Just bought a Carlton Giro

[Guinessisgoodforyou]

I think as a place to live the UK is about as good as it gets. Even when it is bad here it is a lot better than most other places. I know I am biased but I do think being English and living in the UK is still a very fortunate thing to be.

Agreed, we are all very fortunate.

 

[Corsa of Course]

I have been debating with myself the best way of cleaning the surface rust from the paintwork. I think WD 40 and then aluminium foil will be first then maybe some white vinegar to convert the remaining rust. Is there a better way?

 

[Guinessisgoodforyou]

I have been debating with myself the best way of cleaning the surface rust from the paintwork. I think WD 40 and then aluminium foil will be first then maybe some white vinegar to convert the remaining rust. Is there a better way?

If its bad I remove the flakes and rust, use a rust converter and touch up the paint. Sometimes T-cut will remove some or all of the staining.

 

[Corsa of Course]

Good point. When I restore cars I just think respray the whole thing. I had that done with the Corsa. I would like to keep this original but with the rust arrested with a converter so I like your thoughts.

 

[Corsa of Course]

I had one of those when I was 12, fond memories. It came with Sturmey Archer chrome rims and Normandy large flange hubs. Brooks padded saddle.

I had my Corsa given to me for my birthday when I was 12. I had come out of Church in the spring and wandered into a thicket next to the Church and found a gorgeous blue Carlton 10 speed. I took it to the police and on day 27 it was claimed by the poor bloke from Wickford who had had it stolen. I cannot remember which model it was but it was so much better than my Raleigh with a 3 speed Sturmey Archer rear wheel. It was too big but it was lighter and had gears that meant you could whizz up hills.

That October my mother found a shop that sold second hand and new bikes. So we went along and I could choose what I wanted. It had to be a Carlton as we were not so well off at the time I opted for a second hand one and that was my current Corsa. At the time it was as 5 speed.

In 2012 my father stopped doing the charity ride I now started to do it. Aged 46 I retrieved my bike from a shed inflated the tyres put some sealant in and cycled 40 miles or so on it. I did about 4 weeks of training prior to that and enjoyed the ride. I took it to the bike shop next to where I worked and said how much to completely rebuild it. £400 saw it sandblasted repainted, new wheels, hubs, bottom bearing, chain set, freewheel. Now it had 12 gears 14-28 freewheel and a 52/39 chain set. I have since changed it to 14 gear 11 - 28 freewheel very modern but an 11 what a great gear for a freewheel for downhill bits and a 52/40 chain set which is a more original type than originally rebuilt with. On 26" x1 3/8 tyres though tiny 19.5 inch frame.

In 2021 I bought the Super Course it is a biggish frame for me it was to be a winter training bike so I put fewer miles on my Corsa. I like this one too. Lovely fast road tyres although never loved its gearing too much 48 32 chain set and a 12-22 freewheel I think the former owner used it on paths and tracks.

 

[Guinessisgoodforyou]

I had my Corsa given to me for my birthday when I was 12. I had come out of Church in the spring and wandered into a thicket next to the Church and found a gorgeous blue Carlton 10 speed. I took it to the police and on day 27 it was claimed by the poor bloke from Wickford who had had it stolen. I cannot remember which model it was but it was so much better than my Raleigh with a 3 speed Sturmey Archer rear wheel. It was too big but it was lighter and had gears that meant you could whizz up hills.

That October my mother found a shop that sold second hand and new bikes. So we went along and I could choose what I wanted. It had to be a Carlton as we were not so well off at the time I opted for a second hand one and that was my current Corsa. At the time it was as 5 speed.

In 2012 my father stopped doing the charity ride I now do. now aged 46 I retrieved my bike from a shed inflated the tyres put some sealant in and cycled 40 miles or so on it. I did about 4 weeks of training prior to that and enjoyed the ride. I took it to the bike shop next to where I worked and said how much to completely rebuild it. £400 saw it sandblasted repainted, new wheels, hubs, bottom bearing, chain set, freewheel. Now it had 12 gears 14-28 freewheel and a 52/39 chain set. I have since changed it to 14 gear 11 - 28 freewheel and a 52/40 chain set which is a more original type.

Great story, the first time you ride a decent bike tends to stick with you. You did the right thing taking the bike to the police. I detest thieves, especially bike thieves. I had one stolen when I was 12. £400 seems reasonable for such a comprehensive rebuild.

 

[Nob]

Good point. When I restore cars I just think respray the whole thing. I had that done with the Corsa. I would like to keep this original but with the rust arrested with a converter so I like your thoughts.

Definitely respray & add similar decals to keep it the same & will look good with all the bits cleaned to look like new
But you’re choice at the end of the day

 

[Corsa of Course]

Hmm well it is not too bad rust wise. Wheel bearings all good, bottom bearing has a little play, horrible freewheel on it gear wise 15-24 6 speed changed it to an 11-28 7 speed which made it very close on the dropouts but just fits. Seat post was way too short and bizarrely too small. I ordered a new one, front brake cable hanger needs help, new bar tape required, new brake blocks required. Headset moves freely with no play.

 

[Corsa of Course]

Well had a little play with pocket rocket and aluminium foil on the paint. After about 2 minutes it had done this. Will do some more like this then treat with rust converter and see what it looks like. What surprised me is that while it is definitely moving the rust off the paint it is not really scratching the paint. Hopefully from the before and after photo below you can see some difference!

 

[BOBU]

When you say "pocket rocket"... are you saying a micro sander? Dremel? Please clarify as I have similar issues on my Carlton Corsair! As it's 42 years old I have reached the point where I was going to try some T-Cut treatment but I'm interested that you seem to be having success with aluminium foil, galvanic?