Buff's Classic/Vintage/Retro rebuilds

[BuffsVintageBikes]

On the Single Speed side I found the old knees were taking a beating trying to turn the 45x16 ratio so I popped into Rook Cycles in town and had an 18 tooth rear fitted... sooo much better now. While there I spotted some a neat black brake caliper and lever going for the bargain price of R250 so that had to come home with me. I whipped off the drop bars and replaced them with an old mtb riser bar.

I'm loving the new setup and it's my go-to bike for a commute or quick spin around the block. 

[BuffsVintageBikes]

I also got my grubby paws on an old Cosmos built with Reynold 525 Triathlon tubing and a chrome fork. It was sporting a 7 speed Shimano groupset with a mismatched rear deraillure. The bike was a lovely blue but sadly suffering from years of neglect with lots of scratches in the paint and spots of rust all over. I initially thought I'd just touch it up but finally decided on a full strip and fresh paint job. I don't know much about 525 tubing but I was pleasantly surprised with how light the frame is.

 

Finding stickers for it is proving to be a challenge so I traced out the headset badge and replicated it using a graphics package. I still need to tackle the COSMOS text.

 

Here's some pics of Before and current. I'll shoot a primer on the frame this weekend. I'll be spraying the bike a metalic blue.

[Wayne pudding Mol]

I also got my grubby paws on an old Cosmos built with Reynold 525 Triathlon tubing and a chrome fork. It was sporting a 7 speed Shimano groupset with a mismatched rear deraillure. The bike was a lovely blue but sadly suffering from years of neglect with lots of scratches in the paint and spots of rust all over. I initially thought I'd just touch it up but finally decided on a full strip and fresh paint job. I don't know much about 525 tubing but I was pleasantly surprised with how light the frame is.

 

Finding stickers for it is proving to be a challenge so I traced out the headset badge and replicated it using a graphics package. I still need to tackle the COSMOS text.

 

Here's some pics of Before and current. I'll shoot a primer on the frame this weekend. I'll be spraying the bike a metalic blue.

Did you pick this bike up in George by any chance?

[BuffsVintageBikes]

Did you pick this bike up in George by any chance?

 

No, got it locally (southern suburbs).

[Hairy]

2 things

 

1. What software package is that 

2. Why ride any SS ratio less than a 53x16t .... unless you are in the ‘hilly part”of Cape Town

[BuffsVintageBikes]

2 things

 

1. What software package is that 

2. Why ride any SS ratio less than a 53x16t .... unless you are in the ‘hilly part”of Cape Town

 

1. The softwage package is called Inkscape, its freeware

 

2. I have old knees... well actually not only my knees... all of me

Edited January 13, 2020 by BuffsVintageBikes

[BuffsVintageBikes]

Been a bit quite here lately but I've still been busy in the workshop on a clients bike. It's a LeJuene 531 resto that I'll share later.

 

Shot some colour onto the Cosmos a few weeks ago and then experienced the joy of having the fresh clear coat ruined when my wifes pet chicken landed on the top tube while trying to escape a visiting puppy. Needless to say, we nearly had roast chicken for Christmas lunch

When I build up the motivation I'll see if I can save it with water paper and lots of patience. Until that point it was looking pretty decent 

 

1. Base coat

2. Metallic blue

3. One coat of clear

Edited January 13, 2020 by BuffsVintageBikes

[DJR]

................then experienced the joy of having the fresh clear coat ruined when my wifes pet chicken landed on the top tube while trying to escape a visiting puppy. Needless to say, we nearly had roast chicken for Chirstmas lunch

..............

 Lekke lag ek nou. Of all the things that can go wrong with a respray 

[BuffsVintageBikes]

 Lekke lag ek nou. Of all the things that can go wrong with a respray 

 

I know right, WTF

 

But I should have known this was just one of those jobs that was going to haunt me after I found a beautiful wind free spot under my caravan port to do the respray only to have the wind change direction halfway through the job. Then while waiting for it to dry I hear this bloody aweful noise that sounds oh so much like my neighbour dust blower and I go rushing outside to discover that the d**s has cut his holiday short by 3 days and decided to clean up his yard that morning, which just so happen to resemble a dust quarry Heart failure was close at that point, especially after the effort I put into getting the primer coat so good.

 

If I can save this spray job then I'll have built up enough confidence to spray anything

[tinmug]

Hell this is a great thread. Inspiring stuff Buff.

 

What do you use to polish the alu parts so well (as in what machinery?)?

[BuffsVintageBikes]

Hell this is a great thread. Inspiring stuff Buff.

 

What do you use to polish the alu parts so well (as in what machinery?)?

 

Thanks tinmug.

 

I simply use various polishing wheels & buffers that fit into my drill (which is generally clamped in a vice). I prefer it over a traditional polisher as I can regulate the speed on my drill.

But never underestimate what can be achieved by simple hand polishing.

[BuffsVintageBikes]

This old dog is trying to learn some new tricks   I eventually tried my hand at creating a youtube video of one of my resto builds and I have to admit, video filming and editing is a lot more time consuming than I ever imagined. Give me a shifting spanner and a can of WD40 anyday.

 

Check out the latest Hansom resto here:

 

Please give it a "Like" and "Subscribe" if it's something you'd like to see more of in the future.

 

I'm more than likely going to focus on SA built bikes as I feel they deserve a place in the sun after serving us so well during the years of isolation

Edited January 23, 2020 by BuffsVintageBikes

[Hairy]

This old dog is trying to learn some new tricks   I eventually tried my hand at creating a youtube video of one of my resto builds and I have to admit, video filming and editing is a lot more time consuming than I ever imagined. Give me a shifting spanner and a can of WD40 anyday.

 

Check out the latest Hansom resto here:

 

Please give it a "Like" and "Subscribe" if it's something you'd like to see more of in the future.

 

I'm more than likely going to focus on SA built bikes as I feel they deserve a place in the sun after serving us so well during the years of isolation

ok ... time to put the drill in the vice and do some polishing at home

[Hairy]

What grit sand paper did you finish with on the stem?

[Hairy]

This old dog is trying to learn some new tricks   I eventually tried my hand at creating a youtube video of one of my resto builds and I have to admit, video filming and editing is a lot more time consuming than I ever imagined. Give me a shifting spanner and a can of WD40 anyday.

 

Check out the latest Hansom resto here:

 

Please give it a "Like" and "Subscribe" if it's something you'd like to see more of in the future.

 

I'm more than likely going to focus on SA built bikes as I feel they deserve a place in the sun after serving us so well during the years of isolation

That is a nice vid, but I like this one a little more

 

[BuffsVintageBikes]

LOL... yep, that was something very special by the Wilddog forum. That little laaitie is now twice that size and ripping around on a KTM125

 

"What grit sand paper did you finish with on the stem?" - I took it through 320, 600, 800 and 1500 wet paper and then Autosol on the wheel. It gives me great results every time.