Classic & Vintage - Corky

Taken to be built in approximately 1971 this bike was built on long island new york in the golden era of cycling and was the bicycle of many local heros I am sure, probably similar to Marinoni in the late 1970s and early 1980s. However, the early 1970s were the twilight years for Mr. Gulbransen, he learned from one of the great american builders, Dick Power, and took over his shop in the late 1950s (I believe) and continued to build into the early 1970s. He went on to become a champion wood carver, a true artist. I think this artistry comes through in the details of this frame found in 2006 on ebay by forum member Little Darwin and graciously given away for the cost of shipping.

http://i83.photobucket.com/albums/j282/abier622/Corky/before.jpg

Over the following two year the bike was painted by forum member Dr. Deltron in Marina California. There were many setbacks with trying to get decals (Mr. Gulbransen provided original DT transfers). As many of you know velographics struck some hard times but right before then I got the 531 decals, we had many a mishap with the head and seat tube decals and I don't think we ever got it right. It's no suprise that when I opened up the box after the frame had been painted I immeditaly noticed a huge error in the 531 decals. They are single colour on clear vinyl and the 531 green is way to dark because of the blue paint behind the decal. It should have been printed on a white layer like the lovely Fiamme rim decals from cyclmondo. Aside from the 531 decals and the paint being a little to think I'm fairly happy with how it turned out.

During these two years I collected parts, I was trying to do it cheep as a grad student (just graduated) so the parts are all used. Only a few are NOS as I happened to make lucky scores here and there. I mad many bad choice like a set of wheels on ebay that came with damage to the one good part and the rest of them were so corroded they would not do, I think I may have used one rim from those wheels in the end. However, both rims are old and not in the best of shape, I will keep an eye out for a deal on some NOS ones... not likely to happen anytime soon. I also did the same thing with a set of cranks. I purchased 2 sets of 177.5mm no date code record and in my mind I thought for a while I was going to use some TA cranks. I bought and sold a headset, several stems and freewheels, in fact the freewheel I used was only aquire a month ago. There are som marks here and there, little imperfections on most components, but I did the best I could with what I had, almost every component required polishing. In fact I think the only anodizing left is on the brake caliper arms. So here it is:

http://i83.photobucket.com/albums/j282/abier622/Corky/IMG_1987.jpg


Parts:

Corky Gulbransen double butted tubes, forks and stays frameset with prugnat long point lugs and comapagnolo drop-outs.
Cinelli Milano oval logo 1960s first generation 1A stem with 12mm nut and 7mm allen binder.
Cinelli Campione del Mondo olg logo 42cm bars
Campagnolo record period headset with <c> on lower cup and lines on locknut
Campagnolo Nuovo Record period Bottom bracket, with NOS spindle
Campagnolo Nuovo Record cranks 177.5 no date code (big ring has pin and should not)
Campagnolo Record steel pedals with toe strap loop
Christophe special old logo toe clips
NOS AFA (christope) toe straps
Campagnolo Record 1968-1971 Front Derailleur
Campagnolo Nuovo Record patent -71 rear derailleur
Campagnolo Record Bar End shifters
NOS suntour wound cable housing and shift cables
NOS Tressostar white bar tape
Campagnolo Nuovo Record Brake Levers with correct early version circular cable hole
Reproduction hoods
Campagnoo Record Brake calipers, earliest version with logo on arms (brev. Camp center bolts etc..)
Campagnolo Record 2 bolt, no insertion line, early and period correct seatpost
Cinelli Unicanitor #2 saddle pre cinelli logo on back – period correct
Campagnolo record high flange rear hub 1968
Campagnolo record high flange front hub 1974
Fiamme sprint red label tubular rims
old wolber tubulars for display only
DT swiss DB competition spokes and nipples
NOS campagnolo chromed steel TT cable clips/guides
NOS Regina Oro Chain
Regina extra oro 13-17 5s 2 pring period correct freewheel
TA specialties water bottle cage

Some more photos, not great.. I'll have to go a better photoshoot outdoors, I'm not the best with a camera.

