Right really stuck on what to do. I’ve got a lapierre spicy that needs freshing up its black at the moment with red hubs bar ends and pivot point washers. So need something to go with those. Do I

A. Raw frame and coloured rear triangle

B. Raw frame and triangle

C. Have everything powder coated

If C needs some ideas on colours. I have been thinking a very light not metallic grey.

Raw/polished all over is the best look!

RAW

Yes, yes you should.

That’s it then raw it is. Now just to strip it down. Shot blasters then have it lacquered

Go raw.

This has quite a bit of love on here in the past.

P1010834 by i_ache, on Flickr

Gone but not forgotten.

Raw

Don’t get it lacquered. The whole point of raw is that it’s, well, raw. The lacquer will go rubbish when it gets scratched, a raw frame can be cleaned up. The aluminium will be fine.

I agree, don’t lacquer it. Mine was fine for over two years I just gave it a quick rub down with wire wool when it came to sell it.

I wouldn’t get it blasted either, it can pit the frame if the media is too hard. Get it dipped, all the definition in the welds will still be there then.

If you want to get it properly shiny give it a polish with some Brasso. I’ll post a pic of my Bullit when I get home, got it shone up a treat!

I rite. I thought having it lacquered was a must. But then again if its not just left in the shed for months dirty an wet it’s not really a problem is it. What costs are involved in dipping any ideas

I got mine dipped for 25 notes cash to the man.

What man would I ask to do the dipping? Powder coaters?

Raw. And raw only. Do NOT polish it. Polished bikes look gash.

Raw can look good.

Egg yolk yellow with black decals

I agree I won’t be polishing it. But I’m bit worried if its not lacquered the metal may stain after a while an start lookin tatty

Go full raw light brushed look.
No polish, just a bit of clear laquer after.

Scar

Yeah I was thinking slightly brushed look and apparantly u can have powder coated clear. Not 100% on that though

Go somewhere that can dip it. Don’t be tempted with a blast. It pits the surface and is a real bugger to polish/sort.

Dipped and its ready to…leave.

I think if you do go raw – decals MUST be factory and its really difficult to get them right otherwise. If you use non-OEM decals its easier to put them on a re-sprayed frame (IMO).

It will be fine. Like I said mine lasted over two years with no love and it looked fine. If it ever dulls from what you like just rub it down with wore wool or a scotch brite pad.

I’ve always wanted to have a raw alu FS bike with no decals.