F R Russell

[SkipdiverJohn]

Thoughts are to get it powder coated and then re build but tomorrow is another day

Any thoughts/prefences of who to send it to?
I was really impressed by both the low cost and decent finish on the big green Raleigh that @EltonFrog got blasted and powder coated. Must get my arse in gear and make enquiries now the lockdown has ended.
I've decided my nice Ian May 531ST Tourer frame is too scruffy to leave as-is and needs re-doing before I put it back together, plus I've got a few other ratty but decent quality Reynolds frames that are worth the effort to do better than a rattle can.

 

[biggs682]

@SkipdiverJohn my preference would be Lee Cooper but this will go to a local couple of firms who specialise in blasting and powder coating who I have used before .

 

[SkipdiverJohn]

What sort of colour choices did you get before? Are they able to match a specific shade or are you limited to the nearest industrial standard RAL or BS 381/BS 4800 colours? I presume you'll only get solid finishes, not metallic etc - or am I wrong about that?

 

[biggs682]

What sort of colour choices did you get before? Are they able to match a specific shade or are you limited to the nearest industrial standard RAL or BS 381/BS 4800 colours? I presume you'll only get solid finishes, not metallic etc - or am I wrong about that?

They offer quite a range of colours but not aware of matching colours , a powder coating firm that @Kempstonian uses offer a sparkly finish.

No colour in mind depends on what they are doing a bit as that works out a bit cheaper but will see

 

[carpenter]

A bit out of your way, but amazing range of finishes and excellent preparation - some really nice examples of bikes here:

https://ctc-powder-coating.co.uk/our-work/bicycles/

 

[biggs682]

A bit out of your way, but amazing range of finishes and excellent preparation - some really nice examples of bikes here:

https://ctc-powder-coating.co.uk/our-work/bicycles/

Wow very good

 

[biggs682]

Finished stripping this earlier so thought I would weigh it .

Not sure how accurate they are but under 3 kg

 

[SkipdiverJohn]

I think your scales are a bit off, TBH. I've got a full 531 frame & forks in 23" size which are about 7 lbs stripped. Yours looks implausibly light unless it's made from ultra-thing gauge tubing like 753.

 

[biggs682]

I think your scales are a bit off, TBH. I've got a full 531 frame & forks in 23" size which are about 7 lbs stripped. Yours looks implausibly light unless it's made from ultra-thing gauge tubing like 753.

I don't doubt the scales are not accurate but i use them for all my bikes and this one is light , i don't 753 was invented when this was made

 

[SkipdiverJohn]

I don't doubt the scales are not accurate but i use them for all my bikes and this one is light , i don't 753 was invented when this was made

You're correct, that frame will pre-date the availability of 753, but 531 was made in a lot of variants, some of which were drawn to similar dimensions to 753 but lacked the extra strength from the heat treatment.

 

[biggs682]

This popped up on my facebook feed last night , frame number 00 and the story goes : The frame however was a special built by Fred ( Nutty Russell) for his son who rode it at the track league etc.

If it was a bit nearer i could be tempted although it's a bit over priced


View: https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/683109505611130/?referralSurface=messenger_lightspeed_banner&referralCode=messenger_banner

 

[biggs682]

Well it's finally back

 

[biggs682]

Top result had a quick look in spares box and found a 26 mm i/d fork race bearing
Just what i need if i decide to rebuild at some point

 

[Illaveago]

Well it's finally back

View attachment 584894

It looks yellow !

 

[biggs682]

It looks yellow !

Orangey yellow