uncle uncle

I was reading Randy Jawa's post "The Hunt is Over..." and it brought to my attention the phenomena of putting a bicycle back to what I would call "catalog correct", aka searching down all those pieces you believe would have been on the bicycle when it was new. From personal experience working at a bicycle shop in the 80's, I can tell you that many a bike left the shop, right from the very beginning, altered from what was shown in the catalog. Bikes had shifters moved pretty frequently, and brake extensions were remove pretty frequently too. We even swapped alloy rimmed wheels for steel wheels on a pretty regular basis (with a increase in price of course). I just wondered if this was important to some, or a majority, or a minority of the C&V crowd out there. I myself, thought it wasn't super important, in any aspect. It seems that consumables are replaced (really UPGRADED) for new stuff by members almost without concern of keeping the bicycle stock. And it seems that keeping it "period correct", aka having parts that where from the time that the bike first left the store, seems almost exclusively "approved" by the C&V crowd... or am I wrong here?

Bandera

The Period Correct Police may only be a myth, at least I hope so.

As you noted replacing OEM equipment was the norm on any of the better quality machines we built "back when", although Raleigh Sports and Schwinn Varsities rolled out as the factory equipped them.

My International is a good example of modified to order. It was stripped of OEM FW, chain, bars, stem, brakes/levers, tape, tires, toeclips, and straps for components that fit or functioned better. It was only a match (sorta) for the catalog while in the shipping box not how it left the shop.
Only pre-ordered Paramounts equipped from an extensive factory build list for a specifc customer were OEM-ish when delivered.

-Bandera

satbuilder 

Well, I try to. But that's half the fun of putting one back together, finding all the right bits.

The Motobecane I finished recently was almost all correct, down to the date codes. There were only 2 deviations, the large flange hubs, and the newer anodized type rims.

I didn't go all crazy with getting the brake and derailleur cables, and housings.

Will I do that on my next project? I guess I'll decide when it arrives...

Wulf

When I ordered or bought a new bike, I would always specify changes to meet my needs. Not just stem and handle bar length but pedals, freewheel gears, chainrings, tires. I took it for granted that this was standard practice on upscale bikes.

Wildwood 

Catalog correct = low on the list of needs.
Period correct = higher on the list of needs, but still not essential.
Anything that makes it more fun = high on the list.

FullGas

for me, 'catalog correct' would only be applicable to a very high-end, low-production run bike.

and then it would be a show-not-go ride which isn't much fun.

'period correct' has both enough challenge AND latitude to be an enjoyable project.

lostarchitect 

I have pretty much zero desire to make bikes "catalog correct," I'm not running a museum, after all! I want them to "look right," which is a standard that varies from bike to bike for me, but overall I mainly just want them to fit my needs.

CliffordK

I'm more of the "Retro Roadie" style. I try to keep a little bit of a sense of aesthetics with it, but not particularly period or parts correct. I'd emphasize functionality over what was available a decade or half century ago.

iab

On some bikes, yes.

On others, no.

Vintage Raleigh

The International differs from Catalogue correct -
• Pasela Tyres
• NOS Atom Freewheel (close ratio)
• NOS Wipperman chain
• SS DT DB Spokes
• Wolber Gentleman Rims
• Brooks Tape
• Later Campagnolo FD (was on the bike when I got it and it works ok so left it)
• Scott Mathauser Shoes
• NOS Selle italia Superprofessional Seat (on order)

kroozer 

Catalog correct is too limiting for me, and being forced to get a specific component (especially from a specific year) has the potential to get very expensive. My hobby would reduce me to slavery!
I do period correct for the main components, and non-PC/modern for generics and consumables.

Cougrrcj

My bikes are modified to fit my personal preferences. Simple as that.

CliffordK

Buy a bike that was sold as a bare frame and built up by the local shop/mechanic

nesteel 

Catalog correct? Period correct, sure. I have a vision in my head when I start a project, and strive to achieve it.

nlerner

Given that I have a lot of vintage Raleighs and that the catalog was well known to not always reflect the reality of what actually left the factory, no.

