Self Containment

 The present state of siege is presenting opportunities and threats in equal measure. Social distancing has been an ideal opportunity to get out and test kit, fettle the fleet’s specification and forward plan. I’ve been startled by the Pro Gold chain lube’s friction busting prowess.  

Even allowing for the new chain, the transmission and shifting feels that bit snappier. A notch better than the otherwise likeable Zefal Pro Dry lube https://www.sevendaycyclist.com/zefal-pro-dry-lube and marginally cleaner, thus far. Then again, its nearly twice the Zefal’s ticket price, so I’d hope so. 

Little surprise to learn the bond between my posterior and the Cycles Berthoud Soulor Saddle continues to grow. I’m still feeding the hide every few rides to accelerate perfection and there’s a definite patina forming, so all good.  

A puncture (traced to a faulty valve stem) coupled with sunnier, drier conditions prompted a switch to my fixed. The Sugru Mouldable Glue Original Formula https://www.sevendaycyclist.com/sugru-mouldable-glue-original-formu appears to have solved the Tom Tom Bandit’s wibbly bracket and I’m enjoying the Soma Condor 2 again https://www.sevendaycyclist.com/soma-condor-2-shallow-drop-bars   

Now the weather’s more spring-like, I’ve reinstated the Apeman A80 Action camera https://www.sevendaycyclist.com/apeman to the Univega’s bars. The switching of my fixed gear winter/trainer’s Titanium Torus post, back to the very likeable Genetic Syngenic Seatpost https://www.sevendaycyclist.com/genetic-syngenic-seatpost may raise a few eyebrows.  I’ve also reverted to the Spa Cycles Aire titanium saddle- it was already in situ, so why not? It’d long assumed my shape-bliss! 

However, look closely and you’ll note the Torus has a relatively pronounced layback. The Genetic is nigh on inline. The most obvious benefit of an inline model is it brings the rider in line with the bottom bracket and theoretically improves power transfer.  

It also brings me closer to the bars. The Torus’ layback also made fitting/removal of the Carradice Carradry SQR bag https://www.sevendaycyclist.com/carradice-carradry awkward, which the switch has also solved. This also presented an opportunity to put the Juice Lubes Bearing Grease through its paces. After all, if it's designed to keep bearings smooth and happy, so should last a good while on contact points.  

Ah, but then it’s also lithium-based, which can conspire with the elements, creating the chemical reaction more commonly known as a galvanic seizure. Suffice to say I will be keeping a very close eye on things. Lithium-based preps will also scoff seals and other rubberised components.   

  

When it comes to greases, we tend to test on a mid-long-term basis. This allows us to make a proper evaluation of its staying prowess, reactions to changing environments and riding contexts etc. 

Talking of contact points, here’s our clipless pedal overview https://www.sevendaycyclist.com/stepping-in-a-guide-to-going-cliple  

While social distancing is paramount, some human contact is unavoidable. Last Friday, while my helpful local garage was sorting the KA’s puncture, Maldon Shot Blasting & Powder Coating rescued the slightly scabby spare wheel holder.   

Though generally solid, upon blasting, we discovered the salt monster had been nibbling, resulting in some pitting and a small hole. Little surprise, given it was the original, thus 13 years old.  

However, we decided it wasn’t a structural weakness, so no call for plug welding. Besides, I’d come to them unannounced with a “could you blast and fit in” request.   

The thick zinc-rich epoxy primer and polyester colour coat would lock the elements, and further corrosion out. 

A big thank you to Graham, Chris and the team at Maldon Shot Blasting & Powder Coating for their kindness, can-do approach and exemplary standards. https://www.sevendaycyclist.com/aluminium-frame-refurbishment 

https://www.sevendaycyclist.com/after-the-gritters-went-home 

https://www.sevendaycyclist.com/two-tone-frame-makeover 

Ironing out the imperfections

Third time lucky, they say. Bribed with biscuits, Maldon Shot Blasting & Powder Coating https://ctc-powder-coating.co.uk/ kindly slotted in my beloved "ironing board", and the Univega's original forks. 

Ironing board??? Well, that's Carl, their shot blaster's affectionate nickname, for my beloved Bob Yak homage. One I reckon's rather fitting. Anyhow, like most of my refurbs, there were a few surprises along the way. 

First; the forks. These were chased through with industrial alcohol, to remove any frame preserve. Otherwise (this goes for anything oily, especially OIF motorcycle frames) it will turn molten during the curing phases, ruining the new finish and potentially scalding the sprayer. Not cool.  

Graham then whipped them over to the chilled iron grit cabinet. This media, is extremely effective and more durable, than others. However, for flawless results, he gave them a final tidying, using glass bead. Unlike the frame, there wasn't a nickle plated layer, beneath the flamboyant red enamel. https://www.sevendaycyclist.com/after-the-gritters-went-home   

Nonetheless, brazing and TIG work was to the stereotypically clean, uniform Taiwanese standard.  

By contrast, the trailer was submerged in the methyl chloride tank, for twenty minutes. Much as we'd anticipate, the unsealed 2K factory finish began to lift, and was coming away in grey ribbons. This revealed a phosphate rich primer, which I wasn't expecting, given the budget, yet serviceable top coat. 

From here, it went to their main blasting cabinet. One that has echos of Leatherface's cutting room, in Texas Chainsaw Massacre. After performing some remedial surgery on "the pot"; Carl stripped the remaining mulchy mess using cast iron grit. Blasting, regardless of media, provides the lightly dimpled key, for primer and subsequent coats. 

This also reveals the item's true structural integrity. I recommend asking your finisher to give you a call, once they've blasted the frame (or other item). At this point, any remedial works (and their cost implications) can be discussed and, where appropriate, commissioned. 

