Taken to be built in approximately 1971 this bike was built on long island new york in the golden era of cycling and was the bicycle of many local heros I am sure, probably similar to Marinoni in the late 1970s and early 1980s. However, the early 1970s were the twilight years for Mr. Gulbransen, he learned from one of the great american builders, Dick Power, and took over his shop in the late 1950s (I believe) and continued to build into the early 1970s. He went on to become a champion wood carver, a true artist. I think this artistry comes through in the details of this frame found in 2006 on ebay by forum member Little Darwin and graciously given away for the cost of shipping.
Over the following two year the bike was painted by forum member Dr. Deltron in Marina California. There were many setbacks with trying to get decals (Mr. Gulbransen provided original DT transfers). As many of you know velographics struck some hard times but right before then I got the 531 decals, we had many a mishap with the head and seat tube decals and I don't think we ever got it right. It's no suprise that when I opened up the box after the frame had been painted I immeditaly noticed a huge error in the 531 decals. They are single colour on clear vinyl and the 531 green is way to dark because of the blue paint behind the decal. It should have been printed on a white layer like the lovely Fiamme rim decals from cyclmondo. Aside from the 531 decals and the paint being a little to think I'm fairly happy with how it turned out.
During these two years I collected parts, I was trying to do it cheep as a grad student (just graduated) so the parts are all used. Only a few are NOS as I happened to make lucky scores here and there. I mad many bad choice like a set of wheels on ebay that came with damage to the one good part and the rest of them were so corroded they would not do, I think I may have used one rim from those wheels in the end. However, both rims are old and not in the best of shape, I will keep an eye out for a deal on some NOS ones... not likely to happen anytime soon. I also did the same thing with a set of cranks. I purchased 2 sets of 177.5mm no date code record and in my mind I thought for a while I was going to use some TA cranks. I bought and sold a headset, several stems and freewheels, in fact the freewheel I used was only aquire a month ago. There are som marks here and there, little imperfections on most components, but I did the best I could with what I had, almost every component required polishing. In fact I think the only anodizing left is on the brake caliper arms. So here it is:
Parts:
Corky Gulbransen double butted tubes, forks and stays frameset with prugnat long point lugs and comapagnolo drop-outs.
Cinelli Milano oval logo 1960s first generation 1A stem with 12mm nut and 7mm allen binder.
Cinelli Campione del Mondo olg logo 42cm bars
Campagnolo record period headset with <c> on lower cup and lines on locknut
Campagnolo Nuovo Record period Bottom bracket, with NOS spindle
Campagnolo Nuovo Record cranks 177.5 no date code (big ring has pin and should not)
Campagnolo Record steel pedals with toe strap loop
Christophe special old logo toe clips
NOS AFA (christope) toe straps
Campagnolo Record 1968-1971 Front Derailleur
Campagnolo Nuovo Record patent -71 rear derailleur
Campagnolo Record Bar End shifters
NOS suntour wound cable housing and shift cables
NOS Tressostar white bar tape
Campagnolo Nuovo Record Brake Levers with correct early version circular cable hole
Reproduction hoods
Campagnoo Record Brake calipers, earliest version with logo on arms (brev. Camp center bolts etc..)
Campagnolo Record 2 bolt, no insertion line, early and period correct seatpost
Cinelli Unicanitor #2 saddle pre cinelli logo on back – period correct
Campagnolo record high flange rear hub 1968
Campagnolo record high flange front hub 1974
Fiamme sprint red label tubular rims
old wolber tubulars for display only
DT swiss DB competition spokes and nipples
NOS campagnolo chromed steel TT cable clips/guides
NOS Regina Oro Chain
Regina extra oro 13-17 5s 2 pring period correct freewheel
TA specialties water bottle cage
Some more photos, not great.. I'll have to go a better photoshoot outdoors, I'm not the best with a camera.
A few more photos here, but I have to take some better ones still.
http://s83.photobucket.com/albums/j282/abier622/Corky/