To rebuild or ride?

[Aston]

Thank you all for the advice and opinions. After much faffing about wondering why to do I could not settle until I had a better look at the 'bumps' under the powder coating (Thorns are most definitely powder coated). Today was the day, I had intended to use rust remover, but found a rotary brush in the garage and duly attached it to the drill as I could not find the bits and bobs for my Dremel type thing.

There was lots of rust underneath, but it is/was just surface rust, I cannot see any pitting, I've unfortunately left a few scores in the tube, which I'll need to take out by hand before the frame goes to the strippers/powder coaters. Bout I have satisfied myself that the rust isn't structurally detrimental to the down tube - an odd place to be. Also checked inside the tube, some rust spots, but just a handful.

However, I're realised that there are many small outbreaks of rust, so rather than remove these, leaving it to look like a Dalmatian, I'd best go the whole way and have it properly stripped and coated. Though I think a nice enamel coat would be nicer, especially in the original metallic British Racing Green, which is lovely in the sunlight

I've now started to strip the bike, must remember to take photos of the bits coming off!

Some photos of the rusty bits...

 

[All uphill]

That will make a great bike.

Enjoy the journey!

 

[Dogtrousers]

Should be a fun project.
Looking forward to progress reports and puctures

 

[Aston]

Well, it's back all shiny in it's new powder coat and all back together with some new bits, very happy with it and looking to riding it, just some new decals maybe, but do like the incognito/'Q' bike look

 

[All uphill]

Well, it's back all shiny in it's new powder coat and all back together with some new bits, very happy with it and looking to riding it, just some new decals maybe, but do like the incognito/'Q' bike look

View attachment 797649

Nice work! I'll look out for you on the road this summer!

 

[Fastpedaller]

Looks great! Enjoy

 

[geocycle]

That looks great! How much paint did you take off before sending for re spray, I presume they sand blasted it? Also did you remove everything including the headset?

 

[mickle]

https://ebay.us/m/182mJL

 

[Aston]

https://ebay.us/m/182mJL

Thank you - I've just realised there's the option for 'gold', which is pretty close to the original orange 👍

 

[Aston]

That looks great! How much paint did you take off before sending for re spray, I presume they sand blasted it? Also did you remove everything including the headset?

I only removed a small proportion to check the surface rust, but it was then stripped using a combination of chemical and I think they said vapour blasting (?) by the engineering company before the powder coating, everything came apart, just the bare frame and forks