The onset of warmer weather rekindles my desire to press onward with the Holdsworth's rebirth. Repair to the shell, bottle mounts and of course, new finish. I'm leaning toward a chrome effect powder base-coat with a two pac 5012 top coat to give the impression of a plated triangle but without the harmful processes. However, while I'm renown for creative solutions and lateral thought, some things require capital investment and the behaviours of one small-scale publisher is testing my patience to the absolute limit. This came to a head last week when a second copy of the current issue dropped through my letterbox sans cheque! In stark contrast, Moore Large have sent these butyl tubes gratis since they couldn't supply me with the thorn resistant Kenda on time. Being Knog's UK distributor, they've also left me this veritable hum vee of a bag to play with... 
Knog never cease to amuse with their bizarre but oh so clever marketing and that promoting their Pig Dog 15.5 messenger bag is no exception. The blurb suggests the PR boys and girls have been enjoying too many rides on the magic roundabout but if you can wear the hefty £96 price tag, it could prove the perfect urbane companion for riders seeking a stylish, waterproof town satchel on and sans bike but without messenger pretensions. Made from hand stitched, hard wearing 1200 denier cotton duck, full to bursting capacity is an eye-popping twenty-four litres. Being a social chameleon, it can be taken anywhere, especially through airport security with the minimum of fuss which is more than can be said of an otherwise fine example made from hemp with that oh so distinctive aroma....
Polar opposite in their marketing strategy, BBB Ultra tech bib shorts are the embodiment of professional with twelve panel construction, flat seams, silicone grippers gracing every contour perfectly for maximum comfort and unrestricted movement. Inserts can make or break a short. Common to similarly priced designs, it's gender specific, mapped out with the full compliment of supportive/pressure relieving grooves. two layer construction consists of a moisture wicking top-sheet that retains a cool, dry inner climate while the " Silver protection" combats bacterial build up, maintaining good hygiene and odour control. Music to my derriere these past few weeks and six hundred miles, the two tone livery might not be every one's cuppa and some reinforcement would be welcomed around the seat but they're a shrewd option for long days in the saddle without the boutique pricing. 
Beset by occasional but unnerving bouts of writer's block, I've been seeking inspiration from all manner of places and with Joshua at a loose end, we headed to Maldon Shotblasting & powder coating too see what was on offer. Nestling amongst the rows of freshly TIG welded go-cart chassis awaiting blasting and painting was this Trek. Determining the year of build was tricky since it's made from Cro-moly, the rear stays have an early 90's heritage and curiously the well finished vertical ends sported a disc mount....
Further intrigue came courtesy of Justin Burls and this frameset made for two...I'll arrange to come and visit him at his new premises and if I ask nicely perhaps he'll fill me in. In the meantime should you fancy something bespoke from the finest grade Russian titanium then have a look at his site: http://www.burls.co.uk/
Ending on a surreal note, SKS airchamp pro is a very fine way of raising a flaccid road tyre to 110psi in eight seconds. A clever thumb switch enables controlled release, as opposed to jettisoning an entire cylinder which might not seem ideal when trying to rejoin the peleton but comes into it's own, out with the chain gang. With hydraulic arms you've cajoled eighty-five psi from the hand-pump but it's locked out and that race rubber's begging for 125. Plug on the airchamp and top-up (checking periodically with your tyre gauge to avoid blowing it from the rim!) There's even a safety catch to prevent unintentional discharge...So, there was I bowling along the lanes when whooooooooooooooooosh- the cartridge engaged in my messenger knickers, refreshing the parts Co2 inflators weren't intended for and at £2.50 a hit, this won't develop into a fetish!
Bottom bracket and fork steerer threads were masked along with the seat and head tubes, leaving Graham free to work his magic. Moving seamlessly around the frame and forks in a cloud of grey powder, he took a matter of minutes to achieve the rich, blemish free undercoat before passing the Holdsworth along the conveyor for five minutes cooking at 150 degrees.
It was getting progressively harder to contain my excitement as Chris foraged in the paint store for Sharon’s chosen blue. A few anxious moments later and he emerged triumphant with the huge bag of polyester powder. Graham explained that 5012 was in fact a satin finish so they would be applying a lacquer topcoat to effect a really luxurious shine. Compressor running and several pumps of the trigger feed later, he set about bringing the rear triangle to life in a mist of pale blue before tackling the main tubes.
In my experience, high volume “We’re doing black this week” finishers will usually apply a chromate but are often poor when it comes to finer detail. By contrast, Maldon Shot-blasting and Powder coating, rather like the Powder Coat Studio (who also supply this colour for those of you in the states) specialise in one-offs and Graham was as thorough as he was fast.
Satisfied of even coverage, frame and forks were passed through the tunnel of love for a further ten minutes at 200 degrees. Whilst I braved intense heat to photograph its passage, the boys were already loading the gun with clear coat. Emerging from the oven, some pinholes had formed around the frame's head tube but were deftly removed before the paint’s final curing and subsequent cooling. Some clear coats can be applied directly to hot surfaces but Chris and Graham opted for a brand that leaves the gun as a flat white to ensure consistent coverage. 
Two Pac colours could’ve been applied atop the blue akin to the motorcycle tank pictured- had I wanted something more flamboyant but in my opinion, frames of this era deserve "Classic and Timeless" over “Tart’s Handbag”. 
