Mercian Pro

[fiveSixteenths]

Little bit of progress and a quick dry-buildup to see how everything's looking.
Fluted seatpost cleaned up nicely, painted in the flutes in yellow then knocked back with wire wool.
All the rest is Campag but couldn't resist fitting the Stronglight chainset. Have had to fit the Stronglight headset that came with the bike - has the wrong top nut, if anyone has one? - as the Victory one won't fit over the fork bottom shim thing (but might look into that) plus there's such a short steerer tube it might even be too tall.
Tubular's were a doddle (hope they stay on and I don't die.)
Brakes, brakes... going to have to go down the Weinmann route I suspect, welcome any suggestions

 

[half cog]

You aint gonna die Richard and they aint gonna come off ( probably )Re a warning not to fit valve ring nuts on tubs.Its going to look good. Lets see it when it is finished
Regards
Peter

 

[fiveSixteenths]

Hey Peter! Didn't forget your recommend to leave off the ring nuts and thank you! Will post some more news as it happens.

 

[Crambie]

Personally I'd first clean up the paint, as in polish it, then wax it (which makes such a difference).

On a yellow frame I used a sampler pot of dodo juice banana armour which lasts for ages. Smells good enough to eat although I've resisted the temptation (for now). Just put a little bit on the palm of your hand, your hand will melt it enough, and rub it over. Less is more when it comes to wax. Too much and it's both a waste and harder to buff off.

The patina might look good. If you still don't like it you can then think about a respray, it will have only cost a few pounds and a little time. It's only original once.

 

[fiveSixteenths]

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That sounds interesting, will look some of that wax up, cheers. Am keen to try and keep the paint.

 

[fiveSixteenths]

Slow progress, however, is progress...
YELLOW cables! Yes!
Universal 68 QR calipers. Lovely! Not enough drop. Ffs.
Have one Weinmann 730 (front, need a rear one.)
Dia Compe aero levers with original gums, superb.
Bluemels Olympic guards of a '60's donor bike, which are so nice - black top surface and chromed on the inside with a clear / transparent double line. Bit bendy-wibbly but look the business.
Long steerer is long...

 

[Jamiedyer]

Looking really nice! Certainly coming together now.
The black guards set it off nicely.
I agree with the above about waxing the frame. My Jack Taylor Super Clubman is in a similar state if not a bit worse but mine was pitted everywhere but not rusted too much. In order to stop it getting worse, a major deep clean and then a good waxing before it went back together gave a good base, then after cleaning it gets a light wax. It's kept the worse of it at bay for a while now.
Keep the updates coming

Jamie

 

[fiveSixteenths]

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Cheers Jamie

 

[fiveSixteenths]

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Guards fitted, bb and chainset and chain on, shifting sorted, ready for calipers, saddle and fart-arsing about, etc
Windy and rainy out innit!

 

[fiveSixteenths]

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Hhnngggggggg
so the Dia Compe levers need some kind of Super Japanese special magic frikin ferrule which is why after spending hours trying to set up the brakes it was all total fail (plus ruining two perfectly good cables in the process.)
Bikes. Why I orta...