RE: [CR]Wanted: Yellow 80's Bottle Cages

(Example: Bike Shops:R.E.W. Reynolds)

From: <WmLBoston@aol.com>
Date: Thu, 13 Dec 2001 11:40:10 EST
Subject: RE: [CR]Wanted: Yellow 80's Bottle Cages
To: classicrendezvous@bikelist.org
Cc: sandranian@yahoo.com


Stephan,

I think the water bottles that you are looking for are TA. They were made in chrome plated steel and later in anodized aluminum. I never liked the anodized aluminum because the black anodizing marked the bottles and the aluminum was not strong enough to hold a pound of water securely, particularly when on the bottom of the down tube. I don't recall ever seeing them in other colors.

What I used to do, was to sand blast the steel cages (remove the plastic clip first) and use Krylon "semi flat" black spray paint. This provided the same look as the black anodizing but did not mark the bottles. You may have trouble finding new TA cages. I would look for old TA cages, put the retainer clips in the dishwasher (top rack) and see if they come clean. If they do, remove any rust with emery cloth or sand blasting and paint in your favorite shade of yellow. The paint may wear or chip in places, but would be easily repaired. Of course if you want something more permanent, you could have the cages powder coated. Powder coating used to be expensive and your choice of colors may be limited.

HTH

Bill Boston
Wilmington, DE