Wester Ross
#1
Wester Ross
Found this over weekend and just picked it up this evening so I had a chance to gather a little information about Wester Ross. I'm getting directed to BikeBrothers but haven't been able to navigate the site. Serial #020 JSC. The seller says his wife gave this to him as a gift about 30 years ago and he put it in the attic and just pulled it out last weekend. She bought it from an east coast bike shop. 



Last edited by r0ckh0und; 04-16-19 at 05:34 AM.
#4
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Wonderful find, congratulations!
Shall look forward to following.
"Just look at THOSE BLADES ladies and gentlemens."
Seatstay plugs/caps are solid steel about nine cm in length.
Lug pattern is NERVEX Nr. 45/161.
Thinking perhaps 1974-ish for a birthday.
Appears it may have been built up from a frameset by retail shop.
Is front hub Weyless?
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Here is a forum post from an enthusiast who has #023 -
https://www.cyclingforums.com/thread...-cycles.18768/
Replacement transfers availlable here if desired -
https://bicycledecals.net/westerrosstransfers.htm
John Connell here beginning at 10:50 mark -
https://www.flickr.com/photos/smallwheelsociety/7250338160
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Wonderful find, congratulations!

Shall look forward to following.
"Just look at THOSE BLADES ladies and gentlemens."
Seatstay plugs/caps are solid steel about nine cm in length.
Lug pattern is NERVEX Nr. 45/161.
Thinking perhaps 1974-ish for a birthday.
Appears it may have been built up from a frameset by retail shop.
Is front hub Weyless?
---
Here is a forum post from an enthusiast who has #023 -
https://www.cyclingforums.com/thread...-cycles.18768/
Replacement transfers availlable here if desired -
https://bicycledecals.net/westerrosstransfers.htm
John Connell here beginning at 10:50 mark -
https://www.flickr.com/photos/smallwheelsociety/7250338160
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Last edited by juvela; 04-16-19 at 10:43 AM. Reason: addition
#5
aka Tom Reingold




Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 44,222
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From: New York, NY, and High Falls, NY, USA
Bikes: 1962 Rudge Sports, 1971 Raleigh Super Course, 1971 Raleigh Pro Track, 1974 Raleigh International, 1975 Viscount Fixie, 1982 McLean, 1996 Lemond (Ti), 2002 Burley Zydeco tandem
That's a fine machine.
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Tom Reingold, tom@noglider.com
New York City and High Falls, NY
Blogs: The Experienced Cyclist; noglider's ride blog
“When man invented the bicycle he reached the peak of his attainments.” — Elizabeth West, US author
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Tom Reingold, tom@noglider.com
New York City and High Falls, NY
Blogs: The Experienced Cyclist; noglider's ride blog
“When man invented the bicycle he reached the peak of his attainments.” — Elizabeth West, US author
Please email me rather than PM'ing me. Thanks.
#7
I'm one of the freaks.
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 122
Likes: 1
From: Lake Superior country, Upper Peninsula of Michigan. Periodically leaves/returns to Alaska for good.
Bikes: Woodrup: '85 Giro Touring & '16 custom touring. Stanforth: '17 Kibo & '19 Skyelander. '93 Longstaff trike. Trek: '84 830 & '89 420. '83 cannondale ST-500. Stumpjumpers: '82 tig'd, '82 lug'd, '84. '83 Univega Gran Turismo. etc.
Wow, Wester Ross is one of the English (and earlier, Scottish!) frames I admire most (and thus 'frames', as an Anglovelophile), from afar. Probably that and Tony Oliver (I have neither). Famous for their attention to detail, engineering design, etc.
I'd also suggest the transfers from H. Lloyd Cycles as top quality (they're also the 'official' Reynolds maker for older transfers).
I'd also suggest the transfers from H. Lloyd Cycles as top quality (they're also the 'official' Reynolds maker for older transfers).
Last edited by hujev; 01-26-21 at 09:52 PM. Reason: clarification of the UK
#9
Thanks for the response.
Here is a Weyless hub advert of MCMLXXV -

Shall look forward to your updates as you have an opportunity to get into things...

