DQRider 

Yeah, what he said!

This is a timely thread for me because I am building a bike right now that I always wanted, but I'm doing it in a very unconventional way.

Many of you have heard of "patina preservation", right? It's like enshrining the history of a significant bike under a protective, transparent coating - in this case rattle-can clear enamel.

Here is what I'm starting with - this photo was taken yesterday morning:


It's a `48 or `49 Raleigh Clubman. The serial number indicates `48, but the small "Raleigh" decal on the seat tube suggests `49. But honestly, who cares?



I am building it up with modern, alloy hardware, including sealed cartridge bearings and a modern 700c wheelset with Sturmey-Archer SRF-3 drivetrain - All in black.

Why? Black hardware will give visual priority to the abstract artwork of the bike's preserved patina. No shiny distractions.



Details like this will draw the eye to the wonderful hand-built craftsmanship, well-aged like a fine wine.

Or something...

What the heck, it was time to try something different. This is going to be fun!

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Raleigh74

DQRider 

That whole "period correct" thing puzzles me, especially when we are talking about a mass-produced bicycle.

It gets back to the "Resto-Mod" method - if you can improve the performance of an old bike economically by installing reasonably priced modern hardware, why not do that?

Case in point: my 1981 Peugeot PFN-10.



A Deore 1 x 9-speed drivetrain (total cost $84, new) did wonders for the all-round rideability of this bike. And since I modified it for commuting, the original sleek racing design was always going to be compromised anyway.

Right now, this is my best-riding bike. Too bad I have to put it away until Spring...

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wahoonc

Refreshing is my preference... I am cheap and lazy, I just want to ride.

Aaron

Wilmingtech

This is a timely thread. My project bike happens to be a bike I bought for myself in the late 80s. While the bike to me is nostalgic, I am not really looking to restore it to its original condition. The only reason I would restore to original was if it was going to be a "collectible" and hang on the wall somewhere never to be ridden.

When I bought the bike 30s years ago, back then I always dreamed of upgrading all the components to faster wheels with campy or dura ace parts. Always on the prowl to find things I could afford like bar tape to make it look better.

Now I will have the chamce to do that. I will do my best to keep the original paint on the frame, and if unhappy with the touch up would spend the time and money to repaint keeping it as close to original as I can. I will almost certainly be upgrading components to brifters and a 10spd drivetrain with new wheels.

Id love to ride this bike like it was meant to be ridden.

That being said, I still think it needs to have a "classy" look. Chrome components and sexy chainrings on a classic looking crankset. I think there is certainly a balance somewhere between art, form and function. Usually at the cost of dollars never to be recovered.

-Sean

Lazyass

I no longer buy bikes that don't have nice paint. Just too much of a PIA, turns into a money pit.

Hudson308 

Wow, Gary... that thing is a beautiful mess!
I agree it's the perfect candidate for your take on a "Patina Restoration", as Luxlow likes to call it.

Driftingwood

If you have an old bike with chips in the paint would it make it more valuable to attempt to match the paint and fix the marks?

Hudson308 

More valuable?
Probably not.
More presentable?
Probably yes, depending on how well the touch-ups match.

tkamd73 

Wilmingtech

Just looked up Yellow Jersey. They look like a great outfit to get some work done.
Yellow Jersey Website
Anyone know of a place similar in either the Portland or Seattle areas?

-Sean

crank_addict

I'm in agreement with almost every reply, also likely have committed sins in the eyes of others.

On topic, the depicted Witcomb was acquired as original but greatly neglected. I decided to resurrect it, not glorify but get it to excellent mechanical and cleaned condition.

Interestingly enough, I met Peter Weigle and where the conversation lead to his memories and apprenticeship at the old London shop during the time of the bikes build. He teased me of yet saving the original decals and spec sheet brochure on this model. Of course, now the idea of refinishing and having him do it is tempting. But then again, I kind of like the character scars and survivor story, 'it is what it is' bringing happy miles to this day.

J.Higgins 

Its difficult for me to comprehend that you folks in NS have electricity, let alone a Costco...

Seriously though, I often find myself spending way more on a "resto-mod" than if I were just going to refresh a bike. Its a serious affliction, one which my wallet suffers greatly.

Wileyone 

Amazing isn't it... We also have indoor plumbing and not all our Fathers are Fishermen or Lumberjacks...We are peaceful and friendly. That may be hard for you to understand.

