Classic & Vintage - Modern Looking Vintage bikes

Has anybody taken an older bike, say from the 80's or early 90's and gave it a modern look? I'm thinking about getting into road riding; and putting something unique together. I can find bikes from this era, but they don't exactly look that great. I would love to bondo the lugs, paint the frame lime green with satin black fork / handle bars, that would look awesome.

I know this seems a bit un-kosher, but it would be an awesome project. I'm just trying to figure out if such things have been done to these style of bikes before.

Since this is the classic & vintage forum, I'd guess most of us would rather leave 80s and 90s bikes looking pretty much like they were when they left the showroom. In fact, some of us have brand new custom bikes that look like they're from the 70s. Some of us even think lugged frames are much more aesthetically pleasing than TIG welded ones (gasp!).

Just sayin' :D

Has anybody taken an older bike, say from the 80's or early 90's and gave it a modern look? I'm thinking about getting into road riding; and putting something unique together. I can find bikes from this era, but they don't exactly look that great. I would love to bondo the lugs, paint the frame lime green with satin black fork / handle bars, that would look awesome.

I know this seems a bit un-kosher, but it would be an awesome project. I'm just trying to figure out if such things have been done to these style of bikes before.

*faints*

If you don't like lugs, find a late 80's or 90's welded or filet brazed frame. Please, don't bondo lugs, even cheap ones.

Don't bondo the lugs, you can use an angle grinder to grind them off. Then use lead to smooth out the transition.

Don't forget the splash bar-tape to finish it off!

Don't bondo the lugs, you can use an angle grinder to grind them off. Then use lead to smooth out the transition.
That just might compromise the integrity of the frame depending on what kind of lugs and how much material gets ground off.

Has anybody taken an older bike, say from the 80's or early 90's and gave it a modern look? I'm thinking about getting into road riding; and putting something unique together. I can find bikes from this era, but they don't exactly look that great. I would love to bondo the lugs, paint the frame lime green with satin black fork / handle bars, that would look awesome.

I know this seems a bit un-kosher, but it would be an awesome project. I'm just trying to figure out if such things have been done to these style of bikes before.

I'd not bondo the lugs or add lead filler, just on the basis of weight! I also wouldn't try to grind them down, because of not understanding how they might be necessary for structural integrity or the dynamic behavior of the frame.

A lot of people have replaced classic gruppos with modern Campy 10 or Shimano whatever, and reported that to be the best of both worlds.

You might want to consider that many top-quality 70s thru 90s lugged frames are collectible even if repainted, as long as you can prove what it was originally. After you're done racing you would like to be able to sell it well, right? If so then feel free to repaint it, but don't mess with what the original builder did in the metal work.

Road Fan

Grab a fillet-brazed schwinn, or even electro-forged, they pretty much look the same.
http://www.sheldonbrown.com/schwinn-braze.html

:rolleyes:

The kiddies these days.
Now I understand why my folks and people their age complain about the state of the young generation.
I must be getting old.

Grab a fillet-brazed schwinn, or even electro-forged, they pretty much look the same.

Or a fillet-brazed Claud Butler, circa 1948.

http://web.mit.edu/nlerner/Public/Bikes/ClaudButler5.jpg

Who need lugs, anyway?

Neal

Well you should really leave the lugs alone... but if you wanted, you could always put on a newer fork, newer cranks, pedals, other components, etc.

That just might compromise the integrity of the frame depending on what kind of lugs and how much material gets ground off.

Thought my statement was over the top enough to be taken as jest. For future reference it was meant as a joke. Not that it was funny, but still a joke.

Or a fillet-brazed Claud Butler, circa 1948.

http://web.mit.edu/nlerner/Public/Bikes/ClaudButler5.jpg

Who need lugs, anyway?

Neal

Wow, now that's a cool bike.

:rolleyes:

The kiddies these days.
Now I understand why my folks and people their age complain about the state of the young generation.
I must be getting old.

Yah but we make things look cool :D
http://img165.imageshack.us/img165/3997/s8000083lx7.jpg

Here is what I'm looking for (at a reasonable cost):
http://i24.tinypic.com/wclt7q.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v346/nvrmindthelabel/S3011357-1.jpg

That green Kilo TT can be had stock for like $350 (bikesdirect.com (http://bikesdirect.com/products/mercier/kilott.htm)). Not sure what the green Deep V's would run built, but it couldn't be too bad. For the work, cost, and all to make a vintage roadie into that it's worth just starting with a frame that's ready to go the way you want it.

