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Tea and biscuits for this one. Nice work so far.
Project GRUBB (1960 F.H.Grubb, holdsworth era plain 531)
- Thread starter randomdan
- Start date
randomdan
Retro Guru
Re:
Lots starting to happen, Vernon Barkers are still working on the paint up on the frame - they've told me to expect that the paint might not be perfect on the chainstays and rear of the seat tube where the pitting is at it's worst, but it does look like the frame is structurally sound. With a repaint should be good for the next 55 years!
The williams fluted cranks have become a story on their own. I tried to clean them up, but when I tried to undo the chainring sleeve bolts two of them just sheared off.. I swore a little bit. I thought all was lost with the chainset. BUT thanks to the joy of retrobike, I discovered a little company called abel baker in bishop stortford
http://www.retrobike.co.uk/forum/viewto ... p;t=259213
after a phone chat to the guy down there who was REALLY knows his onions about vintage british bikes and components, I had 3 brand new perfect replica bolts on the way in the post. The bolts came with an hand written invoice for just a few quid, asking for payment by PO or Cheque - old fashioned wonderfulness, so the crankset was saved by Abel Baker..!
Now, from one old fashioned company to another - Over to Prestige Plating in Mexbourough - Actually the chroming is still pretty expensive, but their prices are the best I've seen this far. Both cranks, a chainring, 3 new sleeve bolts from abel Baker and the worst of the headset parts - they priced up at around 60 quid with VAT. Sure I could buy another secondhand set for less on ebay, but they'd probably be old, manky and rusty and I really like this set.... Hoping they will come out blinging like a 1950s gangster rapper.
Meanwhile I'm slowly working my way through cleaning up a brake or two..
And yeaahhh... Fibrax Leather faced brake pads going on. Lets do it right (hopefully I'll be able to stop if I plan a few days ahead)
Lots starting to happen, Vernon Barkers are still working on the paint up on the frame - they've told me to expect that the paint might not be perfect on the chainstays and rear of the seat tube where the pitting is at it's worst, but it does look like the frame is structurally sound. With a repaint should be good for the next 55 years!
The williams fluted cranks have become a story on their own. I tried to clean them up, but when I tried to undo the chainring sleeve bolts two of them just sheared off.. I swore a little bit. I thought all was lost with the chainset. BUT thanks to the joy of retrobike, I discovered a little company called abel baker in bishop stortford
http://www.retrobike.co.uk/forum/viewto ... p;t=259213
after a phone chat to the guy down there who was REALLY knows his onions about vintage british bikes and components, I had 3 brand new perfect replica bolts on the way in the post. The bolts came with an hand written invoice for just a few quid, asking for payment by PO or Cheque - old fashioned wonderfulness, so the crankset was saved by Abel Baker..!
Now, from one old fashioned company to another - Over to Prestige Plating in Mexbourough - Actually the chroming is still pretty expensive, but their prices are the best I've seen this far. Both cranks, a chainring, 3 new sleeve bolts from abel Baker and the worst of the headset parts - they priced up at around 60 quid with VAT. Sure I could buy another secondhand set for less on ebay, but they'd probably be old, manky and rusty and I really like this set.... Hoping they will come out blinging like a 1950s gangster rapper.
Meanwhile I'm slowly working my way through cleaning up a brake or two..
And yeaahhh... Fibrax Leather faced brake pads going on. Lets do it right (hopefully I'll be able to stop if I plan a few days ahead)
It doesn't surprise me over the frame condition after seeing the pics of the frame when you got it and it's not a modern light weight frame so their should be plenty of good metal left under the pitting so fingers crossed their will be nothing to worry about ..
As for the bolts and chroming it all seems really positive as you seem to have found a couple of really decent companies their mate as for Prestige plating i'd say their prices are really fair so nice work on finding them and i'm really looking forward to seeing the results of their work as i'm pretty certain the chrome finish will look amazing as for the brakes they look pretty damn good tbh especially the caliper springs as they look like their off something a lot newer so fingers crossed the leather fibrax pads will be more than up to their job of stopping the bike ..
