Holdsworth restoration: stage seven

As I mentioned I've been wrestling with the to-paint-or-not-to-paint decision. This weekend I took the bull by the horns and decided to try applying the decals to the existing surface. The transfers slid quite easily into place and I think the over all effect is quite pleasing. The problem comes with varnishing over the decals. This is necessary to stop them scratching off but problematic because of the chemical base of most spray varnishes.

I experimented with acrylic varlish on the campagnolo sticker (which is a little more robust than the water slide transfers) and even here there was a slight melting of the surface. Consequently I decided to brush paint over the lettering with a very thin oil-based humbrol polyurethane.

I bought a small pot of Humbrol 35 varnish and let it down with about 30% white spirit. I left the bike to warm in the lounge for a while and then applied a thin coat over the decals with a small brush. The effect is pleasingly low key and the decals are (I hope) secure without looking new. I am going to give the varnish a couple of days to dry and then I will apply a second then coat.

The next stage will be to get the bike back into workable condition. The Campagnolo Gran Sport gear levers need to be refitted and the gears adjusted. One of the pedals needs to be removed, lubricated and put back into place and the toe clips need to be reassembled and refitted. After that I'm thinking of taking the bike back and forth to work a few times to assess the riding position and the set up. Will it really be possible to ride it 205km and unmade Italian roads?