June 30, 201213 yr Hello there, I'm thinking about re-painting my bike in order to prevent any thieve to be tempted. I need to park my brompton many times a week outside, for few hours. I have a Kryptonite lock but I still don't feel completely safe. I'm thinking about spraying my bike like this: http://usefulandsimple.com/shared_pictures/bike/archives/painting/bike_painting.jpg http://usefulandsimple.com/shared_pictures/bike/archives/painting/ghostbike.jpg Paint my bike all white, it's actually quite artistic and nice to see. And it should be a good deterrent for thieve as it won't have any re-sale value. Good idea?
June 30, 201213 yr Erm, you do know why the bikes are white dont you? Its to remember a cyclist who has been knocked down and killed... While it might stop someone taking your bike there is a slight chance that you would be lynched when you unlocked it and rode it away... Just a though!
June 30, 201213 yr In the Netherlands it's not unknown for someone buying a new bike to immediately make it filthy and unkempt looking or even hand paint it very badly to make it look a wreck. That's because they too have a theft problem and these are effective ways to make a bike look unattractive for a thief.
June 30, 201213 yr Author Maybe not full white then, something like this maybe? http://beaterbicycleworks.files.wordpress.com/2011/06/spray-can-bike_1.jpg
June 30, 201213 yr Our member Norry (Neil) has the best anti-theft answer cwah, he sometimes commutes on a unicycle. I bet no-one will try to steal that! Neil and his Unicycle
June 30, 201213 yr Author This unicycle is cool flecc! Has he tried to put a motor on it? That would be the only bike that's more compact than the brompton
June 30, 201213 yr He hasn't tried, but I understand it has been done. I think the motor control would be very difficult on a unicycle though, probably best with just a low power motor.
June 30, 201213 yr Author There is this one: http://focusdesigns.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/SBU-Compact1.png [video=youtube;Dev5NYzjRvk] But overpriced at 1795$ and can't peddal. Can't replace a Brompton but good to use when doing groceries at low speed
June 30, 201213 yr Author That rusty colour is nice: http://9b.img.v4.skyrock.net/9b8/ratbikefrance/pics/2951551255_2_3.jpg It's part of a trend called "rats bike": Blog de RATBIKEFRANCE - Page 5 - MCP3KANAR INFORMAL BLACKBLOC FRANCE. VEHICULES NOMADS SANS GARANTIES DU GOUVERNEMENT. NEWAGE... - Skyrock.com Anyone knows where I can find a spray for that? I don't intend to let my bike to rust lol
June 30, 201213 yr That rusty colour is nice: It's part of a trend called "rats bike": Blog de RATBIKEFRANCE - Page 5 - MCP3KANAR INFORMAL BLACKBLOC FRANCE. VEHICULES NOMADS SANS GARANTIES DU GOUVERNEMENT. NEWAGE... - Skyrock.com Anyone knows where I can find a spray for that? I don't intend to let my bike to rust lol Rat bikes have been around for at least 30 years. Its also cool these days to have a rat car (rusty panels, loads of vinyl tape etc.)
June 30, 201213 yr We have Rat Rods, Rat VW's, Rat bikes, Now Rat Ebikes lol. Can't see it catching on tbh If you want your bike to look like that, eg Austin Allegro 5hit Brown (you are probably too young to know what they were) You need to spray some red oxide primer and then some patchy flat black, that will give the desired 'effect'. Or ride around some farmyards in Somerset and never clean the bike again. Edited June 30, 201213 yr by wurly
June 30, 201213 yr Just out of interest, I heard that in the USA, holes etc in cars are patched with Duct tape. They call it 'Alabama Chrome.'
June 30, 201213 yr Just out of interest, I heard that in the USA, holes etc in cars are patched with Duct tape. They call it 'Alabama Chrome.' Don't mention Duct tape
July 1, 201213 yr Rat bikes have been around for at least 30 years. Its also cool these days to have a rat car (rusty panels, loads of vinyl tape etc.) Hey, that's my normal transport you are talking about, no tape though, hope it still qualifies. All my friends ???? say my bike is worth 5 times more than my car !!!!!!!!!! Edited July 1, 201213 yr by johnc461165
July 1, 201213 yr Author haha, thanks guys, you convinced me! Red oxide primer for a rat bike!! That's nice! No one will suspect that's a thousand pounds e-brompton People think I'm crazy to cycle rather than take the tube, but actually I'm faster than them with my bike. Plus it's free So red oxide primer seems good for me, and it has excellent anti-corrosion property 1x 500 ML Simoniz Acrylic Spray Paint Red Oxide Primer | eBay I found this flat black spray: 400ml FLORIST & CRAFT OASIS SPRAY PAINT *FLAT BLACK* | eBay How does that work with the red oxide primer to have the rusty effect?
July 1, 201213 yr That red oxide will be ok. You only need to spray a very light coating of black. It called a guide coat or a 'dust coat', (look for a smaller/cheaper can). It will darken the primer. With time, the muck/grime and the weather will discolour the 'new' paint so the bike looks old. Hot rodders call it 'patina' (actually fake patina). If you do it nice the bike will look 'well kool', but then, thieves might want to nick it again. Are you sure you want to do this? Oh yes, mask off the tyres at least, because paint on tyres looks crap. Edited July 1, 201213 yr by wurly
July 1, 201213 yr Author Not completely sure but seriously considering. I spent a lot of time on the bike, and the last thing I want to happen is to have it stolen. So I use this spray? AEROSOLS Spy Spray Guide Coat 400ml/Corcos | eBay And I'll have a nice rusty style but waterproof bike?
July 1, 201213 yr I'm not sure it's worth the effort in London, anything not locked properly will get stolen no matter what condition it's in.
July 2, 201213 yr Author I know, but the bike as I have it now is really grabbing a lot of attention on the street. It's an electric brompton with plenty of lights on it. People are fascinated! Wanna un-fascinate them lol
July 2, 201213 yr hi cwah, is there no way you take your Brommy with you? I find I can take my one anywhere, sometimes its worth putting a cover on it so it looks purely looks like luggage(not a bike). It may also be worth finding out if there are any lockers in the area at train/bus stations etc. my one fits in a small locker easily although it's not an electric one. It seems such a shame to spoil your lovely Brompton because of scum bags, they should be shot!
July 3, 201213 yr Author Hello BCM, Most of the time, I bring my Brompton with me. When I go on groceries or when I go to work, that's what I do. But I can't do that everytime. And there are days where I have to park the bike. Going out with friend, a shopping day, going to cinema or museums are activities where the Brompton can't come with me. That's for these moments I have to lock the bike. I can of course put a cover on it, but I prefer not to with the bomb alert problems. I'm sure one day someone will want to check if what is covered is safe.. Edited July 3, 201213 yr by cwah
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