Quebulas
Dirt Disciple
Hello, everyone. This is my first post here so, I thought I'd show my Rockhopper. I bought it last year, from a Facebook selling page for £20. It was covered in rust, filthy and barely anything worked on it. My son was only 3 then so, I needed a cheapo bike to pull him in the trailer with. Also, I didn't want anything flash as crime in my area is a bit high. I never ride my Cannondale Jekyll around my town, that's purely an out of town bike.
When I got it home, I decided I'd try and restore it back to how a bike from 20 years ago would be. I stripped it down and cleaned everything thoroughly. I was going to just strip the frame and have it powder coated but, I really liked the decals and the paint colour. So, I took it to my local motor factors and matched the paint up as close as possible and bought some lacquer. I then rubbed the paint down gently with 600 grit sandpaper as gently as possible and used etching primer on the exposed metal. After several hours, I had masked off the decals (some weren't savable on the seat and chainstays) and gave it a few fresh coats of paint. Then I removed the masking tape and gave it a few layers of lacquer. Photos do not do it justice. The paint is so lovely in the flesh. It's like a chrome sort of flip paint. I tried to do the same with the forks but, it hasn't come out as well as the frame. Close up, you can see imperfections in the paint and significant damage to the decals.
I know it's nothing special compared to some of the amazing bikes on here, but I really enjoy it. The ride postion is brilliant for me and, it's too good for pulling the trailer now hahaha!..
I've changed the tyres for IRC on the front and a Tioga on the rear. I want to replace these as some point but, they'll do for now. I had some parts in my cellar so I replaced the rear mech, saddle (cheapo one), cables, V-brakes, chain and the cassette. I want to change the saddle for a better looking one, some silver v-brakes and the pedals are a bit jiggered.
When I got it home, I decided I'd try and restore it back to how a bike from 20 years ago would be. I stripped it down and cleaned everything thoroughly. I was going to just strip the frame and have it powder coated but, I really liked the decals and the paint colour. So, I took it to my local motor factors and matched the paint up as close as possible and bought some lacquer. I then rubbed the paint down gently with 600 grit sandpaper as gently as possible and used etching primer on the exposed metal. After several hours, I had masked off the decals (some weren't savable on the seat and chainstays) and gave it a few fresh coats of paint. Then I removed the masking tape and gave it a few layers of lacquer. Photos do not do it justice. The paint is so lovely in the flesh. It's like a chrome sort of flip paint. I tried to do the same with the forks but, it hasn't come out as well as the frame. Close up, you can see imperfections in the paint and significant damage to the decals.
I know it's nothing special compared to some of the amazing bikes on here, but I really enjoy it. The ride postion is brilliant for me and, it's too good for pulling the trailer now hahaha!..
I've changed the tyres for IRC on the front and a Tioga on the rear. I want to replace these as some point but, they'll do for now. I had some parts in my cellar so I replaced the rear mech, saddle (cheapo one), cables, V-brakes, chain and the cassette. I want to change the saddle for a better looking one, some silver v-brakes and the pedals are a bit jiggered.
