It's done!
Or, at least can now be ridden.
It was pretty clear from the start that the frame would not take a polish, not without losing a lot of the weld detail, so I thought I would have it painted so at least it looked a little like it was anodised. That turned out to be a little more difficult that anticipated, quite possible, but at a cost, so instead I went for bright, as at that stage I was still unsure if the bottom bracket shell would be OK or toast.
ABC Coatings in Nailsea, nr Bristol were recommended by a couple of forum members and for £30 cash that did a really great job.
Much to my delight, I found Avon Electro Plating in my home town. They were able to transform a number of bits of aluminium from their abused purple state, into a much more tasteful satin black version of their former selves. Not cheap, but worth it I think.
Gil_M supplied the decals, to my specification. I do have some Smokestone decals, but I'm undecided about applying them yet. I am also not completely sure about the clear feet on the main decal, but if I decide I don't like it, Gil can always produce a couple more for me.
Spec sheets at the bottom, and it is my usual style of build, so will not appeal to all. So far I have just had a quick spin round the block, but already it's clear that the Bigfoot is light and nimble, so I look forwards to a trip around the Forest of Dean with TC, as a try out.
Thanks to: TC for the frame, forks, handlebars and front mech. To Ishaw for the NOS ControlTech stem, to Nevadasmith for the cranks complete with purple (now black) spider, to justbackdated for the new elastomers and to Graham Foot for at least trying to save the thread in the BB shell. Other bits'n'bobs were acquired along the way and my apologies if I have not given due credit to you if you supplied some of the bits.
I know, it's very ..
RED.
In fact, the pictures don't show just how red and shiny it is.
Bigfoot Smokestone Spec Sheet.
Frame: 1993 Bigfoot Smokestone
No: 059302
Fork: Pace RC35
Headset: Mavic
Stem: 1 1/8” ControlTech quill
Handlebar: X-Lite Xpert
Grips: Sach Wavey
BarEnds: X-Lite Stubbies
Brakes: Cane Creek Direct Curve 3
Brake Levers: Shimano M600
Shifters: Sach Wavey 8 speed
Front Derailleur: XTR M901
Rear Derailleur: XTR M900
Cassette: Shimano
Chain: Shimano
Chainset: Middleburn RS3 with Stronglight rings
Pedals: Time Alium
Bottom Bracket: Shimano UN54
Rims: Mavic 221
Hubs: Shimano LX
QRs: Fred Salmon NOS
Tyres: WTB Velociraptor
Saddle: Selle Italia
Seatpost: USE
Seatpost Binder: Hope