Classic & Vintage - '54 R.O. Harrison refurb complete

I only had time to ride it around the block before sunset. Enough to tell it's a sweet ride.

Here's a reminder of what it looked like when I got it:
http://farm7.staticflickr.com/6058/6228676437_95c118a28f_b.jpg

Today:
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7031/6820268035_297d8058b4_b.jpg

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7030/6820269747_7227b6aacb_b.jpg
Holdsworth ALLEZ! pedals, NOS Christophe clips, NOS Alfredo Binda straps

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7033/6820271065_dd6d0590d8_b.jpg
Gran Sport derailleur, NOS Regina freewheel and chain

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7142/6820272021_63fa3e2b6f_b.jpg
Gran Sport front hub. Really love these.

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7149/6820274769_4baa9e1c4c_b.jpg
Simplex Tour de France bottle cage. Need another bottle like that one!

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7160/6820276513_83f8347d0a_b.jpg

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7003/6820279555_187e58ea56_b.jpg

Simply...beautiful!

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7016/6820280923_fdbbb863c6_b.jpg

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7150/6820282689_1709cb79e5_b.jpg

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7152/6820284115_5230a27257_b.jpg

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7001/6820284941_641cb84900_b.jpg

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7020/6820286977_a93e6aaf9d_b.jpg

Tell me how can it be that we both finish up our projects on exactly the same day?

Alex, she looks fantastic - and ready for another 50+ years of riding :)

And your attention to detail is fantastic; that's what 20+ years in the USN will do for you, folks!

Looking forward to seeing this in person sometime in the next few weeks...see you next Sunday.

DD

::thumb:Very nicely done,nice ride

Very high quality work. Beautiful bike.

Splendid Alex. That thing is in outstanding condition, and your fine touch has really brought out the inherent beauty of the bike,

Excellent. I love it. One of the nicest bikes I've seen on the forums.......

And your attention to detail is fantastic; that's what 20+ years in the USN will do for you, folks!


Maybe I should sign up... My bikes are a bit dirty right now and some are missing the ferrules on the end of the cables :P

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7142/6820272021_63fa3e2b6f_b.jpg

Beautiful.

Tell me how can it be that we both finish up our projects on exactly the same day?

Alex, she looks fantastic - and ready for another 50+ years of riding :)

And your attention to detail is fantastic; that's what 20+ years in the USN will do for you, folks!

Looking forward to seeing this in person sometime in the next few weeks...see you next Sunday.

DD

Thanks brother! Hey, in a perfect world, we'd be doing our shakedown rides together up on the island. Looks like a perfect day for it. Alas, we'll have to settle for same-day shakedown rides. I only have about an hour to ride, then I'm taking the Mrs. to some C&V entertainment - the matinee of Oklahoma! at the 5th Avenue.

Thanks to everybody else for the compliments - glad you agree it's a beautiful machine. I'll try to post a few more pics of the shakedown ride. In the meantime, if you really want a glimpse into the weeds of the refurb, you can check the Flickr set: http://www.flickr.com/photos/39151498@N07/sets/72157627733775953/

Beautiful!

Pleased to report that she rides as good as she looks! The 46-24 low is murder on the short steeps (but great strength training!) She absolutely glides on the rollers and flats (thanks in part to those great FMB tubs) and is a fine descender as well. Just need to tweak the contact points a bit.

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7008/6824421453_4d0f3b4938_b.jpg

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7015/6824422295_6f9caf095e_b.jpg
TA pouch is to carry a few extra tools on the shake-down.

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7174/6824423571_7f22913983_b.jpg

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7171/6824427373_59b3659491_b.jpg

Holy cow, Alex! What a beauty!

...The bottle cage alone is to die for.

What is it like shifting the FD? Aka suicide lever

Can you install a smaller inside ring?

Cool bike and great restoration.

Thanks, Auchen - I also find it stunning. The cage is super cool, but I discovered one drawback today: with the vintage narrow bars, I can't put my big mitts on the bar tops. Everything is staying as-is on this bike, but a big fella like me sure does like his 48 cm noodles.

bbattle: It's a little different, obviously. Mechanically, it's very smooth and easy - only a 3 tooth (46-49) after all. Ergonomically, it's slightly awkward - found myself riding a big bow-legged to make the shift. That'll probably change some as I get used to it, but I think other designs of lever operated derailleur might be ergonomically superior. Regarding the smaller rings - I'm going to look into it, but other bikes I've seen with lever operated derailleurs had a very similar set up (tooth difference.) Also, would need to find that same gorgeous pattern Stronglight ring.

I'm going to look into it, but other bikes I've seen with lever operated derailleurs had a very similar set up (tooth difference.)

And that's probably half-step gearing, so a smaller inner ring could throw the steps between gears out of whack. Can you just swap a bigger cog onto the low end of the freewheel?

