Project Kona ....

[Muddy paw]

Top work mate , all that hard graft has really paid off and those weird lines i'm inclined to think are where the paint has started to break down to allow the damp through to the metal but yes i'm just as puzzled as you are regarding the strange pattern but yo won't care about details like that when the bikes completed ..

 

[Dare]

Good job!

What grit of sandpaper did you use to flatten the filler?

 

[enc]

Re:

Thanks all, really enjoying this project

@ Dare, final paper before clear coat was 1500 grade.. used wet.

 

[Dare]

So you sanded every time after each layer of filler with grades from 800? to 1500?

 

[enc]

180, 320, 1500.... used wet... and dont forget the ....

:mrgreen:

 

[enc]

Re:

I set about removing the anodising from the seat post clamp.
I'd been advised caustic soda was the best method.
I picked this up from the pound shop for .... 89p



The other kit...

Goggles, gloves, vinegar, pliers




Clamp before...



During



After...







More work required I think :?

 

[enc]

I wasn't happy with the ritchey headset I'd previously picked up so I replaced it with this Token one..

The ritchey was listed as having alloy cups which it didn't.. Build quality was poor in general.

The token is a third less in weight and largely aluminium. Far better build quality...






Another bonus is the split bearing race which should make fitting easier...

 

[Muddy paw]

I'm not sure if i'd be happy using a split race tbh as i can only imagine it will cause premature wear due to the edges of the split but at least it's a lot closer to what you were after and as for the caustic soda
maybe a better well known brand might of been the better option as i imagine the cheaper brands are probably not as strong but their again some of the top brands out there are not all they are cracked up to be so maybe a stronger solution is in order and i was thinking of removing the anodising on my seat stem so i'll get hold of a more upmarket branded caustic soda and let you know how it goes for comparison ..

 

[Rampage]

Lines on forks are where the tubings been curved.
The clamp should be fairly easy to strip. Rub the dye off by hand then carry on. It's starting to get pitted though so will only get worse.

 

[FluffyChicken]

I'm not sure if i'd be happy using a split race tbh as i can only imagine it will cause premature wear due to the edges of the split but at least it's a lot closer to what you were after and as for the caustic soda
maybe a better well known brand might of been the better option as i imagine the cheaper brands are probably not as strong but their again some of the top brands out there are not all they are cracked up to be so maybe a stronger solution is in order and i was thinking of removing the anodising on my seat stem so i'll get hold of a more upmarket branded caustic soda and let you know how it goes for comparison ..

It's a cartridge bearing, the actual races are in that, the ring is just something to 'lock' the cartridge bearing in the headset cup and give it something to rest against.

Caustic Soda (sodium hydroxide) or possible it may have potassium hydroxide too, is the same from brand to brand if it is in their. The quantity compared to other stuff may differ but you just alter the water in the solution as needed.

Or just buy a big tub of sodium hydroxide of eBay or a soap making shop.