Re: Re:
I've been out of cycling for 8 months now, due to liver problems (anyone got a liver they don't need?), but I think I've recovered enough to start cycling again. Maybe not commuting, but certainly the odd, slow jaunt into the countryside. It's been awful seeing everyone else having fun on bikes. I've even been getting jealous of lycra-clad racing spuds..
And so, I look toward my unfinished project: The Courier!
The last time I rode it, I wrecked the handlebar while trying to fit a new stem on my lunchbreak, and was too embarrassed to ride it. The search for a new handlebar got me a black Ritchey Forcelite, which went onto my Kili Racer, and the silver Forcelite from the Kili is now on the courier. As the steering is all silver, I decided to also switch the seat post, which I mysteriously had spare (I think it came from a Muddy Fox Monarch).
I took a quick photo after vaguely fitting the new bits:
I think that still looks good.
The next day, I remembered to get some pure acetone (the wifey's makeup remover didn't work) to try and remove the dodgy attempts at touching up the paint. The pure stuff worked really well, removing the various shades of red, and exposing lots of nicks of bare metal. I got rid of the underlying rust using a fibreglass pen, then coated the silvery metal with clear metal enamel to (hopefully) seal it.
I admit I was starting to consider getting it re-coated at that point. How good would it look without all the scratches and nicks, and with nice complete decals?? Too good, that's what! I must learn to embrace the patina, rather than having another bike that I'm afraid of getting scratched.
Last night, I refitted the front mech, and tonight I plan to cable it all up and deal with the remaining rust patches. Tomorrow, I might actually ride it! :shock:
The stickers are definitely a good match, although I'm not sure about my choice in tyres. Hopefully they just need a good clean!MatBH5":242orcd9 said:
I've been out of cycling for 8 months now, due to liver problems (anyone got a liver they don't need?), but I think I've recovered enough to start cycling again. Maybe not commuting, but certainly the odd, slow jaunt into the countryside. It's been awful seeing everyone else having fun on bikes. I've even been getting jealous of lycra-clad racing spuds..
And so, I look toward my unfinished project: The Courier!
The last time I rode it, I wrecked the handlebar while trying to fit a new stem on my lunchbreak, and was too embarrassed to ride it. The search for a new handlebar got me a black Ritchey Forcelite, which went onto my Kili Racer, and the silver Forcelite from the Kili is now on the courier. As the steering is all silver, I decided to also switch the seat post, which I mysteriously had spare (I think it came from a Muddy Fox Monarch).
I took a quick photo after vaguely fitting the new bits:
I think that still looks good.
The next day, I remembered to get some pure acetone (the wifey's makeup remover didn't work) to try and remove the dodgy attempts at touching up the paint. The pure stuff worked really well, removing the various shades of red, and exposing lots of nicks of bare metal. I got rid of the underlying rust using a fibreglass pen, then coated the silvery metal with clear metal enamel to (hopefully) seal it.
I admit I was starting to consider getting it re-coated at that point. How good would it look without all the scratches and nicks, and with nice complete decals?? Too good, that's what! I must learn to embrace the patina, rather than having another bike that I'm afraid of getting scratched.
Last night, I refitted the front mech, and tonight I plan to cable it all up and deal with the remaining rust patches. Tomorrow, I might actually ride it! :shock:
