Rethink on paint scheme

Well I was positive I knew what I wanted with the paintwork, but I have recently been looking at lots and lots of lovely period bikes so have decided to elaborate slightly on the paint scheme.

I am going to stick with the original colour ( light blue enamel) but am going to have a contrasting white head tube and white panel with bands on the seat tube. I am also going for white lug lining rather than the gold I originally planned. I'm confident this will look awesome! As I write this the frame and forks are all boxed up at work and I'll hopefully be having it collected to go to Mercian tomorrow!

In the last week or so I have been able to source most of the finishing parts that I will need. I have a Wipperman 708 chain on order, I have sourced a Campagnolo gear lever and toe clips via ebay, and I may look at getting some different pedals... I'm not sure on that one yet.

On Saturday I stripped and serviced the freewheel (with some help from my colleague Ian Price) and it now runs very sweetly!

On Sunday I cleaned down all the mudguards, polished the stays etc. I also cleaned and polished an 11cm GB stem that I am more-than-likely going to use. I also proofided my saddle, having soaked and bound it previously to reshape it. I have stripped, cleaned and polished the brake calipers and have been able to track down some new brake pads for them in the correct style-result!

Pretty much everything is coming together now. Assuming the frame is collected tomorrow and ready in 6 weeks or so it should be ready mid-Tour (de France).

Let's hope it all goes to plan!