Davidson Impulse...so much for downsizing....
 

Well, the bike cave has been bursting at the seems and I've tried to move on a couple of bikes. The other day it was the Bridgestone Mile 112.

Then yesterday I went to see a very rough looking (in the ad) Davidson that was about an hour away. First surprise was that the seller had a matching set, same size. But they looked pretty bad in person and I almost walked. I looked them both over and picked the nicer of the two frames figuring I could just replace components. The chain was a mess, no front wheel (for either of them) the rear wouldn't shift at all, etc. But the seatpost and quill weren't frozen so I made a really low offer that I thought was fair based on how bad I thought they were. Now, a day later after spending several hours on it I wish I had grabbed both of them.

This is how it looked when I got it home:


https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...64f800bd42.jpg


Most of the paint defects were marks that cleaned off. Lots and lots of degreasing and grime removal showed a pretty nice frame and quite clean components. Flooding the frozen rear shifter with WD40 got it working just fine. I do need to replace the housings though, they are dried and cracking even though it's all working well.

I used an old Matrix rimmed front wheel I had around for now. The wheelset is pretty heavy. Once I decide were I'm taking this I'll put on some lighter modern wheels. I had several 8 speed chains on hand so that part was easy. Rest of the components were degreased, cleaned and then fed some triflow. Everything seems to be working well now. Brand new Open Corsa CX tires in 700 x 23 were put on. Man is that Matrix rim a pain in the butt to mount a tire on. It does look like there is room for my usual Conti GP 4000s II 700 x 25 tires.

I'll ride it some to get a feel for what it can do then decide if I'll leave it as is or maybe finally use the Record 10 speed groupset I've got on hand.

Anyway, here's some pices as it stands right now. It's 21 lbs and 7 ozs but still need some Look Keo pedals on it. I've got a Fizik Kurve on the way for it but will probably need to swap the seatpost.


https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...3a435989c7.jpg

https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...76e889b2fd.jpg

https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...414c954fe9.jpg

https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...9c0010821e.jpg

https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...a5b26d89c5.jpg

https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...25ffd14ecc.jpg

https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...ed33f14712.jpg

https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...09b943fc70.jpg

A few more:

https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...077267ce81.jpg

https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...370da5670d.jpg

https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...e4a7f5b0b2.jpg

Once the cable housing is replaced I'll redo the bars. I have tape that pretty much matches the bottle cages. Other option I'm thinking is white bar tape and white bottle cages. Can't wait to test this one out. :love:

That is stunning, makes me laugh when people say they wouldn't ride a pink bike. I would ride this all day long in a New York second, absolutely beautiful!

Great score. :thumb:

LOL, me too. I was out on this for 31 miles this morning before getting back to working on the Davidson.


https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...15823cdd85.jpg


It's now sporting pink pedals too!

Those are beautiful bikes. Paint condition in much better condition than my 'daily driver' condition Impulse (only a touch jealous, and then I remember what I got that frameset for and I'm more than happy). The pink, and that pink in particular, is so very nice. As someone who has adorned my Impulse with the very finest 7800-era Dura Ace and light Vuelta wheels with Vittoria Open Corsa tires (a key component in the ride equation!), these bikes are absolutely worth a Record 10s built. Heck, I have a Record headset on it as it stands!

You're going to like the way it rides. I guarantee it.... ;)

https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...b7a197651e.jpg

Yeah, I certainly want to spring for some light wheels for this. I'm just waiting to see if all goes well with the Shimano stuff on the test ride. Probably something like debadged Zonda or Racing 3 wheels as they cheap, light, and seem to handle my ummm...hefty for now... 200 lbs just fine.

Great looking bike and very nice work cleaning it up. I believe at my limit for bikes (please all, don't beat me up too badly for that statement) and I have identified the bike that would go to a new home to make room for a nice Davidson.

