He is aware of the website but not sure whether he is a member. I'll ask when I next see him. I did pop down this afternoon and said 'that's come up nice'. He said 'we havent cleaned it yet, just wiped it down with a cloth before we started taking parts off it!'
I quizzed him about the rear mech. Below is a photo of the rear mech. He said it is quite normal for (as an example) 2025 components to be supplied to bike companies year or so before, so they can integrate them onto their 2025 models, otherwise the 2025 bike would have 2024 components and be less desirable.
He's stripped the bike down and put the components into individual bags. He plans to clean everything (including each individual nut and bolt) and re-grease etc, but pointed out the markings on the 1st picture below. He explained he is the first person to remove the parts because of the markings in the paint. Apparently, if you remove and refit - it creates another set of markings. I kinda understand what he's saying...
He asked me about a tiny dent on the left side of the frame and I told him not to worry about it because it was dented when it was given to me (but I could hardly complain about it and it's tiny and you only see it when the light catches it - so I'm not fussed).
He smiled and said 'that adds to the intrigue because I can tell that was done before the bike was painted, which backs up what you are saying about it being a gift from someone who worked at Orange because they wouldn't have sold it'.
He is going to clean every single component of the bike and is planning to make it look like a brand new bike, but using modern lubricants etc.
We've agreed he wont put the crud catchers and lights etc back on, but said I should keep hold of the crud catchers as they are 'in keeping with the era'.
Cant wait to get it back!!! Will put more photos on when it's done.
