Frame rust Assessment: Centurion Ironman
12-25-12, 12:20 PM
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Frame rust Assessment: Centurion Ironman
Merry Christmas!
Yesterday, I was finally able to find my very own centurion Ironman! so happy right now. It came with mainly 105 components.
However, this bike has seen some rough days. It has quite a few paint chips/scratches on the crank. Even though it looks like a salvagable bike to me, I am concerned that the frame might be too rusted. Would love some opinions from the expert here since I am just starting out in C&V. If the frame is not safe for riding, I will just transfer the components, touch up the frame and hang it on my wall.
Note: I couldn't see really well inside the seat tube but when I stick my finger in, a brownish material get on my finger.
Yesterday, I was finally able to find my very own centurion Ironman! so happy right now. It came with mainly 105 components.
However, this bike has seen some rough days. It has quite a few paint chips/scratches on the crank. Even though it looks like a salvagable bike to me, I am concerned that the frame might be too rusted. Would love some opinions from the expert here since I am just starting out in C&V. If the frame is not safe for riding, I will just transfer the components, touch up the frame and hang it on my wall.
Note: I couldn't see really well inside the seat tube but when I stick my finger in, a brownish material get on my finger.
Last edited by Tom Stormcrowe; 12-26-12 at 12:54 AM.
12-25-12, 12:25 PM
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Congrats on the new Centurion!
Based on what I see, that bike is far, far, away from being too rusted to ride. Looks like surface rust that isn't a major concern.
It probably needs to be overhauled and cleaned up a little bit. Touch up the paint if you want or just treat the surface rust and ride.
Based on what I see, that bike is far, far, away from being too rusted to ride. Looks like surface rust that isn't a major concern.
It probably needs to be overhauled and cleaned up a little bit. Touch up the paint if you want or just treat the surface rust and ride.
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12-25-12, 12:27 PM
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I am far from an expert on rust, but it does not look that bad too me. Granted, it does look like it's spent some time sitting out , but I say clean it up and ride it like you stole it !
12-25-12, 12:29 PM
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You gonna eat that?
Ditto... light surface rust; it's only cosmetic. I might give it an oxalic acid dip, but I don't even think I'd touch up the paint. Not that bad for a bike that age.
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12-25-12, 12:35 PM
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In the right lane
12-25-12, 02:32 PM
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I agree. Oxalic acid dip, maybe mix up some Barkeeps friend into a paste for minor areas external on the frame. Framesaver the inside, touch up or cover the spots on the outside. Maybe some Mother's scratch-x on the outside to clean it up before touch-up, then wax it afterwards. Complete disassemble and clean of the frame and components, and you should be good. Don't use oxalic on aluminum, only steel.
12-25-12, 02:49 PM
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+1. Doesn't look that bad. If you can pull the seatpost to feel inside the tube...it's evidently not a big problem! It's not unusual to get some slight surface rust inside, from condensation sitting there or something; this often comes off as a powder. Or it might be you just have dirty grease in there?
An oxalic acid bath of the frame and fork would take care of everything. Lots of threads here about that. But if the inside of the tubes are clean (and sometimes they are in great shape, even if the exterior is rough) I might just treat the exterior spots with either rust converter or vinegar-soaked paper towels, with saran wrap around them to keep the moisture in. Or Barkeeper's friend (which has OA in it). That will deal with things like the fork ends.
As you clearly care about having things 'nice,' you'll want to do a complete teardown and rebuild, fresh bearings, grease, cables, maybe polish the aluminum parts, etc. Lots of good advice here about every aspect of that.
Nice bike, welcome to C&V...and Merry Christmas!
An oxalic acid bath of the frame and fork would take care of everything. Lots of threads here about that. But if the inside of the tubes are clean (and sometimes they are in great shape, even if the exterior is rough) I might just treat the exterior spots with either rust converter or vinegar-soaked paper towels, with saran wrap around them to keep the moisture in. Or Barkeeper's friend (which has OA in it). That will deal with things like the fork ends.
As you clearly care about having things 'nice,' you'll want to do a complete teardown and rebuild, fresh bearings, grease, cables, maybe polish the aluminum parts, etc. Lots of good advice here about every aspect of that.
Nice bike, welcome to C&V...and Merry Christmas!
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12-25-12, 06:01 PM
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That's very minor rust.....pickup something from pre-1930 that's been sitting around in upstate NY....then you'll see some rust !
If you have the experience and want to make it real purdy.....strip it bare, degrease everything and go for the OA soak. If you don't like the paint, strip it or at least get it sanded down all smooth and repaint OR, send it out for a strip and powder coat job. Then apply some fresh new decals, put all the clean shined up bits back on with plenty 'o grease where applicable, run some new cables and new tires and enjoy !
There is much satisfaction to be had from really getting in there and refurbishing an old bike. It will look and feel brand new !
Merry Christmas,
Joe
If you have the experience and want to make it real purdy.....strip it bare, degrease everything and go for the OA soak. If you don't like the paint, strip it or at least get it sanded down all smooth and repaint OR, send it out for a strip and powder coat job. Then apply some fresh new decals, put all the clean shined up bits back on with plenty 'o grease where applicable, run some new cables and new tires and enjoy !
There is much satisfaction to be had from really getting in there and refurbishing an old bike. It will look and feel brand new !
Merry Christmas,
Joe
12-25-12, 07:48 PM
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Bicycle Repair Man !!!
12-25-12, 11:15 PM
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thanks for the responses! I am always a bit overly concerned with safety...
To me, the paint is part of what makes this bike an Ironman, so I probably wont go the strip and repaint route. Most likely I will just nail polish spot fix. Mechanically, the front brake needs a bit of work and chain need some lube, nothing too bad.
One strange thing though: this bike has an 8 speed cassette, but the 105 DT shifter only has six "clicks". Modern cassette + classic shifter mismatch?
Your words are comforting and discomforting at the same time. How peculiar
To me, the paint is part of what makes this bike an Ironman, so I probably wont go the strip and repaint route. Most likely I will just nail polish spot fix. Mechanically, the front brake needs a bit of work and chain need some lube, nothing too bad.
One strange thing though: this bike has an 8 speed cassette, but the 105 DT shifter only has six "clicks". Modern cassette + classic shifter mismatch?
Your words are comforting and discomforting at the same time. How peculiar
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