WMB - What a project you have there! That will look ace fully restored. What's the current colour plan? I can see black tyres, black grips, and a black seat!!! Oh, and black blocks on that fast braking system
I would describe the bike as "stock" like the millions of other post office bikes made over the years.
Mechanically the bike is as smooth as Barack Obama after a good session down the waxing salon and his morning Barocca, but for me to be happy with a refurb we would be looking at:
- Replacement rods and hinges for the brakes as the chrome is bad up close
- Replacement Westwood rims (bad chrome) and new spokes (oxidised grey coating) laced onto the existing hubs which look great
- Sourcing some Creme/Cream/Ivory 650B tyres to wrap the nice shiney wheels nice and snug.*
- Mudguards that sit evening around the tyres (i hate uneven/ wobbly looking mudguards) - probably white as per originals or red using vinyl dye
- A light coloured Leather Saddle - possibly Brookes if that's not too predictable, or similar
- A full respray would be nice - probably keeping the Post Office Red, but maybe highlights around the lugwork or some nice chroming in forks and dropouts
- I think leather grips on the bars and the brake lever ends would look a-may-zing... I have yet to convince my girlfriend
- As for the brake blocks, Im not sure I have many options beyond what I have already - they work! Just about.
*This is the tricky/ expensive part, but would have an immediate impact on the looks of the bike.
All this work is dependent on my girlfriend not thinking its too much hassle and buying herself a Pashley...