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| Denis's 1980's Schwinn Prelude Frame Restoration - Frame After |
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| Denis's 1980's Schwinn Prelude Frame Restoration - Frame Before |
This is Dennis's 1980's Schwinn Prelude frame. Dennis's friend purchased the Prelude from the original owner in the early 1990's and road it as triathlon bike. Dennis later purchased the Prelude form his friend for $5 when he started out on cycling and instantly fell in love with the Prelude.
Dennis has Since purchased a Cannondale CAAD 10 but is still not sure if he likes it better then the Prelude. It is time to restore the Prelude and Dennis shipped the frame to me.
I like the Prelude a lot with its lugged frame and Columbus tubing and chrome fork. I have worked on a lot of Preludes and have restored a few and they always are such nice riding bikes.
Dennis chose a very vivid blue to replace the original pink paint. I actually found Prelude decals witch really isn't an easy thing to do. Unfortunately the decal lettering is a very light blue, it looked like a white in the photos. The decals are also a little old so I am hopping they work out all right.
The frame is in good shape other then the paint.
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| Denis's 1980's Schwinn Prelude Frame Restoration - Frame Before |
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| Denis's 1980's Schwinn Prelude Frame Restoration Frame Before - Head Tube |
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| Denis's 1980's Schwinn Prelude Frame Restoration Frame Before - Head Tube |
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| Denis's 1980's Schwinn Prelude Frame Restoration - Frame Before Top Tube |
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| Denis's 1980's Schwinn Prelude Frame Restoration - Frame Before Cable Bracket |
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| Denis's 1980's Schwinn Prelude Frame Restoration Frame Before - Down Tube |
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| Denis's 1980's Schwinn Prelude Frame Restoration Frame Before - Seat Lug |
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| Denis's 1980's Schwinn Prelude Frame Restoration Frame Before - Seat Tube |
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| Denis's 1980's Schwinn Prelude Frame Restoration Frame Before - Seat Tube |
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| Denis's 1980's Schwinn Prelude Frame Restoration Bottom Bracket |
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| Denis's 1980's Schwinn Prelude Frame Restoration Frame Before - Bottom Bracket |
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| Denis's 1980's Schwinn Prelude Frame Restoration Frame Before - Seat Lug |
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| Denis's 1980's Schwinn Prelude Frame Restoration Frame Before - Brake Bridge |
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| Denis's 1980's Schwinn Prelude Frame Restoration Frame Before - Drop Out |
I stripped all the paint and then cleaned up a few spots. The frame looks very good under the paint. All the lug lines are solid and I ran a clean up tap through the bottom bracket. Looks good!
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| Denis's 1980's Schwinn Prelude Frame Restoration - Frame Stripped |
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| Denis's 1980's Schwinn Prelude Frame Restoration Frame Stripped - Head Tube |
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| Denis's 1980's Schwinn Prelude Frame Restoration Frame Stripped - Head Tube Lug |
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| Denis's 1980's Schwinn Prelude Frame Restoration Frame Stripped - Down Tube |
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| Denis's 1980's Schwinn Prelude Frame Restoration Frame Stripped - Seat Lug |
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| Denis's 1980's Schwinn Prelude Frame Restoration Frame Stripped - Bottom Bracket |
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| Denis's 1980's Schwinn Prelude Frame Restoration Frame Stripped - Bottom Bracket |
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| Denis's 1980's Schwinn Prelude Frame Restoration - Framed Stripped Bottom Bracket |
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| Denis's 1980's Schwinn Prelude Frame Restoration Frame Stripped - Brake Bridge |
After cleaning and a lot of prep the frame was ready for powder coating. With powder coating as with painting when you think the frame is clean, clean it three more times.
The blue is called Savannah Mist, a very stunning and vivid blue, it looks fantastic. The Savannah Mist powder went down very easy ans even and when backed was like glass. I then applied a layer of high gloss clear that really added depth to the blue. I love this color, great choice Dennis!
