1994 Serotta Colorado ATi - and a Lot of DIY Anodizing

[MuchAlohaNui]

Moderate Update:

Finally got a few parts in. Some ordered a few months ago. Let's continue with a bit of front fork tuning and other handlebar and derailleur options.

First up is the front fork mocked up with all new titanium bolts. Also some refresher pictures showing the weight of the old bolts comparing the new titanium bolts. Nothing is torqued down because it is all pulled off for anodizing. I'll be doing all of the Ti bolts and the aluminum brake bridge in new colors. I also initially thought I was going to have to fabricate Ti 3-hole tabs for the brake springs that pretension the brakes on the post, but they are actually made out of aluminum. I will likely strip off the anodization and redo those as well.

Old brake posts = 20 grams
New Ti brake posts = 11 grams

Old m6 brake booster bolts = 8 grams
New m6 Ti brake booster bolts = 5 grams

Old m5 fork leg - crown bolts = 20 grams
New m5 Ti fork leg - crown bolts = 8 grams

 

[MuchAlohaNui]

Moderate update:

Stem came in from a member from the UK, @racer x . I bought two of these stems (one for my mystery Ti bike) and they are 130 mm and 1-1/8". They came with stainless steel bolts which isn't a big deal and changed for Ti bolts anyhow. The stems were made by Raleigh in the UK for the Dyna Tech series Ti bikes like the 94' Torus XT and Ti3000/Ti4000 team bikes. Irrespective, maybe these stems are way overlooked? I mean, 110 grams at 130mm is pretty fricking good considering the next best thing available was the Ritchey Force Lite at 174 grams and the Kore one-bolt model at 172 grams. Maybe some of you know of other Ti stems from 1993-1995?

Before and after photos of the stock bolts then with Ti bolts. The stem is unfinished (originally, painted by Raleigh) and I will need to work the metal a bit before anodizing. Here is the stem + the bars mocked up on the frame and fork along with the Tech Lite brake levers and Paul Thumbies, which also had a bolt upgrade.

 

[MuchAlohaNui]

Moderate Update:

Alternative bars in case the Schmolke's crack and break my face . Some old Iko Carbon bars. Also an alternative derailleur...almost 50 grams lighter than the XTR M900 + this one is a long cage unit. Also shown, a big shipment from America regarding my aluminum dyes for anodizing and my new power supply. Dyes are for the aluminum only. Titanium is done much much easier with voltage.

 

[br0qn]

You're going nuts, so rad! Fork keeps getting better and that Precision mech will look good on there I imagine.

I'm torn on the bar color though I much prefer the Scmolke decal. Is the 20 gram difference keeping the Schmolke in play for now or something else?

Any progress on wheels?

 

[Dr Dremel]

Nice update, and as above, this is just nuts (the good kind)! So you´re doing your own anodizing? Interested in your set up if that´s the case.

By the way, the Schmolke bar looks ... kinda tasty? Mine with chocolate sauce please!

 

[MuchAlohaNui]

You're going nuts, so rad! Fork keeps getting better and that Precision mech will look good on there I imagine.

I'm torn on the bar color though I much prefer the Scmolke decal. Is the 20 gram difference keeping the Schmolke in play for now or something else?

Any progress on wheels?

I don't mind the bar color, so the 20 gram difference is still in play. The color will tie in once I get going on anodizing. Not too much progress on wheels. I have the hubs. But waiting on something to come up either NOS or in very good shape. Ti spokes may be a lost cause too, but who knows?

Nice update, and as above, this is just nuts (the good kind)! So you´re doing your own anodizing? Interested in your set up if that´s the case.

By the way, the Schmolke bar looks ... kinda tasty? Mine with chocolate sauce please!

Mhm. I'll be doing my own anodizing. For whatever reason here in Europe I cannot get proper battery acid online. So I am using an alternative NaHSO4 which can be ordered online without a special license. The results are similar to using battery acid and I think comes down to how well the prep work is and how nice the dye is. We'll see!

 

[MuchAlohaNui]

Small update:

I attempted to anodize some titanium pieces today. My goal: anodize the stem, stem bolts and Tech Lite brake lever hardware. Initially I thought that the Tech Lite brake levers were comprised primarily of titanium hardware, but turns out they are completely aluminum. All the bolts...everything. So at the very least, the parts are cleaned and ready for when I start aluminum anodizing.

The Dyna-Tech stem that I got, I am not entirely sure as to the alloys and no mater what I tried, I could not get the metal to take on any real color. Also, the SRP bolts didn't really take on a whole lot of color also. Maybe my etching step wasn't long enough for the bolts and stem. Irrespective, still a cool DIY process and engaging learning process. I want results damn it!

For prep I hit the stem with wet sanding then 00 steel wool hand polishing. Etched with Pelox, cleaned then wiped with alcohol.

There is an ever so slight golden/yellow hue in the sunlight and a bit more gold on the bolts of the stem. It's a start. I'll try again next week with a harder etching chemical.

 

[br0qn]

I know you're pouring a lot of energy into that mag 21, and it sweet, but I just found this old ad and thought it cool. The bottom bit made me think of your build here



High in fiber....extra low in fat

 

[MuchAlohaNui]

I know you're pouring a lot of energy into that mag 21, and it sweet, but I just found this old ad and thought it cool. The bottom bit made me think of your build here

High in fiber....extra low in fat

I like the advertisement. "Other flavours include:"

This mag 21, it will get finished some day (Ti steerer tube be damned).

 

[MuchAlohaNui]

Tried the titanium process with a few more bolts. This time I left the power supply on until the amperage stabilized via the electrolyte solution. The results are arguably better and noticeable. Kind of hard to see in this lighting because the spectrum is a bit on the orange side, but the goal was purple for the hardware.