The Restoration

Sometimes the opportunity arises to find an old bike or component for sale at a flea market or abandoned in a basement. If this happens, you have the opportunity to give life to an object and make it literally reborn, which is why some types of intervention will be explained and illustrated below.

Conservative

The first thing to do is to evaluate the state, what can or cannot be saved, to maintain originality as much as possible, to always keep in mind that many components are difficult and expensive to find, therefore a precise evaluation will aim at a saving of time and cost.

Total

In this case, the interventions are total, to make it like new from the repainting of the frame in the original color including the serigraphs and decals, to the restoration and / or replacement of the mechanical parts.

Pedals Campagnolo Victory Triomphe (BSA 9/16 x 20)

The Before

Time has made its mark .. you will notice that there are oxidation / rust points and the grease had crystallized by now, therefore disassembly of all the parts to start the cleaning and polishing restoration.

The After

This is the final result that can be obtained, of course you have to arm yourself with time and patience but the result is this, they have regained their appearance, ready to be assembled.

Campagnolo Victory 3rd generation gearbox (7 speed) (1986)

Before

These are the conditions as it appeared, there are abrasions on various parts. It must be disassembled to arrive in all its parts.

During

All parts are smoothed (by hand) with various steps (various grains) to eliminate abrasions, until a homogeneity is obtained as much as possible.

After

The finishing and / or polishing phase begins, even in this situation there are various steps (tools and pastes) to obtain this final result.

Vitus “Carbone 9” carbon and kevlar frame with aluminum joints.

The frame was one of the first models (1986 -88) in carbon fiber, the carbon tubes (or Carbon, since it is French) are glued to aluminum fins (9 tubes counting the upper and lower stays as separate tubes), resulting in a slightly stiffer and lighter bike. It will be left intentionally without the serigraphs in order to bring out the details of the decorations. A beautiful and rare frame, which will be even more valid with the right components.

Purchased under these conditions, no structural damage or cracks on the joints.

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serigrafie danneggiate

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ossidazione giunzioni

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ossidazione e sfogliatura

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Reported in like new condition, two-component epoxy resin applied for a shiny effect, the aluminum junctions have been sanded and polished, fork and brake caliper support painted.

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fase di finitura e lucidatura

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verniciatura forcella

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tramatura carbonio kevlar

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Trek 9800 OCLV Carbon (1993)

It was in good condition for a nearly 30 year old frame, it needed a refresh to enhance its appearance. As you will notice the emblem has not been replaced, to leave a testimony of a vintage frame. Surely in America they will find much more but in Italy it is now rare to find one in these conditions.

The conditions of purchase

Overhaul of the fork, disassembly and cleaning with replacement of seals and bolts.

Alan Super Record frame (1977-78)

With these photos we will explain the steps to polish aluminum joints. When passing the various tools (especially in polishing) avoid overheating the surface, this for two reasons, first the pipes are glued (and after a few years ...) second heating the aluminum excessively has the opposite effect, consequently pass in other places.