Hey everyone, so recently I acquired this vintage Frejus in very poor shape. From my research, it was the top level bike of both Frejus and Legnano (notice the Legnano seat lug) with full 531 butted tubing. Right now, it has full Campy NR minus the brake set, pedals, and seatpost. How would you restore it?
I know the original paint is very unique and indeed it looks spectacular on unmolested parts of the frame. But to repaint the bike with this original color with the green-yellow color shift would cost thousands from Velocolour. Is this frame worth that kind of treatment, or should I just rattle can it to my liking?
by mxims
9 Comments
It depends on what you plan on doing with it. If it’s going to hang on a wall and you’ve got the money, have it painted. If it were me, put some parts on it to make it rideable and put some miles on it. Touch it up or clear coat it and shoot it on the inside with frame saver. If you love riding it, you can paint it later. If you find it doesn’t fit or any other reason, move it on.
I would restore it mechanically but keep the old paint. Maybe clearcoat if you have to. Showing the age in the paint contrasts and accentuates it if it rides perfectly
That bike came with Universal centerpulls, a Unicanitor saddle and Regina D’Oro freewheel and chain.. Fairly sure it had a Campagnolo seatpost and pedals.
I’m with u/MonsterKabouter , simply keeping the old paint is the wisest choice.
If you love it, you could have it repainted by a pro. You’ll never come out ahead by doing that, but I’ve done crazier bike projects.
Please don’t rattlecan it.
I think the paint looks cool as is.
As far as I’m concerned, that’s as nice as a bike gets in terms of quality and history. I grew up in the Reynolds 531 age. It’s the tubing that won the TdF for 50 years and rides like a dream. You’ve got a timeless bike there. No hurry, you can ride that until you can’t ride anymore. I ride with guys in their 80s. Get it on the road now, keep it from rusting and enjoy that for decades.
Nice bike. I say:
Get a matching seatpost.
Keep the brakes but get some vintage looking aero levers.
Everything else, just tune it up and enjoy!
One more vote for leaving the paint as-is. I have a Legnano from about the same era and have come to love the way the paint has faded. I like your decision to go with sidepulls. You have a great rideable project. After cabling it and getting a FW (and some headset spacers), you can kind of let the parts come to you.
If it were mine, I’d add Nouvo Record brake levers and Seatpost, a Brooks or UniCator saddle and red cotton bar tape and red cable housing, and wax it. If you need lower gears, contact Bob Freeman to get the cranks triple-ized and a long cage for the rear derailleur. That’s a timeless machine that will be just as appreciated 50 years from now as it is today, assuming we’re not living in a Mad Max dystopia by then.
As nice as it is, there are no museums looking for your bike. As far as keeping everything original, I’d try to keep the soul of the bike intact, but make it rideable for you. You’re not Fausto Coppi and climbing mountains in a 50″ gear will pop your heart. Some level of “resto mod” usually works best. If you’re missing an original detail but you’re out on the road with a big smile on your face, you’ve done your job. Also, these bikes can evolve over the years. Start by getting your butt out on the road.