since6

It finally arrived…and it exceeded the pictures and my expectations.This is N6N7320 which tells us this frame was made in 1986 between June 23rd and July 6th and was the 320th frame made. It was likely an early 1987 offer for sale.

since6

It is also intact and complete as specified: 1987 Ironman Expert Magenta/Yellow (source: fleslider)Specs:

• Frame - Tange #1 Steel, Lugged
• Grouppo - Shimano 105 (1050 Series)
• Hubs - Shimano 105 126mm QR, 32h (HB-1050)
• Rims/Spokes - Wolber Super Champion Alpine / 14g
• Tires - Panaracer Tecnova 700c X 20
• Derailuers - Shimano 105 F/R SIS (SL-1050)
• Chain - Shimano Uniglide
• Cranks - Shimano 105 Biopace 52/42, 170mm, 130mm Bolt spacing (FC-1050)
• Freewheel - Shimano MFD12 6-Speed13-24t
• Pedals - Shimano 105 Toe Clips with White Straps (PD-1050)
• Headset - Shimano 105 (HS-1050)
• Seatpost - Sugino SP-KC 27.0 mm Graduated Scale (inches)
• Saddle - Vetta Suede (included white lycra cover)
• Bar/Stem - Nitto Olympiade 40cm / Nitto 90mm Stem
• Brakes - Shimano 105 SLR w/AERO Brake Levers (BL-1050)
• Colors - Magenta/Yellow or Guards Red/White
• Size Mens - 48cm - 64cm(2cm Increments)
• Weight - (56CM) 22.55 lbs , Frame- 4.55 lbs, Fork-1.50 lbs
• MSRP -:$520.00 USD

It is the Guards Red/White frame color (not the Miami Vice) and everything except the hubs and wheels came with the frame/fork I won the auction on.

since6

The next morning after winning the auction while looking for hubs and wheels, Elvis entered my life whispering “Some things are meant to be”:

Like a river flows surely to the sea
Darling so it goes
Some things are meant to be
Take my hand, take my whole life too
For I can't help falling in love with you

Elvis-Can’t Help Falling In Love

Because there on eBay at a killer price were a wheel set of the exact hubs and rims specified for the 1987 Centurion Expert Ironman and after they arrived I found them to be in very good condition (rear just needed a little truing up).

since6

Two changes to the specifications for this all original bike are new tires, lovely Compass 26mm Cayuse Pass tires and a new up to 28T Shimano freewheel.

since6

But those folding bead tires and rims are why you have to find and hold onto a bike builder friend, because mounting those tires turned into hours. Tire irons, YouTube Tutorials, Dish Soap on the rim, rechecking everything was centered in the deepest part of the rim tapes valley, finally with aching hands off to the builder friend and his wall of tools and decades of knowledge. Tool one the plastic bead lever tool, didn’t work. But finally we found one that did, but you have to be careful in using them and so now I have a lovely set of Brooks Steel tire leavers and will carefully smooth and polish the spoon side of the lever so that there is little to scratch and scar the rim. Then keep them in this bike’s seat bag.

since6

So where do we start? Let’s start in the 80’s, this bike screams 80’s, run theme music to “Miami Vice”. Look at the colors and funky triangles, geometric shapes in and around the lettering on the head badge, down tube, top tube and seat stays. It’s always the little things that catch me and make me smile, but it’s also how good the condition of these details and the paint is in for something 31 years old.

since6

Next a Vetta suede racing seat, bone dry, but not cracked and not torn with the “Vetter” stamping still intact. Two coats of Griot’s leather care and its lovely.

since6

All Shimano 105 gruppo and here’s another mind bending moment. After cleaning the chain and lubricating it into a degree of suppleness (likely replacement, cables too?), I started through the indexed down tube shifter, bottom to top/top to bottom on the freewheel and OMG it shifted flawlessly, no over run at the top or the bottom. Click and it shifted one gear. 31 years later and the shifter, derailleur and cable are still indexing.

since6

The worst “owie”? At some point the rubber nubbins at the end of the Campagnolo headed Silca frame pump suspended under the top tube wore through and the metal ends began to rub and wear through the paint at the top of the seat tube, thus two matching small rust spots on either side where this happened. So the search will be on to find “Guards Red” and a match to the white paint. Does anyone know which Testors enamel to look for?

