zerogravitas
Retro Guru
I'm sure the more purple parts I bolt onto it the less wrong it becomes? Or is it the other way round? 
1990? Al Carter Saratoga II - much lipstick for this pig
- Thread starter zerogravitas
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zerogravitas
Retro Guru
After cleaning everything usable up, sorting bits from my stash and getting a few orders in I laid everything out ready to assemble.
I spent ages derusting and respraying the stem but didn't take any before/after pictures. I got the riser bars from my local bike co-op for a couple of quid. They are nice quality, light alu and should give the bike a slighter more modern silhouette than the bit of scaffold pole that was on there before.
Had to get new cables, chain, grips as they were all worn out and a new Kalloy seatpost (26mm) as the old one looked terrible. The saddle is from my stash but I'd prefer a Flite really!
The headset was a bit notchy but I stripped, cleaned and took the retainer out of the lower race and almost filled it with new balls as a budget fix. Its a weird BMX sized YST thing, steel and heavy as you like but now its smooth at least.
Tyres are Billy Bonkers 2.1" to suit this nice Deore LX/Mavic 517 wheelset I got from @scant
The skewers are Shogun ebay specials; I was suprised at how nicely finished they are!
Here's the rolling chassis with a few bits test fitted. Grips are pretty lairy but they go with the colour splashes on the frame I think.
I spent ages derusting and respraying the stem but didn't take any before/after pictures. I got the riser bars from my local bike co-op for a couple of quid. They are nice quality, light alu and should give the bike a slighter more modern silhouette than the bit of scaffold pole that was on there before.
Had to get new cables, chain, grips as they were all worn out and a new Kalloy seatpost (26mm) as the old one looked terrible. The saddle is from my stash but I'd prefer a Flite really!
The headset was a bit notchy but I stripped, cleaned and took the retainer out of the lower race and almost filled it with new balls as a budget fix. Its a weird BMX sized YST thing, steel and heavy as you like but now its smooth at least.
Tyres are Billy Bonkers 2.1" to suit this nice Deore LX/Mavic 517 wheelset I got from @scant
The skewers are Shogun ebay specials; I was suprised at how nicely finished they are!
Here's the rolling chassis with a few bits test fitted. Grips are pretty lairy but they go with the colour splashes on the frame I think.
zerogravitas
Retro Guru
Nearing completion on this.
Purple bolts for the chainrings.
old JD Components bottle cage, £2 from a jumble.
RD fitted and shifting well;
£3 Ebay special lower pulley for more purple delight.
Another couple of quid to the co-op for this seatpost QR (they didn't have purple)! Beats the rather agricultural collection of nuts, bolts and washers that held the old post on.
I've run all the cables now; was considering pink to match the frame detail and grips but decided to keep it subtle with classic Shimano blue-grey.
Here's the repainted stem. I took off the brass pulley wheel and gave it a rub down, and replaced the rusty E-circlip whilst I was at it.
Repainted shifter pods and the brake levers fitted (they just got a clean). The grips are Deity Slimfit.
The only jobs left are to set up the brakes and do a little paint/logo detailing where it's particularly scruffy.
Purple bolts for the chainrings.
old JD Components bottle cage, £2 from a jumble.
RD fitted and shifting well;
£3 Ebay special lower pulley for more purple delight.
Another couple of quid to the co-op for this seatpost QR (they didn't have purple)! Beats the rather agricultural collection of nuts, bolts and washers that held the old post on.
I've run all the cables now; was considering pink to match the frame detail and grips but decided to keep it subtle with classic Shimano blue-grey.
Here's the repainted stem. I took off the brass pulley wheel and gave it a rub down, and replaced the rusty E-circlip whilst I was at it.
Repainted shifter pods and the brake levers fitted (they just got a clean). The grips are Deity Slimfit.
The only jobs left are to set up the brakes and do a little paint/logo detailing where it's particularly scruffy.
Guinessisgoodforyou
rBotM Winner
Want
zerogravitas
Retro Guru
Finally got the cantis just about set up properly so I rode this on my commute to work today. Great fun and very happy with the build and improvements from where I started.
Here are some snaps from lunchtime - enjoy the purple peril in all it's glory.
Specs later for anyone interested.
Here are some snaps from lunchtime - enjoy the purple peril in all it's glory.
Specs later for anyone interested.
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Guinessisgoodforyou
rBotM Winner
I love that, very nice 
Guinessisgoodforyou
rBotM Winner
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I am sure in ten thousand years the Cockroach archeologists will dig up an LX 550 rear mech in perfect working order...
27motorhead
Old School Grand Master
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Very cool. What a transformation vs. the original photos on page 1. These Al Carters never got much love BITD. Great paint on that and pretty exotic looking with the elevated stay design. Headtube angle looks quite slack, unless those straight bladed forks are playing tricks on my eyes!
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