DELIBERATE bike conversion update

We have finished priming the DELIBERATE bike conversion frame and its drying out nicely. The next job to do is cut back the primer with very fine wet and dry to remove any overspray, dust particals and any other blemishes. At this stage, the cutting back is only very gentle, and doesn't involve getting the primer dead flat. There is a slight 'orange peel' finish in the primer, and we want to keep some of this, as it will help adhesion of the colour coats which are to follow.

Original 'RIPARATO' bike featured on www.boutiquecycles.com

Here is our Original RIPARATO bike, making it onto the pages of boutique cycles. We are very happy! Thanks to www.boutiquecycles.com for adding it to the gallery!! This site is definitely worth a visit to see what other people are putting together.

'DELIBERATE' bike conversion update.

The frame and forks together. The rear mudguard eyelets are removed, along with the rear mech hanger. They just need filing in to the frame, and it's all set for primer.

'DELIBERATE' bike conversion update.

The 'DELIBERATE' bike is now fully stripped back to bare metal. The rear dropout on the drive side needs grounding out, and the rear mudguard eyelets need to be ground away before it can go into the spray booth for primer coats. Also we have drilled out the rivets which once secured the inner chainring to the outer ring. A wire brush was then used to clean them up. The chainring is a 52 tooth.

Riparato Fixed Gear T-shirts

Riparato fixed gear T-shirts are now available. Go to www.redbubble.com/people/riparato to check it out!!

'DELIBERATE' bike conversion update

The stripping process is well underway now. We use Nitromors paint stripper and a blade to scrape the softened paint away. Then we go in with course wire-wool to remove any remaining paint. The lugs are the trickier areas to strip, so a wire brush and drill mounted brush will be used to strip these areas.

'DELIBERATE' bike conversion update

The Raleigh forks for the DELIBERATE bike have now been stripped. The mudguard eyelets will be ground away next and finished ready for the primer coats. You can see some paint remains, but this will be buffed away with a wire brush.