since6

Now another time capsule moment. The brake hoods and bar tape. I’ve already started looking and finding these white areo replacement brake hoods looks like an unobtainium search. BUT, after cleaning off the grease with some citric chain cleaner…the hoods and bar tape are not cracked and still pliable working condition…this just doesn’t happen, but it did. Also the brake levers aren’t gashed and seem near new.

since6

Here’s another thing that simply must go. The wonky calibrated seat post with many many really long channels. From what I’ve read about this seat post design it’s an invitation if you get caught out in the rain some day to dumping water down into the bottom bracket and/or rusting the seat tube. Suggestions of period correct replacements for this seat post are welcome.

since6

Finally something I’ve never seen in this particular 31 year old part. First, both the seat post and the handlebar stem were out and not frozen/welded together, huge sigh of relief in unpacking the bike from the box. But their ends were really gunked up with grease and of course…had to be…rust. Especially on that chunk of iron at the end of the quill stem that wedges up to grip the steering tube of the fork….had to be, they all rust …they have to after 31 years.But now I’ve seen something I’ve never seen before…that’s that lump of iron, cleaned and freshly lubed and there is NO RUST AT ALL…NONE.

since6

So the last adventure will be cracking the bottom bracket and double/triple cross my fingers hope there’s no rust/damage due to that seat post letting water through.

One last thing here’s the Shimano 105 pedals with the racer’s twist to the pedal strap!

But they will be replaced, back surgery pending, tired knees I can’t risk a hang up in a toe clip so I will go with a lovely match the Shimano A600 SPD. This early Shimano 105 gruppo used grey and the grey black of these pedals should blend right in.

I’ll report back on the bottom bracket and first ride once I get it dialed into my fitment (hope I don’t have to switch out stems for length but have options if I need to).

Merry Christmas to you all, and to my wife….you’re priceless.

since6

Last look:

since6

And wow, the metal chain guard made it too.

texaspandj

Congratulations. It looks good.
Looking forward to your ride report.
The original post won't be a problem as long as you keep it greased.

dddd

Thanks for putting up that last photo of the complete bike, I like the red/white version the best.

Good score on the wheels, those are nice rims. Was the bike sold sans wheels?

since6

dddd yes the auction on Goodwill was for the bike without wheels. The more I looked at the pictures of the frame/fork the more I thought this was a complete bike and in good shape. That it came out of California and had to have been kept in a dry place out of the sunlight explains the absence of rust and the survival of the brake hoods. Finding the exact hubs/rims the next day
Yes, you get excited in all the details and then you miss the forest, so I just did catch myself in time to run out and put the parts into perspective.

markwesti

WoooHooo ! Score !

since6

Texaspandj, greased? Do you fill in the grooves with grease at the top of the seat tube? Without fenders this will be a fair weather rider, have a couple fendered bikes for rides on iffy days, so rain getting down the seat tube probably won't be an issue.

shuru421

Question, how are the wheels? Im looking into the same Wolber Super Champion, however I believe it is the "ASPIN" model. It would be awesome for some feedback before I make my decision!

since6

These only had a slight lateral wobble in the rear wheel which trued up easily. I have not ridden them yet. However, mounting a Compass 26mm tire was a and took hours and the help of a friend with knowledge and the right tools to get mounted. Once mounted everything went fine, but mounting these rims and these tires was Without the Brooks steel levers I don't know how we would have mounted the tires.

dddd, thanks back in the day I always wanted one of these, nice to have one from the year of Dave Scott's last Ironman victory.

Pemetic2006

Nice bike. My favorite color of the Ironman.
I looked at this same year a month back but it was too small. Too bad because it was $125.

texaspandj

No, just the portion that contacts in seat tube. Like you I consider those particular post a design flaw. Some have used them for years no problem, the key is keeping grease current, usually once a year take a looksie. BTW as good as the Ironman paint jobs are, keep grease off the top of the seat tube or it could become discolored. Guess how I know.

Fahrenheit531 

One day I'll get one of these and see what all the fuss is about. In the meantime, enjoy yours! Congrats on finding it complete and correct; that doesn't suck.