24 BICYCLE WHEEL

Frame arrived a few months ago nicely packed, but that would not detract from its sorry state.

It was painted in its original metallic kiwi green colour with original decals, but there was rust EVERYWHERE.

So I stripped it. I used about 5 applications of standard Nitromorse - apparently the paint is hard to shift on some Raleighs and Carltons.

I would highly recommend this is done outside with protective clothing, and a mask. Bear in mind Nitromorse goes through latex quickly, so waer Nitrile gloves (often blue or lilac) or Marigolds.

I use a toothbrush to get the Nitromorse into the nooks and crannies. Some say wipe off with paper - but I found steel wool did amuch better job in getting the paint off. At this stage, it didn;t matter which grade of steel wool one uses.

At some point,t he bare steel along with the joints from brazing (?) is visible. Hurrah! Not far to go! At this point, it might be worth to get rid of any redundant braze-ons but I keep all mine. Then I rubbed the frame with fine steel wool and white spirit, then with white spirit and a lint-free cloth.

Prior to sparying, I checked the frame for any rust patches, which I removed with 400 grade sand paper, and smoothed over the frame with 600 grade sand paper, before washing it with white spirit and strining it up on my washing line.

I couldn't be bothered to take the fork off, btw, but I masked all chrome bits and the badge.

Nothing on reverse.

A nicely composed photograph depicting fully laden infantrymen assembled in front of the impressive Hotel de Ville de Soultz (Haut-Rhin) in Alsace.

The men's M16 helmets are still shiny and their uniforms are typical of troops circa late 1916, giving us at least a time-frame in which this photograph was taken. Of note is the method used to keep the bicycles upright - laying rifles across both frames and a pack against the wheels.