So, with the fork given its zinc rich, epoxy primer, I had toyed with the idea of having the trailer's swing arm finished in gloss black and the trailer (sorry, ironing board) chrome silver. However, this would be adding mischief to the mix, for no good reason. 

This still received the epoxy base coat, oven cured at 150 degrees, for 15 minutes. The faint tackiness encourages better adhesion, of the colour and clear coats. Chrome silver was then applied, and returned to the curing oven for a further fifteen minutes. 

Graham advised me against touching the colour finish, since this requires an acrylic lacquer. Oils from the skin, however slight, can cause oily patches to bleed through. 

Curiously, there was no call for lacquering the forks, since the gloss black was described as particularly hardy. Besides a small fracture in the clear coat's surface (caused by a quick release "bite mark") could result in blistering and in turn, unsightly peeling.  

Given their attention to detail, and exemplary standards of workmanship, I wasn't remotely surprised (although still delighted) by the impeccable results. Rebuilding took longer than first envisaged. Thankfully I always take photos, of disassembly. 

However, I forgot to take my own advice, when it came to two plastic sleeves. These were hidden deep within the swing arm. More by luck than judgement, I managed to reinstate them correctly, first time. 

Aside from blowing some Green Oil Eco spray lube https://www.sevendaycyclist.com/green-oil-eco-spray-lube inside the chassis, I applied liberal slatherings of Pure Bike Grease https://www.sevendaycyclist.com/pure-bike-grease to the swing arm's plastic bushing cum bearings, which will hopefully protect and lubricate.  

Despite thorough masking, some residual specs of powder can sneak in, thus the hitch assembly required a bit of bedding in, and a shot of Green Oil ECo-Spray lube before they'd connect and release smoothly. 

Bob Elliot & Co LTD https://www.bob-elliot.co.uk/ have sent us some lovely Ravemen and Smart lights, so you'll excuse me. Time to pop them on charge, and go out to play.

Finishing Touches & Minor Frustrations

So, having awoken the Holdsworth from its Seasonal slumber, it would be rude not to ride it.  Through the Soma Condor might look a little curious, from certain angles, they and the Tektro R200 are proving a hit with me. Something I wasn’t complexly sure would be the case.

During our maiden blast, I was somewhat perturbed to discover the Apeman A80 Action cam https://www.sevendaycyclist.com/apeman  mount imploding at 23mph. Thankfully, I averted its loss and our mutual collision with terra-firma. Action cam safely stuffed in jersey pocket, I continued to assess the most recent mods, while sporting a massive grin.

Back home, rummaging through a brackets box, I uncovered this K-Edge Go-Pro mount. Thankfully, the Apeman casing was plug n’ play compatible. No all Go Pro homages are. Once upon a time, I only considered action cams a means of capturing the sights n’ sounds of a ride. The past few years have seen me deploy them, to record driver aggression. Unfortunately, the housing fractured, almost

64 years young, those plain gauge 531 tubes still deliver a responsive, and refreshingly compliant ride. Obviously, carbon blades and a titanium stem help in that regard, while keeping the weight down.

The Condor have brought the cockpit a little closer, so I slid the BBB Razer saddle back a few millimetres to offset this. However, I’ll leave it 100 miles before reaching for an Allen key. Unless of course, the post cradle bolt should loosen.  

Elsewhere, I dropped by Maldon Shot Blasting & Powder Coating. Part social, part features cum favour based. Work had begun on the Holdsworth Cyclone frameset. Blasting revealed a pin dent, minor pitting and corrosion. This is not unexpected, given the frame’s age.

Much of this was evident where electroplating and paint overlapped. I fully appreciate why the owner wanted to preserve the original electroplating. However, getting paint to adhere successfully is a challenge. Even the most experienced paint shops struggle.

Acid etch primers were the most successful default, but even they lose tenure eventually.  The colour coats will be water-based, sealed under a polyester (powder coat) lacquer. In common with cellulose paints, water-based paints can be built up to produce a phenomenally deep, glossy sheen.

Hence their adoption by many prestige car manufacturers. These are usually sealed under a 2K lacquer. For durability and adhesion, Chris has treated the cyclone, to a zinc rich epoxy powder coat primer.

With the head tube masked, the wet spray colour coats can commence. These will be topped off with a clear, polyester powder lacquer. Arguably powder coated acrylics offer the best aesthetic but polyester has the edge, where outright durability’s concerned.

Staying with sealants and lacquers a moment, while semi-permanent lacquers, such as Crankalicious Enduro Frame Sealant https://www.sevendaycyclist.com/crankalicious-enduro-frame-sealant-  aren’t designed to defend pricey paintwork from dings, scratches and similar damage, they do offer a useful protectant barrier.

The sort that resists road salt, oily spatter and makes the bike easier to clean. My one lament concerning my Univega’s otherwise excellent cream finish, is its tendency to show every oily finger mark. No matter how thoroughly I wax it. Well, I’m pleased to report sealants have saved the day.

Fenwick’s Professional Protective Coating has proved extremely effective. Compatible with gloss, matt and satin finishes, it’s a water-based formula that you work into clean dry surfaces. Buff to ashine and ideally, leave curing eight hours. This ensures it won’t transfer to hands, or other, unwanted regions of the bike’s anatomy.

Fenwick’s reckon a single application will last up to 6 months. A bit early to comment one way, or the other. Nonetheless, the invisible, slippery layer is more apparent than most and crucially, it seems to be keeping “Ursula” clean, in much the same fashion, a traditional, permanent lacquer would.