Rescuing a rare SBDU Team Cyclo Cross Frame SB5084 531SL

[originalshinkicker]

Gorgeously gorgeous. Patina or too far gone?

Its got more rust than a sunken wreck from WW2

Rust can be sorted. It has more paint than rust and that is what I look at. People seem to be far too quick to repaint at the moment because of small marks and rust but it doesn't bother me at all.

 

[kingbling]

Gorgeously gorgeous. Patina or too far gone?

Its got more rust than a sunken wreck from WW2

Rust can be sorted. It has more paint than rust and that is what I look at. People seem to be far too quick to repaint at the moment because of small marks and rust but it doesn't bother me at all.

No fair play you've done enough of them it's each to their own on that point, I picked up a Paul Donohue just recently it has a lot of chips and touch ups but it still looks ok.

For me your frame is a bit past the touch up point so will you treat the rust or do you just leave it ?

 

[MatBH5]

Re:

Was going to comment on this last night. I think the patina adds to the story and as you've got perfectly restored bikes, I can understand a sensitive paint renovation.
Somehow the cross nature seems to be more natural to have a few marks too, than a road frame anyhow.
I've picked up a Mercian with a fair bit of patina, and tempted to do a rust treatment on chips and rubs as the paint which remains, even where a bit sun-faded, is an amazing finish.
Will be interested to see how you go about the renovation.

 

[originalshinkicker]

Yep, the frame is suffering, but it still has a lot of paint, and most of the transfers are there and legible - I look at the entire frame and from a distance this is still recognisable as a TI. It would put a lot off buying it never mind trying to restore it. If the transfers had gone and the rust was all over the length of the chain stays then I would restore it, but I think I got this one just in time.

MatBH5 - I agree with the cross nature - these are meant to have been used hard in conditions that will encourage rust. Preserving this so that it still looks like it has been used for its intended purpose is what I'm looking to do

 

[The History Man]

A perfect plan.

 

[xxnick1975]

Keeping the paint, is definitely the right thing here, and 531 should be okay anyway no? Or is the sl very thin?

Cleaned up and polished should be fine, then cleaned and polished after use, no issues

 

[originalshinkicker]

Keeping the paint, is definitely the right thing here, and 531 should be okay anyway no? Or is the sl very thin?

Cleaned up and polished should be fine, then cleaned and polished after use, no issues

SL is a kind of inbetween tube between 531DB and the early 753. The main SL frame tubes were thinner than std 531 but not as thin as 753. But the chainstays were the same as 753. 531DB had 0.8mm chainstays and 531SL and 753 had 0.6mm stays. So they are thin and they wouldn't have lasted another year in the shed it was being stored in.

 

[xxnick1975]

Good to know, clearly in safe hands

 

[Midlife]

I think SL lasted about 2 years before it was branded as Professional.

 

[originalshinkicker]

I think SL lasted about 2 years before it was branded as Professional.

a bit longer... 7 years.