Restyling or reworking early classics - is it wrong ?

[uk gearmuncher]

I was thinking about getting one of my early GT's hydrodipped and replacement decals added.

1) Has anyone hydrodipped a frame before
2) Is it wrong to taint a classic ? (or do you feel its more like doing a custom car ?). Have you done it ?

Discuss.

 

[2manyoranges]

Re:

This is a highly controversial equivalent:

https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles ... rsche-356s

For MTBs, I think if there are plenty around, then a bit of reversible messing around is fine. I have P7s in all sorts of states - one is a shopper for my partner for goodness’ sake - but all reversible, of course.

I had a mad Cannondale SM500 ‘88 - rat bike for the road - hyper narrow bars, Orange F7 forks, modern wheels. Went like a bat out of hell. Just Karma’d the frame on here to a guy in Dorset....probably should have kept it but he sounds as though he REALLY wants it....so that’s fine....for me it would just be a side project.

 

[legrandefromage]

Mt neighbour has stripped a 90's steel GT, rusted it and then coated it in marine varnish. The result is pretty good too.

I'll get pictures up sometime.

 

[jimo746]

Re:

Do it. Then show us photos

I've "reworked" a few classic frames in the past, usually because the original paint is too far gone to salvage. And when getting a respray etc there's no rules to say you can't have whatever colours or design you want.
If you're keeping the bike do what you like.
If you may sell it at a later date do what you like, just remember that your colour choices might not be everyone's cup of tea.

 

[Twozaskars]

Re:

I've got a Klein aluminium frame that's solid as a rock but the finish is so poor it can only be re-done. I'm not really prepared to shell out for the pearlescent paint it has on it so it will be painted with one of whatever colour I've got in the cupboard. Won't be everyone's cup of tea but needs must.

 

[2manyoranges]

Le grand fromage - sounds genuine rat bike .... nice. There’s a Dodge rat pickup near us. Excellent mechanicals and rust patina. Something very nice and relaxed about it. My AMP has 20 year-old chalk dust in its crevices, while one of the C16Rs has Utah red dust inside it. Bought it from a guy who rode the slickrock - they arrived clean on the outside and then when I serviced them they had the redness inside. I kept it. It’s been there since 1995.

 

[Chopper the ex Copper]

Of course it's not wrong. It's your bike, do what you want with it. It's not like there are only 2 left, or it's historically significant in some way.

 

[Retro Spud]

Of course it's not wrong. It's your bike, do what you want with it. It's not like there are only 2 left, or it's historically significant in some way.

Spot on

 

[RickTheUncivil]

Re:

Hydrodipping, thought about it just for fun. A friend was setting up some kit so I proposed to donate a frame for him to play with, and once it looked good to build and ride it. But he got a job instead.

I gather tubes are a pain but some chaotic pattern might work OK.

 

[2manyoranges]

Re:

Did Kona not do a mad splatter-paint finish at some point? Cinder Cone? On white background?