gugie 

What, you've never heard of such a beast? I think it was made for a special customer, kinda off menu.

Based on a post by @Bikerider007, and, coincidentally, purchasing a '73 Raleigh Competition from @fender1, it seemed like it was meant to happen. I'm in a 650b, low trail conversion kick lately. A few sets of MAFAC RAID's are staring at me in the parts bin. What the heck, why not?

First, the mods. After checking clearances, rake, calculating trail, this one is a good candidate for 650b 42mm tires:



I like to start with the fork. The dropouts on this one would require a lot of filing for the wheel to center, very important when switching to a fatter tire! It appears one of the fork blades was cut a bit short. No worries, I replaced them with new, double eyelet ones, added centerpull braze on posts, hidden generator wire routing, front rack mounts, and a fender mount centered in the fork crown. (Note the pile of 80 grit garnet in the background-this is hard work!)



Paint is like a peloton, you can hide out in it if you know what you're doing. Chrome is like a time trial: it exposes and magnifies weaknesses. Torch and sandpaper to each lug is planned. The Nervex seat post lug, in particular, shows some issues. Some small voids in the seat stay braze can be seen, one of the seat stay end caps is not fully brazed shut, and the tip of the seat post lug isn't completely filled. Small issues, probably not structural, but it's time to make them right.



Like a dentist filling a cavity, I first drilled them out to create a pocket for brass fillings. A bit of flux, Harris 56 silver wire, fixed.



On to the frame: Cantilever braze-on posts, curved fender bridge, pump pegs. I also repositioned the rear derailleur cable stop from the top to the bottom. This will allow me to route the shifter cables under the bottom bracket. Brifters, bar ends, or other handlebar mounted shifters route more nicely with the "double-cross" routing. In addition, brazed on cable guides on top of the BB would be a real pain for the platers to polish out nicely.



Bottle bosses, internal frame electrical wiring for a generator powered rear headlight, and some shifter bosses and I'm done. I'll probably spend a few evenings going back over the lugs, cleaning up shorelines, removing brass blobs, then it's off to the platers.

Narhay

Very good. It is these sorts of posts that keep me coming back to the site...actual bikes and projects.

bwilli88 

I wish you lived closer to Lancaster, Pa I would have some work for you. I have a 73 Supercourse and/or a 77 Supercourse that I would like to have the same treatment only for 700c x 43 and wet paint.

Still deciding on Cantilevers or centerpulls. Cantis are nice because of clearances, strength, and the easy ability to open up for a wide tire removal or insertion. Center pulls are nicer for clean lines and simplicity. Centerpulls on studs the best of both.

nlerner

Very cool project!

John E

I should have put you to work on my 1980 Peugeot PKN-10, which has brazing voids on the rear dropouts and other evidence of sloppy or rushed workmanship.

rhm

I think I may have to stop reading any threads @gugie starts. They are too inspiring. One of these days I might be inspired to learn to braze, and then where would we be.

But man, what a cool project. It's going to take a lot of sanding to get that frame smooth enough for chrome, isn't it? Or will the plater take care of that after plating the whole bike with copper or something?

Bikerider007 

Looking forward to this, I think many here would not mind Gugie as their bike buddy. Have a couple rehabs to do, nothing to this level but great to see creativity and the detail going in.

himespau 

Interesting ideas.

Essthreetee

Very cool. Excited to see the progress in this continue.

1987

I think this will be good!

And you have already made this amazing build:
https://www.bikeforums.net/classic-vi...convesion.html

Let's see if you can top that

You might like (and know these) for inspiration: Jo Routens, Raleigh Randonneur, Nishiki Continental, Nashbar Toure Alpha 5000, TOEI 700C Camping
2004 TOEI 700C CAMPING

And this was a very successful conversion:
https://www.bikeforums.net/classic-vi...intensive.html

gugie 

My hands are dry and worn out from filing and sanding this weekend. Fillet brazed centerpull bosses need to be smoothed out, plater won't do that. Old bits of flux and brass blob-lettes are being filed and sanded. Lugs will be thinned as necessary. The platers will strip paint for me, so I don't have to worry too much in between the lugs, but I do need to fill any dings. Before it goes out I'll do a 100% bright light inspection, similar to what body shops do aftere fixing dings, but prior to paint.

One of my goals is to develop a small business that I can ease into with retirement. Wouldn't have to generate a significant income, but to supplement savings and give me something to do that I like.

My last 2 birthdays I received these two books:



That's plenty of inspiration!

1987

You can never get enough of inspiration. Those books only cover a tiny bit of bicycle history

Velocivixen

Hey @gugie - who do you use for chroming?

gugie 

More like who am I going to use for chroming? There's a place in Vancouver that Norther Cycles sends their racks to, but frame chroming, especially a lugged frame is a special beast. Based on @Bikerider007 success with a fork rechrome, I'm going to try Classic Chrome in Santa Ana, Ca. They have experience with bike frames, and a reasonable price @$375 for frame and fork.

We shall see,this is somewhat of an experiment.

gugie 

PM me if you'd be willing to ship a frame or two.

How long are you in Lancaster? I forgot when you're headed back to Cambodia.

gugie 

True that.

But the pics look so much better in print! My wife calls them my porno books.

gugie 

More pics of this build here.

motogeek

Gugie, do you want to do this same sort of conversion on a '74 or '75 Motobecane Grand Record? I want to do an all French Randonneur conversion and I need someone to handle the Mafac canti braze on chore.

gugie 

PM me.

EDIT - just noticed you're at 52 posts, so you can't PM yet. Email me at mgugie@yahoo.com, then post back here when you do. I don't use that email address often, would rather not post my personal one here.

Lascauxcaveman 

That frame (warts and all) started out so Raleigh; now it's just so Gugie

gugie 

Here's some fun for you. Google "gugie". Click on the first hit, should be urban dictionary.

motogeek

Gugie, just sent you an email

bwilli88 

Anything new to show???

gugie 

This week is spring break, so the family is out on in Gearhart on the Oregon coast. I took a look at the weather, saw it would be rainy, and decided to bring the frame with me to file and sand. It almost didn't make it into the car, the Gugie Monster family and dog take up a lot of room, and I had to rearrange the family kit to squeeze it in. Hopefully I'll be satisfied with it enough to send to the chromers next week.

I did think of a new idea for the fork yesterday, however. When we get home Friday I may work on it.

bwilli88 

Just wondering how the week of sanding went.

Still thinking about a potential conversion of my Raleigh to Canti or mounted centerpulls.
I have a question.

Which is considered better, Cantis or Centerpulls that are mounted on posts on the frame and fork.
What brands / types are better.