Single Speed Conversion - Restoration With Cycle Tourist Theme - Continued

This is a continuation of a bicycle build from last fall.  I painted the frame twice and just did not like the results so I hung this frame up next the the Gitane Mixte.  I did not like the color, I think it need to be black to fit the theme and idea in my head.

The beginning of the post can be seen by clicking here.

A quick run down of the theme for this saved frame.  First is a black color with a cream colored head tube, I love the look of a cream head tube and is a bit of a through back look.  After the black frame I am going to build either 700c wheels or maybe even 650b but mostly like 700c wheels, they will fit better.  On those 700c wheels I will install a wider tire for comfort and exploring rough roads and trails.  It will be a single speed for slow and simple riding.  The last thing will be alloy fenders, probably hammered fenders and then a randonneur type rear rack.  Of course some leather goods like a seat and handlebar tape.  I have a very specific look and function for this bicycle.

I left of the frame with the second attempt at a color wet sanded and before clear coat application.  I stripped the paint and had alight sand blasting done to the frame.  I cleaned the frame many times with Acetone to make sure no contamination of the surface.

I believe the photos below of the bare frame is before sand blasting.  The frame surface shines to much and I see spots of red inside the frame yet.

Single Speed Cycle Tourist Restoration - Frame Before
Powder Coating

Single Speed Cycle Tourist Restoration - Frame Before
Powder Coating

Single Speed Cycle Tourist Restoration - Frame Before
Powder Coating

Single Speed Cycle Tourist Restoration - Frame Before
Powder Coating - Fork

With the frame blasted and cleaned many times i got to work on powder coating it.  I first powdered the cream of the head tube.  I then masked off the area I wanted to stay cream with high temperature tape that came with the powder coat gun kit.  I later found that the tape was not high temp even though they said it was, very upset and there fault but also partly my fault because I let it happen.

 The crappy high temp tape melted at a very low temp just when the powder was starting to flow, I removed the tape at this time to ensure a sharp line.  The tape melted already and i had to do a lot of work to save the cream.  The cream isn't perfect but it really isn't to bad either considering.

I finished the black powder and absolute love the look of the black and the cream.   The black turned out fantastic, I could not be happier with it.

Single Speed Cycle Tourist Restoration - Cream Colored Powder
Applied

Single Speed Cycle Tourist Restoration - Frame Powder Coat
Complete

Single Speed Cycle Tourist Restoration
Frame Powder Coat - Fork Complete

With the powder coat complete I couldn't wait to get some components together.  The first is the headset, it is a Velo-Orange headset, my favorite headset for looks and function.  I have had this one around the shop for over a year so that is the reason of the faded box.

I installed the headset, it looks fantastic and he frame is really coming together with the fork installed.  Love it!!

Single Speed Cycle Tourist Restoration
Velo-Orange - Headset

Single Speed Cycle Tourist Restoration
Headset cups - Pressed

Single Speed Cycle Tourist Restoration - Headset Bearings
Packed in New Grease

Single Speed Cycle Tourist Restoration
Headset - Complete

Single Speed Cycle Tourist Restoration - Headset Complete

I now installed a new cartridge bottom bracket,  It will be easy to maintain and looks good, a nice feature.

Single Speed Cycle Tourist Restoration - New Cartridge
Bottom Bracket

I have had this stem and handlebars since last fall when I started this project, it is nice to finally to install them.  The stem is a standard alloy Custom stem that I polished out, as everyone knows I really like a stem from this era so much better then a thread-less stem, it is stream lined and polished.

At this exact moment I forget the model of the Soma handlebars since I got them over a year ago but I believe they are 456 Soma Handlebars.  Either way I love the shape of these handlebars.

Single Speed Cycle Tourist Restoration - Handlebars & Stem
Polished

Single Speed Cycle Tourist Restoration - Handlebars & Stem
Installed

Single Speed Cycle Tourist Restoration - Sem & Handlebars
Complete

Single Speed Cycle Tourist Restoration - Stem & Handlebars
Complete

That is all for now, as with the Gitane frame this will be a slow build.  I still need to order rims and spokes for the hubs I have and figure out what i want to do for crank.  After that the cool stuff like rear rack and fenders.

It took me a year but this is the look I have always wanted for the frame, I love it!!

Check back soon!