mAdam
Old School Hero
It was both the clichéd desire to always own a TVT back when i was a junior, and always seeing so many fantastic examples on this forum that led me to finally use another 'mid-life crisis' card and go in search of one. I eventually came across a red TVT in my exact size for sale on here by forum member Mircea
The only problems were that it was a complete bike & it was located in Romania. I already had a box full of Dura Ace 7400/02 set aside for the build, so contacted Mircea to see if he would be willing to split? which thankfully he was and after a few (viber) phone calls i was totally at ease about doing the deal. Mircea speaks excellent English and is a true gentleman. The frame arrived within 5 days perfectly encased in polystyrene.
Manufactured in 1988, i was prepared for 28 years of wear & tear on the frame, and although structurally sound it did certainly display a multitude of battle scars. First things first were to remove the non original decals and see how the frame would clean up. My intention was to try and keep the frame original, and despite my best efforts and squinting at certain defects, it became clear i was going to have to think seriously about some new paint. :cry:
This is how the frame arrived. Looks pretty good from this distance, but the MEYNET (not sure who they are) decals had been on there a long time and left a shadow in the lacquer when i removed them........
..................and up close pretty much every tube has a few scrapes that certainly wont buff out!
I've taken the decision to apply some fresh paint. I'm not exactly happy about losing the originality of the frame, but the scrapes & scores detract so much from it, that i feel its a necessary evil. And given that i plan to build it up and use it as much as possible a refurbishment will hopefully help prolong it for many more years of service?
The only problems were that it was a complete bike & it was located in Romania. I already had a box full of Dura Ace 7400/02 set aside for the build, so contacted Mircea to see if he would be willing to split? which thankfully he was and after a few (viber) phone calls i was totally at ease about doing the deal. Mircea speaks excellent English and is a true gentleman. The frame arrived within 5 days perfectly encased in polystyrene.
Manufactured in 1988, i was prepared for 28 years of wear & tear on the frame, and although structurally sound it did certainly display a multitude of battle scars. First things first were to remove the non original decals and see how the frame would clean up. My intention was to try and keep the frame original, and despite my best efforts and squinting at certain defects, it became clear i was going to have to think seriously about some new paint. :cry:
This is how the frame arrived. Looks pretty good from this distance, but the MEYNET (not sure who they are) decals had been on there a long time and left a shadow in the lacquer when i removed them........
..................and up close pretty much every tube has a few scrapes that certainly wont buff out!
I've taken the decision to apply some fresh paint. I'm not exactly happy about losing the originality of the frame, but the scrapes & scores detract so much from it, that i feel its a necessary evil. And given that i plan to build it up and use it as much as possible a refurbishment will hopefully help prolong it for many more years of service?
It has gone off to Liquid Colour Design for a bit of a freshen up. Iain paints crash helmets for a living and is a true artist. His work is fantastic and his skills with an airbrush & spray gun will hopefully breath new life into the old TVT........................
