Repainting and doing up a frame

[Holdsworth]

I gave Atlantic Boulevard a quick call just to get a quotation, it came out at around £240 + £45 collection! That is quite a bit more than I would like to spend ideally, but I guess it may be worth in the long run for a full restoration of the frame and inclusion of good transfers.

I think though for this bike I may well try somewhere else, the decals aren't that important to me and they can be done without. I would just like the frame to look nice again and to be in good overall condition. I might try Bob Jacksons next or maybe the local re-sprayer who can strip and powder coat the frame and forks for as little as £65.

 

[GrumpyGregry]

Just picked up on this thread, as I'm considering having my aged but much loved MTB resprayed. The Bob Jackson site looks interesting and fairly priced for the level of service.

Does anyone know where I would source Saracen transfers and decals. Goggling around doesn't seem to produce anything too precise.

pose the same question over on the retrobikes forum. If they don't know no one does.

 

[rockyraccoon]

... So can anyone point me in the direction of a full tutorial for the job or give me some sound advice and tips?...

Have a look at this "Repainting An Old Bicycle"

 

[Zoiders]

Just out of interest - Your Holdsworth is in fact a mass produced rebadged Raleigh/Tube Industries frame so you could go for Raleigh decals if you can't track down Holdsworth ones.

 

[Holdsworth]

Just out of interest - Your Holdsworth is in fact a mass produced rebadged Raleigh/Tube Industries frame so you could go for Raleigh decals if you can't track down Holdsworth ones.

I was aware that the bike was produced at the end of Holdsworth's production run when they were buying in mass-produced frames cheaply, but I didn't think of the possibility of using decals from contemporary company that was using the same frames on their bikes. In that case I'll have to change my username

 

[Holdsworth]

I think now though that after getting some advice from the guy at Supreme Cycles, I will end up going and getting the frame resprayed locally at Wilkinson's in Shavington. He said though that the Reynolds 531 transfer on the down tube is the one worth trying to keep, if not the frame is worth bugger all, not completely sure about that so I'd like to know what to do. He explained that the transfer can be replaced by a good copy at somewhere that specialises in frame resprays, like Bob Jackson's, but not at a place like Wilkinson's.

Is the Reynolds sticker really that important? And if so what about the frame sticker at the base of the seat tube which is pretty much buggered anyway?

 

[accountantpete]

Personally I'd get the powdercoating and then pop a 531 sticker on top (£7 on eBay).

The frame isn't going to be worth a lot (in terms of re-sale) without the original paintwork even if you could retain the 531 transfer.

 

[Holdsworth]

That makes sense, it seems that Wilkinson's has my business then

I will probably get round to doing at the start of Feb.

I will have to strip the frame of all the components before taking it to him so could anyone point in the direction of a guide for just such a thing? I a mechanical noob and this would be my first bike disassembly. I do know I'd need a spanner than fits over the crank bolt to remove the crank and BB.

 

[heretic]

Check out Sheldon Browne and Park Tools, they'll cover most stuff. You'll need a crank puller and probably a bottom bracket tool, depending what type's on it.

 

[Holdsworth]

So how do I go about taking components the dérailleurs off, removing the brakes and cable housings and the handlebars and stem? There must be a guide for this sort of thing.

 

[accountantpete]

So how do I go about taking components the dérailleurs off, removing the brakes and cable housings and the handlebars and stem? There must be a guide for this sort of thing.

Just go to Youtube and search for each item in turn.

For eg "Front Mech" gets an adjustment video, click on that and in the side panel you get associated videos such as this one.

 

[Davidc]

With a Holdsworth frame of that quality it's worth doing properly if the rust has only done superficial damage.

Only one thing to add to what's been said. If you want to put modern kit onto it you'll need to get the rear dropouts adjusted to 130mm, It can be easily done anytime but if you're refurbishing and having it enamelled or powder coated get that done first and avoid the possibility of hairline cracks in the new paint.

 

[Holdsworth]

For what reason would I have to get that done, are my dropouts too small to accept new wheels? And where could I get that done, the local bike shop?

 

[Holdsworth]

And thank you for the link Pete, quite a few videos on there to look over before stripping down the bike ready for taking to be sprayed.

 

[Holdsworth]

I STILL haven't got around to getting this done but I have been putting a lot of thought into it.

I think it would be best for me to get the bike done up properly and having some transfers applied. I have been in contact with Bob Jackson Cycles and have been quoted a price for Holdsworth Criterium transfers (£25-35 + £12 fitting + £10 for Reynolds 531 transfer). In all it comes to around £170-180 all in with enameling and delivery/collection.

I should also factor in costs for buying the tools for crank and chain removal or for the lbs to do that for me.

There's no ignoring that the price is a lot more than £65 quoted by the local powder coaters, but hopefully I'll get a better finish and have it looking nearly new with those decals.





Also will I really need to have the dropouts adjusted as DavidC said?