Crusty Carlton Corsair - to save or not to save?

[sparkybhp]

Picked up this old thing yesterday evening, a last minute eBay bid secured it (cheap!) and the B17 saddle on it means I’m quids in either way.

Stripped it down this morning and it has yielded some half decent parts, sr laprade seat post, stronglight cranks and Sachs mechs all look ok.
Frame is 531 and light, possibly helped by the tinworm which has eaten the surface in various places. The wire wheel has took off a lot of it but under the top tube I found a pinhole - I gave it a good poke with a sharp point and it didn’t go through.

I think a sanding disc on my grinder will help to further assess the condition. A dab of weld might be enough to save it? We’ll see.

Be nice to save it really, I could practice my painting on this frame and get it looking presentable for very little outlay - it’s my size too which is a touch.

Let me know your thoughts, could be a nice little project for the Christmas break.

 

[Jd345]

I think it's just the frame and brakes left before that corsair completes the ship of theseus challenge. Could form the basis of a fun town bike but I don't think it's worth trying to make it resemble a corsair again

 

[sparkybhp]

I think it's just the frame and brakes left before that corsair completes the ship of theseus challenge. Could form the basis of a fun town bike but I don't think it's worth trying to make it resemble a corsair again

Agreed, I love the fact that it’s clearly been well used and loved over the years. Obviously it’s been upgraded and had bits changed as needed to keep it in use.
I think you’re right - I’ll fix it up, paint it and make it a decent usable bike again so it can be used some more. No need to restore it - it’s not particularly rare or desirable anyway. As long as it doesn’t get crushed and recycled yet I’m going to call that a win.