afilado

Apparently a contract built frame/fork badged by Verschueren in 1965 (according to the dates on the Campagnolo group the seller harvested from it). I looked a bit deeper than the cheapish decals and the nonchalant paint job and saw what I think is a pleasingly well-executed job of brazing on a high class tube set - Reynolds 531 or the like, as indicated by the 1950 gram frame weight and the 27.2 seat tube. Campagnolo dropouts front and rear.

The decals (which I saved whole) peeled off like an old band-aid. If I keep the frame long term I'll probably repaint and put new decals under clear coat.

A carbon fork makes this bike ride as well as any I have. Great fun. It reminds me of the best of the French frames. Quite stable and solid, with a frisky, playful nature......it rides "small" for a 59 cm frame. The NOS Stronglight A9 headset on this fork/frame exhibits the most fluid front end action I've ever experienced. I faced the head tube, no doubt that contributed. Faced and chased BB.

Lotsa little difficulties had to be overcome to use the components I chose. Check the recessed drop "bolt" on the rear brake.

Of particular interest is the fact that every frame joint is fully sealed. There is not a single internal opening or hole anywhere, excepting the the chain stay bridge. Why? Maybe to keep out the moisture of a damp climate?




J

afilado

j

rhm

The marks on the seat tube, right over the BB... that's not rust from the inside, is it?

Looks like a nice frame.

afilado

No internal rust. It's all on the surface and superficial. I left evidence there because it's "bruised".

Frame and fork (and components) showed little use. Must've set in storage for all these years. It's solid.

J

23skidoo

Nice Julian, nice.

unworthy1

braised in Belgian Ale...mmmm...that is some goodness, there!

Chris_in_Miami

Nice looking bike, and one of my favorite colors!

mikemowbz

Do not see one like that every day, to say the very least. The sealed joints are certainly notable. Those Suntour ders have a way of not looking out of place on such a wide range of frames, too. Very cool.

BluesDaddy

Nice color scheme.

shnibop 

First fillet brazed frame I've liked! But I have to ask, why the carbon fork?

MrEss

This is such a gorgeous bike. I like the build, too -- it's clearly a rider.

Those brakes look almost period-correct for the frame. How well do they stop?

Is that Mavic tubular rims on Hi-E or American Classic hubs? Fancy stuff...

I bet it shifts great with Retrofrictions driving that SunTour derailleur. Looks pretty, too.

I'm with the others -- not a big fan of the carbon fork. But, if it makes it feel the way you like then none of our opinions matter. :-) I hope you kept the original fork, at least.

afilado

The original fork is safe and whole. I wanted to try the "modern" fork just for the riding experience....a carbon fork with 45 mm of rake vs steel with 25% more. I wanted to see if the frame geometry would bear up to later standards of comparison. And it does, admirably.

The early '70s wheelset is Normandy Luxe Competition hubs/Mavic clincher with original zinc coated spokes. '80s (Japanese-made) Avocet Road slicks. The brake set is early '70s Zeus. Pretty good stoppers.

Yep, Retrofrictions managing the Suntour Cyclone/Sugino Aero Mighty drivetrain. It is so straightforward and dependable I could set it up in the dark. Tough and lovely in all respects.

BTW, even the bar tape is recycled from an old build. I washed it but there are stains which oddly compliment the frame color.

The idea behind "bruising" - in this case - is taking damaged, obscure/overlooked or cosmetically ugly components (including frame) and super detailing them for aesthetically heightened, un-marqued appearance and optimum performance. A personal rebellion against convention and the tyranny of what is supposed-to-be. I want to depart from an atmosphere favoring reputation and catalog perfect bikes of all ilk. I want to combine otherwise mundane pieces into a healthy, artful whole through imagination and by the simple laying on of hands.

Here's another little example. This RD was pretty beat up when I started on it. Several hours later it looks like this. Now, only "bruised".

Fun stuff.

J

mikemowbz

That's a worthy build philosophy. And well-illustrated. Something I might take to heart in future...

gaucho777 

That's really slick! Speaking of which, what are those tires?

Italuminium

cool build with a nice philosophy behind it. Definitely a high-mile all weather bike this, so enjoy it a lot!

afilado

gaucho, the tires are Avocet Road slicks.

J

junkfoodjunkie

Nice build J. Just sent you an email also.

Jake

cudak888 

An example of excellent fillet work, but the sealed BB and plugged vent holes take the cake.

There is a lot of craftsmanship hidden in this frame - it is a beautiful exercise in minimalism. All the details are those that you wouldn't otherwise notice - unless they were missing.

-Kurt

gaucho777 

Oh, too bad (for me). I was hoping the tires were something currently in production. I remember the Avocet slick tires fondly.