Langdale Rat Track

So I bought this bike complete off of the bay (stupidly cheap) a number of years ago, and it's served me well and remained pretty much the same since.

Its a 531c Langdale Lightweights frame from the 1980s. The guy who I bought it off told me that he used it in the national hill climb and got 7th place (may be bullshit). Apparently Chris Boardman won that year.

Anyway... The plan is to invest in it as it has served me so well - better wheelset, silver sugino 75s, silver zen ring, potentially some 1" carbon forks in the future, set back seatpost, longer stem

If you can help me out with any of the above let me know! (any condition)

the patina is great but I told you that already.. treat her to something nice, she deserves it after the hard knock life!

Always thought this looked unreal since you threw some photos in the rat bike thread. Cool to see it's got it's own CP thread now!

Can't help feeling you might lose some of the appeal of that bike with what you've got planned there. Just my personal opinion, but I think it only needs the original fork straightening, a basic paintjob and a pair of skinny wheels like your current rear one and it'll be done. Maybe a prettier stem and cranks along the same lines, but definitely wouldn't put a carbon fork on it though.

it definitely doesn't need a carbon fork, but i'd like one just for fun. its also not a priority to get one.

not planning on re painting at all either, love how chipped the paint is. some real character

Are you friends with @Lanterne_Rouge ?

If you get us in the same room we turn into Lanterne Darth Maul

if only i was so lucky

I'd be tempted to give it a good clean with a degreaser and then treat it with a rust converter (the one that turns rust shiny black) and a coat of clear lacquer. Should preserve the awesome beaten look but freshen it up and keep it going for 20 more years.

Oooh! This sounds interesting. Any recommended rust converter?

Any cheap chemical converter should work and it should leave the remaining lacquer in tact. Ask the guys at a local automotive store or get this dirt cheap stuff from amazon https://www.amazon.de/Nigrin-74032-Rostumwandler-200-ml/dp/B001B4VIIM/ref=sr_1_fkmr0_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1521152155&sr=8-1-fkmr0&keywords=nigrin+rust+conveerter

Thanks

Recommended kmc chain?

Z410

updates - new wheels

got 75s but not on bike yet, need a new track cog

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MOAR

stem + bars

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Upgrades

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Nice, reminds me of https://www.lfgss.com/conversations/265392/

So nice!

This is where we are at(shit pic but....)

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Slightly better

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lightly scrub it down with soapy Brillo pads to get the surface rust off and keep everything looking as it is. then use anchor wax if you want to seal it.

it would be a travesty to paint it, it looks awesome

This needs nice photos taking of it, I volunteer

Wrap from the bottom, not the top. Looks better. Lasts longer. Is comfier.

Thanks! Not planning on painting it :)

@-cv- I’m probably too far away