Recent content by Lenton58

Cheers! He built my 531 Woodrup. :wink:

Cheers! He built my 531 Woodrup. :wink:

For steel ... I guess that I should have said TIG! ?

A very interesting point! And I wonder if braze-filled frame construction was considered in the process. Would it not be the case that steel assembled with MIG would have different characteristics in respect to heat? And what if any differences are there in the way that the newer material...

The last time I looked at the Woodrup site, specific frame designs could be ordered in 531 with an informative proviso which went something like ... depending on supply. The last complete set of publicly auctioned Reynolds 531 bicycle tubing sold for an astronomical sum. This has lead me...

Contrarian — yes. Gainsayer — no. Currently I own a Woodrup in 531-C, a rare Simplon 4-Star in 531, and a Trek entry level racer in 501. My juvenile ride was a Reg Harris signed Raleigh Lenton Sports in 531 (hence my monicker) and I revere that bike to this day. No argument there, mate. —...

I am sure that you are right. Being the natural contrarian, I just such this in here. The only frame maker here in my Japanese city would — I am sure — use any tubing set I gave him. (He uses kaisei usually, but I have seen 531 on his bench). If the OP finds someone as flexible as this man, he...

I am sure that you are right. Being the natural contrarian, I just such this in here. The only frame maker here in my Japanese city would — I am sure — use any tubing set I gave him. (He uses kaisei usually, but I have seen 531 on his bench). If the OP finds someone as flexible as this man, he...

Here it is: It was not nearly the project that yours was, but is was a mess. The metal was tarnished and much of the paint had lifted. The clor and decals on this bike are original. I repaired the paint and it has a clear enamel coat as well. I know it's not perfect. The next one will be better...

Be different and go Kaisei: http://www.bikeschool.com/store/index.cgi?sp=kaisei There are more than a half dozen specs to choose from — all sorts of butts and varying wall thicknesses. This is great tubing apparently. Japanese keirin racing rules still call for all steel frames, and many...

Nice bike! I have an all-chromed frame. I repaired the original paint and sprayed it with clear enamel. The chrome does not like to hold onto the paint. Apparently, some chrome on frames that get colored is not finished in high sheen — not like the polished parts that show. Perhaps...

Very nice work! As the man said, modeler's enamel is tough. I use to repair frame enamel These days I know that hobbyists are using lacquers as well as water borne acrylics. If you used enamel, I'd go to the paint store or DIY store and pic up a can of spray clear enamel. It is non porous...

I would generally agree with you. Some advice from owners and former owners has been along these lines: if you are a very large, powerful person on a large size frame, the Vitus may not be your bike. Also, this is not the bicycle to ride as a commuter in the rain. Moisture in the joints can...

Hi jackthedog: A very nice looking machine. It's a 979 Mk II — distinctive for the fast back seat tube design that used a grub screw to fix the seat post. I have a Mk I. These are niche machines. Horror stories of catastrophic de-bonding of the interference fit on the tubes and lugs has...

As the old saying goes, one person's treasure is another person's junk. I have considered that if de-bonding ever happened to mine, I'd consider MIG welding.