As for the bolts and chroming it all seems really positive as you seem to have found a couple of really decent companies their mate as for Prestige plating i'd say their prices are really fair so nice work on finding them and i'm really looking forward to seeing the results of their work as i'm pretty certain the chrome finish will look amazing as for the brakes they look pretty damn good tbh especially the caliper springs as they look like their off something a lot newer so fingers crossed the leather fibrax pads will be more than up to their job of stopping the bike ..
randomdan
Retro Guru
Re:
Got the frame back from Vernon Baker at the weekend, after 9 coats of stove enamel. The pitting looks far worse in the photos, it's actually really superficial and you need to be close to see it.
Looks pretty damn nice inspite of the uneven parts on the chainstays, I'm very happy with the BRG/White colour choice - and I'm not surprised it didn't come out perfectly perfect. Its nice in a way that it's still able to tell it's tale 50 years of neglect and being left out in the rain...
Just a sneaky preview with the wheels...
Got the frame back from Vernon Baker at the weekend, after 9 coats of stove enamel. The pitting looks far worse in the photos, it's actually really superficial and you need to be close to see it.
Looks pretty damn nice inspite of the uneven parts on the chainstays, I'm very happy with the BRG/White colour choice - and I'm not surprised it didn't come out perfectly perfect. Its nice in a way that it's still able to tell it's tale 50 years of neglect and being left out in the rain...
Just a sneaky preview with the wheels...
Attachments
Before and after " what a difference " 
.
Before
What an amazing result after the painters have done their magic :shock:
which just goes to show that even when you think a frame is well passed saving theirs still plenty more life left in it just waiting to be found 
..
Yes you certainly pulled the rabbit out of the hat with this one mate and you must be really pleased with yourself and quite rightly so ..
.Before
What an amazing result after the painters have done their magic :shock:
which just goes to show that even when you think a frame is well passed saving theirs still plenty more life left in it just waiting to be found ..Yes you certainly pulled the rabbit out of the hat with this one mate and you must be really pleased with yourself and quite rightly so
..
randomdan
Retro Guru
Re:
Yeap thanks - it seems to be working out good so far. Frame and wheels are currently living in my hallway, and it's starting to look pretty damn nice so seems a shame for it to be living in the garage
I drove over to the replating company this morning to pick up the williams C45 cranks. Glad I took the decision to refurb them.
Yeap thanks - it seems to be working out good so far. Frame and wheels are currently living in my hallway, and it's starting to look pretty damn nice so seems a shame for it to be living in the garage
I drove over to the replating company this morning to pick up the williams C45 cranks. Glad I took the decision to refurb them.
Attachments
Your welcome mate and at least you can put your bike in the hall but yes it would be a shame to hide it away in the garage .
No it's not looking nice it's looking amazing and i'm glad you decided to go ahead with refurbing the C45 cranks as they just look glorious in their new found splendour and will just look perfect when refitted to the lovely repainted frame ..
No it's not looking nice it's looking amazing
and i'm glad you decided to go ahead with refurbing the C45 cranks as they just look glorious in their new found splendour and will just look perfect when refitted to the lovely repainted frame ..
That's looking really smart, you've certainly done a great job bringing it back.
Hopefully once you have it all back together you will give us a ride report as well
Again, its a great job and as well as being pleased you should be well proud. It has come up a treat and like you say, what a difference.
Jamie
Hopefully once you have it all back together you will give us a ride report as well
Again, its a great job and as well as being pleased you should be well proud. It has come up a treat and like you say, what a difference.
Jamie
Wow, this build is looking fantastic. The frame is looking great, and the combination of BRG and white looks really classy. The wheels look great, too, and the white walls match the frame’s white panels really well, and the chainset looks tremendous in its re-chrome. I think it would be nice if the bike could continue to live indoors when it is completed.
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