done

i need to get a front brake and bar tape. but hey, the bike is ridable, so i say i'm done.

Round 2

So I sold the old frame and got a new one. the new bike is a 58cm Centurion Elite RS. Its a pale metallic blue with silver. I have to say, it looks really good with the original paint job and my rims. I'm debating not even stripping this frame. So, dear friends, tell me what you think about this new move.

A sad and great day in my bicycle history.

The silver rims came in today. they look beautiful on my nishiki frame. but, I have decided the frame is just too large. I am selling it on craigslist and i am in search of a new frame around 55-57cm. This means im going to have to strip a new frame. Which i dont mind too much- i enjoyed that part. I am just making sure this is the best bike for me.

All in all, the Nishiki 62cm frame would have given me a dead ball every time i dismounted. i like my balls- so im going to be patient and look for a new frame.

I can be stupid

So, in my rush of excitement, i accidentally purchased black rustoleum. nowhere on the can did it say it was black- just "flat protective coat." of course, i overlooked the matte black cap on the can. Thats right, my bicycle was almost doomed to be a flat black bike (rust free of course). Luckily, i wiped it off the second i realized it wasn't clear. The bike isn't ruined, im just 7 bucks shorter.

Good news: i was able to get the seat post out: good ol' pliers and WD-40.

oh and some bad news, again: i somehow bent the seat when trying to put the pieces back together. woops. guess im just going to have to get a new sexy seat.

Day 3: Finnished removing paint

I finished removing paint from the frame. I ordered the silver deep v's and vintage pedals. I purchased some matte rustoleum. I'll be spraying that on tomorrow.

Day 2: Just a few more specs to clean up

I bought some industrial paint thinner and steel wool. This stuff has done wonders taking the paint off. go figure. the result has been a nice surprise. the bike frame is a nice dark steel that contrasts the polished silver look of the cranks. One thing that i am really liking, the metal under the lugs is brass colored. It helps pull out the nice detail of the lugs without taking away from the industrial look im going for. Also, there are two hearts welded on the drop tube (i think they make are a nice, subtle, accent). Hell, Even the dirt on the handbar stem is looking good now. I have a few more spots of paint/primer that i need to take care of. Once i get all that done, all i need to do is give it a matte clear coat (protect it from rust).

My friend Nicholas is going to take care of the brass headbadge.

I dont want to spend a billion dollars on a nice brown leather seat. So i plan on making a DIY brooks style saddle. Remove the leather thats on the seat i have now and replace it with a nice brown leather from the fabric store.

I've decided to change from white Deep V's to Silver Deep V's.

Other than that Ill be ordering parts tomorrow.

85% done sanding

so i am almost done sanding the frame. I'm gonna buy some paint thinner tomorrow and get the rest off. I also need to remove the crank and headset/fork to get some other areas clean.

i've decided on a newish color scheme- Bare metal- white deep V's, brown leather seat with brown leather bar tape. there are two little hearts welded on the drop bar. I think i might paint those. not sure yet.

also i believe im going to acid etch a tesseract into the brass head badge. tomorrow i will order my wheel set- hopefuly get that in buy next week.