That green Kilo TT can be had stock for like $350 (bikesdirect.com (http://bikesdirect.com/products/mercier/kilott.htm)). Not sure what the green Deep V's would run built, but it couldn't be too bad. For the work, cost, and all to make a vintage roadie into that it's worth just starting with a frame that's ready to go the way you want it.

Only issue is that I'm not looking for a SS bike. I should be able to find something similar though, with the gears. I think at this point I will try to avoid lugs, but worst comes to worst I will probably just leave the lugs as is and hope for the best.

Only issue is that I'm not looking for a SS bike. I should be able to find something similar though, with the gears. I think at this point I will try to avoid lugs, but worst comes to worst I will probably just leave the lugs as is and hope for the best.

Well, that's what you did show pictures of.
Are you really opposed to lugs? You may start to like them.

People pay a lot for new lugged steel frames. Trust me, in terms of bling, lugs are cool.

If you really don't like lugs, just go out and buy yourself a new Trek.

If you really don't like lugs, just go out and buy yourself a new Trek.

I'll live with the lugs :) . But a new bike is way out of my price range right now.

Do what I do. Take an old lugged steel frame. Update it with modern componentry, wheels etc.

Guaranteed your bike will turn heads.

Ohhh my eyes... That BD crap gives me a headache, seriously dude if you want a bike that looks like that, they sell those frames on-e-pay for $90.

Nice GTI by the way, I'd kill one if it set that low, but it's nice. I'd love to find a clean Jetta A2 , used to have an A1.

Look for a late 80s to mid 90s (or even beyond) Cannondale 3.0 frameset. Aluminum, no lugs, and oversized tubes. I think they are still popular for the very reason you state: they have a bit of the look of modern AL and CF frames, but are much more affordable.

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y21/dissident75/1993%20Cannondale%20SR400/cannondale_driveside.jpg



I much prefer the lines of the first generation Rabbits. I had one myself (no, not this one - mine was a basket case), and it handled like a wooden roller coaster! Fun times.

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y21/dissident75/rabbit_side_34_300.jpg

Go to K-Mart and buy several different sized rolls of wrapping paper and some gloss spray paint. Remove the wrapping paper to get to the inner cardboard rolls, and have a blast. :D :p

"...but they don't exactly look that great" Huh??? Egads man! What are you thinking? Bikes from that era are beautiful compared to what came after (the older ones are even better!). Lugs are fantastic! Chrome 'em, paint 'em a contrasting color, pin stipe 'em, the posibilities are endless. Even good TIG welds look like a scar from a gal bladder operation. I kinda like what they are doing with carbon fiber these days but TIG welds whether on steel or aluminum are just plain ugly. Not real fond of fillet brazing either. Reminds me too much of Schwinn Varsity's and there's no place for the chrome!

Yah but we make things look cool :D
http://img165.imageshack.us/img165/3997/s8000083lx7.jpg


you know lowering your car that much screws up your suspension geometry. do you dirve it that low or do you have adjustable coil overs and raise it up to a real level when driving around?

the car's probably bagged.

Interesting concept.

My friend has an early 1960s Corvette concertible, with lots of chrome, but it's really in need of considerable restoration work. I wonder if I could talk him into chopping it to make it look like... perhaps a modern Japanese car - but with a huge spoiler wing and lots of jazzy neon paint? Yeah, I'll bet that given enough time, effort and expense, we really could make it look very modern and even paint it a candy purple and add a 3,000 watt sound system, and ground effects neon lighting just to be sure that everybody would look at it and "think" that it's actually a highly customized modern Mitsubishi Eclipse... Or, then again, we could just spend much less, buy a "real" generic, expendable, modern Japanese car - just like we'd be aiming at mimicing all along, and not even bother destroying his tattered old sports car.

Perhaps I should ask some vintage car collectors what they think? :rolleyes:

Please put the suspension back in that GTI and go buy a mini truck and grow a mullet.

You could also look for one of these:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v214/lamplightsg/002.jpg

Subtle lugs, but carbon fiber frame. I got this frame for $75 with almost perfect paint. It weighs about 3.5 pounds and most people think it's steel. The whole bike with steel handelbars and a Brooks seat weighs 19.5 pounds. :D

Look for a late 80s to mid 90s (or even beyond) Cannondale 3.0 frameset. Aluminum, no lugs, and oversized tubes. I think they are still popular for the very reason you state: they have a bit of the look of modern AL and CF frames, but are much more affordable.

