Dear All, I thought I'd post a few photos of the 1968/69 PX10 rebuild as it stands today.
Here's a link:
http://petersclassicwheels.blogspot.com/
I would describe the restoration as being more sympathetic than totally accurate.
I do not have any photos of the frame before the restoration, but it was in a sorry state, having been used by kids for joy riding on a farm in France! Most of the decals had been scraped off and the scratches had started to join together to leave very little protective paint that was in good order. Fortunately, though, the frame is not dented or bent and it is not rusty.
Here are a few details: a.. When I received the frame from France, the seat tube was packed tightly with a mixture of soil and potpourri (oddly enough) and it took me a while to figure out why the frame weighed more than I expected it to!! b.. I did the paint job myself using (believe it or not) spray-on Tremclad and many coats clear coat (I am sure that many list members will wince at the thought of doing this). It took a LOT of rubbing down with wet and dry and polishing paste, but the finish is not too bad. c.. The decal set was pretty good and it went on pretty well. Though not quite correct, these decals have only just become available, so I was grateful that I had something to replace the originals d.. The head badge is slightly too big and the foil is thinner than the beat-up original. e.. A member of the list is selling the correct stem and handlebars etc and these will be fitted when they arrive (and I have paid for them). f.. The brakes are Mafac Dural Forge without the red washers. I am also getting another set, which I will compare against the ones that I already have. g.. I have a Nervex sticker on its way and this will be added above the 531 decal. h.. The front Simplex derailleur is a NOS unit with the correct button cover on the casing (cannot be seen in the photos). The rear unit is in pretty good used condition. i.. The seat post is a Simplex item and the saddle (though incorrect), is an Ideal Model 90. j.. I have a set of Normandy hubs on their way. They are the type with large flanges and round holes (again not quite correct). Not sure what I'll be using for rims yet. k.. I am currently on the hunt for the correct Q/R skewers.
All in all, frame does not look too bad. I had hoped to get it painted professionally, but I thought I'd have a go myself to see what I could do (and save some money).
Note: The brown stuff on the rear drop-out is frame saver fluid, which has leaked out of the breather hole in the seat stay tube.
I'll post photos of the finished bike, when it is complete.
Kind regards,
Peter Rogers
Barrie, Ontario, Canada