Classic & Vintage - Palo Alto build begins...

I finally got all the various parts assembled in one pile, and began bolting them on last week. The build concept for this bike was to build a modern 10 speed equipped bike on a "classic" Italian steel frame.

I initially was going to build with mainly Centaur and only a few Veloce parts, but that changed for various reasons to a mostly Veloce build. I already had the Veloce BB, crankset, and FD (FD thanks to the generosity of a fellow BF member!!), and to cap it off I came into the possession of a NOS Pinarello frame for cheap. So, I decided to siphon off the Centaur parts for the Pinarello and finish out the Palo Alto with all Veloce (except the shifters, which will be Centaur).

As some of you might remember, I had issues right off the bat with the JIS/ISO headset mismatch. I resolved that issue by finding JIS cups in my parts bin that were on the edge of speck and so fitted snugly into the head tube, and by buying an ISO crown race from BikepartsUSA.com.

With the headset installed and adjusted, I started hanging parts on the frame. First the BB and crank, followed by the dérailleurs, brake calipers, and wheels. The 3ttt stem and the Cinelli bars came off the single speed Viscount I acquired a month or so ago, and they are going to look very nice on the bike. Since the donor FD (thanks, again!!) was a 32mm clamp-on, I had to pony up a couple of bucks at the LBS for some clamp shims to make it fit snug on the 28.6mm seat tube. The wheels are a brand new set of hand builts, comprised of Chorus hubs/DT Swiss rr1.1 rims (found them on CL).

I have a spreadsheet around here somewhere, but total build price - including frame, all bought parts, and shipping - is hovering just above the $700 mark. $280 of that is the wheelset, and I could've saved $200 by using a lesser set I got for $80. In fact, I just picked up a minty sey of Mavic Heliums for $50 yesterday, but they are Shimano and so would cost a bit more to convert.

I still have to hang the shifters, install the chain, run the cables, tape the bars, and add tubes/tires/saddle. I'm thinking white saddle and tape.......

Viewers with an eye for detail will notice the triple/13-29 combo....... :)

Here are a few photo's to share:

What I started with:
http://i162.photobucket.com/albums/t267/jd6572/BMZ/BMZ_complete.jpg

Head tube/headset:
http://i162.photobucket.com/albums/t267/jd6572/BMZ/headset-headtube.jpg

Front derailluer, showing instert/shim:
http://i162.photobucket.com/albums/t267/jd6572/BMZ/FD.jpg

From the rear - 10 speeds...Mmmmmmmmmmmm!:
http://i162.photobucket.com/albums/t267/jd6572/BMZ/cassette.jpg

A little out of focus and dirty, but the bars/stem (trust me, they're mint)
http://i162.photobucket.com/albums/t267/jd6572/BMZ/bars-stem.jpg

The rear half, drive side:
http://i162.photobucket.com/albums/t267/jd6572/BMZ/backend.jpg

Rear brake:
http://i162.photobucket.com/albums/t267/jd6572/BMZ/rearbrake.jpg

Did that batch o' gears come that shiny, or did you spend hours with jeweler's rouge getting those cogs that bright?

That's really nice, are we going to be lucky enough to see this in Yuba City?

East Hill

Did that batch o' gears come that shiny, or did you spend hours with jeweler's rouge getting those cogs that bright?

That's really nice, are we going to be lucky enough to see this in Yuba City?

East Hill

That is a brand-spanking-new cassette, straight from the dealer. It caught the flash a bit..... but I gotta tell ya, I'm afraid to bring this one out into the sunlight. Between all the polished alloy and the candy red metallic paint, I might go blind.

