Classic & Vintage - New "KOF" Retro Frame...

Just thought I'd share a few pictures of my new "Keeper Of the Flame" retro style frame. Built by Colin Laing, I asked for the Nervex "Super Legere" series lugs, Reynolds 531 butted, "sport-touring" geometry, and to look as if he'd built it in 1975... I'm expecting to have the frame in my hands before Christmas. The wait time for this from the time I ordered was about 6 months, and the cost was under $1K. Here are some pics that Colin sent me of the finished frame:

Elegant. . .

What are the component, build plans?

Thanks. It's going to be either Zeus 2000 or mid '70s Record (Nuovo), but with a Rally derailleur... Not sure yet. I'll wait 'till it's in my hands, and let it speak to me;) Drop-outs are the long Campagnolo 1010a, and rear is spaced at 120mm, for a 5 speed freewheel. Less wheel dish = fewer problems, and I don't need or want lotsa gears. I asked for a low BB height, long chainstays, and brakes holes are supposed to be located for "normal" (long) reach, nutted calipers.... Just like mid '70s.

The Zeus components will make it interesting. I saw a Zeus Rear Derailleur on Ebay. It looks like Campagnolo but with a Z emblem.

http://www.bikeforums.net/attachment.php?attachmentid=19879&stc=1

http://www.bikeforums.net/attachment.php?attachmentid=19880&stc=1

I am building two Titan frames with NOS Campagnolo parts from Ebay. This week nearly all parts will arrive to complete both Bicycles. It is fun to build them. . .

Very nice. I really like what you've done there.
As seen on CR list I appreciate the KOF builders
more than the faux retro bikes now being seen.

Marty

Thanks Marty, I like it too... It's really a mid-late '70s frame, that was just built. I guess I'm just stuck in a time warp. Funny thing is, Colin Laing seemed quite happy to build a '70s frame again... He sent me pictures of old pressed lugs that he was willing to use, and I picked the Nervex. I've been wanting a Hetchins Hellenic from late '60s - early '70s, so Colin built me something sorta' close...only in his style. This one'll be my second Laing bike; I've got a loaded tourer with canti brakes that he actually did in '75 (wasn't custom for me; I was 15 then).

The Zeus components will make it interesting..

I've liked Zeus 2000 since high school... If I do the Zeus though, I still need a clamp-on 2000 front derailleur. Got everything else for it.

I've liked Zeus 2000 since high school... If I do the Zeus though, I still need a clamp-on 2000 front derailleur. Got everything else for it.

I've noticed Renaissance Cycles occasionally has Zeus stuff for sale on their website.

https://secure.netonline.nl/ssl/renaissance-cycles/

Colin's bikes are true works of art, I wondered about the
geometry on yours and the inspiration.
If I had a choice (and I could get out of the campy rut) I think
I'd build a full Suntour Superbe bike.
I like the eccentricness (is that a word?) of the Zeus componentry
almost no one has used it, let alone used it.
More and more I'm leaning towards unknown (at least to the masses)
builders and components.

Marty

Great bike, great concept, great colour! The late 1970s and early 1980s were the golden age of road bicycles, and your frame looks gorgeous.

If it were my frame, I would specify 128mm rear dropout spacing. If you REALLY want 5 gears instead of 7, you could respace for very minimal rear wheel dish, while retaining the option of installing a more modern wheel later.

Somebody ought to design Laing a proper headstock badge, don't you think? It'd be a nice finishing touch.

Somebody ought to design Laing a proper headstock badge, don't you think? It'd be a nice finishing touch.

That would be nice (I love a beautiful enameled badge), but he's a one man shop, and his production isn't high enough to warrant the cost.... but who knows?

The "CL" on the head tube (and fork blades, seat tube, etc.) of my frame was hand done by Colin, 'cause I didn't want his current modern looking decals on my '70s style frame... They didn't look right to me.
Colin graciously offered to do my frame by hand, just as he had done back in the '60s! I was flattered, and quickly accepted his generous offer :D

That would be nice (I love a beautiful enameled badge), but he's a one man shop, and his production isn't high enough to warrant the cost.... but who knows?

