Newbie back with a vengeance.....

[Fylde_coast_Pies]

Hello all, Just joined the site after getting back in the saddle after a 20 year absence and I thought I'd share what I've been up to over the last few weeks or so.
I gave up golf three years ago due to a bad back so walking has been my way of keeping fit since and living in Blackpool I'm spoilt for choice when it comes to getting out and about. Anyway, My nine year old daughter usually accompanies me wherever I go and it was while walking along the sea front last Autumn my little'un said; "Dad, Why don't you get a bike?" and I thought why not.
After doing my research I decided that a Specialized Globe Centrum which has been discontinued would be the bike for me so the search began, trawling the classifieds and ebay hoping to find an XL which as it happens are as rare as rocking horse ****! Anyway, I eventually found one on ebay which I paid £102 for but the bike had considerable wear and tear, nevertheless I couldn't pass the opportunity up and decided to make it a project.

The frame and forks, Bars, Stem, wheels,,

 

[smokeysmoo]

to CC

Congrats on getting back in the saddle and it's true what they say isn't it, you never forgot how to ride a bike.

How do find that saddle position? I'm only asking as it looks quite nose down and I feel I'd be forever pushing myself back up on it.

Of course if it works for you then happy days, but if you do find any comfort issues THIS site is a great place to start when looking into bike fit.

Happy riding

 

[welsh dragon]

Congratulations. Welcome from powys

 

[Fylde_coast_Pies]

The frame and forks, bars, stem, wheels, hubs, tyres, cranks, bottom bracket and headset where all in fine condition albeit tatty looking so I took it all apart and started on the frame with Nitromors (the old stuff) which made short work in taking off the old finish.
I decided that I'd like to give it a matte black finish so went in search of advice on how to respray it......Jeez! What a minefield. There's so much contradictory information on the web when it comes to respraying a bike frame it's enough to put you off for good but I took in everything I read and set to it.
The last time I resprayed a frame was when I was 13, a Redline BMX frame and forks in white which came out OK apart from a bit of orange peel finish to it but older, wiser and a bit more patient I've managed to surpass all my expectations.
After stripping the frame and giving it a thorough sanding I first gave it a coat of etch primer to highlight any imperfections and filled them in with Holts Cataloy Knifing Putty which was cheap, easy to use and very easy to sand back. Once I was happy with the finish the frame and forks where given two more coats of primer. For the top coat I've used Hycote Matt Black spray which only stood me at £2.80 for 400ml and the frame has had five coats of it.
I'd like to add that I was going to use the advice I'd read about sanding down between coats to achieve the best finish possible but I've found that it simply wasn't necessary. Whether it's been pure luck, I haven't had any runs apart from one small one on the top tube which I rubbed out with 1200 wet & dry (used dry) before re-coating it. All this has been done in my shed with an average temperature of 9-10 degree's. The frame has had several days hanging to fully cure and I really don't think I could have achieved a better finish. All I have to do now it finish it off with a matt lacquer which will be done next weekend. I have also stripped and resprayed the handlebars, crankset, chainring, bashring and seatpost clamp which all have a finish equal to the frame and forks. I'll post some pictures once I've sussed out how to upload them from my desktop.
It's good to be back

For some reason I accidentally posted before I'd finished and I ran out of time while trying to edit the post

 

[wisdom]

Welcome from Blackpool.
Good luck with everything.Might bump into you sometime ill keep a look out for the bike

 

[Fylde_coast_Pies]

The little specs you can see on picture two are just bits of dust.
After getting rid of some of the old components I'll be adding new Avid BB7 brakes and levers, a Truvativ seat post, Specialized Phenom seat, Shimano MX-80 pedals and some Ergon biocork grips to finish it off......So if your in Blackpool this Summer and see a 6' 4'' bald headed bloke on bike that resembles a Stealth Fighter, You'll know who I am.

 

[wisdom]

Thats a nice paint job.What did you use?

 

[smokeysmoo]

Nice job Sir

I don't know if you're bothered about replacing the decals, and TBH I doubt you'll get the exact ones, but H.LLOYDS are a class act when it comes to replacement decals, and their service and aftersales IME are spot on.

 

[Fylde_coast_Pies]

Thats a nice paint job.What did you use?

wisdom, Prepped it as best as I could using Nitomors and a fine sandpaper. Used Rust-Oleum etch primer (two coats) and Hycote matt black spray for the top coat (five coats) Been trying to find a matt lacquer to finish it off and so far the Halfords brand is looking favourite, Not cheap though.

Nice job Sir

I don't know if you're bothered about replacing the decals, and TBH I doubt you'll get the exact ones, but H.LLOYDS are a class act when it comes to replacement decals, and their service and aftersales IME are spot on.

smokeysmoo, I've got some curved Specialized decals to go on the top tube from Graphics- Direct who I found on ebay. Good service and put an extra sheet it for nothing.

 

[wisdom]

It looks like a spraygun finish.Top job.

 

[Fylde_coast_Pies]

It looks like a spraygun finish.Top job.

HaHa, Cheers wisdom. Like I said, I've exceeded all my expectations and can't believe how good it's come out. After reading so much on the net about how to respray a bike frame I thought I'd post this just to show how easy it's been and how easy it is to use matt spray products.
I can't wait to get it finished and get out on it. I'm going to keep it as a single speed for the time being, then give it a couple of months I'd like to put a Shimano Alfine 8 hub on the back wheel. Not cheap I know but what the hell eh?

 

[Fylde_coast_Pies]

I'm done And I think she's scrubbed up well, even if I do say so myself.
I ended up using Rust-Oleum matt lacquer to finish the frame off and have ended up with a good finish. I don't know whether it's down to it's composition but the lacquer doesn't leave the can the same as the paints, it spluttered a bit rather than having a good even coverage so a bit more care was needed when spraying.
I applied some gloss black decals to the frame but if not sealed in I don't think it would have been long before they would have shown signs of wear so they were sealed in with a couple of coats. I wanted a discreet look to the bike but with a complete matt finish the decals are a bit more discreet than I first thought they'd be
I paid £60 for the Avid brakes and the seat post, £10 for the levers. I got the seat for £20 and the grips were £23.
Special mention for the Ergon grips, I used to be obsessed with finding the perfect grips when I was into BMX when I was a kid but for all the hype, most of them were crap! These however are spot on. Great support with the ergonomic design and a nice tacky feeling to the grip, they look and feel superb.
I've just to put the cables, chain and pedals on then the bikes done.

 

[wisdom]

Nice very nice