http://i83.photobucket.com/albums/j282/abier622/Corky/IMG_1986.jpg
http://i83.photobucket.com/albums/j282/abier622/Corky/IMG_1972.jpg
http://i83.photobucket.com/albums/j282/abier622/Corky/IMG_1976.jpg
http://i83.photobucket.com/albums/j282/abier622/Corky/IMG_1978.jpg
http://i83.photobucket.com/albums/j282/abier622/Corky/IMG_1980.jpg
http://i83.photobucket.com/albums/j282/abier622/Corky/IMG_1984.jpg
http://i83.photobucket.com/albums/j282/abier622/Corky/IMG_1995.jpg
http://i83.photobucket.com/albums/j282/abier622/Corky/IMG_2001.jpg

A few more photos here, but I have to take some better ones still.
http://s83.photobucket.com/albums/j282/abier622/Corky/

what is this thread about? are you gloating? are you rubbing in my face that you have an amazing bike with my name on it? That bike is great and using used parts requires no appology. I would hope that that bike had the crap ridden out of it and if your bike represents that bike 2-3 years into it's life is no less noble than building a bike that represents how the bike came off the floor. That freewheel is money! you have to be a champ to pedal a bike with that cluster on the back. nice bike, I hate you.

Fantastic!
Such a beautiful build! And the attention and research (and funds no less) to build it up in that fashion.....Geez. Just stunning!
My fav part of the frame is the rear dropouts......I love the way the seat stays end and the dropout kinda surrounds the ends. Awesome quality. That builder obviously knew what he was doing and truely cared about his craft.
Dr. D's work is very nice too. Love the striping and extra lil dots to set it off a bit. That clear coat sure is flat! It's like glass.
Love it!

It,s resto,s and rebuilds like this bike that make me proud to be a memeber of this forum,to take something close to death and give it a rebirth with such attention to detail with quality work performed at every stage is truely inspiring,I hope all the young guy,s who frequent this hallowed forum study the "Pics" and realize they are in the presence of greatness,you Sir are a magician and I for one salute you !

Anthony,

Corky rides again! That is a triumph in itself! And it does so with great style and flair. We can never make a build perfect--- nothing is in life. We can just strive for the best and considering the resurrection history of Corky, which began with Little Darwin on ebay, you have breathed powerful new life into a well worn and rather rare bike.

The Gulbransen family must be proud, because you had time, the patience, the money, and the dedication to collaborate with so many in order to bring Corky back from the grave. My hat is off to you for such a fine restoration!

That bike clearly wound up in the right hands. Spectacular job. I would shorten up the rear brake cable just a tad, which I'll hasten to mention I wouldn't have noticed were it not for the fact that every other atom is just as it should be.

The legend at last! Congratulations cyclotoine, that bike is a work of art and a labor of love.

That bike clearly wound up in the right hands. Spectacular job. I would shorten up the rear brake cable just a tad, which I'll hasten to mention I wouldn't have noticed were it not for the fact that every other atom is just as it should be.

I also noticed that, and I will do so. I also should have washed all that NOS regina grease off the chain before installing it! It's everywhere.

Thank-you for all the compliments everyone, this is over 2 years later, it's been a long road. I'm going to savour it a while before I glue on some better tires and ride it. I also have a set of wienmann concaves 27" laced to black dura-ace high flange hubs.... a friend of mine sold them to me and I have yet to go get them, they will likely be the wheel of choice for sunday rides. In the end it couldn't be in NOS condition because I'd never get to ride it. I have a wider range regina oro that isn't period correct and I have a regina G.S. extra freewheel in a wider range that is period correct. I decided in the end when I just happen to come across this freewheel in the used community bike shop in vancouver that it would be appropriate. I'm not going to climb any mountains on this bike and it is supposed to be a crit bike racing a few blocks in the streets of newyork, a straightblock would likely have been the freewheel of choice then.

nothing I can add to the compliments: it's a masterwork...job well done, to you and to the Dr.

Are those male bottle bosses? I don't recall seeing those prior to 1974.

Nice. So nice.

Did you send some photos to Mr. Gulbransen? He will be thrilled, no doubt.

OK, I'm kicking myself for not checking the forum this morning before leaving for ork, but right now my living room looks about like Corky when Dr. Deltron stripped the frame, ready for paint.

