Rudge Aero Pathracer
#1
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Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: Cambridge UK
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Bikes: 1935 Rudge Whitworth Roadster
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Rudge Aero Pathracer
My next project! My original plan was to buy an old Rudge frame and build a vintage path racer mainly for a bit of fun. Bike theft is quite high in Cambridge, so the thought of buying a Pashley Guvnor made me very nervous!
My current project is a lovely 1935 Rudge Whitworth roadster which has been respectfully restored using original parts in wartime black, however I wanted to be creative with this new project..shiney new, minimal single speeded 'fixie', drop North Road bars, drum brake, cream tyres, Rudge maroon respray.
I've had the frame for two days now and it is growing on me as it is...faded lustre orange finish with beautiful transfers, but if I were going to do a restoration job, I would need to try re-create the transfers myself in Adobe Illustrator. It's still got that old fusty metal smell.
So what do I do?
I'm not a fan of club road racers so I've no plans to faithfully restore the bike, but should I keep the frame, spray some clear lacquer for that rat look? Bear in mind that all other parts will most likely be sparkly new.
https://i971.photobucket.com/albums/a...c/f4e766b6.jpg
My current project is a lovely 1935 Rudge Whitworth roadster which has been respectfully restored using original parts in wartime black, however I wanted to be creative with this new project..shiney new, minimal single speeded 'fixie', drop North Road bars, drum brake, cream tyres, Rudge maroon respray.
I've had the frame for two days now and it is growing on me as it is...faded lustre orange finish with beautiful transfers, but if I were going to do a restoration job, I would need to try re-create the transfers myself in Adobe Illustrator. It's still got that old fusty metal smell.
So what do I do?
I'm not a fan of club road racers so I've no plans to faithfully restore the bike, but should I keep the frame, spray some clear lacquer for that rat look? Bear in mind that all other parts will most likely be sparkly new.
https://i971.photobucket.com/albums/a...c/f4e766b6.jpg
#2
I LOVE the patina on it. I wouldn't do a thing to it except wash it down with a cloth and some alcohol, and then wax the hell out of it. If there is any rust, rubbing it down with evaporust should take care of it. Stuff's reusable and non-toxic too, works great on surface rust on old frames: https://www.evaporust.com/
#4
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Build it up and ride it for the summer. The patina will either grow on you or you'll learn to hate it. Paint it next winter if you feel it's what the bike wants.
#6
Bianchi Goddess
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Personally I love the way it looks, too bad there isn't a way to dip in plastic or something.
All the Posers will be jealous because you'll like like the original "fixie Dude" once you get it up and running. Single speed with a coaster brake would be a cool idea or maybe a IGH?
All the Posers will be jealous because you'll like like the original "fixie Dude" once you get it up and running. Single speed with a coaster brake would be a cool idea or maybe a IGH?
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One morning you wake up, the girl is gone, the bikes are gone, all that's left behind is a pair of old tires and a tube of tubular glue, all squeezed out"
Sugar "Kane" Kowalczyk
One morning you wake up, the girl is gone, the bikes are gone, all that's left behind is a pair of old tires and a tube of tubular glue, all squeezed out"
Sugar "Kane" Kowalczyk
#7
Phyllo-buster
Join Date: Jan 2010
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Beuatiful bike so choose your poison, You like path racers but not clubracers? So get a flip flop wheels, bars of your choice, a Brooks, mudguards and call it whatever you want.
I really want that frame.
I really want that frame.
#8
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I'm not going to say it. But y'all know I'm thinkin' it ...
#9
Senior Member
Personally I love the way it looks, too bad there isn't a way to dip in plastic or something.
All the Posers will be jealous because you'll like like the original "fixie Dude" once you get it up and running. Single speed with a coaster brake would be a cool idea or maybe a IGH?
All the Posers will be jealous because you'll like like the original "fixie Dude" once you get it up and running. Single speed with a coaster brake would be a cool idea or maybe a IGH?
#10
Riding like its 1990
I often repaint rustbuckets (beachcruiser i picked up) but this one is special and I'd agree, that finish should stay. The nice thing is that its not halfway faded, but evenly patina'd.
#11
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Here is the chainring which I've picked up for it. I will investigate the possibility of having it nickel plated. I agree that it is only original once. What's preventing me from repainting the frame, is it's original colour, it just looks good. Waiting a year is probably a good idea, I get two bikes!
#13
Cisalpinist
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Great frame. I already picture it riding along the colleges with a nice old brooks, GB drop bars and a sturmey archer 3 speed with either a proto-brifter set up or the beautiful quadrant shifter on the top tube. Definitely following thi build with great interest.
#14
Get off my lawn!
Join Date: Nov 2010
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None the less, and old Rudge would make a lovely Pashley G. look alike.
Exhale................................
#15
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Well first task is to track down a Raleigh 26 tpi bottom bracket and a cup. Oh the joy. But it's probably going to have to be one of these....
https://store.velo-orange.com/index.p...-brackets.html
Has anyone tried this with a Raleigh rebuild?
https://store.velo-orange.com/index.p...-brackets.html
Has anyone tried this with a Raleigh rebuild?
#17
Here is the chainring which I've picked up for it. I will investigate the possibility of having it nickel plated. I agree that it is only original once. What's preventing me from repainting the frame, is it's original colour, it just looks good. Waiting a year is probably a good idea, I get two bikes!
For nickel plating, try:
Prestige Electro-Plating
Unit 6, Cliff Street Industrial Estate,
Mexborough,
South Yorkshire,
S64 9HU
UK
tel: 01709 577004
Margaret will sort you out
#18
Birotate Charioteer
I really want to see where this one goes.
CK
CK
#19
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Bringing this back from the dead but I found the thread and I'm curious. What did you ever end up doing?!