Originally Posted by
jdawginsc
Cool frame.
Is it going to be a rider, or wall hanger? If rider, I guess you could get it on the road, then slowly replace out parts over time?
What’re you doing about the fork? Custom or search for the hens tooth rare replacement?
Originally Posted by
Drillium Dude
It'll likely cost a kidney or two to acquire an original fork.
Because the frame's on the large side, I can't imagine it'll be easy finding a period-correct fork with a long enough steerer tube. That search alone might well turn out to be as difficult as finding the proverbial needle in the haystack. From my POV, this has the potential to be an expensive project just trying to get the frame/fork into a state approaching original spec - and even then you'd still have the parts search looming in front of you..
Also note you're missing at least one of the 'Flying C' buttons that affix to the round indentations on the stay ends directly above the seat post binder bolt. Another rare replacement item that likely isn't growing on many trees.
What kind of budget are you thinking here?
DD
Shooting for a fair weather rider! The frame is 62cm ctc, with a 20cm head tube. Not an easy fork to find that's for sure. There is this
NOS columbus fork with 250mm steerer but the price is approaching arm-and-a-leg territory in my opinion. Not off the table yet, but I think there's more affordable options especially if I'm not doing a full restoration.
In fact I might already have the fork situation sorted; a couple days ago I pulled the trigger on an 80s Tange "CR-MO" Champion 124 with a very similar sloped crown design that I quite like. It's got a 235mm steerer which should be just right to fit a Tange Levin CDS headset with a 33mm stack. Not quite C-record, though the fork is roughly period correct from their racing line. Worst case, off to the parts bin for another (inevitable) build..
Budget, I'm aiming for $1500 CAD to have a road-worthy bike. Very optimistic sure, but not a hard limit either. Really the idea is to keep this bike and grow with it over time. Priority is proper frame repair, a nice build, then nice paint. A full refinish and/or full restoration can come later. All that said, a lot will depend on the final cost of repairs.