Dean

that's nice! love the colour

[MENTION=431307]Dean51[/MENTION] I won't beat you up for that statement. I've hit a bit of a ceiling that's partially space-related and partially Davidson Impulse-related. Thus, I continue to be on the slow-yet-deliberate path of getting tall bikes and framesets, and components to new loving homes. I was planning on riding my Masi Nuova Strada tomorrow for work and a longer after-work set of trips but, I would be bummed as I wouldn't be riding the Impulse. Why this bike has so captured me in the face of a number of stellar bikes (the Masi included) is beyond me. Alas, here we are.
[MENTION=203117]jamesdak[/MENTION] yeah, the Vueltas have taken my 210-215 lb self--and tons of out of saddle climbing and sprinting efforts--without issue. You will be more than fine! :)

You, sir, have some very, very nice bikes.

Thanks, and I ride them all. I started 1 July riding a different bike each day until I got through all of them except for the two with mechanical issues I have to fix.

So much fun to experience the subtle differences in the various bikes.


https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...303300b3c0.jpg

Ok, just another update on this as it progresses. Today I received the Thomson Elite seatpost for it that I needed get my needed setback and to handle the large rails of a new Fizik Kurve saddle. I threw that on along with a set of Look Keo Pedals. It is now weighing in at 21 lbs 14 ozs. I also have a set of Campagnolo Eurus wheels on the way. Those will easily drop it more than another pound, and where it matters.

I plan to get up in the morning and do 30 miles or so on another bike. Then take this out for a short test ride to see how everything is working. Right now all seems to be working fine. I was hoping the components were all jacked up so I had a reason to throw the 10 speed Record on it. I'll post again tomorrow after I test it to tell how it felt out on the road.

Next will deciding how to finish it off if I stay with this setup. I have bar tape that matches those bottle cages but am thinking white tape with white bottle cages might be better.....hmmmmm....


Anyway, here's a shot of how it sits right now. And I just noticed the handlebar angle and hood placement. That needs an adjustment.


https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...e8584a6325.jpg

It looks fantastic. Curious where you'll slot it in with the other bikes as far as ride characteristics go.

Well I took it out this morning for 10 miles after doing a real ride of 31 miles on my PDG Series Paramount. The bike performed perfectly. Far from the gummed up, shifting not working, front wheel missing bike I bought last weekend. Today it felt like a brand new bike under me. Shifting was flawless with a light action, brakes strong, ride smooth and responsive. Tomorrow I'll take it out for a proper ride and see how it really does. At times I could tell I was running the smaller, higher pressure tires. I'll reserve finally judgement for this one until after I get the new, lighter wheels on it with my usual GP 4000s II 700 x 25 tires.

The only adjustment I made was the tilt of the bars. I had it all wrong at first but adjusted after the first 3 miles. I also think the stem can be lowered a bit. I'll do that sometime before tomorrow's ride.


https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...cef4a87e0c.jpg

At the end of the test ride

That is an amazing find, and good work!

I'm surprised that nobody is asking where it's twin is hiding! Where do you live man, lol.

Never pass on a bike because of a rusted chain.

The twin is in Salt Lake City. I told the seller I'd put the word out.

Your on a tear Man, Extra points for Hunting and Gathering.

Really Pretty Bike.

Excellent work, and truly, what a gorgeous color. Every time I see it, it's just the best.

Yep, but I still need to make room in the bike cave. Which one goes....hmmm..

Your "impulse buy" turned out very nicely. :)

Since you mentioned it (twice, so far) in the thread, I support your thoughts on going with white bar tape and bottle cages. As you probably know, the Fizik pleather bar tape is easier to keep clean that the foam/cork stuff, so it's not too impractical. The pink and black barftape is a surprisingly good match the way you have it, but it's still barftape. :(

Well I took it out today for a full test. 40 fun and comfortable miles. The bike handled just fine, seems to accelerate well despite the heavy wheels and soaked up the worse sections of road just fine. The best thing was how it really seemed to like speed. Once I got it over 22 mph it seemed to disappear under me. It felt like I was floating yet when I looked at the Garmin In running 25-26 mph. Very nice, ran a sharp 90 degree turn at 24 mph and it just leaned it and took the turn. The comfort on my rough chipseal route was a pleasant surprise. Right now it's running 700 x23 tires instead of my usual 700 x 25 and because of this I'm running 10 psi higher. I would have expected this to make it harsher if anythign. Can't wait for the new wheels and proper sized tires to show up.


https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...24b78a3467.jpg

About a mile from the end of the ride.