Great To Be Indoors

   I'm so glad that I was able to finish up all of the chrome work yesterday, because I might have to build the bike on an ark. I think the last time I saw such rain was back in college when a tropical storm came through campus. Son Carrick ran from the porch to the front sidewalk and back, about 15 feet, and looked like he had jumped in the neighbor's pool!

   Before I started the last few paint steps, I decided to sand the lugs as smooth as possible. I then put on a coat of Dupli-Color primer because I wanted all common paint products - hopefully eliminating all possible variables with conflicting ingredients in different paint brands. I sanded the first coat, cleaned the dust from the frame, then sprayed another coat of primer.   

   The next step was a couple coats of glossy black, which was recommended by an autobody specialist online. The Dupli-Color chrome paint was next, and I couldn't have been happier with the look!

   Taking off the masking turned out to be quite messy, because the silver paint just flaked off the tape in tiny particles that went everywhere. I looked like I was going to audition as a Vegas showgirl when I was finished! The only real problem occurred when the tape pulled up the clear coat from the red headtube. Only the red - I don't know why. I decided that instead of redoing all of the masking on that part and repainting, that I would just carefully peel off the remaining clearcoat and leave it as is. The red is glossy, and I just applied the clear for extra protection. That small surface should be no problem anyway.

   I now have the frame on the wall clamp, ready for reassembly. I wanted to reattach the headtube badge first, and I remembered that I had drilled out the rivets in order to remove it. I now had to search for some small screws to put it back on - going through Sears Hardware's selection of boxes was a real puzzle. I finally found some that were the right diameter and short enough so that they wouldn't extend too far into the headtube and interfere with the fork steering tube when it is inserted.

   I also found out that I would have to pay for being a nice guy. During a recent repair project I offered the old saddle from the Mirage to a client, whose seat was torn badly, since I bought a nice new Selle Italia to go on mine. Well I also absent-mindedly "donated" the clamp that attaches the saddle to the seatpost, leaving myself without one. I guess five bucks to buy a new clamp wasn't so bad for some positive P.R.

   I can't say the repaint project has been a lot of fun, but I'm pretty happy with the results. I know that I'm going to enjoy putting the Motobécane back together, and I'll keep you updated with my progress along the way.