
Ole Rusty, the Rampar Touring 14, is no longer rusty, although he looks a bit scabby for now, until my camouflage efforts make the bicycle invisible to the human eye. I may be placing a bit too much faith in my painting skills. But the Raleigh Rampar Touring 14 is at least rust free, and pre sanded for painting. As the original coat of paint was a Tuscan red, I am merely sanding off the top coat and using the original paint as primer.
I began cleaning the front rack in situ on the bicycle, as it is a good holder for that piece while I am doing abrasive cleaning. After that, all the accessories will be removed for the final finish coat sanding prior to the new coats of paint followed by a good matte clear coat when the weather turns more amenable to such hijinks. Right now, it is hot and humid. The heat is okay, but the humidity, at this level, is a less than optimal situation.
I am also looking into a 650 B scenario for the wheels on this bicycle, at least as an option. Clearances seem okay, but the brakes seem a little on the problematic side of the situation. There may be some experimentation involved with this issue. The chrome socks on the front fork cleaned up well, which bodes well for the Terranaut, which also has a rust issue or two beneath the shiny exterior. Time alone will tell how everything will turn out with these two, but the Touring 14 is getting well underway, time and weather permitting.