The "CL" on the head tube (and fork blades, seat tube, etc.) of my frame was hand done by Colin, 'cause I didn't want his current modern looking decals on my '70s style frame... They didn't look right to me.
Colin graciously offered to do my frame by hand, just as he had done back in the '60s! I was flattered, and quickly accepted his generous offer :D

I think our "glutton for punishment" is volunteering to help. :D

I think our "glutton for punishment" is volunteering to help. :D

I'm sure Colin would like to see any artwork someone does for him... Can enameled badges be made inexpensively?
I like the golden wreath wilth the red "CL" initials he did for my frame. I also like his decal from the '50s-'60s here:

I'm sure Colin would like to see any artwork someone does for him... Can enameled badges be made inexpensively?
I like the golden wreath wilth the red "CL" initials he did for my frame. I also like his decal from the '50s-'60s here:

I don't have any details, but at every scout camp I've ever been to, there are enameledbadges available for a couple bucks - can't be all that expensive. If nobody else on the board knows, and you think its worth investigating, I'll do some digging. Don't think you'd want my artwork though - our professional graphic artist can easily beat me using only one mangled finger.

From Colin Laing,

Thanks for the interest in my using a metal head-badge.
I've thought about it for years , never got round to it...now that I will probably only make a further 10 or 20 bikes in the time I have left, have no real interest and this being the USA, what about the extra weight factor?

From Colin Laing,

Thanks for the interest in my using a metal head-badge.
I've thought about it for years , never got round to it...now that I will probably only make a further 10 or 20 bikes in the time I have left, have no real interest and this being the USA, what about the extra weight factor?
Colin,

welcome to bike forums, nice to have you here.
As for the extra weight question, the folks in this particular forum don't care all that much
about weight. Heck most of us are riding Brooks saddles!

Marty

From Colin Laing,

Thanks for the interest in my using a metal head-badge.
I've thought about it for years , never got round to it...now that I will probably only make a further 10 or 20 bikes in the time I have left, have no real interest and this being the USA, what about the extra weight factor?

I think the frame looks "elegant" as designed.

The head badge would only add weight and become another crevice to trap moisture and dirt.

Maybe it's better to apply the Art to the lugs as you have done?

Incredible bikes, really. Congratulations OtherGuy, I'm SO GOSHDARN JEALOUS!

From Colin,

The weight thing was a bit tongue in cheek...indeed The bike I ride to and from work weighs in excess of 42 pounds...need to add a dynamo for some extra ballast...folks think I.m crazy (and I probably am ) but I use that bike for training to do the long touring events like the Wicklow 200,,,thanks...COLIN

Howdy from Tucson!

Glad to hear Colin has picked up the torch again!
He built us a gorgeous custom tandem back in the mid-80s; it was mixed tubing: Reynolds 531 DB throughout except for an oversized downtube. Lugs were handmade (took him 40 hours). Fork was 531 with l-o-n-g chromed lug snaking down each fork leg. Used a mono-stay arrangement with a fillet between rear seat tube and seat stays. A great tandem and a rolling work of art! Had his initials in the chromed head tube lug (no badge needed!).
Put 57,000 miles on that tandem!
Thanks for a great ride Colin and some happy memories!

Pedal on TWOgether!
Rudy and Kay/Zona tandem

Colin, thanks for getting that custom done for me! It has a great look. I'll post some pictures of the bike here as I get it built (sometime after Christmas). Happy holidays to all!

Well, she's not quite finished, but I thought I'd stick a few pics up to show what she's looking like so far... I'll probably go with early '70s Nuovo Record for the derailleurs, and some Lyotard Berthet pedals. After getting to know the frame, she talked me into this eclectic mix of Euro parts. Yes, I know I've got her dressed a litle tarty, but that's what she wanted...(don't tell her I said she looks like an old hooker) ;)

Wonderful piece of art. By the way, a headbadge is very easy to design and manufacture--as long as you don't have to do it yourself. The bike is great the way it is.

She is Beautimous: the cable sheath clamps, the randonneur bar & the chromed crank tie it all together.

absolutely Gorgeous.
Nothing more needs to be said.

Marty

Thanks folks.

Campagnolo Gran Sport steel crank? Got a NOS one in my box, too, along with a chromed bronze Record rear mech. Looking for the matching front mech.

Just thought I'd bore you all with one last picture of this Laing bike...

We went for a 20 mile maiden voyage today in Griffith Park. She's a keeper.... Very "plush" ride; soft & stable, yet still responsive. Exactly what I wanted from this bike! My riding buddy on his new Serotta W/Ultegra got a kick out of me riding something so funky... ;)

Bored? Hardly. I've been following this thread since its inception, and have enjoyed all the pictures and descriptions. Great project, cool bike (I want one!). Thanks for sharing the progess!

That's a beautiful bike.