HarborBandS

People on this forum are probably the largest concentration of vintage bike lovers in the world today. But there is a vast, unloved supply of mass-market vintage steel bikes out there rotting away in peoples' garages, sheds, and basements. I think it's great that people are snatching these up and converting them to a modern use. Resto-mod's are popular on this forum, and I just completed one myself on a 1987 Schwinn Super Sport. It's truly the "best of both worlds", offering the look and ride of a vintage steel frame, but modern wheels and components. But while this was a nice bike in 1987, it was hardly rare or really that interesting. And I started with a bare frame (which was probably parted out by the previous owner to supply someone's "period correct" build out there with some nice Shimano 600 parts).

I have another Tenax Schwinn (1986 Prelude) that is a complete bike. Again, this is not the most sought after vintage bike out there, but it is in good shape with original parts, so I am hesitant to alter it at this point--even though I dislike the down tube friction shifting. So I am keeping it complete for the time being. Perhaps it will become a nice retro-mod sport touring bike at some point, or maybe I will sell it.

The next vast reservoir of unloved steel bike frames is the MTB and Hybrid market of the 1990's. I built of hundreds of these during my tenure in a bike shop, and now you can pick them up for very little money. Some of them may make nice touring, gravel, or adventure bikes. For the time being, they are largely overlooked by retro-grouch purists because this era of cycling is often considered a downward movement.

However, if a bike is truly rare, collectible or unique, then I personally would be uncomfortable altering it for any reason, other than safety and mechanical integrity.

J.Higgins 

Here's a link to a resto-mod project I have on the backburner at the moment. I hope to get back to it soon.

https://www.bikeforums.net/classic-v...urrection.html

bark_eater 

I've got a bunch of cosmetically challenged frames. I'm leaning towards a rust treatment, nail polish and clear coat regime. That way the bike can be a bike again and I can deside weather i.love it enough to splurge on a paint

Paletti

I was on both sides of the fence. I bought some great shape originals and some not so great shape that I had refinished. My collection started getting too big and I decided that I would just stick to original paint and sell the one's refinished. Some bikes do need to be refinished. A lot of paint and rust it's better to strip the frame and restore is rather than let it rust away. The redone frames look amazing and beautiful but in the back of my head I know that it's not "real": It's not the original bike as it was made. So I sold off most of my refinished frames except for a couple that I ride a lot. On the originals I'll touch up paint chips and if the columbus decal is totally gone I'll put a new one on. But, I'm done with the project frames.

Johno59

I can't stand rust. It's like cancer it grows and grows until it destroys the host. Folks speak about surface rust as enhancing the pantia of a frame. To me that's like insisting a lit cigarette makes a beautiful mouth more alluring.
You got to be ****ting me.
My next project is a 1906 Sunbeam that was ridden by a little old lady in Norwich for nearly a hundred years.
It obviously has no chrome so it's back to the metal and repaint. It has a two speed bottom bracket that I'm seriously thinking of highlighting with a glass cover plate to accentuate the planetary and sun gears of the cycoptic gearbox.
IMHO that is the best way to ensure the rust is dead and someone is riding it as a means of sustainable transport in 2118.

madpogue 

I don't recall any mention of surface rust enhancing patina. Bare metal clear-coated over, yes, but not rust.

DQRider 

Yeah, that's where we bicycle folks differ from the car guys. They actually have processes that will take a normally aged panel and cover it in surface rust to enhance their "Rat Rod" street cred. They rust it, neutralize it, and then clear-coat over it. That's just weird...

.

Classtime 

garryg

I am very new to the vintage bike scene. I just finished fixing up a very nice Le Croco,Canadian bike. I was all set to paint it but had second thoughts after reading Randy Jawas MY TEN SPEEDS.I touched it up and put on new decals and i am glad i did not paint. Having said that my second bike is a blue Falcon from the early seventies which i stripped and just started painting yellow. I always wanted a yellow bike with red accents. To each his own i say,no rules.Will post pics of Le CRoco when new tires show up.

Wileyone 

Can't wait to see pics of your Crock.

Dave Cutter

I've often been surprised at how many bikes I've seen that appear to have been hung-up in the garage or attic.... with having barely been ridden. There are plenty if great bikes out there for those who desire "original only".

For those who wish to repaint and rebuild to their own or original specs... IMHO, have at it and enjoy yourself.

I've always stayed as original as possible. But I've recently seen some pictures... of rebuilds, of bikes, like one I own. 1" carbon forks were often used, with modern stem parts, brifters, new light-weight (black) wheels, and compact handlebars. I liked the look! And seriously considered upgrading/up-dating my own vintage Cannondale. Or.... maybe hunting down a nice lugged steal bike to transform. I haven't yet. But I am still thinking about it.

There are enough beautiful old bikes out there to fill countless museum's. And maybe some day they will. But for now... I don't think we need worry about losing the "vintage bike resource".