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y21/dissident75/1993%20Cannondale%20SR400/cannondale_driveside.jpg


Mine wants to say hello to yours! :D
http://i202.photobucket.com/albums/aa87/DVC45/IMG_0274.jpg

Mine wants to say hello to yours! :D
http://i202.photobucket.com/albums/aa87/DVC45/IMG_0274.jpg

http://img354.imageshack.us/img354/9563/pic0045uc0.jpg

as does mine

[QUOTE=Lamplight;5687711]You could also look for one of these:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v214/lamplightsg/002.jpg

Supernice bike, very clean and elegant. But why only one brake on a singlespeed ?

You could also look for one of these:

Subtle lugs, but carbon fiber frame. I got this frame for $75 with almost perfect paint. It weighs about 3.5 pounds and most people think it's steel. The whole bike with steel handelbars and a Brooks seat weighs 19.5 pounds. :D

Nice paint job, I'll take one in steel :D.
Really though, very nice bike.

Does a TIG-welded 1993 Trek 730 count as vintage-that-looks-modern? It's one of five non-lugged bikes in my herd (Kogswell P/R, Trek 730, Bridgestone CB-1, Claud Butler, 1972 Schwinn Super Sport). And since Viscount hasn't posted a pic of a fillet-brazed Viscounts, I'll include one of those, too (which I sold off).

Neal

http://web.mit.edu/nlerner/Public/Bikes/Trek730_3.jpg

http://web.mit.edu/nlerner/Public/Bikes/Viscount2.jpg

Ohhh my eyes... That BD crap gives me a headache, seriously dude if you want a bike that looks like that, they sell those frames on-e-pay for $90.

Nice GTI by the way, I'd kill one if it set that low, but it's nice. I'd love to find a clean Jetta A2 , used to have an A1.

+1 on th A2! Ihad a '90 GLI, that was one of my all time favorite cars!

Look for a late 80s to mid 90s (or even beyond) Cannondale 3.0 frameset. Aluminum, no lugs, and oversized tubes. I think they are still popular for the very reason you state: they have a bit of the look of modern AL and CF frames, but are much more affordable.

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y21/dissident75/1993%20Cannondale%20SR400/cannondale_driveside.jpg


That looks really good! How standard are forks for this era bike? Are they all 1-1/18" thread less forks?

That looks really good! How standard are forks for this era bike? Are they all 1-1/18" thread less forks?

Nope, 1" threaded. I'm pretty sure if you want to go threadless, you would have to find a 1" threadless fork and headset. The model shown is a '93. Later models may have gone to 1 1/8" threadless.

Supernice bike, very clean and elegant. But why only one brake on a singlespeed ?

Thanks! The bike only had that brake very briefly. It now has front and rear brakes (and better wheels)


Nice paint job, I'll take one in steel :D.
Really though, very nice bike.

Thank you too! It actually has a pretty nice ride except for the oh-so-harsh aluminum fork. I just reassembled it last night, but with a few different parts this time around. Unfortunately I'm using the Brooks on another bike that is more fitting of it.

I ride a 1997 Principia as training rig
http://www.tourgalerie.de/cpg132/albums/userpics/10007/thumb_PICT0002%7E1.jpg

apart from the 1" fork and the classic stem... not much difference to modern stuff.

(and a '98 Moots as sunday bike) if that fits your description of a modern style classic bike :)


As a recommendation, i personally would look to find a Breezer Venturi... fillet brazed steel frame. Very nice looking.

http://si6.mtb-news.de/fotos/data/500/medium/Bike_Breezer_Venturi.jpg

I ride a 1997 Principia as training rig
http://www.tourgalerie.de/cpg132/albums/userpics/10007/thumb_PICT0002%7E1.jpg

apart from the 1" fork and the classic stem... not much difference to modern stuff.

Now that's awesome! I highly doubt I would be able to find a Principia in the States for a decent price though. But I have run into a very sharp looking lugged frame...
http://bp3.blogger.com/_NvlmLCRKck8/RwZKfvrJ1QI/AAAAAAAAAis/Ifl0A6eDaQo/s1600-h/IB2.jpghttp://www.thegiantpeach.com/ProductImages/main/detailed/brands/obey/accessories/fujibike.jpg
Satin black is awesome!

I bought a Rabbit GTI new in "84. It was more fun to drive than anything else I've owned.

