Any bicycle builders here?

RickM · RickM's Garage

Back in 1974, when I was 14, my dad bought an Atala 10 speed bike for me. A few years ago I restored most of the bike but lost the head badge (think that's what it's called) and couldn't source new decals for it. I've searched for years and never turned up anything other than a couple of businesses saying if they don't restore they dont sell these items. I even wrote to Atala 3 times with no luck...actually no response.

The color of the frame is a medium-dark metallic green. I believe the Atala decals were red and the head badge is like the pic below.
Anyone know how to get these items?

nostatic · nostatic's Garage

try ebay. The other sources would be bicycle painters...you might try Joe Bell:

http://www.campyonly.com/joebell/price_list.html

Also, Grant at Rivendell Bicycles knows lots of this sort of stuff:

www.rivendellbicycles.com

cegerer · cegerer's Garage

I think that's going to be a tough find. I'm assuming you've exhausted all the internet possibilities??? There's actually a fair number of vintage/classic bike shops/suppliers that have been popping up over the last few years. I visited one in San Diego recently on Garnet Avenue - Rusty Spokes. They've got lots of stuff there.

http://www.rusty-spokes.com/

Here's a few more:

http://www.bicycleclassics.com/

http://www.mindspring.com/~heine/bikesite/bikesite/

http://www.sheldonbrown.com/harris/new.html

http://www.bike123.com/vintage.htm

http://www.sheldonbrown.com/vrbn-a-f.html

dd74 · 12-22-2003, 02:05 PM

If they're still around, Cycle Art in San Diego might help. They applied mid-80s style Colnago stickers to my '85 Super.

makaio · 12-22-2003, 02:37 PM

Eric McKenna works in the bicycle industry, and post on this board. He may be able to help you.

vash · vash's Garage

[QUOTE]Originally posted by nostatic
[B]try ebay. The other sources would be bicycle painters...you might try Joe Bell:

Also, Grant at Rivendell Bicycles knows lots of this sort of stuff:

[

yes, check with grant! i havent chatted with him for years! nostatic, are you an old BOB member?

RickM · RickM's Garage

Thanks guys! I've searched for so long that now I do it sporatically....actually when I remember to.

I tried Cycle Art twice. While very friendly they said they don't sell unless they restore the bike themselves. This seems to be common as bike shops want to keep the business close to their vest and prevent counterfeit bikes from being made.

I'll try the sources listed above and see how far I get.

Thanks and happy holidays!

And who's Eric McKenna?

Boy I wish I kept my Columbia Sting Ray and Raleigh 5 Speed Chopper!!!!

tabs · 12-23-2003, 10:24 AM

Is the company still in Business? I noticed Bicycle companies come and go pretty quickly. Especially Japanese ones. I bought an Araya Aero back in 1982..Shimano AX component group...their main business was making Bicycle wheels...they soon were outa the bicycle making business, and back to the wheels. BTW I still have that bike, but I fell off it hitting my head once too often.

RickM · RickM's Garage

This from Joe Bell's site.... "Decal Sets Price includes installation. Sold with repaint only. $40-$100"

Was hoping someone here had a good relationship with one of these shops. There's quite a few in Cali.

RickM · RickM's Garage

Tabs, Atala is still in business. At least the last I checked.

tabs · 12-23-2003, 10:26 AM

Before I hit my head so many times I used to be a lot smarter than I am now...

tabs · 12-23-2003, 10:28 AM

Maybe you should just step up to the plate and let them do the repaint, $100 is a minor amount of money..as my friend Jack would say.

RickM · RickM's Garage

I think this is their site..... http://www.atalarivoli.com/index.htm

RickM · RickM's Garage

Well, I totally refinished the bike. I took painstaking measures to keep it correct. So, figure shipping and resto....you're talking way north of $100.

nostatic · nostatic's Garage

Quote:

Originally posted by unfixed

yes, check with grant! i havent chatted with him for years! nostatic, are you an old BOB member?

yes, and currently get the Rivendell Reader. I met Grant at Interbike a few years back...interesting guy.

andrewgoh · 12-29-2003, 10:10 PM

Here are a couple of sources for Atala decals:

http://www.branfordbike.com/gifts/gift2.html#item5
Atala - Blue letters with black trim on a clear background.
Atala - Yellow letters with black trim on a clear background.

http://www.cyclesdeoro.com/Refinishing/Atala_Boka.htm
1970s era bike just had a all the way from bare metal restoration process