Essthreetee

I bought a beautifully done 1984 Torpado Super Strada for a birthday present to myself last year. And since then I have swapped out the saddle, seat post (needed taller), stem, handlebars, brake levers, brakes, cranks, pedals, and now a new chainring on my new cranks.

This also happened with my Bianchi Limited (has gone through MANY different changes), and my Schwinn Cutter single speed (replaced just about everything).

This has already begun on my newest (to me) bike...and I don't even have it at the house yet. I will be picking up my 1973 Raleigh Supercourse (this years birthday present) this weekend...and I already have a new FD, RD, Shifters, Pedals, and plans for handlebars and levers...that is after I get a new saddle for it.

Anyone else have this problem?

BlueDevil63 

What, if I might ask, did you end up doing with those nice pantographed Torpado components you ended up removing?

auchencrow

And you're ditching the white hooded Weinmann levers on the SuperCourse too?
(Vultures beginning to circle now )

4Rings6Stars

I just buy framesets now and build them up so that I get to choose every single part that goes on, because this inevitably would happen to me too.

The only exception is my new Hampsten which came built with a Sram Force group...I planned to strip and rebuild but it works so well as-is I can't bring myself to do it just yet.

4Rings6Stars

I'm currently going through a move and I don't know exactly where they are....but I have a set of these you can have for postage. They were on my 70s SC that I no longer have. It might be a week or two before I get a chance to dig them out though. Shoot me a PM in a week or so to remind me if I haven't contacted you (and you're interested).

SKunKWerKs

Time to get more hobbies! TO0000oooooo much time on your hands.

bradtx

My son and I call it the tinker gene. It can work against one as well as for good, but is always expensive.

Brad

The Golden Boy 

I did buy a frameset that I was going to individually source all the parts- I got pretty far along and 2 "grail" type bikes fell into my lap. The concept of me building a bike that was the same as those 2 bikes was completely redundant.

fender1

For me, it is not enough riding and too much time on the internet. When I am not riding regularly, I tend to think about what needs to be "perfected" on my current bikes and what sort of new "projects" I could start. Most of those thoughts disappear after a couple of days of consistent riding, when I realize I already have plenty of really nice bikes.

Bikedued

I always do that, but with a slightly lower end bike. Decent frame but so/so components? Over improve it! My latest is a Super Le Tour 12.2 with full arabesque! NICE riding bike, and feels much higher end than original.,,,,BD

auchencrow

4Rings - You are a gentleman and a scholar and while I very much appreciate your kind offer I don't actually have need of them. I was just jazzing our friend @Essthreetee a little, to highlight out how desirable these original levers are - especially on a '73 Super Course!

Steve Whitlatch 

This one has gone through more transformations than an aging Hollywood actress. I swear I am finished now. I swear!!

Essthreetee

Jim, don't worry about those. I have them wrapped up and safely stored away in my garage. The stem was too long. The seat post was too short. He cranks are on my commuter, but the pantograph end chainrings are stored away. Not getting rid of anything like that.

I won't be getting rid of anything...just changing them.

I wish this was the case...I really don't have a lot of time, except late at night when I can't sleep.

I for sure have ALWAYS had this gene. It has shown up with 4x4 trucks, motorcycles, bass guitars (and sound pedals), and now with bikes....and yes, it can get expensive.

Thanks for letting me know...I will be posting up pics of the bike as soon as I get it home and playing with it.

I know that I will have to be talking to RHM about a saddle for it.

sailorbenjamin

On the rare occasion that I get a bike into it's ideal form, after I've tried every permutation and there's nothing left to be done on it, I get bored and sell it.
My latest victim is also a Super Letour 12.2. I just wanted to flip it, darn it.

John E

I almost always change the saddle and the gear ratios to suit me, and I am not shy about changing handlebar steam reach (long for the 1971 Nishiki, which had a short top tube, and short for the 1980 Peugeot, which was a frame size too big for me and long in the top tube. I also change things like brake handles, since I can grab Weinmanns and some Japanese models quickly and firmly in a panic stop, which is something I just can't do confidently w/ Mafacs, Campags., Modolos, etc. Thus, my otherwise all-Italian, full Campag. Bianchi has a SERFAS ARC saddle, Shimano brake handles, a custom SunTour freewheel, and a Shimano chainring (50T, to replace the original 52).

Paramount1973 

Yeah, when I buy a bike, it's basically for the frame since I like certain gearing with bar ends or barcon shifters, rando or short reach/drop handlebars, 170mm triple crankset, certain platform pedals (like Wellgo WR-1s), aero brake levers, anatomic saddle and etc..

For the most part, the only original parts on these bikes is the frame.


P4170270 by galoot_loves_tools, on Flickr


P4120228 by galoot_loves_tools, on Flickr


P6300110 by galoot_loves_tools, on Flickr


1973 Paramount P13 by galoot_loves_tools, on Flickr

Glennfordx4

Yes, I think some are correct that it may be a Gene as I do it with just about everything I work on not just bikes. Maybe it comes from watching the Six Million Dollar Man growing up, we can make it stronger, faster, better then it was before.

Glenn

noglider 

I designate some of my bikes as test-bed bikes and tinker often. That way, the others are more stable. My 1971 Raleigh Super Course is my biggest test bed. I've configured it many different ways, most notable with seats and handlebars. I find that handlebar changes make the biggest changes in the character of the ride.

jimmuller 

S3T, I was just down in the basement/workshop/laundry&storage room looking for something to do. There is good news and bad news. All the bikes are roadworthy. Alas, I found nothing to do.

I've often considered converting one of the better bikes to a dedicated commuter, replacing the UO8. The trouble is, despite its weight the UO8 with its rack, generator, and lights is pretty good. And I hate the thought of burdening any of the more performance-oriented bikes with stuff like that. Perhaps the Gran Sport. I have other robust mid-performance bikes to ride. But dang, that would be a waste of a good Gran Sport.

Sometimes you just have to say no to tinkering on something that works.

noglider 

I don't think commuting is a lowly function that deserves only crappy bikes. Some BFers say it's a travesty when they see, say, a Colnago with an upright bar tied with a U lock to a post. I say hallelujah because someone is enjoying it.


My wife and I eat on antique plates every day. If we can't enjoy them, there's not much point in having them.

Essthreetee

I like that. Antique things were new once. And they apparently were built to last...as they have. My grandma gave me a set of kitchen towels, hand embroidered that had never been used. We use them everyday. Love them. My other grandma gave me her Fiesta Ware...which we use often.

noglider 

I use one of those 1930's oil cans for oiling my bikes!

jimmuller 

I agree with you in principle. In fact I rode the Raleigh for my commute last week, and the Masi once last week and today. The Bianchi has gotten most of the commute mileage largely because its Gatorskins seem impervious to everything.

Therein lies the problem. My commute is more akin to road cycling than urban, 15 miles and nearly 800ft of climbing each way, passing a few "urban" farms. I don't need lights other than as a "notice me" thing on dark, rainy days. (I run a rear blinky and wear a day-glo yellow vest anyway.) Don't need the rack either, most of the time. So the Peugeot has become more of a utility bike than commuter, and it is very good in that roll. If I moved either lights or rack over to the Raleigh I'd probably ride it less, not more. And I'd ride the Peugeot even less than I do now. Of course some would argue that that's no great loss.

So it all boils down to leaving well enough alone.