Restoring a high-end 1980 touring bike
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Restoring a high-end 1980 touring bike
I am de-modernizing my touring bike that has a frame I made in 1980. I want to turn it back into a touring bike just for fun, not actually to tour on. However, I would like it to be representative of what a custom touring bike would have been like back then.
I still have the 27" wheels for it. The crank I had for it when it was new was a Sugino triple, with 36 tooth small chainring. Maybe I'll use that, since I'm not touring on it. Or maybe I could get a TA with a usable small chain ring. I think you could get freewheels with 34 tooth cogs back then. I would really like to get one of those, but I suppose they aren't available. I would like to find some suntour derailleurs. I think I had a Campagnolo Record RD an a Simplex (parallelogram) FD when I built it. I had Universal 61 brakes, I probably will try to find something that is capable of stopping the bike though.
I still have the 27" wheels for it. The crank I had for it when it was new was a Sugino triple, with 36 tooth small chainring. Maybe I'll use that, since I'm not touring on it. Or maybe I could get a TA with a usable small chain ring. I think you could get freewheels with 34 tooth cogs back then. I would really like to get one of those, but I suppose they aren't available. I would like to find some suntour derailleurs. I think I had a Campagnolo Record RD an a Simplex (parallelogram) FD when I built it. I had Universal 61 brakes, I probably will try to find something that is capable of stopping the bike though.
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Sounds like a fun project.
A Campy Rally RD would be a nice touch.
For brakes, I quite like the Paul Retro-mod. Styled much like the Mafac Racer, with modern braking performance - assuming of course the bike was not a cantilever setup (based on the Universal 61's)
The ones below are the polished version, but they are available in a few finishes.
A Campy Rally RD would be a nice touch.
For brakes, I quite like the Paul Retro-mod. Styled much like the Mafac Racer, with modern braking performance - assuming of course the bike was not a cantilever setup (based on the Universal 61's)
The ones below are the polished version, but they are available in a few finishes.
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It occurs to me that the 61's may have been lacking in performance because I used Campagnolo levers with them. They might go back on, I'll have to try to find some Universal levers
#6
Bad example
My 1980 Stevenson originally had a Spécialités TA crank with 30-42-46 half-step gearing. The rear was a six speed (Suntour, surely) with a 30 tooth low cog. The wheels were Rigida 27” laced to Avocet low-flange hubs. Rear derailleur was Huret Titanium DuoPar and front was Nuovo Record. Brakes were Nuovo Record. Handlebar and stem were 3TTT. Seatpost was NR. Saddle was an Avocet Touring II. And the headset was a Galli roller bearing model.
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Can't go wrong with 1st-2nd gen Cyclone derailleurs. Campy Rally is good too, for style points. I have both in use right now, and though it's heretical to say so, I cant tell much difference in shifting. My only touring bike of that vintage ('81 Miyata 1000) has the Cyclone stuff with an SR Apex triple. Small ring is 36T, which also seems really big to me.
I've noticed 5 and 6 speed freewheels with big cogs like 34T are getting more expensive on the big auction site these days, but they can still be had every day. (Well, the Shimano MEGARANGE ones are pretty cheap, but so damn ugly!)
I've noticed 5 and 6 speed freewheels with big cogs like 34T are getting more expensive on the big auction site these days, but they can still be had every day. (Well, the Shimano MEGARANGE ones are pretty cheap, but so damn ugly!)
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● 1971 Grandis SL ● 1972 Lambert Grand Prix frankenbike ● 1972 Raleigh Super Course fixie ● 1973 Nishiki Semi-Pro ● 1979 Motobecane Grand Jubile ●1980 Apollo "Legnano" ● 1984 Peugeot Vagabond ● 1985 Shogun Prairie Breaker ● 1986 Merckx Super Corsa ● 1987 Schwinn Tempo ● 1988 Schwinn Voyageur ● 1989 Bottechia Team ADR replica ● 1990 Cannondale ST600 ● 1993 Technium RT600 ● 1996 Kona Lava Dome ●
Last edited by Lascauxcaveman; 09-12-18 at 10:33 PM.
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when I originally built this bike, I thought 36-24 was a granny gear. I might just go with the easily available 28 tooth freewheels. I have to see if I can get a wider axle for the rear hub
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I would really like to have a Cyclone RD on this bike if I can find one. Not sure about the FD, I suspect a Campagnolo would have trouble if I got a small chainring. I have a tripleizer for a period-correct Record crank, have to think about that.
I think I might have had downtube shifters on the bike when new, probably dig out some Suntour barcons.
Those freewheel prices are nuts, and I never saw a Regina with a 34 before.
I think I might have had downtube shifters on the bike when new, probably dig out some Suntour barcons.
Those freewheel prices are nuts, and I never saw a Regina with a 34 before.
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would never have thought about a flickstand, good idea. I originally had blackburn racks on the bike. The front got damaged in a move, not sure if I will try to gloss over that or build new racks
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IRD makes the classica FW that have larger rear cogs and look good IMHO certainly not as ugly as the Shimano Mega Range but not cheap at about $60 but cheaper than some vintage options on Ebay.
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@unterhausen - Finding good Universal levers may be a bit of a challenge. Most don't like the curvature and resulting ergonomics. The thing to look for is fractured or even broken bases. It is quite common for them to be fractured and covered by the hoods. I bought hoods and adjuster caps a few years ago from a source in Italy that used the original dies. I don't know if the source still advertises on the 'bay or not. Campy levers are definitely less fragile!
