Current Projects chat and miscellany

Right,

Mercian just got back to me saying it'll be about 260 for a re-furb (not including new forks ;( ) which I can't afford. Between the dent and the need for a new paint-job, I'm now wondering if it would be total sacriledge to just do a cheap but decent hammerite job on it myself and use it as my winter bike?

I can do you a reasonable paint job for a few squid?