Decisions, Decisions

One of the things you get to do whilst sitting with a component, rag and tub of Mother's Polish is work out where the project is heading.

Lots of polishing equals lots of thinking!

As I have written elsewhere, I originally intended to do a modernisation job on the Beast, new 700c rims, index shifters, new front and rear derailleur etc. As time has passed and I've got to really study the bits and pieces I've stripped off of the Beast, that has changed. Talking to the guys I have contacted on various forums has helped firm up that opinion as well.

So, the new plan, the one we are actually pursuing is to take the Beast and restore it to its former glories, build up something that would, from a distance, in the right light, if you forgot your glasses look like a team replica from the 70's. Having said all of that, although I'm not a fixie kind of guy (I like brakes, and if God hadn't meant us to climb hills, he wouldn't have invented the derailleur) I do like some of the aesthetic that goes with bikes designed to be wedged beneath the buttocks of sweaty Hipsters.

So, here is what we are doing.

Firstly, the paint. The original French Electric Blue has given up the ghost, little bits of surface rust, chips, scratches and sunlight have all consigned the paint to the bin. Where to in terms of colour? Well, with the racer plan in mind, there is only one option. White. Now, simpleton that I am I thought there were only two whites. White and not White. Apparently not.

Contacts from the forums, suggested Central Powder Coaters in Radelaide. For $60aus they will strip and coat a bike frame and fork in any colour you like. They have a lovely little selection of powder coated coca cola cans, you choose the one you like and decision is made! I went for Arctic White, a nice glossy colour.

Saddle next. The original saddle is stuffed, ripped and worn. Sounds like a job for Brooks!  A nice new narrow B17 is on order in Dark Brown. Period correct, and one of those fixie aesthetic bits I mentioned.

Period bar tape or not? Hmm, this one caused some angst. The guys at Star Cycles, used to race Peugeots in the 70's and they were nudging me towards white tape. However, white tape works really well if you have a bike shop or mechanic to change it regularly, I have it on one of my other bikes, and lets say for white, read grey. Then there is the sacred text for all roadies the Rules of the Velominati . Said text makes it clear that saddles should be matched to tape (although conceding that old school is the exception)

A Roll of Dark Brown Fizzik perforated 'leather' tape is has been acquired. Another fixie nod.

Decals next. Potentially the toughest one, where does one acquire decals for a 70's roadie?

Answer, Ebay. This chap has an online store that you should check out if you are doing a restoration, stocking decals for a wide range of period machines, not just Peugeots.

Finally, a little bit of bling is in order to set the Beast off right. Velo Orange stock a nice range of vintage correct bottle cages, in this case one that comes with a set of clamps for downtubes that don't feature a drilled mounting. They also stock copies of the Mafac blocks I need to make sure the Beast will actually stop!

So, shopping list completed, it's time to crack on with whipping out the seat post and to disassemble the steering!