Sup’s Single Owner GT [De]evolution - 3rd frame

[Suprachrgd82]

I started removing hardware from the frame to strip the decals and found “BLEM” stamped in the dropout.



Presumably it’s a BLEM because the GT logo is upside down on the headtube. Everything else looks to be in reasonably good condition. Above all, she has zero cracks.

 

[Suprachrgd82]

Nice.

Glad to see you have ditched the 3rd person nonsense

Supra is grossly unstable and could relapse at any time….

 

[Suprachrgd82]

I stripped the decals with aircraft remover this morning. Hours of wet-sanding and wire wool await. Being a California native in the dead of winter, wet sanding in the freezing 65 degree F afternoon sun will be arduous and barely tolerable. No, seriously, that’s friggin‘ cold for us.


Being that the donor bike is 100% complete, I only intend to replace a few components.

 

[Suprachrgd82]

scrubbed the welds and nooks with abrasive bathroom cleaner and the wife’s toothbrush so primer will bond without fish-eyes


Wet sanded with 600 grit to knock down protruding scratches and identify which areas need filler.

 

[Suprachrgd82]

Dents & scratches have been filled with JB Weld (best body filler ever) and sanded smooth. I gotta figure out how to hang the frame and spray on a layer of etching primer folowed by sandable primer…

 

[Suprachrgd82]

I made a makeshift frame hanger out of miscellaneous stuff from the garage to primer the frame. I sit watching paint (primer) dry. Years ago I block sanded my car to prep for new paint. It had a layer of etching primer followed by 2 coats of [other] primer. I followed the same premise here in order to assure a durable finish.

And in a moment of weakness, Answer riser bars, Easton stem, Origin8 purple headset and a Teflon cable guide persuaded ol’ Sup to hit the BIN button.

 

[Suprachrgd82]

More parts arrived. Taller handlebars and shorter stem because I’m aging like milk rather than cheese.


And a decal that represents this bike, being a mix of XT, LX, GT, Thomson, Easton, Manitou, Answer, Selle, Cane Creek, Pauls, Tektro, Araya, Michellin, Origin8, Wellgo, Kalloy….maybe more.

 

[Suprachrgd82]

Paint is drying, decals and clear coat are at the ready


Primer was wet sanded to be a few microns thin (minimal soft primer beneath paint provides a rugged finish) and gunmetal grey was laid down

 

[Suprachrgd82]

second coat of clear

 

[Suprachrgd82]

No turning back now. Donor bike is in pieces and I’m at the “oh no, what have I done” stage.