Classic & Vintage - 1986 Veloce Track Bike 47cm

I bought this bike as a parts donor for my bike, thinking I would sell the frame on Ebay and make some money back, but knowing that as soon as the wife saw it she'd say, "So when can I ride it?" (Talking about the bike)

Custom built in 1986 by John Stinsmen of Allentown, Pa., the bike measures 47cm c-c along the seat tube and 50 cm c-c along the top tube. Reynolds 531 "Special Lightweight" tubes, flat crown fork, triple pink fade paint, and cool lugwork, I wish it were my size!

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I'm thinking white saddle and tape, and since she doesn't want a fixed gear - White deep v's with a Sturmey 2 speed coaster.

Also, anyone ever have any luck straightening out a Reynolds sticker that has been slid/crushed/beat up?

dude your pics are tiny, cool bike though

That is a beautiful frame! You white color idea sounds good. I see you're just down the road for me.

You can always go ss instead.

You can always go ss instead.

I think that is the plan but the coaster brake is the only option.

I would caution the use of a coaster on such a frame however, the tubing is light and it is a real beauty. She could learn to ride fixed maybe?

Nice frame! Dura-ace headset too?

I'd hate to drill that frame for brakes. A coastie with white trim sounds perfect. :thumb:

I don't know how you get nice big pics on the page, I tried to fix my computer but my cone wrench was rounded off...
Maybe these are a little better:291679291680291681291682291683
Hi Paul, not far at all.
I thought of using a front drum brake, but I don't really want the lever/cables etc. Keep it clean.
I think the 2 speed is a useful option, Sram makes one that is automatic, I really have to look into it more

I'd hate to drill that frame for brakes. A coastie with white trim sounds perfect. :thumb:
AAAHHHHH!!! Not gonna modify frame. The bike had a white seat and tape on it, but I used them for my other bike. I have a white Regal already, so that's pretty much decided anyway.

I didnt even think about it not being drilled...you could probably pick up a drilled carbon fork and have some brakes really easily. Obviously you know your wife and her riding style, but a track bike just begs for fast.

I'm not too worried about the frame strength, those chainstays are serious track spec beefy, the only damage a coaster could do is to the paint (not from the clamp, but from the fire when the tire smokes off after a long skid....) Seriously though, I do wonder how well the coaster works with a skinny tire, I can probably fit a 700x25c tire in the rear, but the front is 23c max

600 Headset, needs the goofy wrench (that I do not have), luckily in serviceable condition so I will leave it alone for now

JReade - I hear what you're saying, it really is totally unsuitable for her, and probably deserves a better fate, that's why I thought I'd sell it. Once she saw it, it was pretty much over.... at least I am pretty sure even if she doesn't ride it fast, she probably won't crash. I can always swap the wheels out later

That's a nice frame, my gf would say the same exact thing your wife said!

JReade - I hear what you're saying, it really is totally unsuitable for her, and probably deserves a better fate, that's why I thought I'd sell it. Once she saw it, it was pretty much over.... at least I am pretty sure even if she doesn't ride it fast, she probably won't crash. I can always swap the wheels out later

Dude, if she likes it and wants to ride it put a foot brake on it and let her do her thing. There are plenty of people her in Philly that were more than happy to put a foot brake on their FG bikes (after the FG fad went away) and run the **** out of them with no harm. Put a rubber strip under the brake clamp loopy thingy, that'll keep it from scratching the paint. :thumb:

You could also do a AW 3speed with drum brakes like the Pashley Guvnor...no frame drilling required and a lot more functional than the 2 speed coaster.

I'd throw some fixed wheels on it and let your wife ride it around in a safe place. If she likes it, get another fork & put a front brake on it. Otherwise, continue with the original plan & sell it on ebay.

Unless you have it laying around it would be a shame to spend all the money on a 2 speed coaster hub + wheel build then have her not like it.

ilikebikes - thanks for the tip, I think this is the direction I am headed
Velognome - I did think about that, but I want to keep the bike clean looking with no levers/cables. It will never really be a practical bike and I could use a single speed coaster, but I thought the 2 speed might add a little, and they seem to be a little better quality maybe? I was looking at the Sturmey S2C 2 speed kickback coaster and the SRAM 2 speed Automatic. The sturmey is listed as 13/32 axle and 116 spacing. My bike is 10mm dropout, 120 spacing. Probably close enough (maybe a few washers?). The SRAM is listed as 10mm axle and 120 spacing, and automatically shifts at 11mph (centrifugal clutch, like a scooter). The SRAM is listed as lighter, too, but is 36 hole - I think B43 are 32. The Sturmey is 32h.

If I can find a cheap used set, I might, I could always put the hub in later. I can build a new set with the 2 spd, B43, and a decent front hub for less than $250, not that much more than a new cheapie set.

I went eBay crazy last night, so much so that I got a call from the bank this morning to make sure the charges were not fraudulent. Not a lot of money, but ten different charges (got some tools and other small things, too), so there I am, standing in the kitchen this morning, my wife on speaker phone with the bank - the guys like "buildurbike, wheelandsprocket, randombikes, wheelandsprocket again.... My wife's staring me down and I'm saying, "but it's YOUR bike..."

Anyway, got the Sturmey S2C 2 speed coaster, eighth inch formula front hub, eighth inch Julian rims (white), spokes and velox tape for $195. I'll post some pics as the parts come and I get it together.