Dawes Red Feather Find.

[Illaveago]

I did a bit more cleaning today . It looks like there is rust broken out underneath the paint in quite a few areas . It looks like goose pimples underneath the paint on the crossbar, seat and chain stays, down tube and forks . There could be a way of limiting the amount of restoration but it would be a lot of work . The forks definitely need doing and does the head tube and most of the down tube . I wouldn't go for powder coating as I don't like it . I can spray so I will do it myself.
Removing the head badge will be a problem . It is held in with brass pins and the badge looks a bit fragile , they used vitreous enamel and some has broken away already .
I have put things on hold for now as the expander has seized in the handlebar stem, I have poured some oil down from both ends so I hope some will work its way down . It will give me a bit of time to think .
I have managed to clean up the Campag Gran Sport rear derailleur, the cranks are cleaning up and so are the pedals. The front brake caliper and gear levers have smoke stains which are cleaning up slowly .

 

[biggs682]

Oh dear re stem expander being seized let's hope it eventually frees up.

So full repaint then ?

 

[ren531]

I did a bit of cleaning up on the frame this morning . it was freezing cold despite the sunshine. View attachment 578413

View attachment 578414

There is something rather magical about this, with flaming torch head badge surviving the fire, it is going to be a true phoenix this one.

 

[Illaveago]

There is something rather magical about this, with flaming torch head badge surviving the fire, it is going to be a true phoenix this one.

Yes I was thinking that earlier .

 

[weareHKR]

There is something rather magical about this, with flaming torch head badge surviving the fire, it is going to be a true phoenix this one.

Yes... this would be the restoration of the year if you can bring it back to its former self.
Especially having the then, inbetween & now pictures, good luck with the project!

 

[Illaveago]

Yes... this would be the restoration of the year if you can bring it back to its former self.
Especially having the then, inbetween & now pictures, good luck with the project!

Thanks .
It has come to a sudden stop. I need to free the expander and then try to get the stem free.

 

[Reynard]

Mmmm, if you're going to spray it yourself, then maybe just mask off the headbadge rather than risk removing it. But I'd give it a few coats of lacquer / varnish to stop any more of the enamel from falling out first.

 

[Illaveago]

A lot of work that, is the lamp still available...

It's still there, cream ceramic globe shaped lamp, comes complete with shade and plug .

 

[rogerzilla]

IME leather saddles can be brought from "dry cardboard" back to "as new" provided they are not torn. Proofide and a LOT of miles (500 or more) will burnish one up and all the fine creases will just vanish, at the pressure points first. Don't attempt to retension one until it is proofided and this has had enough time to permeate right through. Tensioning a dried-out one will probably tear it apart.

 

[Illaveago]

Work has slowed down as the expander has seized in the stem . I have sprayed penetrating oil in from both sides and let it soak . What I need is a nice long piece of steel bar the diameter of the hole in the stem so that I can give it a real good clout .
I'm wondering if the bike could be earlier going by the style of head badge used .

 

[biggs682]

@Illaveago Are you going to try and hit it from below ?

Be careful as the hole in the forks might be a smaller od than you think

 

[Illaveago]

@Illaveago Are you going to try and hit it from below ?

Be careful as the hole in the forks might be a smaller od than you think

No , my idea is to hit the expander out first . If I hit it the other way it will only drive the expander further in and tighten the grip of the stem .

 

[biggs682]

No , my idea is to hit the expander out first . If I hit it the other way it will only drive the expander further in and tighten the grip of the stem .

That was my thought I just wanted to check

 

[fossyant]

You’re being a tad optimist if you think you can save that. Even @SkipdiverJohn would have cycled past that one.

Nah, that would be his best bike

 

[fossyant]

That front end looks rather corroded - good dental plan ?