We_are_Stevo":2i4dnldn said:
boy"O"boy":2i4dnldn said:
At some point in it's life, there had been a small lengthways fracture in the top tube that had been repaired.
Unfortunately, to get to the bare metal, they'd taken an angle grinder to a localised area and had ground several flat spots on the tube. This would have thinned the wall thickness in this area. :cry:
The rest of the frame was sound and straight though so I decided to continue with a full 'original spec' resto, although when finished it would be a garage queen rather than a 'rider'
Just seems a shame to go to all that effort and expense then just look at it... :?
Each to their own I guess?
Hi all.
Thanks for all your responses. All critique welcome...
A few points if I may-
The bike is certainly not unridable. I had a late night spin round the block on it when it was done ( didn't need lights!
) and let a couple of the lads at work have a spin round the car park once the studio shots had been done.
I think the confusion here is my definition of 'rider'
Like Raging_Bulls suggests - this would be absolutely fine for a towpath trail for example. The thing is, my definition of a 'rider' would be to turn up at a retrobike meet / national points series / mountain mayhem and earn your 'retrobike rider status' my giving your latest build a bit of punishment. Failure of latest and greatest would not only be potentially dangerous, you'd also get a fair about of ribbing from the other riders.
.... Witness my free hub failure at Cannock chase. Mark did a great trail side repair but my ride was over. I knew it was faulty but I thought 'it'll last out".
Frames are different however. I'd be an idiot to ride at an event like that knowing full well there was a massive potential for A+E / facial damage etc..
All of my retrobikes get the same resto treatment. Step one is to strip it back to bare metal and analyse what you've got. I do the same for bars and stems too. This is also why I prefer to buy frames that need a 'bit of work'. It's also the thrill of the chase getting the parts/ sorting the paint/ drawing up and working out the graphic reproductions. Then it's all got to come together 'just right'
With 2 Aluminium 'O's as riders that have proven themselves - especially the orange/White #20 which has done 3 rounds of the points series so far and 3 laps at mayhem - I'll stick with these as my 'riders' to take the punishment.
Even my modern is not immune to damage. I recently had a 'big off' on my five bending the front wheel and bars in the process. My riding mate reckoned I'd be in A+E had I been on the 'O' .... We settled for the hospital arms instead for adnams and crisps ...and a tea towel of ice cubes!!
How do I get a 'retrobike rider status' btw? - I must have qualified now!
*Monday Evening edit - pics included!*
Cheers all,
boy"O"boy
