A quick preview of what's to come....1991 GT Zaskar project.

[PhillB]

As for the finish on the frame it's more like a satin sheen finish, which suits the frame quite well.
I am not trying to make this bike (when finished) look like a brand new bike anyway, I am not scared of a few marks here and there as It is after all a 34 year old bike and any marks it will have will add character. It was never intended as a immaculate piece to just look at. it is a bike and it needs to be used as such!
That is my take on it anyway but I do respect other members' ideas on immaculate restoration too, each to their own.

Absolutely! 'Each to their own' is what makes it so interesting!

As you point out, Zaskars were Ball Burnished which was more of a satin finish anyway. It's actually highly polished ones like mine that are not period correct (if you like) but I've done what suits me and I wholeheartedly recommend that approach (i.e. doing what suits them) to everyone .

 

[Black_puma]

The catalogue entry looks more highly polished, though...but that may be just the way it looks in the photograph.

 

[PhillB]

Yes, polished, but not a mirror shine, if you know what I mean.

 

[Black_puma]

Yes, polished, but not a mirror shine, if you know what I mean

Yes, polished, but not a mirror shine, if you know what I mean.

View attachment 1006931

Am I right in thinking those tyres are Ritchey Megabites?
I have a decent set of Ritchey MegaBites waiting for my build. It felt like the right choice for this build.

 

[PhillB]

Am I right in thinking those tyres are Ritchey Megabites?
I have a decent set of Ritchey MegaBites waiting for my build. It felt like the right choice for this build.

Could well be - they look like Ritchey Vantage Rims - I've just noticed that the bike in the Ad is sporting Suntour Compontents too!

Nice to have a decent set of Megabites!!! All the ones I have come across have been finished :-(

 

[Black_puma]

Could well be - they look like Ritchey Vantage Rims - I've just noticed that the bike in the Ad is sporting Suntour Compontents too!

Nice to have a decent set of Megabites!!! All the ones I have come across have been finished :-(

yes, they're not easy to find in a usable condition. Mine are Z-Max variants though, not that that matters too much!

 

[Black_puma]

Got the priming done today, including the front plate of one of the two Flip Flop stems I have for this build.

 

[Black_puma]

This arrived in the post today, though I did have a seat post clamp that did fit correctly, the quick release lever was a later model which didn't really look right for my Zaskar.
I think this new arrival is a better fit and look to finish it off.

With regards to the respray of the forks, It's been a bit of a challenge to get a good smooth coverage of the paint, though the primer wasn't a problem, see previous post. In part this is due to my inexperience in working with spray paints so it is a bit frustrating.
So basically the paint has gone on okay but ends up leaving a pitted appearance and from what I read this could be a combination of different conditions.
1. Below optimum temperature (14c or above?)
2. My lack of experience
3. Too much wind
4. Spray paint layer too heavy
5. All of the above

I may have to purchase a gazebo (improvised spray paint booth) with sides to continue...as I am determined to learn and succeed with this job as I have committed myself to it now.
Any tips will be welcome and appreciated..

 

[PhillB]

This arrived in the post today, though I did have a seat post clamp that did fit correctly, the quick release lever was a later model which didn't really look right for my Zaskar.
I think this new arrival is a better fit and look to finish it off.

With regards to the respray of the forks, It's been a bit of a challenge to get a good smooth coverage of the paint, though the primer wasn't a problem, see previous post. In part this is due to my inexperience in working with spray paints so it is a bit frustrating.
So basically the paint has gone on okay but ends up leaving a pitted appearance and from what I read this could be a combination of different conditions.
1. Below optimum temperature (14c or above?)
2. My lack of experience
3. Too much wind
4. Spray paint layer too heavy
5. All of the above

I may have to purchase a gazebo (improvised spray paint booth) with sides to continue...as I am determined to learn and succeed with this job as I have committed myself to it now.
Any tips will be welcome and appreciated..

Which paint are you using?

Some of the top coats (like spray.bike) you have to hold the can much closer than seems normal. If you are too far away some of the paint will 'dry' before it his the frame/fork and will produce an orang peel effect.

You can sand it with some fine grade paper (1500/2000 grit) and add another coat

(It won't be much consolation, but my first paint job was terrible!! practice makes perfect)

 

[Black_puma]

Which paint are you using?

Some of the top coats (like spray.bike) you have to hold the can much closer than seems normal. If you are too far away some of the paint will 'dry' before it his the frame/fork and will produce an orang peel effect.

You can sand it with some fine grade paper (1500/2000 grit) and add another coat

(It won't be much consolation, but my first paint job was terrible!! practice makes perfect)

I was initially using Montana black paint, but sanded that down and bought some Halfords gloss black paint, same result, so, like you said I may have not been close enough, because when I spray painted a front plate of one of the stems, I had a much better result. That was sprayed much closer.
Thanks for that advice @PhillB , maybe I need to get closer with the forks too, will try again this weekend.
And yes, practice makes perfect, I'll try not to be too hard on myself next time!

I am an absolute beginner when it comes to spray painting and there's no shame in admitting that, haha.
You got to start somewhere, like everyone does...