Bike Restoration 

Back in 2013 I was given a tired old ridgeback commuter bike with the intent of fixing up to become a useable mode of transport for my older sister. Most of the chain had corroded and rusted over and the gears where next to useless so I decided to convert it into a stripped down single speed, a perfect urban cruiser! 

This project really only existed to keep my idle hands busy when i was home form uni within my first year and as such spanned most of 2013 with me doing one job at a time over about 5 weekends throughout the year. Once it had all been completed I ended up keeping the bike for myself to use for my final years at uni!!!

More recently I decided the dodgy paint job and optimistic drop handle bars weren't fulfilling the aesthetic potential of such a useful and simple bike

Step 1 - Tear down 

Bit by bit I took the bike apart carefully keeping track off all parts.

Bit by bit I took the bike apart carefully keeping track off all parts.

Step 2 - Remove all stickers and decals

Trick I learnt when removing stickers off my car, applying heat melts the glue and makes the stickers come off far more easil

Trick I learnt when removing stickers off my car, applying heat melts the glue and makes the stickers come off far more easil

Step 3 - Break out the stripper

Using a combination off paint stripper wire brushes and sand paper I removed the layers of paint and smoothed the underlying steel. note to self... paint stripper doesn't work in the cold!!!

Using a combination off paint stripper wire brushes and sand paper I removed the layers of paint and smoothed the underlying steel. note to self... paint stripper doesn't work in the cold!!!

Step 4 - Clear lacquer time 

Clear lacquer was applied as it should protect the rust prone steel whilst allowing the industrial look of the frame to show through. Always wear masks when using aerosol paint... that stuff can really mess you up if you breath it in!

Clear lacquer was applied as it should protect the rust prone steel whilst allowing the industrial look of the frame to show through. Always wear masks when using aerosol paint... that stuff can really mess you up if you breath it in!

Step 5 - Reassembly 

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I couldn't be happier with how this bike turned out, the steel look with the addition of all the original aluminium accessories reminds me of an old aircraft! I think ill knick name the bike hawkwind!