FenderTL5

Where did you get your wire baskets?

Supercoop

The bike looks hot . Leave it alone

bud16415

They are thetype intended to be used on the front hanging from the bars. They come with awire bracket thing that attaches to the bar and allows the basket to be liftedoff and on. I threw all that away and even took the carry handle off and usedheavy zip ties to hold them to the rear rack. I can’t remember the brand butthey were sold thru a LBS.

They workreally well to attach stuff to as well as placing stuff in. I also have one onmy touring bike that is mostly used as a commuter.

You have avery well built indestructible bike there.

Artkansas 

That said, in elementary school, I had a thrashed bike, that had been badly painted over with house paint, stolen out of an enormous rack of unlocked bikes. (Back then no one even thought of locking their bike). The only reason I have ever figured out that it could have happened was that they stole the bike to get the ape-hanger handlebars.

But I think the OP should leave that paint job alone. No one will steal the bike for its beauty.

FenderTL5

Thanks for the info.

I checked a couple local hardware stores this weekend, thinking I could find something simply.
The two closest LBS' to me focus on high dollar road bikes, not commuters.. so I know that I'd end up ordering from either if I were to purchase from them. So, I'll check a bike shop downtown that has commuter stuff.. and online.

bud16415

I did a google and this is pretty much the basket I havebeen using on the back.

https://www.bicyclewarehouse.com/product/wald-quick-release-front-wire-bike-basket-14-1-2-x-9-1-2-x-9-inches-11830.htm

Wald makes something similar but they have a lighter gagewire.

Here is the one I have on the touring bike.

[URL=https://s1339.photobucket.com/user/bud16415/media/WindsorTourist1_zpse61efa9d.jpg.html][IMG]https://i1339.photobucket.com/albums/o716/bud16415/WindsorTourist1_zpse61efa9d.jpg[/IMG][/URL]

droy45

Thats fine also, it really depends on the bike being considered. I'm just a perfectionist when it comes to paint and just love the transformation it can bring. Here is my lastest paint job. It wasn't rusted or scratched much before this but just wanted it different. The silver color and factory 80's decals had to go.

Surrealdeal

Keep the frame as is, paint the pie plate chartreuse.

neo_pop_71

A friend of mine was in a similar situation as you, hot pink and black high end Diamond Back mountain bike from the late 80's in near mint condition, he masked off and sprayed PlastiDip on the pink tubes. It looked good and when he sold the bike he simply peeled off the rubber coating with no issues at all. The stuff is $6.00 a can, one can is all you'd need, something to consider. Here is a link to Lowe's:

https://www.lowes.com/pd_42849-61158-11203-6_0__

Good luck!

-D-

scoatw

A fine example of why people choose to paint their own bikes. Great color combo to personalize your bike.

FenderTL5

That looks really nice.
I don't care for all of the decals/logos. I don't wear "logo wear" clothing either - that includes cycle jerseys.
Unless they're paying me to advertise for the company, I don't wear it.

sarahbruce

I think that the pink and blue looks killer. I would not alter this in any way other than lose the yellowed spoke protector. The plastidip does seem interesting if you absolutely can't stand the pink.

What tires are those? They look just right for that bike and I can't tell exactly what brand/size they are.

droy45

Thanks

droy45

Thanks.

FenderTL5

The tires are Bontrager, and I had a LBS put them on when I bought the bike. The knobbys were dry-rotted.
At the same time they did a "tune-up" on it as well.
I'll look at them this afternoon to get the specifics on model/size etc

kaisersling

Also, take a look at https://www.dipyourcar.com/home.php . Its cheap (you can do a whole car for $50 to $70) and you can peel it off if you dont like it. Its durable too. ......and no, I am not affiliated

cyka37

Sweet ride! I think I would keep it but if your a guy I guess that might be different. But, if I WERE a guy I'd still keep it as is.

cat

I'll second (or third) the Plastidip suggestion. I've not used it on a bike, but I have used it on my Jeep. It's really cool stuff...peels right off if you screw up or decide to go back to the original.

cat

While on the subject of plastidip, they have gray plastidip at my local Home Depot. You might try it out and see if you like it...it will peel off if you don't...

cyka37

Sweet ride! I think I would keep it but if your a guy I guess that might be different but even though, if I WERE a guy I'd still keep it as is.

cyka37

And I also spray painted mine with a rattle can, after some sanding, priming, painting and clear coating it looks perfectly fine! Everyone else thinks I did a good job. So if you want to paint it, don't let anybody else tell you that you can't because it does doesn't look good. Just take your time and enjoy it. It may not be a professional job but nobody really cares anyhow as long as it looks good.

FenderTL5

BONTRAGER H2 DLX 26x2.0

sarahbruce

Thanks,
Bruce

swwhite

I tried spray-painting my bike because I wanted the winter camouflage look. Spray paint does not seem to hold up well. Also, if your surface preparation is not FLAWLESS, then every flaw will POP right out as soon as you hit it with primer and paint.