bamab2

I posted this on the appraisal forum a few weeks back and ended up getting it. I've sent an email to Mr. Mikkelsen, hoping for some info. The previous owner said it had Campy NR drive train and Shimano 600 brakes. Seems odd but maybe not. Looks like the Columbus dove stamp on the steering tube.

I really don't have a parts bin so I'll start watching for opportunities to pick up a parts group. What parts would you guys use? I have some nice Shimano 600 brake and levers and a 600 SIS RD. Not Campy but I already have them.

Info, thought, and opinions welcome.

dddd

Looks like some very nice joinery there!

unworthy1

I knew the guy who designed that logo for Bernie, he got a frame in trade. Then he repeated the deal with Ed Litton (note the East Bay connections). He got great deals in both cases, he liked the Litton frame better but chalk that up to learning some things after working with Bernie first...and to the good old YRMV! They both do great work. For the Typography Geeks in the audience (maybe there's one or 2) the Mikkelsen logo is based on the "Stop" typeface; Ed Litton's was "Garamond Italic", both were hand-worked by Marc R., a perfectionist in a pre-digital time.

merziac

You really can't go wrong with the 600 stuff, probably just as good function wise. This frame will up the game of any decent parts you put on it. I would get it built and upgrade as able.

randyjawa 

The workmanship on the OP's frame/fork set is stunning. The color is pretty nice, also.

verktyg 

Living in the Bay Area, I've seen a number of Mikkelsen's frames. The OP's is by and far the nicest one I've run across.

As far as the Shimano 600 brakes go, they stop very well (pun intended). I would either sand 1mm or more off of the pads making sure that they are 90° perpendicular to the rims, or replace them with some newer ones like KoolStop pads.

The frame and wheels are the most important elements on a sporting bike followed by the brakes and saddle. The running gear isn't that significant.

verktyg

pcb 

I'm sure there are other Mikkelsen threads here. bamab2's frame does look very nice. Bernie's known for building fast, but that doesn't mean he didn't make 'em pretty. My '82ish Mikkelsen is similar in build details, except mine has fastback "shot-in" stays instead of OP's very lovely wraparound, and my lug points are a little broader/shorter.

I contacted Bernie some years back about mine, which I got used, and had a very nice chat. Bernie hadn't serialed his frame up till that time, I'd assume he still doesn't, but could roughly date mine based on build details. The build cues for OP's/my frame are:
French-finish stay/blade ends: "early '80s"
Cinelli fully-sloping fork crown: "pre-'85"
He couldn't nail it down any tighter than that, and I've been thinking of my frame as '82ish. Looking at it today, and seeing the under-bb cable routing, maybe '84ish is a better guess? Anyhow '80-'84 seems to be the window.

He also said mine was likely Columbus tubing, prob. SP downtube in my 61cm size, .9-.6-.9

He said the seatpost binder bolt was originally 5/32", so don't muck it up with a metric wrench. He also said don't use a stainless bolt if you replace it.

I haven't ridden mine in several years, I oughta get her sorted out and on the road.

Poguemahone

I'm glad you wound up picking it up and hope we were at least helpful in appraisals.

I'd have no hesitation sticking 600 on that. I might upgrade as oppo presents. It's a custom, so there is no stock build: you can build the darn thing almost any way you like and be perfectly correct.

fietsbob

Bernie has been in Oakland, for decades,
In the area around the football/baseball stadium
for the A's and Raiders..

wrk101

Tri-Color 600 bikes are relatively plentiful. So I would be seeking a donor. Campy stuff tends to go high, great for making money, not so good for sourcing parts. If you were one or two parts away, sure, I'd go Campy. But when you are doing a build, I think good but reasonably priced.

My two target groups for keeper builds are 6400 (tricolor 600) and 7400 (Dura Ace). Harder to find a deal on a 7400 bike, but I've found them occasionally.

exmechanic89

Nice frame, OP. I'd build it up with what you have on hand, as mentioned. You can always change parts out later if you choose to go in a different direction. Personally I think Campy or Dura Ace would both be perfect choices.

bamab2

Head tube shot for credit to your friend.

unworthy1

He's in Alameda now, used to be on the old NAS close to the Hanger One distillery but now is at the "Grand Marina" area of Alameda on "Alaska Packer":
Mikkelsen Frames

bamab2

Hey pcb. I would like to see some pics of yours. Mine actually has a serial number. I can't make out the first three digits but I sent it in the email to Mr. Mikkelsen. Maybe he can help when he has time.

bamab2

Very helpful. Thanks.

bamab2

On behalf of Mikkelsen, thanks for the compliments. And thanks for the component advise. Being new to this, I don't want to take an "unappropriate" path. I would actually like to go Dura Ace. I like the look. Maybe a future upgrade if I can find parts.
Here are a few more pics. By the way, the wheels are some older ones I had just to role around.

bikemig 

Campy has more snob appeal (and it was pretty good stuff) but I like the look and functionality of the shimano 600 ex stuff. It came in different flavors but the 6207 stuff is, I think, sharp looking.

pcb 

Oh, wow! I was pretty sure mine didn't have a ser#, and I was pretty sure Bernie confirmed it, but that discussion was a dozen years ago. Clearly my memory ain't what it used to be.

I don't have a lot of detailed shots of mine, it's really been neglected for quite a while. My flickr album is here:
https://flic.kr/s/aHsjZr2oWe

Coupla shots:

pcb 

Just pulled mine from the garage to clean 'er up. No serial# or any other discernible stampings/engravings under the bb shell, fer sure.

Many frame details are very similar---lug type, general lug shape, seat lug scallop/treatment; chainstay bridge almost looks fillet brazed.

I've got the fastback stays, though, and my fork crown is the full-sloping Cinelli internal-plug crown. No rack/fender mounts on the rear drops. And it looks like my top tube brake casing guides are a little more thinned.

....and my seatpost is very stuck, first time that's happened to me in a looong time. Fortunately it's stuck at the right height.

gaucho777 

xiaoman1 

Never heard of these makers....but must say WOW! I would like to see more pics and other members bikes.
Best, Ben

Poguemahone

The 7400 Dura Ace stuff is really quite nice. I've been putting it on a Terry Osell frameset and it is prime. I'd stick what you have on the frame and upgrade as you can, though. No shame mixing parts IMO.

unworthy1

I think the "serial number" may be from the city of Berkeley CA, perhaps the Police dept. but might be from the University Police, the six-pointed star (nothing religious AFAIK) is a typical mark they used. It could be that this will help you trace it or even help get it back if ever stolen in the East Bay. Didn't Chas have a thread on this topic? Somebody did...

bamab2

Pompiere

A different university, but my daughter's bike didn't have a number so when i took it to get registered, the campus police dept. used an engraving pen to give it one. If I recall, it was just a made up number like a birthday or something. That way it would have a unique identifier if the sticker got removed. I wasn't thrilled about engraving the bike, but it was a crappy rattle-can job on a crappy bike so no great loss.