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A month or so ago I spotted GZK Feihu on eBay that was listed as 'Perfect Condition', 'Never Shot', 'Mint'. All of that was likely true when it left the factory.
When I received it I saw right away that the owner tried to remove the beesting scales with a hammer and chisel. My first thoughts upon purchase was to remove the scales and make a few replacement sets out of some nice wood, then swap them at my leisure.
However. The original scales cracked and split once I finally removed them from the steel Peghead Core. At this point my carefully laid plans started to unravel day by day.
Let me tell you that me and this Feihu have not been getting along at all. The only thing I was certain of through this process is that I knew that I wouldn't have any issue making the perfect fork tips, that part was handled! Carving and sanding the scales should have been easier than I made it look. Trying to work around what WAS a highly polished metal core edge was something I was trying to do without marring the metal, to no avail. I moved it on to a 'brushed steel' look instead.
Attaching the scales with the correct replacement hardware was a huge pain in the head. Ultimately I chose a route of permanently attaching these Maple Scales.
The concealed hardware is bolts and nuts filled in with Epoxy mixed with Walnut sawdust. I wanted to add some more weight to the frame so I filled the gaps of the metal core with 1/4" steel balls. I feel that it also added numerous additional surfaces for the Epoxy to bond it all together. After a sanding into a 400grit I gave it an overnight bath in BLO and added Teak Oil just to see what would happen. After the frame dried I ran it though two applications of Tung Oil, then a wax and buff to even out that Hobo-Boxcar look.
I have learned a lot about myself during this remodel. Suffice to say that I honestly don't even want to look at this frame for awhile. I know it will shoot like a World Championship frame (because it is), but it will be a few full moons before we will dance.
If this re-model looks like it is something you have been seeking your whole life then send me a private message and I'll help you talk me out of it for a small monetary penalty. Cheers, Mo
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Sent from my SM-G965U using Tapatalk
When I received it I saw right away that the owner tried to remove the beesting scales with a hammer and chisel. My first thoughts upon purchase was to remove the scales and make a few replacement sets out of some nice wood, then swap them at my leisure.
However. The original scales cracked and split once I finally removed them from the steel Peghead Core. At this point my carefully laid plans started to unravel day by day.
Let me tell you that me and this Feihu have not been getting along at all. The only thing I was certain of through this process is that I knew that I wouldn't have any issue making the perfect fork tips, that part was handled! Carving and sanding the scales should have been easier than I made it look. Trying to work around what WAS a highly polished metal core edge was something I was trying to do without marring the metal, to no avail. I moved it on to a 'brushed steel' look instead.
Attaching the scales with the correct replacement hardware was a huge pain in the head. Ultimately I chose a route of permanently attaching these Maple Scales.
The concealed hardware is bolts and nuts filled in with Epoxy mixed with Walnut sawdust. I wanted to add some more weight to the frame so I filled the gaps of the metal core with 1/4" steel balls. I feel that it also added numerous additional surfaces for the Epoxy to bond it all together. After a sanding into a 400grit I gave it an overnight bath in BLO and added Teak Oil just to see what would happen. After the frame dried I ran it though two applications of Tung Oil, then a wax and buff to even out that Hobo-Boxcar look.
I have learned a lot about myself during this remodel. Suffice to say that I honestly don't even want to look at this frame for awhile. I know it will shoot like a World Championship frame (because it is), but it will be a few full moons before we will dance.
If this re-model looks like it is something you have been seeking your whole life then send me a private message and I'll help you talk me out of it for a small monetary penalty. Cheers, Mo
Sent from my SM-G965U using Tapatalk
