Decals (Universal Riviera Sport) during refurb

[mjray]

I'm refurbishing a Universal Riviera Sport gents roadster. It's not a collectors' item (too common, too young, hi-ten steel and so on) but I have enjoyed riding it this summer/autumn so I'd like to do it well in the hope that I can keep riding it for a while. I had hoped just to touch up paint but I didn't get an exact colour match so I think I'll repaint completely. I'm also wiping the rust out of the inside and intend to put something like Waxoyl in there - please scream if that's bad for some reason.

I've a few questions about the decals/transfers. Do they usually just remove with heat or is there another way? I've a few shards where most of the decals have been stripped/lost already.

Does anyone offer replacement decals for a Universal Riviera Sport? I've tried quite a few(!) websites without finding them.

The decals aren't bad but most aren't model-specific and are quite 1980s. Are there good retro generic decals that you'd recommend?

Or do you think I should just leave the decals off, line the lugs and other features and leave it like that?

Thanks for any tips.

 

[Diamant_Don]

Re:

I wouldn't use heat to get the decals off. Are yours sticker type (over lacquer) or transfer (below lacquer)? If they're over lacquer, it's normally just a case of peeling and washing off the residue.

As for replacement decals, I think it's unlikely (but not impossible) that you'll find them online. Specialists like H Lloyd tend to favour more high-end names.

You could get some made up to order, but that's gonna cost...

 

[mjray]

Re:

They're over the lacquer so at least that should be easier than the alternative... which makes a change for this bike!

I don't think it's worth the cost of getting custom ones made. I've found some lines online... not sure whether to buy some but I think lining with paint may look better.

 

[Diamant_Don]

Re:

Cool, then you should be able to peel those bad boys off. They might need a little 'encouragement', but don't go too mad on the heat!

Hope it turns out well for you - It's great to find a bike you love!

 

[Maca]

If you can peal them off stick them to a sheet of paper and send to del at Delcals he does all mine. He's a lot cheaper than you might think.

 

[mjray]

I had a bit of a go at some today and I think if they're coming off, it won't be in one piece. I'll probably just get some sort of imitations made.

 

[Maca]

Re:

Have you tried heating them up with a hair dryer.