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| Denis's 1980's Schwinn Prelude Frame Restoration - Frame Powder Coated |
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| Denis's 1980's Schwinn Prelude Frame Restoration Frame Powder Coated - Head Tube |
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| Denis's 1980's Schwinn Prelude Frame Restoration Frame Powder Coated - Head Tube |
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| Denis's 1980's Schwinn Prelude Frame Restoration Frame Powder Coated - Top Tube |
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| Denis's 1980's Schwinn Prelude Frame Restoration Frame Powder Coated - Down Tube |
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| Denis's 1980's Schwinn Prelude Frame Restoration Frame Powder Coated - Seat Lug |
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| Denis's 1980's Schwinn Prelude Frame Restoration Frame Powder Coated - Seat Tube - Poor Photo |
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| Denis's 1980's Schwinn Prelude Frame Restoration Frame Powder Coated - Bottom Bracket |
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| Denis's 1980's Schwinn Prelude Frame Restoration Frame Powder Coated - Bottom Bracket |
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| Denis's 1980's Schwinn Prelude Frame Restoration Frame Powder Coated - Bottom Bracket |
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| Denis's 1980's Schwinn Prelude Frame Restoration Frame Powder Coated - Seat Lug |
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| Denis's 1980's Schwinn Prelude Frame Restoration Frame Powder Coated - Brake Bridge |
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| Denis's 1980's Schwinn Prelude Frame Restoration Frame Powder Coated - Drop Outs |
The only Prelude decals I was able to find where a light blue. I have seen white lettering on Schwinns from this era and the blue. The decals are also a little old so I am hoping they go on okay. I am just thrilled I found Prelude decals.
The decals went on pretty good. I wish they where a bit thicker but they will do. I actually really like the light blue lettering, it has a very nice effect, like ghost lettering. he red and black graphic really is cool also, I like it a lot.
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| Denis's 1980's Schwinn Prelude Frame Restoration Decals |
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| Denis's 1980's Schwinn Prelude Frame Restoration Decals - Installed |
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| Denis's 1980's Schwinn Prelude Frame Restoration Top Tube Decal |
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| Denis's 1980's Schwinn Prelude Frame Restoration Seat Tube Decal |
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| Denis's 1980's Schwinn Prelude Frame Restoration Seat Stay Decal |
I took the final photos inside in the best light I can get here in February. In the light the blue is even more stunning. I hope this is what Dennis wanted in the Prelude, a continued long and happy life for the Prelude.
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| Denis's 1980's Schwinn Prelude Frame Restoration Frame Compelte |
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| Denis's 1980's Schwinn Prelude Frame Restoration Frame Complete |
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| Denis's 1980's Schwinn Prelude Frame Restoration Frame Complete - Top Tube |
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| Denis's 1980's Schwinn Prelude Frame Restoration Frame Complete - Down Tube |
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| Denis's 1980's Schwinn Prelude Frame Restoration Frame Complete - Seat Tube |
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| Denis's 1980's Schwinn Prelude Frame Restoration Frame Complete - Seat Tube |
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| Denis's 1980's Schwinn Prelude Frame Restoration Frame Complete - Bottom Bracket |
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| Denis's 1980's Schwinn Prelude Frame Restoration Frame Complete - Bottom Bracket |
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| Denis's 1980's Schwinn Prelude Frame Restoration Frame Complete - Seat Lug |
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| Denis's 1980's Schwinn Prelude Frame Restoration Frame Complete - Seat Stay |
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| Denis's 1980's Schwinn Prelude Frame Restoration Frame Complete - Drop Outs |
John Z.
Is that clear coat of paint or another layer of powder coat? It looks so good.
ReplyDeleteWow what a beautiful frame it looks gorgeous in raw form! I have to say that Blue IMHO is a huge improvement over the 1980s pink, and the decals look really sharp. Are you going to post any shots of the final build? Nice to see this classic steel frame get the love.
ReplyDeleteI was wondering where you were able to find the decals. I'm not having much luck....Nice job on the bike. Thanks, Rob
ReplyDelete