That is a lovely bicycle and well preserved. Great job!

FMB tires? oooooo.. you're living life right.

And that's probably half-step gearing, so a smaller inner ring could throw the steps between gears out of whack. Can you just swap a bigger cog onto the low end of the freewheel? I could, but maybe not with the Gran Sport derailleur. Record would likely handle a 28. (I have no trouble getting NR to reach a 28.) I do plan to leave the GS on this bike - part of it's character. I have other bikes to ride in the hills - this will be my "path racer" (bike path that is.)

Wow! What a great job! Love those cranks.

FMB tires? oooooo.. you're living life right. Oh yes - definitely worth every penny!

Oh. My. God. Alex, your Harrison is truly a stunning piece of work! Well executed, in every possible way. Wow. The Stronglight 57 crankset is just marvelous. Congratulations! Thanks for the flickr set, it's fun being walked through the restoration and build from its initial stages..

I agree, the gearing might not be adequate for hill climbing, but at least you've kept it true to its racer origins. For regular riding, you could always throw a Stonglight 63 on there, for which, despite not being period correct, at least finding smaller inner rings should be fairly easy. Then keep the 57 carefully packed away. Looks like the Simplex front mech can handle a much smaller inner ring.

Fantastic! When I return to Seattle I'd love to visit you to see all of your awesome bikes in person. What a collection!

Oh. My. God. Alex, your Harrison is truly a stunning piece of work! Well executed, in every possible way. Wow. The Stronglight 57 crankset is just marvelous. Congratulations! Thanks for the flickr set, it's fun being walked through the restoration and build from its initial stages..

I agree, the gearing might not be adequate for hill climbing, but at least you've kept it true to its racer origins. For regular riding, you could always throw a Stonglight 63 on there, for which, despite not being period correct, at least finding smaller inner rings should be fairly easy. Then keep the 57 carefully packed away. Looks like the Simplex front mech can handle a much smaller inner ring.

Thanks! Glad you enjoyed the Flickr stream.

Great ideas, and great advice on the cranks. Fortunately (or unfortunately?), this isn't my only bike, and the others all have wonderful gear ranges. I'm also extremely fortunate to live a few miles from an outstanding rail trail. It recently was expanded, and is something like 40 miles long now. There is a mile long climb on the way to the trail, but I can handle it okay with this gearing. Of course, once on the old railroad grade, this baby will fly!

Fantastic! When I return to Seattle I'd love to visit you to see all of your awesome bikes in person. What a collection!

Of course, Justin - that'd be fun. I can even loan you a bike, and take you for a ride on a fantastic rail-trail near my house. Is this return imminent? Are you thinking of moving, or just a visit?

Of course, Justin - that'd be fun. I can even loan you a bike, and take you for a ride on a fantastic rail-trail near my house. Is this return imminent? Are you thinking of moving, or just a visit?

No, just to visit. No idea when it'll happen, but when it does I'd love to get together for a ride with you, Jeff and Roger. I'd love to spend a day hanging around at Bob's shop too.

No, just to visit. No idea when it'll happen, but when it does I'd love to get together for a ride with you, Jeff and Roger. I'd love to spend a day hanging around at Bob's shop too. Yup to all of the above. A day at Elliott Bay Bicycles is a good idea - half a day minimum. Or better yet: two half-days. You'll be a bit overwhelmed at first, and it's tough to take it all in on one visit.

Oh. My. God. Alex, your Harrison is truly a stunning piece of work! Well executed, in every possible way. Wow. The Stronglight 57 crankset is just marvelous. Congratulations! Thanks for the flickr set, it's fun being walked through the restoration and build from its initial stages..

I agree, the gearing might not be adequate for hill climbing, but at least you've kept it true to its racer origins. For regular riding, you could always throw a Stonglight 63 on there, for which, despite not being period correct, at least finding smaller inner rings should be fairly easy. Then keep the 57 carefully packed away. Looks like the Simplex front mech can handle a much smaller inner ring.

BTW, southpaw, I don't think the cranks are 57s. Just plain old 49d with the 50.4 bcd. The pattern of the rings, and those dust caps definitely make them look like old 57s!

BTW, southpaw, I don't think the cranks are 57s. Just plain old 49d with the 50.4 bcd. The pattern of the rings, and those dust caps definitely make them look like old 57s!

Indeed, I missed the 50.4 bolts. I was just fixated on the ring pattern and the dust caps, as you said. "Plain old 49d"-- hey, if they're too plain for ya, I'll take 'em off your hands.

Amazing bike. What a great era for cycling!

Yes. And a great era for bikes. I haven't spent much time looking at bikes from the 50's, til now. They are so distinctive and classic looking.

I wanna tag along on Justin's visit Alex.