Author Topic: A Camille Rejuvenation!  (Read 5253 times)

A Camille Rejuvenation!
« on: 30 December, 2011, 12:59:50 am »
Well, my new lady came home today. She is a BSA Camille and she is beautiful in royal blue, even under the decay.

I'm not entirely sure of her line as even google is finding her, short of eBay. I know BSA sold out to Raleigh in the 50's but I don't think she's that old. She does have BSA frame labels and the triple rifle badge on the head-tube!
It looks like someone has added "after market" gearing on at some point. The gearing set-up seems awkward and out of place on her, so I'm not sure if she was a single speed or if she originally had gears that we're swapped at a later date.

She is a little rusted (she says modestly) in places but shows no signs of damage. I am rather tempted to strip her down and give her a fresh coat but reluctant really. Mainly the cost involved. As you'll see from the pictures some of the brightwork has pitted and I'm going to need to look into cleaning that up. I fear her rear calipers have bought the farm! The rear pannier rack has certainly seen better days too. I have a spare but worry it'll look out of place on Camille. Definitely going to need new tyres and saddle in the near future. The wheels have seen better days but they'll hold up until I can find her a new set.

So why this post. Well, I'll have questions!! Oh, so many questions! Questions like:

  • How easy is it to restore brightwork?
  • How much, in London, would a respray of a bike frame cost?
  • Camille's History?
  • Can you buy old fashioned dynamos to power modern LED lights

More as I tinker! She won't be like my other bike projects. I aim to ride her and work on her between times. I don't want to see Camille become a pile of parts in the shed! Hey, I've even managed to persuade my Mum to let me keep it in my kitchen! Yeah, I know. It's my flat but Mother still knows best!

Meddle not in the affairs of the dragon; for you are crunchy and taste good with ketchup.

tiermat

  • According to Jane, I'm a Unisex SpaceAdmin
Re: A Camille Rejuvenation!
« Reply #1 on: 30 December, 2011, 07:42:14 am »
I was, recently, trying to date a Peugeot.  I found some useful info on different sites, and found out how to date things like hubs, rims etc (hint, it is usually stamped on them :) )
I feel like Captain Kirk, on a brand new planet every day, a little like King Kong on top of the Empire State

LittleWheelsandBig

  • Whimsy Rider
Re: A Camille Rejuvenation!
« Reply #2 on: 30 December, 2011, 07:53:05 am »
Modern LED dynamo lights will happily run off old dynamos (tyre-driven or even Sturmey Dyno-hubs). Modern dynamos have the same output as old ones.
Wheel meet again, don't know where, don't know when...

Torslanda

  • Professional Gobshite
  • Just a tart for retro kit . . .
    • John's Bikes
Re: A Camille Rejuvenation!
« Reply #3 on: 03 January, 2012, 12:45:42 am »
Please be careful if you are sourcing new kit, particularly headset and bottom bracket.

Old Raleighs and Beezers use 26tpi whereas 'modern' stuff has settled at 24tpi. bottom bracket may well also be an odd width, can't remember exactly but around 75mm.

You may know this already in which case I'll put my anorak back in the cupboard.

My guess is that a single colour powder coat job could be got for around 60-70 quid. If you're going to that trouble then take it to a galvaniser's and get them to dip the frame and any other components you want stripping (metal mudguards etc).

If the chrome is sound then use a brass brush to remove the surface rust and then Solvol or Brasso to restore the plating. Loose and flaking chrome generally needs replating. A motorcycle shop or someone specialising in classic cars should be able to point you in the direction of a local electroplaters. Be prepared for a severe blood letting, chrome plate is in no way cheap!
VELOMANCER

Well that's the more blunt way of putting it but as usual he's dead right.

Torslanda

  • Professional Gobshite
  • Just a tart for retro kit . . .
    • John's Bikes
Re: A Camille Rejuvenation!
« Reply #4 on: 03 January, 2012, 12:59:26 am »
Sorry, should've said. Best of luck, I hope it turns out how you want it to.

VELOMANCER

Well that's the more blunt way of putting it but as usual he's dead right.

Re: A Camille Rejuvenation!
« Reply #5 on: 06 January, 2012, 02:27:17 pm »
Your photo collage is a bit... well... bitty!  Can you give us a pic of the whole bike?

Re: A Camille Rejuvenation!
« Reply #6 on: 29 June, 2012, 04:32:23 pm »
Be prepared for a severe blood letting, chrome plate is in no way cheap!
It can be. On the other hand good chrome plating that doesn't fall off or rust through in the first few months is never cheap :)
I think you'll find it's a bit more complicated than that.

Re: A Camille Rejuvenation!
« Reply #7 on: 29 October, 2012, 08:46:04 pm »
Well, after almost a year of dawdling on her and doing the one or two cosmetic things I got down to the nitty gritty! Her drive components!

The first project was her derailleur.

For an old bike I feared the worse but the spring was still strong and under the grime it felt in quite good nick!
So after a little elbow grease, a lot of degreaser and a liberal use of muck-off I found a pretty gem!


This was pretty much how she came to me! She's not been out in the wet and certainly not near any mud since I got her.


And after a good scrub and a good dousing in GT-45!
Meddle not in the affairs of the dragon; for you are crunchy and taste good with ketchup.

Re: A Camille Rejuvenation!
« Reply #8 on: 31 October, 2012, 04:35:01 pm »
there is a place in heaven waiting for you. Great job/

Re: A Camille Rejuvenation!
« Reply #9 on: 31 October, 2012, 06:14:15 pm »
there is a place in heaven waiting for you. Great job/

*curtsies*
Meddle not in the affairs of the dragon; for you are crunchy and taste good with ketchup.

Torslanda

  • Professional Gobshite
  • Just a tart for retro kit . . .
    • John's Bikes
Re: A Camille Rejuvenation!
« Reply #10 on: 09 November, 2012, 07:05:05 pm »
At the risk of offending (you may know this already) in the bike shop I am finding the most effective clag remover to be common or garden paraffin and a cheap paintbrush.

The particularly thick, almost tar-like build up on cassettes and mechs laughs at other high tech 'surfactants' but it can't resist the power of Esso Blue.

My next addition to the workshop may be a parts washer . . .
VELOMANCER

Well that's the more blunt way of putting it but as usual he's dead right.

Re: A Camille Rejuvenation!
« Reply #11 on: 24 September, 2013, 07:41:57 pm »
Hi - How did your restoration go? I still have a bsa Camille from when I was a teenager in the early 80's and am thinking of doing her up - have no idea where to get stuff - tyres etc - would love to see your finished result and if anyone has any links - tips would really appreciate it

Thanks in anticiptation
Happy Cycling