I'm also pretty new at this, but I'd think really hard about refinishing a bike with a real race history. I've been told the pro bikes were viewed as tools, and used pretty hard, So the sloppy paint makes some sense. The couple bikes I've put back together that have some history, I've tried to use reasonably nice used parts, hopefully used enough to match the frame. Both are still sort of works in progress, with some parts that aren't quite "right". I'd say get the decals if they're available, find some photos of the bike from that year, and build it up with decent used parts. It will be closer to what it was after the season of racing, and it can always be refinished later. It 's probably a case of being able to be historic, or pretty, but not both (except to those of us who see the beauty in the wear from use)
Steve Birmingham Lowell, Ma
Date: Thu, 29 May 2003 14:23:25 -0700 From: JP Audette <jp@listfish.com> To: classicrendezvous@bikelist.org Subject: [CR]Need Raleigh decals and DA EX Message-ID: <p05200f05bafc269fad6f@[192.168.0.2]> Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii" ; format="flowed" MIME-Version: 1.0 Precedence: list Message: 8
I recently bought a 1984 Raleigh Team frame from a fellow list member (it's an ex pro frame that was built in the UK). Despite the racing "patina" I'm considering refinishing it, in part because the original paint was applied in such a sloppy manner and the chips and scrapes are pretty extensive. I guess my first question would be, to what extent does a restoration of a pro frame diminish it's value/desriability? I'm familiar with the standards for racing cars, but bikes are a whole new issue for me. It was ridden by Connie Carpenter during the season prior to her Olympic victory so the history isn't insignificant.
My second question is, where can I track down some replacement decals should I decide to refinish it?
I'd also like to return it to its original component spec regardless of the refinishing decision, and apparently it was equipped with Dura Ace EX when CC rode it. Does anyone have any good quality (preferably NOS) EX stuff they'd like to get rid of?
I'm a fairly new subscriber and I'd like to thank everyone for all of the information that I've picked up from this group in a very short period of time. There are some folks on this list who are very generous with their knowledge.
Cheers,
John
In sunny (today) Eugene, Oregon
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