Drillium Dude 

Most of the bikes I own would've been frame/fork-only and the parts of the day chosen to build them up. This doesn't really apply for me. However, when I first got into this craziness, matching date codes/PC components was all-consuming. I'm a lot more laid back about it these days (forex: my '73 Colnago Super has a '78 Campy SR derailleur shifting the cogs for me). I've come to realize it's just not that big a deal, plus from the saddle it doesn't matter a whit.

I do, however, draw the line at riding non-matching wheelsets. I'm OCD like that

DD

The Golden Boy 

I guess it comes down to what your concept of your bike is.

I haven't had a bike that I really wanted to keep or turn into a OEM Catalog Correct bike.

I have had specific parts that I've chased after just because I wanted them; and I could see myself chasing down a very very specific part (model and date code) just because I'd think it's important.

jyl

Depends on the bike.

Some bikes were made in rather limited numbers with a specific component list that was part of the bike's appeal. Those I try to keep catalog correct. Examples in my fleet are Bridgestone MB-Zip (eclectic but specific combination of Shimano, Diacompe, Mavic, Ritchey), Bridgestone XO-1 (they have to wear the dammable mustache bar, and if you've made that sacrifice, might as well stick with the rest of the build list), 1986 Peugeot PX (any bike that the makers took the trouble to make "tout Mavic" must stay that way, ref. The Eleventh Commandment), 1992 Cannondale R1000 (ditto).

Some bikes were used in a manner and during an era in which all serious users (racers, typically) used certain components. Those I try to keep usage correct. My example is 1978 Raleigh Team Pro (these were special ordered, the standard build list was Campagnolo Super Record, the team racebikes were using Super Record/Record, so woe betide he who builds his Team Pro with Shimano).

Most other bikes are fair game for upgrading components. Within certain bounds, because we aren't heathen after all. That means 1960s/70s French bikes should be all French bits, Italian bikes had better have a very good reason for not wearing all Italian bits (like if they're on undercover assignment), and so on.

And beater bikes can wear Shimano. That is all. Nope, not listening. Talk to the hand. La la la la la.

:-)

gomango

Touchdown.

Close is plenty good for me at this point.

jyl

Umm. I hope that's not the bike you'll bring to our Show & Shine. I mean, you wouldn't. Would you? (Takes a stiff drink.) Okay, but no driveside poses. Think of the children.

RobbieTunes

As long as the frame is fine, I don't worry about the components.
Sometimes, sweat pants look just fine.

CliffordK

Oof...

I'm sure a posse Cambio Corsa bikes will be chasing me away if I come.

Whit51 

i agree. Some of the most desirable bikes back in the day were sold as bare frames and you could select your components. Catalog spec was keyed to a pricepoint. If you like a frame, why hesitate to upgrade it beyond the catalog pricepoint?

Barrettscv 

None of my bikes are catalog correct. My bikes are ridden often and the pedals, gearing and tires are too important to leave as-is.

My 1972 Paramount is close to catalog correct, but it was first altered and upgraded at the factory with the addition of Campagnolo sidepull brakes. Wienmann brakes are catalog correct, but the factory offered Campagnolo as an option. I've installed Mavic clincer rims and Vittoria Corsa SC tires. I've also changed the chainrings and freewheel, the stock 53 & 49 chaining set and goofy 14, 16, 18, 23 and 26 freewheel was catalog correct in 1972 was an unpopular set-up in 1972 and often personalized by each owner.



A year ago I found a catalog correct Motobecane Grand Record, it didn't stay that way for long.

The frame was stripped of mechanicals, cleaned and detailed. The headset and BB were overhauled. The original wheelset, in very good condition, now has new Panaracer tires. A 46 & 42 chainring set with a 13-32 six speed Suntour freewheel provides half step gearing and an ideal range. The Campagnolo shifters and rear derailleurs were replaced with period correct Shimano 600. The Front derailleur is now Suntour. These changes were necessitated by the freewheel range. New cables, housings, brake pads, and shifter cables round out the build. It rides superbly.

Before;






After

RobbieTunes

I can not relate. I can understand.