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#10
I stripped all of the Japanese stuff off last night and did an initial wipe down of the frame. I'm thinking Nuovo Record as I have collected most everything but the brake set......and I have never had a Campy equipped bike.
[MENTION=333224]juvela[/MENTION] wondering why you believe this was built up in the US? Is it the Japanese parts and the cheesy chainstay protector.
[MENTION=333224]juvela[/MENTION] wondering why you believe this was built up in the US? Is it the Japanese parts and the cheesy chainstay protector.
#11
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The mix of fittings made me think it might have been assembled at the retail level. Just an idea - not an assertion.
Did not write anything about the U.S.
Do we know that the "east coast shop" which sold it to the previous owner sold it new?
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The mix of fittings made me think it might have been assembled at the retail level. Just an idea - not an assertion.
Did not write anything about the U.S.
Do we know that the "east coast shop" which sold it to the previous owner sold it new?
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#13
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wrt investigating the kitting -
fittings have date codes which can be checked to see how close to each other they may be
it may have come new all or mostly Campag NR
chainset likely a replacement to accommodate rider's gear requirements
possible that fitter of chainset reused existing Campag bb cups
regarding Superbe brakeset -
it was quite common at this time for new Campag NR kitted machines to come through with something other than Campag brakes - the cost differential between Universal/Weinmann/MAFAC and Campag was LARGE
sometimes owners of such machines wanted to upgrade brakes but balked at cost of Campag and would fit Superbe or DuraAce as a more affordable alternative
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wrt investigating the kitting -
fittings have date codes which can be checked to see how close to each other they may be
it may have come new all or mostly Campag NR
chainset likely a replacement to accommodate rider's gear requirements
possible that fitter of chainset reused existing Campag bb cups
regarding Superbe brakeset -
it was quite common at this time for new Campag NR kitted machines to come through with something other than Campag brakes - the cost differential between Universal/Weinmann/MAFAC and Campag was LARGE
sometimes owners of such machines wanted to upgrade brakes but balked at cost of Campag and would fit Superbe or DuraAce as a more affordable alternative
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#14
Senior Member


Joined: May 2013
Posts: 2,672
Likes: 3,369
From: Greenwood SC USA
Bikes: 2002 Mercian Vincitore, 1982 Mercian Colorado, 1976 Puch Royal X, 1973 Raleigh Competition, 1971 Gitane Tour de France and others
I had a set of Weyless hubs laced to Mavic tubulars c.1978 that I loved, loved, loved. They were trouble free, and they went with my old Puch Royal X when I foolishly sold it in 1987. My memory is they were the lightest hubs on the market at the time and were considered a deal compared to Phil Wood's sealed bearing hubs. It's a nice bit o' kit.
#16
Bottom bracket is 1.37x24T Sugino, I have a Campy 1.37x24T replacement.
Headset is indexed, I think I have a suitable replacement for that as well.
Frame is 57cm center to top/57 center to center, which is a bit larger than I would prefer.
Headset is indexed, I think I have a suitable replacement for that as well.
Frame is 57cm center to top/57 center to center, which is a bit larger than I would prefer.
#17
Making some progress on the Wester Ross. A couple of observations......the Rally RD has the reinforced mounting bolt which would make it post '75. The RD cable stop appears to be reamed out nuts rather tastefully done.
I did a basic frame cleaning and then a couple of treatments of Mother's carnuba wax.

I did a basic frame cleaning and then a couple of treatments of Mother's carnuba wax.


#20
Seems like for decades and decades the English announcers of international sporting competitions would exclaim when a Scots competitor did well "Another victory for Britain!"
But if a Scots competitor were to experience misfortune it would be "Oh another calamity for Scotland!"
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#21
Bikes are okay, I guess.



Joined: Jan 2015
Posts: 8,007
Likes: 3,778
From: Richmond, Virginia
Bikes: Waterford Paramount Touring, Raleigh Sports 3-speeds in M23 & L23, Schwinn Cimarron oddball build, Marin Palisades Trail dropbar conversion, Nishiki Cresta GT, Jeunet mixte
#24
Can't find the original source but I seem to remember that despite the Scottish name, these were not produced in Scotland. Please correct me if I'm wrong.
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Be where your feet are.......Lisa Bluder
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