Any Love for Vintage Chrome Road Bikes?
04-04-20, 07:58 PM
#26
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I love chrome bikes!
I and a friend of mine refurbished his 81 Voyageur when he wanted me to teach him how to work on bikes. Normally I prefer this bike without decals (which is how mine is) but when we removed the ugly clear coat from the entire frame we worked around the decals. The yellowed look of the clear coat over the decals proved to be too precious. Now when I stand my Voyageur next to his it’s not even close as to which one I prefer...his by a long shot. Everything just pops against that wonderful mirrored frame.
I and a friend of mine refurbished his 81 Voyageur when he wanted me to teach him how to work on bikes. Normally I prefer this bike without decals (which is how mine is) but when we removed the ugly clear coat from the entire frame we worked around the decals. The yellowed look of the clear coat over the decals proved to be too precious. Now when I stand my Voyageur next to his it’s not even close as to which one I prefer...his by a long shot. Everything just pops against that wonderful mirrored frame.
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04-04-20, 08:08 PM
#27
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Chromies are beautiful. I have always thought red is the perfect contrast to chrome. That bike is no exception. I had to get a stubborn clear coat off of chrome before without any damage to the chrome. It takes a great deal of patience but after removing the clear coat it is good it was there as there is no fade or pitting to the chrome. The clear coat did its job and protected the finish.
04-05-20, 07:23 AM
#28
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I have 2 Centurion Pro-tours, both chromed, the 81 has a nice Maroon Paint and the 83 has been stripped and just has a couple of satin black panels.
04-05-20, 01:08 PM
#29
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Why yes, I do like chrome road bikes. I like chrome track bikes also.
ca 69 Champ du Monde by L Travers, on Flickr
I don't have the piste any longer. It has a new home in Cali.
20081230_9_1 by L Travers, on Flickr
ca 69 Champ du Monde by L Travers, on FlickrI don't have the piste any longer. It has a new home in Cali.
20081230_9_1 by L Travers, on Flickr
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04-07-20, 03:44 PM
#30
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Macario Professional - before
After
Last edited by sced; 04-07-20 at 03:49 PM.
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04-07-20, 07:07 PM
#32
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All chrome - meh ... Chrome socks on a candy-painted frame? Exquisite!
Then again, I MAY be a bit biased since I've had this since new...40+ years ago!!!
Then again, I MAY be a bit biased since I've had this since new...40+ years ago!!!
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04-08-20, 03:34 PM
#33
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Calling Andy_K to show of his lovely chrome Pinarello!
My ‘87 Marinoni is full chrome under the paint, which sticks OK but the frame is protected when it doesn’t. The full chrome rear triangle is pretty and tough. And no vent holes anywhere!
In 650B configuration, the Berthoud stainless fenders add to the shine.
My ‘87 Marinoni is full chrome under the paint, which sticks OK but the frame is protected when it doesn’t. The full chrome rear triangle is pretty and tough. And no vent holes anywhere!
In 650B configuration, the Berthoud stainless fenders add to the shine.
04-09-20, 04:42 AM
#34
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Before...
After (when built, I still had a thing for bright bar tape. Not so much, anymore. In fact, the tape on this build looks awful,..
After (when built, I still had a thing for bright bar tape. Not so much, anymore. In fact, the tape on this build looks awful,..
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04-09-20, 05:05 AM
#35
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Wow! If/when I have the good fortune to add a full chrome racer to the collection, this will be the inspiration for the build. Love the low aero profile h+plus sons and modern shifting. Fantastic!
04-09-20, 07:23 AM
#36
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04-09-20, 09:27 AM
#37
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04-09-20, 09:27 AM
#38
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1972 Fuji "Newest" stripped of it's paint, naked.
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04-09-20, 09:35 AM
#39
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1982 Fuji "Professional" in the buff.
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04-10-20, 09:59 AM
#40
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BTW, thanks for your support in the Hot or Not thread on the road forum. I live in the Appalachian foothills where the 14-34 is transformational.
Last edited by sced; 04-10-20 at 11:34 AM.
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04-10-20, 10:02 AM
#41
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Love those Fujis!
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04-10-20, 11:14 AM
#42
...addicted...
My work-from-home-space is just around the corner from the garage, and in sight is top of mind. I've done a bit of re-organizing, and come to the realization I've got enough to finish a few bikes. This thread has inspired me to strip one of my two pink Team Fujis to have a chrome road bike to go with the Ross Mt Whitney, that's been apart for the better part of two years now. It appears to have three layers of paint on over the chrome.
