helix_torques
Retro Guru
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So this is my first build thread.
I've been riding MTBs for 20+ years but until recently have never looked backwards.
Until I saw this on Ebay ...
In all honesty I didn't initially buy it as a retro project ... I just wanted a project ... I tend to get a bit twitchy if I haven't got a bike build on the go ... so, I was originally thinking of cheap ti hard tail with modern components.
However, when it landed and I started investigating exactly what it was ... (still not 100% sure; frame serial (H) stamp - 97-98, RSP head badge - 99+ onwards, originally painted - so not torus) I really started to get into the idea of restoring it back to its former glory or at least into a pretty good period ti RSP.
Not everyones cup of tea ... but I was really taken by this RSP ... I don't want to replicate it but will certainly use it as inspiration.
So that was back in March ... since then I've been hand brushing the frame and collecting my components ... a process I've found frustratingly, enjoyably slow ... if that makes sense?
I decided to hand brush the frame because although, the tubes were in really good nick the ti finish was slightly pitted ... I'm wondering if this was because the frame was originally painted and it helped with spray adhesion? The frame also had paint remnants around the brake boses and cable guides that I wasn't happy about. Anyway, it took hours (30+ over 10 weeks) to get it to a finish that I'm happy with starting with a course (maroon) scotchbrite and working up to the fine (grey).
I also had to source a new RSP head badge, the original that had come with the frame had had its paint stripped by the previous owner and I wanted to have one on the frame that had the black in fills within the typography and heron logo.
So tonight I finished the frame (decals still to come) and started to add some components ... photos below ...
I'll update the post again soon ... ;-)
I've been riding MTBs for 20+ years but until recently have never looked backwards.
Until I saw this on Ebay ...
In all honesty I didn't initially buy it as a retro project ... I just wanted a project ... I tend to get a bit twitchy if I haven't got a bike build on the go ... so, I was originally thinking of cheap ti hard tail with modern components.
However, when it landed and I started investigating exactly what it was ... (still not 100% sure; frame serial (H) stamp - 97-98, RSP head badge - 99+ onwards, originally painted - so not torus) I really started to get into the idea of restoring it back to its former glory or at least into a pretty good period ti RSP.
Not everyones cup of tea ... but I was really taken by this RSP ... I don't want to replicate it but will certainly use it as inspiration.
So that was back in March ... since then I've been hand brushing the frame and collecting my components ... a process I've found frustratingly, enjoyably slow ... if that makes sense?
I decided to hand brush the frame because although, the tubes were in really good nick the ti finish was slightly pitted ... I'm wondering if this was because the frame was originally painted and it helped with spray adhesion? The frame also had paint remnants around the brake boses and cable guides that I wasn't happy about. Anyway, it took hours (30+ over 10 weeks) to get it to a finish that I'm happy with starting with a course (maroon) scotchbrite and working up to the fine (grey).
I also had to source a new RSP head badge, the original that had come with the frame had had its paint stripped by the previous owner and I wanted to have one on the frame that had the black in fills within the typography and heron logo.
So tonight I finished the frame (decals still to come) and started to add some components ... photos below ...
I'll update the post again soon ... ;-)
