RedRaleigh

I've just been given this bike by my uncle and thought I would post some pictures and information. My intial thoughts are to clean it up, leave the components as they are, build the existing hubs into some clincher rims and just ride it. Any thoughts or comments welcome.


I just thought I would post an update about this bike. I've been tinkering with it on and off now for a while and this is where I've got to. The biggest change is that I had the original hubs built into new wheels as I couldn't get on with the tubulars it came with. I should mention that it really rides magnificantly.

https://www.flickr.com/photos/redrale...7622674515348/


Frame & Forks - Emperor Sport Cro-mo ( tube types unknown )

Wheels - Campagnolo Record 36H high flange hubs, DT Swiss double butted spokes, Mavic Open Pro silver rims, Schwalbe innertubes & Schwalbe Marathon HS 368 700x28mm tyres.

Brakes - Mafac cantilevers with Kool-Stop all weather shoes & Mafac non-aero levers

Transmission - Campagnolo Bar-end lever, Campagnolo Nuovo Record rear derailleur, Nervar cranks and 45T chainring, Campagnolo Record bottom bracket, Suntour Perfect 14-32 5spd freewheel & Sedis chain

Cockpit - Campagnolo Record headset, Cinelli stem & bars, Cork bar tape

Other - SR alloy seatpost, Sugino seatpost clamp, Turbo saddle, Lyotard pedals ( left touring type, right quill type ), Christophe toeclips & leather straps, SKS Bluemels Olympic mudguards, ALE bottle cage

RedRaleigh

Just a quick additional thought. If I wanted to convert to a double chainset, what would the NR rear mech cope with. 10 tooth diff. at the front? More?

cyclodan

I know nothing of yor Emperor Sport in particular but it looks for all the world like a '70s vintage cyclocross bike. If it were mine I would be inclined to mount up some fat tubulars and ride it as is.
Is there any known provenance?
I find this to be a rather exciting find as old 'cross bike survivors seem to be pretty rare.
Too bad you don't have these pics hosted somewhere you can hot link to them. I hope someone here can shed some light on this one.

RedRaleigh

Cyclodan, I'm afraid I have very little information on the provenance. A neighbour, who has sinced moved away, gave this bike to my uncle a few years ago. My uncle, rode it a few times, loved it but didn't get on with the tubulars and banished it to the back of his shed. My aunt recently said that it ( and a ton of other accumulated odds & sods ) had to go. I was offered it, and being unable to say no to an old bike, said yes thankyou very much. I have never heard of Emperor Sports, but the frame appears to be of good quality, as are most of the components. I have zero experience of tubulars, but am willing to learn and give them a try. Can you suggest any particular tyres I should try?

Ronsonic 

If the tires on it hold air, then reglue them and start there. You might try the Vittoria cross tires, they're about the least expensive out there, for some trail and fire road riding. Or shop up some cheaper road tires to go bomb around on.

Worst case, wait until just before cross season and sell it. Some single speed guy will go nuts to have it.

Hell, I want it. More than I care to admit. That is a seriously hot bike. Vintage 'cross bikes never aged well. It was a harsh life so when you find them, they're special.

Roll-Monroe-Co

Google says: Emperor Sport Cycles of Sutton, Mick Coward, proprietor

Is this him?

https://www.34nomads.org.uk/gallery.htm

https://www.cyclingwebsite.net/coureu...oureurid=29372

RedRaleigh

I've just found the same reference and the location of Sutton for the shop makes perfect sense, only 6miles or so from my uncles place on the same side of London. There is no rear tyre at the moment, but the front one is OK, so I think as an initial experiment I'll go for a new tubular on the back and see what happens.

cyclodan

Post up some pic's when you get it up and running.
Mind if I host and post your picture on this thread?
Maybe 'cross post (yeah, pun intended) in the cyclocross forum. Quite a while back I started a couple of threads seeking pictures of vintage cyclocross bikes and was dissapointed by the lack of images, whether current shots of old bikes or old pic's of vintage bikes.

RedRaleigh

More than happy for you to "host & post" . I've been stripping and regreasing bearings the last couple of evenings - everything looks good so far. When I've got it running right, adjusted and properly shod I'll take some more pictures. Thanks for all the suggestions and help.

RedRaleigh

My Emperor Sport is coming along nicely - I have edited my original post with additional pictures / information.