John Price asked:
How does black chrome compare to the Vent Noir finish on some Austro Daimlers ? Are they considered to be black chrome finished or ??? I have no experience with Vent Noirs (other than seeing the occasional one at VeloSwap here) but I've been told their finish fades over the years. --------------
I'm luck enough to have a Vent Noir as described on the CR site: basically all first gen Dura/Ace, Bocama lugs, 531 DB, seems from the lug stamps to be 72 degree parallel. Nice bike, but strange finish. The once I have is clearly painted black, with chrome showing through scrapes on the fork, etc. But, it is not a gloss paint, but rather subtle dull sheen - with gold lug lining and box-like thin stripes. The Reynolds decals were not clear-coated - just had another piece come off. Good news: I got it from the original owner -- who had carefully purchased a complete set of decals spare. I did about 50 mi. on it Saturday in rolling to hilly country, and it behaved very nicely.
harvey sachs
mcLean VA