P1030392, on Flickr
P1030392, on Flickr
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Hard to beat a long cage SunTour DR for period correct and great function. On my 1984 Expedition touring, the original owner replaced its Mountech rear DR with a Shimano Deore Deerhead. and I've seen it used on other classic touring bikes. Mine still functions perfectly but got a little scraped up over the years. I like its looks, so shopped for a NOS replacement. Afier a bit of sticker shock, I got a nice SunTour VGT long cage instead, but ended up putting that on another bike, so the Expedition is still running the Deore. Don
#15
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I don't think campy levers have particularly different MA from most other levers of the period. They are very tough, and designed to withstand repeated crashing.
Because it is not longer 1980, the big thing that must be mentioned is that you will not get full braking from the hoods. They are designed to be used from the drops, like most levers of the period. If you prefer to brake from the tops like most modern riders, you need modern levers. It really is as simple as that.
I'd probably go with Weinmann or Dia-Compe/Gran compe 610 centerpulls. That's what I have on my modern touring bike. I don't miss the cantis on my early 80s touring bike at all. Braking power is fine even loaded - with modern Koolstop pads, and they don't stick out and get in the way.
BITD 34T freewheels may have existed, but it wasn't something you ever saw. 32T was the normal biggest size. I'd probably go for a TA triple or modern interpretation (VO, SunXCD, etc) of it. 36 isn't very small for a small chainring. If loaded, it might be enough if you are like race fit, otherwise I'd go smaller.
+1 on the Suntour derailleurs. My suggestion is the BL series. A bit more rugged than cyclones, a bit fancier than VGT. And they tend to go under the radar because people don't know what they are. Then again first gen Cyclones are just pretty to look at, and work great.
Because it is not longer 1980, the big thing that must be mentioned is that you will not get full braking from the hoods. They are designed to be used from the drops, like most levers of the period. If you prefer to brake from the tops like most modern riders, you need modern levers. It really is as simple as that.
I'd probably go with Weinmann or Dia-Compe/Gran compe 610 centerpulls. That's what I have on my modern touring bike. I don't miss the cantis on my early 80s touring bike at all. Braking power is fine even loaded - with modern Koolstop pads, and they don't stick out and get in the way.
BITD 34T freewheels may have existed, but it wasn't something you ever saw. 32T was the normal biggest size. I'd probably go for a TA triple or modern interpretation (VO, SunXCD, etc) of it. 36 isn't very small for a small chainring. If loaded, it might be enough if you are like race fit, otherwise I'd go smaller.
+1 on the Suntour derailleurs. My suggestion is the BL series. A bit more rugged than cyclones, a bit fancier than VGT. And they tend to go under the radar because people don't know what they are. Then again first gen Cyclones are just pretty to look at, and work great.
Last edited by Salamandrine; 09-14-18 at 09:58 AM.
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You are probably right that I never saw a 34, but that's what I remember. I was definitely biased towards racing bikes back in the '70s, so I'm sure 32 tooth looked huge to me. When I went to 26 tooth cassette about 10 years ago, I vowed I would get strong enough to get rid of it HAHAHA.
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You are probably right that I never saw a 34, but that's what I remember. I was definitely biased towards racing bikes back in the '70s, so I'm sure 32 tooth looked huge to me. When I went to 26 tooth cassette about 10 years ago, I vowed I would get strong enough to get rid of it HAHAHA.
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I would differentiate "touring" from "lightweight, wide(er) range" bikes...
In my course of trying out different derailleurs with tourers- the Cyclone and Cyclone II that I have seemed much more... "gracile" than I would have liked on a bike that would probably see more stresses than the average bear. Those both shift REALLY well and they're both really beautiful to behold. But- I think if I were making it a burly bike- I'd look at a V-GT Luxe- and a 1st gen style Cyclone FD. Without the cage extension.
Suntour V-GT Luxe by Dave The Golden Boy, on Flickr
If you're making it look pretty and lightweight and just generally awesome with less concern about being burly- go with the 1st gen style Cyclone-
In my course of trying out different derailleurs with tourers- the Cyclone and Cyclone II that I have seemed much more... "gracile" than I would have liked on a bike that would probably see more stresses than the average bear. Those both shift REALLY well and they're both really beautiful to behold. But- I think if I were making it a burly bike- I'd look at a V-GT Luxe- and a 1st gen style Cyclone FD. Without the cage extension.
Suntour V-GT Luxe by Dave The Golden Boy, on Flickr
If you're making it look pretty and lightweight and just generally awesome with less concern about being burly- go with the 1st gen style Cyclone-
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+10 Open cage V series GT for the win. I prefer the Vx version, but they are all good.
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V-GT Luxe was what came on my old Centurion Pro Tour. Bike had high mileage when I got it and all I ever did was a regular clean/lube plus change jockey wheels as they wore out over 10 years of Winter rain bike commuting. Wheels wore out, but not the DR's. Don
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A side note... You built the frame yourself way back when, so obviously a custom fit to you and therefore by default a hand built quality frame. What did you use in the way of lugs and tubes?
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funny story about that, I built it to sell it and decided that most people are taller than me. Never really tried to sell it though. So it's too big for me.
It has Prugnat lugs and Reynolds 531 tubing. Hayden fork crown, I think. Campagnolo 1010 dropouts.
It has Prugnat lugs and Reynolds 531 tubing. Hayden fork crown, I think. Campagnolo 1010 dropouts.
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I'm very happy with the Sugino AT triple, 32/40/50t, 34t 6 speed Megarange, Suntour VGT Luxe and Cyclone II FD on my Super Course. Whenever I get to a big hill the ugly Megarange is absolutely beautiful.
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