do about that arching brake cable?

There is almost no way that those graphics are over the clearcoat, unless someone just forgot the order of operations at the factory. In order to remove the "decals" (not sure that they're decals, really), you're likely going to have to repaint the whole frame, which is really never worth the effort.

Personally, I love those graphics, and I wouldn't touch them

They are over the clearcoat, almost like stickers.

Will maybe leave the Downtube one on.

Hmm, ok then. I'm surprised, that's very uncommon. I still think the graphics are cool.

I think the brake cable looks way worse then the decals. I would have put it under the bar tape.

that seatpost would look good if it was silver like the stem.

The old seatpost was Chromed but was too short as I like a fairly high seat, and that was the only other 25.4mm post I had

if they're over the clearcoat just ride fast enough and they'll be gone

Tried that one already, didnt work :(

Leave the decals! They're pretty slick and not so typical.

And without them your bike looks like the other 1245238 conversions powercoated or spraypainted light blue.

unless you are planning on shaving the frame and repainting i would lightly sand with 1000 grit and spray some clear over the frame - leaving the decals. i just finished my miyata that way and it looks great. the clear brings back the color in the decals and i think it give the bike more of a rat fink look. both my motobecane SS and puch road bike were stripped before i resurrected them and i wish they still had the original decals. don't f*** with history.

+1

I agree. That brake cable looks mighty awkward. Doesn't it get in your way?

no no no,....gasoline will melt some older lacquer paint types

ETHANOL (yes, good 100 proof vodka will work), I go to home depot and get the "denatured SLX ethanol"@ about $4.50 a quart,...

the technique is sorta the same, using a "to-go" plastic spoon (bendy is better than snappy) scrape up a corner, then squirt some alcohol in between the frame and sticker (squeeze bottle) and POOF!, it'll just pull away clean & VERY easily with NO glue residue left behind.

this works better than heat and WD-40, or other solvents (IMO)

Not Really.

I've changed the brake since that photo anyway, and the cable attaches on the other side, so that brings it forward a bit, and doesnt get in the way at all.

Duuudes, people are forgetting how road bikes used to look (as far as cables go). That cable isn't bad at all. But yea, since it's so easy to avoid those big cable arcs now, why not?

i agree, and no decals, looks nice a clean without....

Yeah I could, I just kept costs down on this build
About £50 ($100) including the bike and all parts.

+1 for doin somthin w/ that cable