1997 Thorn Brevet Refurb

[Sperris]

Hello!

I'm pleased to find this forum. It's reassuring to discover that others also while away hours looking at pictures of other people's bikes...

After almost 20 years of faultless service from it, I recently had my 1997 Thorn Brevet resprayed and rebuilt, broadly in keeping with its original spec. I'm delighted with it—rides beautifully and looks exactly as I'd hoped. Photos attached...

Dave

[Danneaux]

Dave!

What a delightful update to a well-loved bike. Gorgeous color. It looks every bit "as new" and is a lovely machine, to be sure!

There's just something about standard tube diameters, horizontal top tubes and quill stems that really looks "right" aesthetically to me. Oh! And downtube shifters. Some of my own favorite bikes are built along similar lines.

Thanks so much for favoring us with the photos and post, and welcome to the Thorn Cycling Forum!

All the best,

Dan.

[jags]

Welcome Dave great paint job.fair play for keeping it in top nick man after me own heart.

Jags
Better known a anto the man who has room for another set of teeth

[ridgeback63]

Beautiful bike,really nice

[RST Scout]

Oooooh nice bike. Lovely colour. Even if it does have one of those derailleur thingies on the back instead of a Rohloff

Welcome!



Janet

[John Saxby]

Nice bike, Dave, and deserving of a refresh after two decades of service.  Very clean lines

[jags]

Rohloff would destroy the look of that beauty,
it's how a bike should look classic lines ad gear that works.

[Sperris]

"Even if it does have one of those derailleur thingies on the back instead of a Rohloff "

Nothing against Rohloff, but I wouldn't get the pleasing "snap" of gear changes with downtube shifters, which I always find as pleasing as the first time I experienced indexed gearing...

Dave

[jags]

Right on Dave man after me own heart  ...

anto.

[Bizarro]

Cool one! 

[Quin Amoore]

Looks great.  I have just purchased a pre-2003 brazed and lugged Thorn Brevet, and only just tracked this posting down (very belatedly).  I plan to re-prep and paint the frame, before rebuilding.  Interested to know what frame prep you did (corrosion treatment?), paint process/coats, and where you sourced the decals.  The bike is rare here in New Zealand. Cheers.

[Sperris]

The work was done by Argos Racing Frames, Bristol. I literally chose the colour and my local bike shop, The Cycle Centre, Penzance (who did the rebuild, including hand-building the wheels) stripped the old bike, shipped the frame and forks and received it back. So, not much help for your project, I'm afraid 

[mickeg]

Looks great.  I have just purchased a pre-2003 brazed and lugged Thorn Brevet, and only just tracked this posting down (very belatedly).  I plan to re-prep and paint the frame, before rebuilding.  Interested to know what frame prep you did (corrosion treatment?), paint process/coats, and where you sourced the decals.  The bike is rare here in New Zealand. Cheers.

On the topic of corrosion treatment, I am in USA, I do not know if "Frame Saver" would be available in your area or not.  It is a spray that you can spray into the interior of bike tubing to add corrosion resistance.  I have treated several of my bike frames with it. 

Hmmm, currently unavailable from Amazon.
https://www.amazon.com/FRAMESAVER-Frame-Saver-Aerosol-4-75oz/dp/B077SNXTRN

But I was unaware of this product until I just saw it as another option on that Amazon page.
https://www.amazon.com/Progold-Steel-Frame-Protector-6-Ounce/dp/B008VQ9N6C/

Every time the topic of protecting the interior of steel bike frames comes up, others suggest other non-cycling specific options too.  A search on this forum might find a few.

[leftpoole]

Hello!

I'm pleased to find this forum. It's reassuring to discover that others also while away hours looking at pictures of other people's bikes...

After almost 20 years of faultless service from it, I recently had my 1997 Thorn Brevet resprayed and rebuilt, broadly in keeping with its original spec. I'm delighted with it—rides beautifully and looks exactly as I'd hoped. Photos attached...

Dave

Hello,
Welcome to the Forum....
I restored and still am doing a number of bikes. My two recent are Thorn Audax 853 and I’ve done most work myself. Painting by same as you at Argos which is superb.
All I can add is, that it’s a shame you have not done any of the work yourself! I’m not someone to really let others touch my bikes😎
Best regards,
John

[Sperris]

If I'd done it myself, it wouldn't look like that!