Hirame frame restoration what paint finish

[daccordimark]

I like the bit in the advert where it says:

All our frames are without Brazed Lever Bosses as our Computer Analysis indicated that Cyclists do not favour them. :?

And to add to the general chorus, if you can get away with it don't respray.

Mark.

 

[fiks]

this is where I would like your input I was never overly keen on the original paint scheme and was thinking more 80's english spec finish as seen on some of the new retro style steel bikes coming out now but with the hirame transfers.

IMO that would be copying something "retro" ie something that looks old but isn't. But you have an actual old bike!

I would keep the original finish; it is irreplaceable, once it's gone you will never get it back.

On the other hand if you never liked the paint...

 

[tonyf39]

Here's a load of stuff on IShiwata tubing, all the nerdy info you'll ever need...lol
http://www.equusbicycle.com/bike/ishiwata/catalog2/

 

[hirameuser]

Stripped the bike down yesterday

The bike is now down to the basic frame so now time to post some more revealing pictures of its condition. As you can see the worst of the problems were not visable in the other shots. I will attack the chome with auto sol and see how it comes up, I suspect that the forks will need rechroming or that I may paint them and leave the bottom four inches to the lugs as chrome finish that will depend on the cost of re-chrome work.
The gear lever fixing bolt will be getting attacked with a dremel in the near future. I will then clean up the frame and get some good photo,s of the decals.
As it seems to be a rare frame I have decided to keep the original colour and if the paint I have is not a good match on the test cards I do, I will take the frame up to the local paint factor (40 miles) for a matchup.
I will bring the frame down to next weeks haldon wood bash for a viewing if there is any interest.

Tony thanks for the onfo on the tubing that will worry the wife even more!


Cheers
Phil

 

[hirameuser]

gear lever photo

for some reason would not go on last post.

Shows what can happen if you don't turn your bike over then wash and polish bits.

Phil

 

[Spokesmann]

Give everything a good clean. degrees and see how it looks then - Im of the mind that an acceptable amount of wear doesn't detract form the cycle or any cycle at all - unless you are going for a concours finish and the bike will be (sadly) hung on a wall...

 

[hirameuser]

No intention of having a hanger/garage queen. And it won't be concours not with me rebuilding it I intend to reuse original parts where still fit for purpose after cleaning them up.

Which brings me to the forks which have had a polish, the result is not very pretty! See below quote for a rechrome is £60.00-£70.00.

 

[Spokesmann]

The quote for rechroming is about right.

The forks on my all chrome Carlton Constellation were rechromed at about £90.

 

[tonyf39]

Given you're not going to spray the frame then I don't see the point in getting the forks rechromed? They don't look that shabby tbh.

 

[hirameuser]

update

Thought its about time I did an update. Progress has been slow I started by trying to do spot repairs to the paint work but the spots got bigger and bigger as the rust had crept under the paint work and the weather was so bad that the paint kept blooming, so it was put to one side waiting for a turn in the weather.
3 weeks ago I got started again and first attempts at the top coat showed up the paint match was not that good, I think the original paint has aged so rather than have blotches of paint all over the frame I decided to spray the whole frame apart from the seat tube as this was not too bad after a clean up. so attached ar the results.

Cheers

Phil