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 Posted: Fri Nov 12, 2010 5:06 pm |
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| modelmartin |
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| Joined: 08 Nov 2010 |
| Posts: 8 |
| Location: Minneapolis, Minnesota |
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Thank you very much, Chas. That was exactly the kind of info I was looking for. I appreciate your thoughts and knowledge very much.
I think the first thing I will do is put some new tires, tubes, and a seat on it and get it on the road to try it out. I totally understand what you are saying about the original patina, etc. and am very sympathetic to that point of view. I won't get out the paint stripper yet!!
Perhaps I should sell this one and look further for a restoration project. I want a really sharp bike. I am a machinist and model maker and that means I can get a little anal at times.
I will try to post some more pics over the week-end. |
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Andy Martin |
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| Posted: Sat Nov 13, 2010 12:11 pm |
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| Gtane |
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| Joined: 14 Sep 2007 |
| Posts: 681 |
| Location: UK |
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Modelmartin,
That bike is a great find, well spotted. I'm with originality, a good clean and lots of wax polish but that's just my preference.
Enjoy your classic machine whatever you do.
Thanks for posting.
Tim |
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Everything has a cycle |
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| Posted: Sat Nov 13, 2010 11:03 pm |
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| verktyg |
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| Joined: 14 Jan 2007 |
| Posts: 2814 |
| Location: SF Bay Area |
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| modelmartin wrote: |
| Perhaps I should sell this one and look further for a restoration project. I want a really sharp bike. I am a machinist and model maker and that means I can get a little anal at times. |
I've been associated with the the close tolerance metal working industry for over 30 years and I can understand your obsession.
One of my associates machines 2" x 1/4" copper discs to a flatness of less than 1 micron measured with a laser over 256k points on the surface.
But look at it this way, bikes like these are throwback anachronisms. Think of them as being "hand crafted" as in many cases they were. The machinery used to manufacture the parts probably survived WWII and in some cases even WWI. 
Tolerances of ± .005" were normal. These bikes were made to be affordable yet survive sitting out in the elements for 3-5 years and still be functional! Most of them by now have become Renaults, Peugeots, Hondas or Kias!
I have a small collection of silver and turquoise American Indian jewelry. Even though I've been involved in manufacturing parts with surface finishes better than 1 fringe with an optical flat, I love the hand made crudeness of these pieces.
In some cultures people get married, live together and in 5 years or so they learn to love each other! 
So, I suggest that you clean it up and make it ridable. Who knows, you may learn to love it!  |
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Chas.
SF Bay Area, CA USA
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1984 Criterium
1969 TdF
1971 TdF
1974 TdF
1984 TdF x 2 Bikes
1970 SC
1971 SC
1972 SC
1984 SC
1984 Team Pro
1985 Professional
1990s Team Replica |
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| Posted: Sun Nov 14, 2010 6:00 am |
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| sandranian |
| Site Admin |
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| Joined: 27 Feb 2006 |
| Posts: 2701 |
| Location: Southern California |
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...or sell it to me for $50! I will hold my nose and attempt to love the bike.
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| Posted: Sun Nov 14, 2010 11:10 am |
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| modelmartin |
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| Joined: 08 Nov 2010 |
| Posts: 8 |
| Location: Minneapolis, Minnesota |
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Chas,
I will seriously consider your advice. I did not plan on changing out anything mechanically except cables, chain and tires.
Stephen - don't hold your breath! |
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Andy Martin |
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| Posted: Sun Nov 14, 2010 12:49 pm |
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| sandranian |
| Site Admin |
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| Joined: 27 Feb 2006 |
| Posts: 2701 |
| Location: Southern California |
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What do you mean? I worked in a hefty "finders fee" of $7!  |
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