I worked at a Brompton dealer for a while. Even though it was a ~$200 upcharge over normal paint, one of the most popular finish choices was essentially the same finish, what they called "raw lacquer." The rep once explained to me that the upcharge was not because the finish cost more than normal paint or powder--although it did require extra rust protection treatment--but because the brazing on those frames had to be super clean, since it would be on display for all the world to see! Thus, it's interesting to see the clearcoat treatment on a frame that wasn't originally intended to be clear coated..gives you a sense of what finished brazing looks like at the production level.
On Tuesday, February 17, 2015 at 9:00:10 PM UTC-8, Tim Gavin wrote: > > This is my '88 Schwinn KOM, after I had the frame refinished. > > > The paint was badly scratched, chipped, and showing a couple surface rust > spots. > 1) I had it bead blasted to remove the paint. > 2) My friend Andy brazed on some eyelets (the KOM, as a racing frame, had > none). > 3) I had it bead blasted again to clean up after the brazing. > 4) I had it painted with 2 coats of automotive clear. My local powder > coater was afraid his clear coat would still be a bit milky, so he hooked > me up with a painter instead. > > I think it turned out beautifully raw. I love being able to see the bra > zing. The lugs are simple and very clean, but the fork lug is pretty > messy in comparison. Then again, it's a weird lug and looks like it > needed a some fillet work. > > > The curious part is, there is some sort of copper or bronze on the bottom > of the head tube. It lasted through two bead blasts, so it's not rust. I > think it's a gorgeous detail, but it's weird. > > > I retired the original Uniglide wheels, and gave my Schwinn the wheels off > my '05 Cannondale (for now). I'm really tempted to get a dynamo wheelset, > and this one is very tempting > <http://www.bike-discount.de/en/buy/shimano-custom-made-wheelset-26-with-dynamo-dh-t780-mavic-xm317-52011/wg_id-507> > > for less than $200. > > I had broken the original XT derailer a couple months ago, so I found a > 9-speed XT RD and installed matching 9-speed Shimano bar-end shifters. The > bar wrap was matched to the "Captain America" original paint, but the blue > still looks good. I may try dark red or green next. > > I can gush about the Schwinn KOM > <http://mombat.org/MOMBAT/Bikes/1988_Schwinn_KOM.html> (and it's older > brother, the Paramountain). If you ever see one that fits you (and your > N+1 equation), buy it. Ned Overend rode the Paramountain to a NORBA > championship, and gave design input. It has great 71/74 geometry and is > comparable to an MB-1. Mine is 22" x 24" (56 x 61 cm) of MUSA, lugged, > lightweight steel! > I lucked out and found this one on my hometown's Craigslist for $75. I've > been very lucky with my local Craigslist! I scored this, my Riv, my > Giordana gofast, and a 90s Univega for my girlfriend that I built up like > I've built this KOM. > > Everything is original except: wheels, tires, Nitto B135 bars, TRP brake > levers, Nitto Dirt Drop 8 stem, 9 speed shifters and RD, pedals and seat. > I use a Nitto M12 and Carradice SQR to carry a Sackville Small Trunksack > and Carradice Nelson, respectively. Bell and mirror, of course. > > Now that I have rack mounts, I will probably try out some camping setups > this summer. > > I love love love how this bike rides; it's a tight race between the KOM > and my Rivendell for the most ride time (in fair weather). The fast 2" > tires (ITS MK2) make it great for the potholed streets and curbs on my > commute, and it really flies on the limestone gravel back roads in Iowa's > river valleys. Grant Wood country. > > > <https://plus.google.com/photos/109817667934112590257/albums/5930329788956113873> > Lots of photos > <https://plus.google.com/photos/109817667934112590257/albums/5930329788956113873> > . > > Tim Gavin > Cedar Rapids, IA > -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "RBW Owners Bunch" group. To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to [email protected]. To post to this group, send email to [email protected]. Visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/rbw-owners-bunch. For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/d/optout.
