Vintage bikes boom.......... to paint or not to paint old frames

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Permalink Reply by Chris Harris on January 1, 2011 at 7:41am

I've noticed the same thing.

I suppose if the stickers have some interest and are still readable it's good to leave them "original"

But if there are no stickers, or they are degraded too much, then paint them up.

 

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Permalink Reply by Steve Jay on January 6, 2011 at 10:59am

My first ever "adult" bike was a respray that I did using repeated application of 1200 wet'n'dry and a Holden white by Holt's Duplicolour (spray cans) but it seriously "needed" it. (later found out it was a custom build by a long extinct Launceston bike shop/frame builder, but hey, we all make mistakes when we're young ;-)

 

I lean towards Will's position, the weathered look adds character. I think I'd draw the line at rust, but dings are fine :-)

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Permalink Reply by John E. on January 8, 2011 at 9:52pm

Dude, I've serviced one of the bikes you sold & it was a complete piece of crap & actually dangerous to ride; I couldn't believe you had the hide to charge $200 for it. I had to give a major discount on the service/parts as I felt so bad for the customer. I don't care what the bikes look like, just make sure they are roadworthy before you sell them! This whole retro thing will blow over anyway and the trendoids will move onto something else.

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Permalink Reply by Cam Trethowan on January 9, 2011 at 10:14am

Hi John and thank you for sharing your opinion. However, it seems that as you work selling new bikes and servicing them that your comments perhaps are bias and are motivated by a conflict of interest. I often experience this attitude from bike shop owners etc that don't enjoy the new popularity of people buying old used bikes over the new ones in their stores. Perfectly understandable. Just to educate you about my concept, I search and sell used 80's and pre used bikes, I don't service them, only clean them up. I clearly explain all of this to perspective buyers and strongly recommend/direct them to get their bike serviced at their LBS. I am by no means a qualified mechanic and don't pretend to be, I love old bikes and there is a high demand for them presently. My prices are determined by three main factors 1) desirability 2) Overall condition and 3) Ebay prices (I watch and are abreast of the prices on ebay and knock between $50-$100 off those prices to determine mine. I have been selling used vintage bikes now for a couple of years as a hobby and have had a lot of pleasure dealing with great people who love their bikes and cycling in general. The renewed interest in single speed bikes and vintage bikes has, I believe, been a great injection and a renaissance of sorts for cycling in Australia and other parts of the world. Trend or no trend the more people who ride a bike the better. Cheers 'Dude'.

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Permalink Reply by John E. on January 9, 2011 at 6:02pm

Cam, I appreciate your email to me and your comments here. I understand that my comments were negative, but I have to stand by them. Selling a U/S bike is wrong; selling a dangerous bike is unconsionable - I'm talking about brake blocks missing & brake cables rusted in place; it was being ridden and the rider could easily come to serious harm. The customer was very precise in telling me where it came from; good on you getting old bikes back on the road and seeing a market niche, but I think a basic safety standard should be maintained. Not all people know exactly what standard to expect from their bike & can ride it in poor condition out of ignorance. I have no conflict of interest as I don't sell bikes, I am service only, so in fact it is in my interest for you to put these bikes on the road. I agree, the more people who ride the better, but sending them out on unroadworthy bikes will not help cycling. I urge you to adopt a basic safety policy, at least ensure that the brakes are working.

Cheers.

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Permalink Reply by Cam Trethowan on January 9, 2011 at 6:45pm

Well John as I said, I am not selling road worthy bikes (I make this very clear as I stipulated in my last reply) and I tell people who buy bikes to get them serviced by professionals or go to Ceres to learn themselves which a lot of people do. I am happy to recommend your services if your fees are reasonable. You are welcome to send me a PM as I am always looking for places to point people towards, however if you think most 70's-80's Japanese bikes are pieces of crap then perhaps you wouldn't enjoy working on them. Cheers again.

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Permalink Reply by Chris Harris on January 9, 2011 at 8:53pm

This is an interesting thread because I have accumulated some bikes that are in various states. Some I'll get 'bikeworthy' and sell but others I really couldn't be bothered and was going to sell them as they are.

They are at:

http://www.melbournecyclist.com/photo/albums/bikes-to-sell

I suppose the frame is a no brainer because it would be impossible to ride, but in theory someone could try to ride the blue 3 speed which has no working brakes for a start, and I'm not sure what else because I have not had a good look at it yet.

The yellow and pink ladies bikes I should be able to get safe without too much effort.. although a bit rusty.

Food for thought, maybe I'll do the blue thing up after all - and keep it for me.

 

Hmm, and as for the tandem.. it's really for parts, but how can I be sure someone doesn't try to ride the thing?....

 

cheers, Chris

 

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Permalink Reply by John E. on January 10, 2011 at 8:10am

I'd be taking a close look at your liability insurance then Cam - a verbal warning to customers will not cover it. Where did you get the impression that I think that "most 70's-80's Japanese bikes are pieces of crap"? I said that the bike you sold was, and again, I stand by that. The customer asked what I thought was paid for it & I replied around $20; the real price was 10 times that! In my view you should at least render the bikes roadworthy; You say you have been "building and restoring older (vintage style) bikes now for a few years" Surely in that time you have learnt how to render a bike safe to ride? I'm not talking about a full service; brake blocks and cables cost bugger all & are easy to install - your existing markups would easily cover it and you would not be taking advantage of the unwary.

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Permalink Reply by Cam Trethowan on January 11, 2011 at 5:24pm

John, you sound like a nice guy and once again I appreciate your comments. Your opinion however regarding the price of a bike is only that, your opinion, it's wholly subjective. I can understand your arguments regarding the roadworthy-ness etc, but to be honest I believe it is perhaps ineffectual when in reality hundreds of used bikes are sold each day on ebay and the like without necessarily sticking to the letter of the law, infact I believe it would be difficult to actually sell used bikes if we followed the legal requirements to the letter, however I concur with your sentiment. You have had one experience connecting with my service which you have judged quite harshly and have communicated such, I however have had countless positive experiences and been referred to by many happy people. I seriously take your comments on board but in some areas beg to differ. Cheers

 

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Permalink Reply by David_G on February 16, 2011 at 11:15am

I've been in the retro car scene for many years and my tip is to leave the frame in it's original condition. The true "Rat Look" cars have their original paint and if possible any signage or logos. You can go completely to town on the mechanicals and upholstery but that OG patina is irreplaceable.

I bought a new road bike last year and have an old steel framed bike in the shed. It's frame is a feast of patina, some would call it crusty though! I'm looking forward to fitting new wheels and all the other bits to give it a new life, but all I'll do withthe frame is wax it to preserve the remaining paint and stop the deterioration.

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