I could have called this “polishing a turd”. It was awful when I found it- gear mech was bent and removed, had grips on the drops with v-brake levers, set up poorly and bent bars. Even after an hour with a lump hammer and a vice they’re still not right. I’m planning to fit bulls or pursuits when funds allow, and already got my eye on a fixed wheelset

This is sort of bland at this point, the Wasp has more character to it. Are you changing the color of Wasp ? I liked the color. I also like the Pletscher rack, handy to have, I bought a small trunk which attaches with velcro fasteners. Keep on tinkering.

Paint from a rattle can is pretty soft compared to factory paint it seems. I sprayed a Twenty which was black when I got it and now red and it scratches easily but paint is cheap and it is fun when something is bland and can go nowhere but up in appearance. Hammerite ( U.K.) product I believe is not too bad as a paint and hides blemishes fairly well. Good luck.

Do they limit the gearing for the time trial ? I read one account of a max. gain Dave somebody a Brit and he came to California and was a frame builder now retired after inhaling too much stuff. How is the lacquer ? nasty also no doubt. It is late now, cheers to you.

Aircraft Cleaner anyone? spray that on paint, reacts, and the paint peels off like a piece of paper.

Woody; There is a group, I think they call themselves something like “The medium gear group” Something like, anyway. Who race on bikes geared between 65+72 inches, I think. There is a set of time trial records ect especially for this format. It’s an old thing,probably started by some die hards when deraillieurs were starting to gain popularity.
Kind of interesting in a purist sort of way. I quite like the “see how fast or how far,while placing restictions” type ideal. Something I noticed at Saturdays event. None of the riders carried kits or pumps like I used to 20 yrs ago.Probably got a tiny carbon mobile stashed down the seat tube for when it goes tits up and pear shaped. They all turned up in cars too. I used to ride out to events. Could be why my times were crap. Ha,ha.

Yeah it’s not pretty to look at but it’s French.

Sounds promising though. I’m dying for another project.

Sloman: i’ve only recently found out, the stem on this is a 7/8″. Turns out nearly every stem I have is the same, so I’ve swapped over the one on here to Wasp and vice versa, to make the cockpits a more equal size. I’ve spent a fair bit of time on Pug recently and it feels a bit squished compared to Wasp. Turns out the stem on here is 80mm and Wasp’s was 120mm, so a bit of a difference as Wasp is longer overall anyway. They feel better now

saw one of these yesterday all original, cool bike.

I think you could be right about that sloman.
Work has kind of stalled on this recently, except for the work mentioned above. Might repost but I’m not sure it’s worth it. I’m keeping this as a general beater/ commuter with the chipped paint job etc. The only recent change has been the MKS Sylvans from Wasp have been fitted to this, brand new 16t freewheel and… uhhh… that’s all.
I’ve just aquired an ’84 Raleigh Team Banana in stock form with reasonable paint. May well convert to single speed very soon or even fixed, as Alan is currently running gears and it means there’s a spare fixed wheel in the garage

The only thing I’d do to the frame is restore the original paintjob and decals. I reckon I can find a match for the decals using car accessory shops, or I may find a local print shop that would replicate the originals

How is the Magic Chef doing ? and Alan , what’s up ?