This might have been addressed previously to varying degrees - though I still enjoy seeing a bike that was purchased and then completely changed so that, in essence, the only thing original is basically the frame - we can allow head sets, bottom brackets and seat posts but the less original the better, but still in keeping with the spirit of Vintage.


I admit to being caught up in the Winter doldrums and being a bit bored, so if you just can not wait to showcase that special build please feel free. As for my own contribution, this early '70's Garlatti ( as far as I can tell ) sporting 700C wheels and retaining only the original head set is now my around town " tourer" and the 1981 Fuji S12S, sporting only the original seat post and head set is now enjoying a second life as my favorite 650b rando bike. Don't ask how much I invested, we all enjoy the labor of love that even an entry level bike can bring when we want to make it something unique and personal.


Listing the parts used and/or frame mods is always informative, whether on hand or purchased specifically for the build, if you want to.


In the case of the Garlatti I had everything on hand from another frame I stripped down and sold, having to purchase the following:

V.O. 50 cm Rando handlebars
Nitto Technomic 70mm stem
V.O. rear fender tail light
TA Cyclotourist triple crank set ( local co op )
Italian 127mm cartridge bottom bracket
Univeral brake levers ( local co op )
Weinmann center pull brakes ( sourced from friend )
Handlebar tape
Surly rear brake hangar
Brake and shifter cables



The Fuji - On hand: 650b wheel set, fenders, Sugino XD 600 crank set, MKS Sylvan pedals, Nitto Technomic stem and V.O. Rando handlebars, Brooks B17 saddle, Shimano XT front and rear derailleurs.

Purchased for build:

Cartridge bottom bracket
Campagnolo 10 speed Ergo shifters
Down tube mounted shifter cable stop
V.O. front rack
V.O. Grand Cru handlebar bag
V.O. rear fender reflector
Brake and shifter cables
Dia Compe 750 center pull brakes
Surly rear brake cable hangar
Shift Mate cable pulley

Love that chromed Garlatti! Fuji is not too shabby either.

Giant Iguana - frame, fork, seatpost binder, bottom bracket and headset are all that was not changed

Before:



After:

Neat idea for a thread. I might be stretching the rules a touch with these two as they were purchased as framesets, but they certainly aren't stock and I'd consider their use 'reimagined', for my purposes at least.


First is a '71 Raleigh International that had heavy 're-imaginations' from gugie: canti bosses added for 650b, fork re-raked for low trail, custom low-riders and stainless racks, rear brake bridge replaced w/ fender mount, internal wiring for generator lighting (need to get on that), etc.


It's equipped with a mix of Shimano seatpost and hubs, Velocity rims, Suntour XC-Pro derailleurs and barcons, IRD freewheel, Sugino AT triple w/ Sugino rings.








This '83ish Woodrup is in the process of being reimagined for mixed surface use, last step is 28mm-ish rubber up from the 22mm-ish shown.






Mix of DA-74xx with a wide range double on Stronglight crank arms.


And more in-line with the letter of the thread guidelines, this was bought by my father when new and I've slowly replaced everything except for the BB and crank arms at this point. The rest being replaced over time with XTR 8sp stuff (though 7sp cassette and levers) plus a Ritchey/Nitto stem/post and Bontrager bars. In comparison to the two builds above, the overall usage for the bike was not 're-imagined', though parts were swapped.

Hah, great thread!

This one started out its life as a Hybrid Diamondback but really yearned to be something a bit more adventurous so it became a big-tire on-and-off-road bike. Campy 10-speed brifters, Shimano 8-speed cassette and rear derailleur, Race Face crankset, Bruce gordon 700c x 43mm Rock 'n' Road tires, Brooks B-17 saddle and Silca frame pump.




This Motobecane LeChampion went through a few identities. First with TA Cyclotouriste cranks, and Campy Rally derailleur and Campy downtube shifters.




Next it adopted the briftered Shimergo Campy 10-speed x Shimano 8-speed identity.




Finally it went lean and mean and became my fixed gear trainer with Dura Ace track hubs, stripped down TA crankset, and Mafac Racer Brakes... and a Silca frame pump.



Brent

Foolishly purchased, in desperation for a bike to own in the process of relocating from one side of the coast to the other. Decided a TREK 600+ would be a good idea. Found one but didn't really look it over well. It rode ok in the dark!
[IMG]003_Trek 610 As Purchased by superissimo_83, on Flickr[/IMG]

The hubs were shot, one rim lost an spoke eyelets, the RD was bent up, lots of corrosion on the AL parts. The crank had been pulled using a pully remover and was chewed up. The crowning accomplishment of PO's was the eyelettes on the DO we're drewed off! I can't stand sitting on suede saddles, either. Did I mention the rust under the rattle can paint?
[IMG]010_Trek FrameDS by superissimo_83, on Flickr[/IMG]
[IMG]018_Trek Fork Front by superissimo_83, on Flickr[/IMG]

Added back the eyelets and a rack boss set:
[IMG]041_PaTrek RD Eyelet_01 by superissimo_83, on Flickr[/IMG]
[IMG]035_PaTrek Rack Boss_02 by superissimo_83, on Flickr[/IMG]

And an opportunity to add drifters or bar cons:
[IMG]044_PaTrek STI Cable Stop_02w by superissimo_83, on Flickr[/IMG]

Grabbed parts from the wrecked Motobecane Le Champion and mounted them with the exception of the BB and HS. Found a set of LF Record wheel set for $75 on CL and added rubber:

[IMG]118_PaTrek by superissimo_83, on Flickr[/IMG]

This might make a good commuter!
[IMG]104_PaTrek. by superissimo_83, on Flickr[/IMG]

FORGOT THE PAINT!

Beautiful!

If one simply bought a frame to build up that is more than acceptable, in fact just as interesting, both the Fuji and Garlatti started out that way - and I would say both are actually better riders and more versatile than when they left the factory.

An older, less flexible person such as myself is thankful that Nitto makes the Technomic stem, even though I realize the bike would look more balanced with the stem lowered I would rather be more comfortable!


Hope to see more re purposed bikes - the ones so far are all great examples of an individual's desire to " get it right" for themselves.

SJX426 - your Trek is a perfect example, one would never know it was the same bike - would you consider it infinitely more practical compared to what it was originally? I think we know the answer!


Sir Name - Your Raleigh International looks very nice - in fact all of the bikes so far show a lot of thought and effort, wonderful examples that also serve to give others a basis for their own project. If I was handy with a torch I would be having even more fun.

[MENTION=131883]VintageRide[/MENTION] - soon after the pics were taken, it was disassembled for painting. It has been sitting and waiting since, nearly 3 years. I have several frames in a similar state. The only one that is still assembled is the tandem, which we take out occasionally. It is time to bring the Trek back into the active queue!
What is interesting, maybe, is that the drive train and brakes shown are over 10 years older than the frame, 72 vs 84!