I'm looking forward to getting home and out from behind this pesky firewall to see the pictures.

Congrats on getting the build done Anthony! I know there were a lot of hurdles along the way.

And the unveiling did beat Rad's Tete, unless there is another photo thread waiting over in the Road Cycling forum. ;)

. . . (snip)

And the unveiling did beat Rad's Tete, unless there is another photo thread waiting over in the Road Cycling forum. ;)


You have got to be kidding.

You have got to be kidding.

What thread is this? I must have missed it....

Are those male bottle bosses? I don't recall seeing those prior to 1974.

No they are not, the bolts are standard M5, 8mm hex head, but they have slots in them so I could use a standard screw driver. Dr. Deltron painted them with the frame! A very nice detail and I appreciate it since I was wondering how I was going to tighten down an 8mm campy bolt.

Having followed the saga of Corky for the past couple of years, I am really pleased at how beautiful it came out! You did an outstanding job, as did Dr. Deltron.

Thanks for posting the pictures!

Very nice Anthony. I do have to note that you have a great bicycle - while all I got was the t-shirt. :D

Congrats to Little Darwin and Dr. Deltron for major assists.

Stunning!!!!!

Did you have trouble getting those brake cable clips on with the thick paint?

Did you have trouble getting those brake cable clips on with the thick paint?

Not sure if this is sarcastic of not. I mean no offense to Dr. D. he is a true artist, and for all I know, I don't know what I am talking about. I did have trouble getting the rear axle in and had to chip off paint to get it in, I also had to chip off paint on the rear derailleur hanger to get it to pivot freely. I also cracked the paint on the binder bolt area. I may try and super glue the chip back in place by the binder bolt though. But my comment was as much about that as it was about the obscurity of the words campagnolo on the cable guides and drop-outs. They're pretty "filled-in". That said I am still satisfied with the product I got. I thought about what I would say when I finished the bike and I thought I should be 100% honest. And to be 100% honest the paint is thicker than I would like. But I never saw the frame before, for all I know it had to be that thick to cover up the bondo in the small dents here and there and the pitting around some of the lugs etc...

Beautiful!

Not sure if this is sarcastic of not. I mean no offense to Dr. D. he is a true artist, and for all I know, I don't know what I am talking about. I did have trouble getting the rear axle in and had to chip off paint to get it in, I also had to chip off paint on the rear derailleur hanger to get it to pivot freely. I also cracked the paint on the binder bolt area. I may try and super glue the chip back in place by the binder bolt though. But my comment was as much about that as it was about the obscurity of the words campagnolo on the cable guides and drop-outs. They're pretty "filled-in". That said I am still satisfied with the product I got. I thought about what I would say when I finished the bike and I thought I should be 100% honest. And to be 100% honest the paint is thicker than I would like. But I never saw the frame before, for all I know it had to be that thick to cover up the bondo in the small dents here and there and the pitting around some of the lugs etc...

That's twice you've accused me of being sarcastic when I've asked you a simple question. I only asked because I had trouble getting Campagnolo clips over the thick clearcoat on my Peugeot. I had better luck with Simplex clips.

I can't see the pictures because they block them somehow here at work, but I'm sure it looks great. I saw the pictures of the bare frame.

That is truly gorgeous! True rebirth of a classic road bike. Congratulations to Cycletoine for perseverance, effort & patience, to Dr D. for a stunning finish and to Little Darwin for saving it in the first place - all in all a great partnership and look at the result.

SHe is a beauty. Reminds me of my 70's bike, fully campy record, Fiamme reds and Clement silks. What a sweet ride that was.

A stunning effort! What a classic, so much detail and beauty.
I can understand the paint thickness causing some irritation. I've seen similar frustrations by custom motorcycle builders who get fine paint jobs applied, in even thickness and not thin. Only to discover the finish interfered with tolerances upon re-assembly.
All mating surfaces must be chased, reamed, tapped. If this was done on Corky, you might have prevented the chips.
Dr. D. probably could have feathered the paint in certain areas, but a consistent coat thickness is the goal.
Overall, the paint looks gorgeous, and I love the pinstriping quality around the lugs.