You might see it in Yuba City if I can get it finished in time. That was the plan, but I had to monkey around with a midget-sized Nishiki first, and that ate up a lot of my free time. ;) Also, I'm headed to Oklahoma for turkeys on Thursday, and the water heater, rear gate, front sprinklers, and sliding door all need attention before I go..... :(

If not, you'll probably see the Mondia or the Merckx - I can't decide. Decisions, decisions......... :D

You might see it in Yuba City if I can get it finished in time. That was the plan, but I had to monkey around with a midget-sized Nishiki first, and that ate up a lot of my free time. ;) Also, I'm headed to Oklahoma for turkeys on Thursday...:D

You know, behind all that shiny stuff, I DID notice a tiny little bike with yellow handlebar wrap :D .

Turkeys? What turkeys? You have to go to Oklahoma for turkeys? Aren't there enough in Marin County anymore*?

*Marin County used to be home to one of the largest turkey ranches I've ever seen, for those not either as old as I am, or who don't live in the Bay Area. Thousands of white turkeys...

East Hill

You know, behind all that shiny stuff, I DID notice a tiny little bike with yellow handlebar wrap :D .

Turkeys? What turkeys? You have to go to Oklahoma for turkeys? Aren't there enough in Marin County anymore*?

*Marin County used to be home to one of the largest turkey ranches I've ever seen, for those not either as old as I am, or who don't live in the Bay Area. Thousands of white turkeys...

East Hill

I was wondering if you'd see it.....

We've got so many turkeys out here they are starting to get press as a big nuisance. The problem is they're all either on private land or protected by the tree-huggers who won't let you shoot 'em. Seriously, though - my best friend and childhood buddy lives out in OKC, so it's an annual male-bonding thing. We just use it as an excuse to sleep all day in the woods under a shade tree for 4 days, without the womenfolk buzzing in our ears...... :D

Looks nice! Did you fab the shims or purchase them somewhere? Did your rear hub fit without much effort or was it already 130mm?

vjp

Looks nice! Did you fab the shims or purchase them somewhere? Did your rear hub fit without much effort or was it already 130mm?

vjp

I got the shims from the LBS - I think they were something like 4-5 bucks. The rear wheel fits with just the slightest gentle bit of pressure. This frame had been built previously and the ID of the rear dropouts was 129mm, so it appears the previous owner had set it up with a modern drivetrain as well.

Best guess is that the frame is a mid to late 80's vintage.

just curious, but what's going on in Yuba City? I have an old yuba/marysville connection...it's not goose season yet, y'know...

just curious, but what's going on in Yuba City?

Man - a better question is "What's not going on in Yuba City?" :D

All the cool people are gonna be there on April 14th.

Take a look: http://www.bikearoundthebuttes.com/

bossman, next time you make it almost all the way down to Dallas, give me a little more heads up and maybel I'll make a road trip up to OKC.

btw: the Palo is looking fantastic. Can't wait to see it all done.

I was wondering if you'd see it.....

We've got so many turkeys out here they are starting to get press as a big nuisance. The problem is they're all either on private land or protected by the tree-huggers who won't let you shoot 'em. Seriously, though - my best friend and childhood buddy lives out in OKC, so it's an annual male-bonding thing. We just use it as an excuse to sleep all day in the woods under a shade tree for 4 days, without the womenfolk buzzing in our ears...... :D

Where we go for deer, there's a nice older man who has 20-30 acres right across from the entry gate. He's got a flock of about 30 wild turkeys on his property. Won't let anyone on his property either. One of these days they will eat him out of house and home :p .

Unworthy1, here's what's going on in Yuba City:

http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=273843

My husband has to go visit his mum, I need a break from work (too many 6th days for too long), an opportunity to contribute some bucks to charity (me own mum has diabetes), and I figured it was a good opportunity to perhaps meet some of the BF members from Northern California. Oh, and I'm going to win that raffle!

What's your connection to Yuba City/Marysville? My husband grew up in Browns Valley.

East Hill

All the cool people are gonna be there on April 14th.

Take a look: http://www.bikearoundthebuttes.com/

:( Can't make it.

:( Can't make it.


Like I said - all the cool kids.... :p

BBM- that build is coming along rather nicely. The polished silver Campy on the frame is sweeet, and if it rides anything near to how it looks, wow. (and I bet it will)

EDIT: 30 degrees here this morning. I'm afraid we're cool without even trying! :p

BBM- that build is coming along rather nicely. The polished silver Campy on the frame is sweeet, and if it rides anything near to how it looks, wow. (and I bet it will)


Thanks! I went with silver, because I'm tired of the "black look" on all the new stuff. Boring....... I hope it doesn't come out too shiny, though. :eek:

I'm hoping it'll be a honey of a ride, but you never know until you get on and take a spin. No big deal if it isn't - I'll just strip it and sell it, and keep the parts for the next frame that comes along.

:( Can't make it.

Are you sure? We could fling you in the back of the pickup on the way down, although you'd have to share the space with my husband's bike down, and snuggle into the gun safe on the way back up :p .

East Hill

If anyone comes down that way through Ashland, OR... I'll be at UBI on the 14th.

http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=273843

Thanks for that link, and to BigBoss, too...so now I know.

What's your connection to Yuba City/Marysville? My husband grew up in Browns Valley.East Hill

I'm afraid I can't answer that until the statute of limitations has expired...:D

I'm afraid I can't answer that until the statute of limitations has expired...:D

Oh, never mind then :eek: .

I'll have to ask my husband about all those unsolved cow tippings...:p .

East Hill

Are you sure? We could fling you in the back of the pickup on the way down, although you'd have to share the space with my husband's bike down, and snuggle into the gun safe on the way back up :p .

East Hill

That's a tempting offer, and I've never met a gun safe I didn't like.

Actually, me Mum and sister both live in Yuba City and it's usually rather nice there this time of year. I was supposed to ride it last year, but something came up. It certainly sounds like a great ride for all the cool kids. :)

If anyone comes down that way through Ashland, OR... I'll be at UBI on the 14th.

Sorry cmdr, we'll be heading down directly after work on the 11th, actually.

Raverson, we'll have to see about making this a tradition. That way we could snag you on the way down!

East Hill

If anyone comes down that way through Ashland, OR... I'll be at UBI on the 14th.
Taking the lugged class? I spent 2 weeks at UBI back in 2002. I'd say it was the best 2 weeks of my life but I can't be sure the wife never reads BF... ;)

Make sure to bring a bike if you're staying at the dormish place near the school, its a hike to the main part of town. Not to mention, Ashland is a serious biking town.

Sorry to threadjack...the build looks great so far.

Heck with the bike.... Nice Porche!!

I was out at the ranch a few weeks ago and about 5 in the morning I stepped out of the cabin to relieve myself. When I happened to cut a long high pitched, um, yelp, a turkey gobbled about 50 yards away. Just that one time. Then we both went back to sleep for a couple hours. :D

Good luck on your hunt! If it's anything like here it should be a great season.

PS Nice bike!

Heck with the bike.... Nice Porche!!

He just uses it to keep from filling the entire garage with bikes.

He just uses it to keep from filling the entire garage with bikes.

You know, that's probably close to the truth! I know if I didn't have to have two vehicles in the garage, that 'extra space' would be gone in just a few months.

East Hill

He just uses it to keep from filling the entire garage with bikes.

That's exactly what happened in our garage. The wife pulls her car out to take up north and suddenly the space mysteriously starts filling up with bikes. I can't explain it. ;)

All-righty, then. The Palo Alto is finished, save taping the bars. I'm going to ride it a bit before I do that, as I want to make sure the stem is a good length. It is a nice 3ttt, but it is 130mm :eek: . I feel just a tad stretched out with it, and am wondering if a 120mm might be more suitable. Still, I have short legs and a long torso, so it might be OK. We'll see. If not, anyone have a similar stem in 120mm that they might want to trade?

Pics to come when I get a chance - maybe tomorrow.

Where dem pics?

He did say 'Maybe'...:D .

East Hill

He did say 'Maybe'...:D .

East Hill


Yeah..... if I feel like it..... >YAWN< :D