Lowered vehicles are tiring to drive. They beat you up and you have to constantly watch for potholes. They look cool, though. I've been driving a slammed Chevy pickup for the last 13 years.

Now that's awesome! I highly doubt I would be able to find a Principia in the States for a decent price though. But I have run into a very sharp looking lugged frame...
http://bp3.blogger.com/_NvlmLCRKck8/RwZKfvrJ1QI/AAAAAAAAAis/Ifl0A6eDaQo/s1600-h/IB2.jpghttp://www.thegiantpeach.com/ProductImages/main/detailed/brands/obey/accessories/fujibike.jpg
Satin black is awesome!
Very nice :) :) :) send more pics!

i can't top that... but i have another one, black too, lugless, double-wishbone rear stay, integrated fork. Doesn't ride too modern, although single speeders are back in fashion i hear.

http://www.tourgalerie.de/cpg132/albums/userpics/10007/thumb_9c_1_b.jpg

http://www.tourgalerie.de/cpg132/albums/userpics/10007/thumb_bc_1_b.jpg

http://www.tourgalerie.de/cpg132/albums/userpics/10007/thumb_e9_1_b.jpg

Very nice :) :) :) send more pics!



That is Fuji's new Obey track bike. Overpriced and ugly if you ask me. Fuji Obey (http://fujibikes.com/2008/bikes.asp?id=419)

i can't top that... but i have another one, black too, lugless, double-wishbone rear stay, integrated fork. Doesn't ride too modern, although single speeders are back in fashion i hear.

http://www.tourgalerie.de/cpg132/albums/userpics/10007/thumb_9c_1_b.jpg

http://www.tourgalerie.de/cpg132/albums/userpics/10007/thumb_bc_1_b.jpg

http://www.tourgalerie.de/cpg132/albums/userpics/10007/thumb_e9_1_b.jpg

That is beyond cool. I've been wanting to build a bike that has the look of one of those early "race" bikes.

That is beyond cool. I've been wanting to build a bike that has the look of one of those early "race" bikes.
they: http://www.zweiradmanufaktur-osterberg.de/ build those new...

website is not finished yet and only german, but still.. :)

Martl
(my Peugeot above is original, tho)

they: http://www.zweiradmanufaktur-osterberg.de/ build those new...

website is not finished yet and only german, but still.. :)

Martl
(my Peugeot above is original, tho)
That looks promising! :) Are your tires new? I can't find solid white or cream colored tires anywhere. I'm guessing your's aren't a terribly common size though.

That is Fuji's new Obey track bike. Overpriced and ugly if you ask me. Fuji Obey (http://fujibikes.com/2008/bikes.asp?id=419)

Hey, at least...

1. They're trying to make something elegant.

2. It doesn't have a sloping top tube.

E

People pay a lot for new lugged steel frames. Trust me, in terms of bling, lugs are cool

I have an old UNIVEGA that i'm going to powder coat - for free - what kind of paint do you use to outline the lugs like the originals; which are outlined in gold?

Its a sportour; so, I'm going with Nashbar parts; economically new.

That looks promising! :) Are your tires new? I can't find solid white or cream colored tires anywhere. I'm guessing your's aren't a terribly common size though.
Actually, they are common size, cheapo chinese make. Original rims, though (with riveted on peugeot badge)

Martin
p.s. loving your avatar, Keatonian myself, got all his movies and a shelf full of literature :D

Does a TIG-welded 1993 Trek 730 count as vintage-that-looks-modern? It's one of five non-lugged bikes in my herd (Kogswell P/R, Trek 730, Bridgestone CB-1, Claud Butler, 1972 Schwinn Super Sport). And since Viscount hasn't posted a pic of a fillet-brazed Viscounts, I'll include one of those, too (which I sold off).

Neal
http://web.mit.edu/nlerner/Public/Bikes/Viscount2.jpg

OK! Since you ask.
I only came across this thread this morning!

So here's my smoothie lug-less 1975 Viscount.

http://i53.photobucket.com/albums/g58/duktig/Viscount/DSCN2059-1.jpg

Looks a bit cluttered with all the bolt ons, but I've used it daily for at least 3 years and you need all that stuff in our weather!

I hadn't thought about it terms of a modern looking bike, but I guess it was pretty advanced in its day.
Never had a whiff of trouble until the quill sheared a couple of weeks ago!

http://i53.photobucket.com/albums/g58/duktig/Viscount/DSCN2064.jpg

The brazed fillets are so much neater than TIG welds.