04-10-20, 01:36 PM
#43
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My work-from-home-space is just around the corner from the garage, and in sight is top of mind. I've done a bit of re-organizing, and come to the realization I've got enough to finish a few bikes. This thread has inspired me to strip one of my two pink Team Fujis to have a chrome road bike to go with the Ross Mt Whitney, that's been apart for the better part of two years now. It appears to have three layers of paint on over the chrome.
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04-12-20, 06:37 AM
#44
Honorary Bicycle Rider
After re-visiting the same CL ad for weeks, I felt compelled to take a look at an all-chrome bike. Pictures from owner weren't great, but thought the bike had potential. And, to be honest, I've always wanted to own a chrome road bike for no particular reason other than I think they look cool when polished up.
After taking a look at the bike, I couldn't resist buying it as the price was right. Condition of bike frame and components were better than expected (Shimano 105 1050 groupset throughout). Still trying to determine what type of bike it is as there are no decals or headbadge, other than the lugs are BCM/Bacoma. Headbadge has a sticker that says "Official Licensed Product CART" and has a graphic of an Indy Car and checkered racing flag. No information whatsoever on the web regarding what that sticker means or who made it.
BTW - frame is steel, chrome plated.
Anyways...back to the main my question...thoughts on chrome plated road bikes...any love for the older chrome bikes? I've done a bit of research but surprisingly have not found a lot of information. Seems like main topic related to chrome frames is the potential safety issues with the integrity of the frame once it is chromed (although there are plenty of "experts" that claim that this is just a myth).
After taking a look at the bike, I couldn't resist buying it as the price was right. Condition of bike frame and components were better than expected (Shimano 105 1050 groupset throughout). Still trying to determine what type of bike it is as there are no decals or headbadge, other than the lugs are BCM/Bacoma. Headbadge has a sticker that says "Official Licensed Product CART" and has a graphic of an Indy Car and checkered racing flag. No information whatsoever on the web regarding what that sticker means or who made it.
BTW - frame is steel, chrome plated.
Anyways...back to the main my question...thoughts on chrome plated road bikes...any love for the older chrome bikes? I've done a bit of research but surprisingly have not found a lot of information. Seems like main topic related to chrome frames is the potential safety issues with the integrity of the frame once it is chromed (although there are plenty of "experts" that claim that this is just a myth).
04-12-20, 10:12 AM
#45
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I love chrome, I sorely miss chrome.
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04-12-20, 10:36 AM
#46
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No chrome track bikes? In !975 I passed on a chrome Paramount with skip tooth gearing for a beautiful red Witcomb, $100 less and about 1 lb. lighter...
But what a bike.
A Travesty - and yet so simple to remedy - Get that unspeakable foam off'en there and use red cloth... on eBay, listed for $4500
But what a bike.
A Travesty - and yet so simple to remedy - Get that unspeakable foam off'en there and use red cloth... on eBay, listed for $4500
Last edited by Last ride 76; 04-12-20 at 10:47 AM.
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04-12-20, 08:40 PM
#47
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I love chrome bikes. I have a black chrome High Sierra- but it's not the same.
A few years ago, I came into a bit of money- I considered getting a custom built chrome deal-y. The builder I chose was out of the country at the time, and the money went piddling to all kinds of other things.
A few years ago, I came into a bit of money- I considered getting a custom built chrome deal-y. The builder I chose was out of the country at the time, and the money went piddling to all kinds of other things.
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04-12-20, 08:51 PM
#48
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I recall that BITD we talked about how those were full chrome under the paint, and couldn't for the life of us figure out why they painted 'em!
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1987 Mercian Pro, 1985 Shogun 500, 197? Falcon San Remo, 1972 Peugeot PX-10, 1972 Schwinn Paramount P13-9, 1971 Peugeot PX-10, 1971 Raleigh International, 1970 Raleigh Professional Mark I
Curator/Team Mechanic: 2016 Dawes Streetfighter, 1984 Lotus Eclair, 1975 Motobecane Jubile Mixte, 1974 Raleigh Sports, 1973 Free Spirit Ted Williams, 1972 Raleigh Super Course, 1971 Philips Sport
04-12-20, 08:52 PM
#49
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Most beautiful chromed bike I ever saw was a mid-'60s Allegro when it was new. But most would think of it as painted. Yes, torquoise lacquer over the fully polished chrome, fading beautifully into the chrome fork and stays. Bike had a glow I haven't seen since. (Not a durable finish. Last time I saw it was decades later after many years on Martha's Vineyard. Some rust and no paint surviving. Still very nice chrome.
Ben
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04-17-20, 12:58 PM
#50
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Still a work in process, but here are a few updated pictures. I’ve fixed the stripped fork stem and re-greased, reupholstered seat with leather, repositioned brake levers, swapped left and right brake levers (they were installed backwards) and installed new grips.
