[CR]Remedies for Road Rash/Polishing the Old Fashion Way

(Example: Framebuilders)

Date: Thu, 13 Mar 2008 17:04:07 -0700
From: "Jeremy Robillard" <robillj@gmail.com>
To: classicrendezvous@bikelist.org
Subject: [CR]Remedies for Road Rash/Polishing the Old Fashion Way

Hello everyone,

I am not looking to pollute the bandwidth with nasty or vulger responses about actual injuries; however, I think road rash must be one of the most universal and timeless topics to cycling and some listees may have good time tested remedies. A little background on my KOF road rash (I say KOF because I am a lightweight, but am not dated before 1982). Advise: If ever cycling in Portland be very careful going near OHSU. There is what we locals call the OHSU wind tunnel. This morning the tunnel was especially feisty. It was not just the hard gust that threw me to the side that was bad, but the trolley tracks that my rear wheel slipped into. I speed over these tracks every morning with no problem, but this morning I walked away with road rash on my hip, knee, and ankle, and a slightly out or true wheel, cracked brake lever and torn Patagonia tights (darn they were costly tights). That said, all is well. My remedy for road rash is good old fashioned air. The sooner it drys the better. Are there any old home brewed remedies? Some special concoction involving Campy grease, sweat from Eddy's brow, etc.?

Secondly, I just purchased a nice Shimano 600 Arabesque group set that needs some 'de-anodizing' and a polish. However, I do not have a polishing machine. I have read posts and archives about polishing so I do not need any explanation on process, but with enough persistence and elbow grease can I get a good polish without the machine? Any advise, or encouragement would be appreciated.

All the best,

Jeremy Robillard Portland, Oregon USA Where it was been windy, rainy, sunny, and calm all within the last few hours.