New Build - Carlton Cobra - FINISHED - new pics

[cycletothesea]

Been after a 22" Carlton Cobra for ages, found this in poor condition and purchased for £21. Stripped down and thrown away most of components apart from frame and a few other bits. Chemically stripped the whole frame, removing all decals and paint. Current state is after 5-6 metres of tin foil and vinegar/water mix. New decals purchased and about to begin with 2 or 3 sessions of Autosol.

 

[BigFoz]

Re: New Build - Carlton Cobra

Tin foil and vinegar??? Looks like it works a charm on Chrome, how do you do it?

 

[cycletothesea]

Re: New Build - Carlton Cobra

The method and science is here: http://www.robertscycle.com/chrome-clean.html

The addition of something acidy to the water i.e. lemon juice, vinegar or diet coke is also well documented. The slightly acidic flavour of the water enhances the reaction between the tin foil and rust which removes the rust spots. As long as the chrome isn't flaking off it works pretty well. In this case the rust spots were fairly extensive so, even now, there are some tiny little holes in the chrome where the rust developed, but the rust itself is gone and some regular waxing will prevent it returning.

Autosol is the final stage, which itself protects against rust and gives a glorious shine.

 

[kingbling]

Re: New Build - Carlton Cobra

Good effort your hard work has definitely paid off looking forward to the progress.

 

[Midlife]

Re: New Build - Carlton Cobra

Very nice, 1975 so about the time I got one for Xmas as my first proper bike. Red were 5 speed and blue were 10.

Should look a million dollars

Shaun

 

[cycletothesea]

Re: New Build - Carlton Cobra

This was a red 5 speed, although I realised that even the 5 speed had a braze-on stop for a front mech, so they obviously used the same frameset for both. Don't know why they didn't just sell them all as 10 speeds?

 

[Midlife]

Re: New Build - Carlton Cobra

There was a price jump between 5 and 10 speed bikes which put some people off. The bike shop I worked for was a "five star" dealer and so we bought them in cheaper direct from Raleigh so could haggle a bit with customers so they could buy a 10 speed.

Money was tight back then, not long after the oil crisis and 3 day week.

Shaun

 

[bagpuss]

Re:

Impressive work . Alot of elbow grease used i reckon . Looking forward to seeing it built up.
Have you any idea on what components you are going to use?

 

[cycletothesea]

Re: Re:

Impressive work . Alot of elbow grease used i reckon . Looking forward to seeing it built up.
Have you any idea on what components you are going to use?

Have in mind that this will be a period correct rebuild. GB bars/stem - Weinmann centre-pulls and levers - Huret levers/front mech, Svelto derailleur - Rigida 27" wheelset.

 

[Midlife]

Re: New Build - Carlton Cobra

My Carlton Cobra had a Simplex rear mech (black Delrin plastic with red simplex plaque) and black plastic Simplex lever with a thin metal shroud.

Shaun