this post was submitted on 10 Jun 2024
1 points (100.0% liked)

Bicycles

3034 readers
16 users here now

Welcome to [email protected]

A place to share our love of all things with two wheels and pedals. This is an inclusive, non-judgemental community. All types of cyclists are accepted here; whether you're a commuter, a roadie, a MTB enthusiast, a fixie freak, a crusty xbiking hoarder, in the middle of an epic across-the-world bicycle tour, or any other type of cyclist!


Community Rules


Other cycling-related communities

founded 1 year ago
MODERATORS
 

I recently scored a free 1974 Deelite Apollo 10 speed. As far as I can tell, it has all original parts, but most of the stickers have faded out and there are a few places where the paint has failed completely on the tubes.

As a project bike, would you consider stripping and painting the frame, or simply replace what needs done (tires, bar tape) and ride it as is?

top 22 comments
sorted by: hot top controversial new old
[–] [email protected] 0 points 3 months ago

Of course you can do what you want to do - leave it, strip and paint it, touch it up, turn it fuchsia...

But for me the real question on mucking with vs. carefully restoring (or leaving as is) comes down to whether I'd call it "vintage" or just plain "old."

[–] [email protected] 0 points 3 months ago

I bought a vintage racer in 2018 with the intention of fixing it up, repainting it, etc, as it had clearly rusty parts and exposed steel, and I ended up not bothering for one reason or another, but it was every bit as zippy and manoeuvrable when I had an accident on it last year that meant I had to chuck it in the tip. I shouldn't brag or whatever but I remember this little speed counter thing saying I was breaking the limit a few minutes before the crash.

[–] [email protected] 0 points 3 months ago

You probably need to at least touch up the bare metal, to prevent or stop rust

[–] [email protected] 0 points 3 months ago

I just looked at how much the coating costs (100 - 500$) in my location. Some can restore it with stickers... but it adds to the cost. I have access to few old Favorit frames (old ČSSR bike maker), you are lucky to get 100$ for bike in perfect condition.

So go for it, I wanted to make some beater bike (for commuting) and I consider using it.

[–] [email protected] 0 points 3 months ago (1 children)

Well if you think you'll have occasion to leave it locked up places, it might be an advantage for it to look old and beat up.

[–] [email protected] 0 points 3 months ago

Oddly enough, I grabbed it for that very reason but once I got it home and had a good look at things I realized it was quite a nice bike with all original parts made in Japan and Switzerland.

[–] [email protected] 0 points 3 months ago

Might seem a bit out there, but color matched paint is so easy these days. Even if it’s faded, they can match that. You could just touch up the worn areas and try to leave as much original as you wanted. I’m kind of a traditionalists with old mechanical things though, so maybe this is bananas.

[–] [email protected] 0 points 3 months ago (3 children)

I have my father's old steel 10 speed from like the 60s. Are there any drawbacks to riding around on one of these vs something new?

[–] [email protected] 0 points 3 months ago (1 children)

The brakes are probably worse, depending on the bike and how nice a bike you'd compare it to could be quite a bit worse. If you're just riding casually and have foresight it's not going to make or break it though. Oh, and modern shifters are a lot easier, but again not going to be life changing unless you're riding a ton, especially on uneven terrain

[–] [email protected] 0 points 3 months ago

This is great feedback, thank you!

[–] [email protected] 0 points 3 months ago

I like old mountain bikes and more modern bikes with thicker tires. I find it improves the riding experience a good bit. Regardless, the bike you have, and ride, is the best bike

[–] [email protected] 0 points 3 months ago

It will be a little heavier. For the average rider it won't make much difference.

[–] [email protected] 0 points 3 months ago (1 children)

My take: Ride as is if you can stand it, but there's no wrong answer.

I powder-coated a Motobecane of similar age and I don't regret it. The original paint job with hand-painted details must have been great, but decades of sun, rain, and neglect obliterated it. Restoration would have been starting over from scratch so I sandblasted and turned it into an electric blue beast of burden.

Somebody else can restore the original paint job 50 years from now. I'm just keeping the frame safe for them until they're done being born and growing up somewhere. It'll be waiting for them when they're ready.

[–] [email protected] 0 points 3 months ago* (last edited 3 months ago) (1 children)

Cheap powdercoating is one of my favourite things about steel frames. I can get a frame sand blasted and powdercoated for $150CAD. I ride my bike until the paint is damaged and I'm starting to get a bit of rust in spots- then pick a wild new colour, get some decals made and just like that I have a brand new looking bike.

[–] [email protected] 0 points 3 months ago (1 children)

That multicolor combo is amazing! Makes me wish I had more separate parts to paint when I coated mine.

[–] [email protected] 0 points 3 months ago

Thanks! I was going for a vintage Yeti vibe.

[–] [email protected] 0 points 3 months ago (2 children)

Do whatever you want! It's yours to enjoy

[–] [email protected] 0 points 3 months ago

Hah, true enough! I knew of course that this was the only right answer, but still enjoy hearing what other folks would do in such situations.

[–] [email protected] 0 points 3 months ago (1 children)

👆This. It’s not going to affect this particular bike’s value too much in either direction. If you think the paint prep is worth the effort then go for it!

From a practical standpoint, you might want to consider at least cleaning up any exposed steel and applying a little clear coat.

[–] [email protected] 0 points 3 months ago

For sure, I've already started scrubbing the rust away from the chrome using aluminum foil and I'm genuinely impressed by how well that works. The rims and fenders were badly peppered with rust and now look almost new.

[–] [email protected] 0 points 3 months ago

I recently repaint my old bmx and give it a fresh look before replacing stuff. I'd say it's worth painting it since you're stripping it apart to replace stuff anyway.

[–] [email protected] 0 points 3 months ago

...do you like how it looks or do you not like how it looks?