Maybe I should start that as for an introduction I’m going to tell a story. In 94-97 I was a leader and also repairer for a small bicycle team. Few local kid, with dynamism and the will to win. We went to competitions, and enjoyed the great outdoors. No drugs, no video games. I think that the members of my generation, remember with joy to the atmosphere of the competition, from that time. 

Somehow we gloss over these things.. Nu I’m not going to share sentimental thoughts from the better old times. Point is that in that time I learned the basics of bike renewal (also got my repair skills, etc.) thanks to a 16 years old kid. He spotted the heavy tools bike in a shop window, in the city of Kecskemét. He fell in love with it. The year was 94 and the bike was 96 thousand (special offer) Forint. (That was a huge sum back in the days). As for me I couldn’t afford it, or dream about it. But for the kid’s parents it was not a big deal, so they bought it for him. Later he came to ask me to setup a few things on it. My eyes were almost fallen out. I’d only seen it in catalogues, I used to the 300lx set but not this. Few minutes later when he told me that he want a bike team and want to compete, and he was counting on me. I didn’t hesitate and ensured him that I’d love to help him out. I didn’t really believe that it could happen. But next day he showed up and brought his father who I’d known from earlier and ask me to do this. (all the background works). Naturally I would get paid. They wanted to go the competitions and wanted me to scouting new talents who they would support. So it started. It is true that it was a few years but it was a very good experience, with good memories. So as usual hormones became dominant against common sense. So the heavy tools was substituted. Everyone ride it but nobody care about it. Yeah there is an un-destroyable xt set on the bike but if it has no owner than it will “going down” as well. In this ironic situation the highlander quote is not true: “There can be only one”. So life goes on. As we came down the trees. Every man grows up for its challenge. So one day, my friend came with the “heavy” and said. It’s time to bring it back to the new life. He knew what he wanted to do with his bike and he was aware of my skills, also he saw my jobs before. Only demand was, that it should be worthy for its old glory. To tribute to the old bike’s memo I didn’t make any photos how it looked like. It will be enough what the frame can show as.The damages from the past can be clearly seen, it’s heavily scratched, and there is only few marks left of the old glory.

 

Not looking good but there is still hope.

 

Therefore the professional work at least eye catching. Nice welding, impressive welding marks.

 

Mechanical cables are always damaging the surface if we are not looking after it, or smartly protect it with stickers.

 

There is a typical example that if not every single part works well and if they shift gear to fast by forcing it.

 

 

So I think the pictures are talking about themselves. But let’s see the process. As it can be read at the amp bike story. I knew the whole process, I done it before. Off course started to hate it more. Yeah there is enough quantity alcohol to do this with a smile, but not for me.

But my opinion is if nobody going to do it or if yes, then for some money, so my own hands are cheaper almost for freeJ. So I heroically got some almdudler, which gives always strength and great willpower. The process was the same. Sandpapers 220-300-400-600-800 then the water paper, and so on. But the frame was much slimmer than the AMP. So I sand it very carefully. Unfortunately in some areas it would not became beautiful because the marks on the frame left by the chain chain like the first wheel lacing made an impact on me.

But the point is that I could see the end of the tunnel. Yeah, maybe many says that: -this is not a big adventure-, maybe they are right, but I know what the hard work is. And I know how a bike looks before and after sanding or repainting etc. I got the job, the bike got a new XT set. As it stays in the family therefore I set the bike for its owner’s needs. Naturally I needed to get the original stickers for it. I think it’s worth the time and the hard work, especially that it can go back to the fields where it was designed to.

 

Stickers are boosting the look, I think it’s very visible

 

This surface rocks at least compared to the original state.

 

Stickers are perfect like the factory ones. I think that the differences can’t be seen.

 

I feel that I made a best from it with my two hands.

And here comes the result! 

 

That’s the final look, that’s how the “heavy” is riding on the streets. The owner loves and he is proud to ride on his classical saddle. I’m happy that they satisfied after they left. Heavy tools untarnished again!

 

Thank you for spending your time reading this writing. Stay tuned for the next one!

 

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