I love this shot! Nice composition. Shows off the high flange Campy hub, and corncob. This is why I love high flanges...more aesthetic to the eye than low flanges.
:thumb:
http://i83.photobucket.com/albums/j282/abier622/Corky/IMG_1996.jpg

That is amazing. Flat out, amazing. I only wish my Panasonic was as rare as that so I could make it look so beautiful. I'd love to see that bike in person some day, although, I doubt I will. And even if I did I'd likely do everything I could to steal it from you :thumb:.
Again, amazing. Sheer beauty.
GR

That's twice you've accused me of being sarcastic when I've asked you a simple question. I only asked because I had trouble getting Campagnolo clips over the thick clearcoat on my Peugeot. I had better luck with Simplex clips.

I can't see the pictures because they block them somehow here at work, but I'm sure it looks great. I saw the pictures of the bare frame.

You're right and I am sorry! I did not have any problems with the cable clips, they went on fine. There is a lot of clearcoat on this frame and I think that protects the paint well from the clip on items.

Not sure if this is sarcastic of not. I mean no offense to Dr. D. he is a true artist, and for all I know, I don't know what I am talking about. I did have trouble getting the rear axle in and had to chip off paint to get it in, I also had to chip off paint on the rear derailleur hanger to get it to pivot freely. I also cracked the paint on the binder bolt area. I may try and super glue the chip back in place by the binder bolt though. But my comment was as much about that as it was about the obscurity of the words campagnolo on the cable guides and drop-outs. They're pretty "filled-in". That said I am still satisfied with the product I got. I thought about what I would say when I finished the bike and I thought I should be 100% honest. And to be 100% honest the paint is thicker than I would like. But I never saw the frame before, for all I know it had to be that thick to cover up the bondo in the small dents here and there and the pitting around some of the lugs etc...


I think that colour looks better with a thicker paintjob. Looks so damn luscious!

A little more info on the bike hanging on the wall above my computer:

What Mark Lobit (http://www.centerportcycles.com/pages/scrapbook/scrapbook02.html) (scroll about halfway down on that page for more on Mark) had to say after seeing photos of my Corky restored: (Road racer from late 1960s-1970s based in NY designer of the decals that adorn my bike)

"Wow. Brings back memories. That was the color we painted my new track bike when it was built and I designed the decals I think '72-'73? It was also the background color I used when I presented the decals in class (Silk Screen 101...or something like that). I gave the original presentation sheet to Corky last fall when we went out for one of Harold's daughters weddings. I do not remember who the bike was originally for. It must have been shortly after that. Generally, Corky did not spend time cutting out the lugs unless he liked you and there is a teardrop in these. I do remember it because Harold and I took turns filing the lugs for Corky and I do remeber this one. I had a road bike built after it with spades cut in the lugs that I still have."

for clarification Harold is Corky's son AFAIK.

It would seem my Corky is no earlier than 1972 then... so my build may be a tad on the older side of what it actually was, but in anycase 1972 sounds good so I'll go with it. Corky is being contacted currently about the bicycle and may remember who it was built for... the only thing that worries me is that the original owner may want it back!

...
A few more photos here, but I have to take some better ones still.
...

Yes, you have to!
When will we see just one good (sharp!) complete shot of it - at least!?? :rolleyes:

...and suddenly (but not surprising) I get the explicit meaning of rewersing into the future! Qiute frankly, its breathtaking and as close to art as I wanne come. ...eh, words dont cover this - BLOODY F*****g BRILLIANT!

I know this thread is dead, but I recently came across a Corky on ebay. It is also in need of restoring. I'm curious about where you came across the decals at. If you could let me know that would be great. Thanks!

I know this thread is dead, but I recently came across a Corky on ebay.
That must be the one I noticed too. There can't be too many. (No, I'm not bidding on it. But it looked interesting.)

That must be the one I noticed too. There can't be too many. (No, I'm not bidding on it. But it looked interesting.)

Went pretty cheap too, Under $83. plus $50 shipping.

i have some spare decals. The ST and HT decals were repos, that Dr. D did the art for... the DT decals were from jamie Swan via Corky himself and were originals.

Any chance you would let the extra decals go for a small fee? :rolleyes: