I have unwittingly become a RetroBIKE enthusiast!

[Elsubstar]

I was originally looking for a cheapo bike to convert to ss and to use as a winter hack bike and keep the FS for best. Looking through ebay I found I could get a classic performer for under a hundred squid! I bought a C16R that desperately needs some love. "that'll do" I thought and now its in bits in my kitchen, but now my thoughts of refurbishment are much grander! Esp after seeing this...

(Darn, cant post a link as im a noobie ':?', ill post it after this one)

I would like to keep things original (looking at least) as poss. So if anyone has original seatpost, bars, stem, F7/Pace forks (!) that would be great! (Ill offer you some green stuff in return!)

First things first, the headset has seized, so needs replacing, the steerer on the Zocchi Bombers that came with it is 1". I think they are 2002 but could be wrong. I didn't know Zocchis ever came with 1" steerers, could anyone confirm the head tube or steerer size the 97/98 C16 takes?

Can anyone offer any advice on stripping the paint, de-rusting and respraying? It would be easier to pay someone to sand blast the frame, but I was thinking of doing it myself, Nitromors... good idea or not?

See pics below

Thanks for all your advice!

 

[lewis1641]

hi welcome to the site!

nitromors usually does the trick

 

[mikee]

welcome to "get that bloody thing out of the kitchen .com"

depends on what you want to spend doing up a "hack bike" is not a good idea , mind you a quick search of the sale bit might turn up a new old old
hack bike

 

[petitpal]

welcome to "get that bloody thing out of the kitchen .com"

as if...

Btw, I've just been quoted in the region of £50 to get a frame blasted and powercoated by a very good place locally. So might be worth a look. Set of new decals of gil_m as well and it'll look as good as new.

 

[makster]

Welcome to the wallet drainer

I've had a few frames stripped and powder-coated for around the £40 mark.
Loads less hassle than stripping it yourself, and you end up with a decent, resilient finish.
Gil on here doeas a great line in repro decals too

 

[ishaw]

If the frame needs a 26.4 seat post, I've got an original Orange one in silver that would suit.

Welcome to the site - for an example of how much this site sucks you in and drains you dry, check out my fleet. I only stumbled on this site looking to restore my gt rts2, which, along with other bikes bought and sold in a few short years, I no longer have.

Enjoy!

 

[drcarlos]

First things first, the headset has seized, so needs replacing, the steerer on the Zocchi Bombers that came with it is 1". I think they are 2002 but could be wrong. I didn't know Zocchis ever came with 1" steerers, could anyone confirm the head tube or steerer size the 97/98 C16 takes?

Can anyone offer any advice on stripping the paint, de-rusting and respraying? It would be easier to pay someone to sand blast the frame, but I was thinking of doing it myself, Nitromors... good idea or not?

1", yes, got a set of 2001 or 2002 in my garage for a Kona I am build for my boy.

I also stripped that with Nitromors the other weekend but it may need blasting to finish properley though.

Carl.

 

[gerryattrick]

I've had a few frames stripped and powder-coated for around the £40 mark.
Loads less hassle than stripping it yourself, and you end up with a decent, resilient finish.

+1 on that.

Speaking from experience, to do a decent spray can finish you'll need at least 2 cans of colour plus a lacquer, which is going to cost around £20 for a thin coating, will never be as hard as powdercoating, and will scratch at the slightest knock. Plus the hours of labour involved. Add in the cost of nitromors and wire wool if you haven't already got them.

 

[oldave]

DIY will cost more than pro strip and powder - AND not be so durable.

When I used to be into doing such stuff for myself, I'd reckon on two primer and at least 4 colour rattle cans. Plus LOTS of preparation time (and getting a bit cold in the year now!).

 

[Elsubstar]

Thanks for your replies chaps!

This is the link i couldn't post earlier - looks good but doesn't use original components. I want to try and strike a balance between originality and weight. opinions??

http://www.bikeradar.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=12682180&postdays=0&postorder=asc&start=0

With regard to respraying, I have found a place in Gravesend called NSP Coatings that recon on £50 a frame. Sounds like a no brainer to me! Thinking of sticking to the British racing green... or not, maybe err... hmmm.

ISHAW - thanks for the offer, according to oranges site my frame uses a 27.2 post +shim in a 29.6 seat tube, but i suppose there is nothing stopping me buying a bigger shim. Are there any pros and cons (flex?) of larger/smaller diameter seatposts, also material, steel/aluminium? What kinda price you looking for? (btw, you must have one hell of a shed !!:shock

Just wondering... is it possible to powder coat fork lowers? Might service the Bombers and while they are in bits get them spruced up. I would have thought doing the uppers would be a bit risky unless you take the stanchions off. But I have no idea how that is done..... anyone???

Got the headset cups out this morning, (thanks to my lbs lending me a splayed metal pipe with rubber bung!) The internal Ø of the head tube is 30 mm or very close to, confirming i cant use 1/18th steerers. correct? Im thinking Ill have to use a modern stem with an inch ahead headset as the Bombers arent threaded. I also wanted to swap out the sus forks for rigid as an when and as the F7s are threaded so thats not possible.
Does anyone have any recommendations on a good performing retro rigid fork with a threadless inch steerer?? :?: