intheshop

This knee surgery thing is highly overrated. I had to go in to the ER last night due to increased swelling all the way down to my foot. They checked me for blood clots and everything was okay. Unfortunately I may run out of bikes before it starts feeling better! I would definitely rather be riding.

Here's another Bridgestone, a 1988 RB-2. It has triple butted CrMo tubing - seems like the same frame as the RB-1 that year but I don't know. The parts were lower end so I swapped things around to a nice working mix.











See you all tomorrow.

ridethecliche

The 105 stuff looks really nice on those bikes. I'm a fan!

revolator

Best wishes to you and a speedy recovery!

redneckwes

Just take it easy on the knee, you have plenty of time before warm weather gets here.

If you have your lower leg wrapped, follow the Doc's directions on that.

I skipped the P/T, might not have been the best idea.

intheshop

Redneckwes - That's good advice, and I plan to stick with P/T. The doc had me take the elastic wrap off after three days. He doesn't believe in a mechanical brace, just told me not to fall and injure it (for 12 months).

I'm just glad I'm a cyclist since both the therapist and surgeon said that spinning/cycling are recommended for rehab. It will probably be 3 months on a trainer, then careful ventures outdoors.

Ridethecliche - I have to agree with you on the 6 speed Shimano 600/105 stuff. It doesn't have the 360 degree beauty of Campagnolo, but it is sharp and was an engineering peak for the era. A lot of my bikes are 6 speeds with freewheels because of that - the parts work and they are interchangeable.

poprad

Another great pic set, thanks for our daily motivation boost! Sorry to hear about the knee thing...hang in there.

ridethecliche

I would argue that they don't have the 360 degree beauty of Campagnolo or suntour superbe, but is sharp and was an engineering peak for the era.

Now if I could only get the same luster on mine. What did you say you used? Brass/steel wool and what kind of polish?

intheshop

Up to nearly 1000 views! Pretty cool. I'm glad to see so many people are into repairing and refurbishing old bikes, especially in this disposable society. This has been fun for me and I thank everyone for joining in. It's not the first or last time for bikes to be used as therapy. As for the knee, the swelling is going down some and it seems to be healing fine. Slowly, but fine.

Ridethecliche - I have no special trick for the luster. My normal rebuild method is to strip the parts off and take them completely apart. I wash them in Simple Green and water, using a toothbrush on aluminum and a brass brush on chrome or steel parts. Once they're clean I buff them with fine steel wool and a rag, then reassemble the part. I have a metal polish (like brasso) that I have used on some corroded parts, but I don't normally use it. Not all of the parts I have done have turned out so nice due to wear and or corrosion. You're seeing the stuff I kept instead of selling.

Back to the task at hand. Here's a 1984 Raleigh Competition. The prior owner purchased it in England. The original components were shot, but the frame was still nice and deserved an upgrade.

poprad

beside myself...green with envy. Lusting in my heart for one owned by another.

the best so far.

cyclotoine

That looks like an SB build raleigh (does the serial number start with SB?) That one is just stunning, the condition is unbelievable! Were the parts NOS?

ridethecliche

Hm I think I'll give the cleaning thing a try later this week.

I'm not a big fan of raleighs, but yours comes together beautifully!

cuda2k

intheshop - glad to hear your healing is heading in the right direction. If you do run out of bikes before you're up and around perhaps we can all start taking turns posting one of our bikes for your viewing pleasure. Though, many of us are going to be hard pressed to come up with bikes that can stand wheel to wheel with some of your beauties.

intheshop

Well, I may be out of bikes after this. I've got photos of a few frames and some bikes I flipped, but this it for the stable. I like the idea of checking out some of your bikes.

Thanks for the positives on the Raleigh. I'm pretty sure its a W (Worksop) serial number, but I can't get to the shop to check it out. The parts came from a Serotta that was the wrong size. I bought it and sold the frame. It had very few miles on it though and the parts are great.

Here's my Univega Sportour. I have rebuilt and sold a couple of these and have always been impressed with the frames. It is a nice all around bike and a pleasure to ride. The retro-compact crankset with 50/34 rings is good for touring. If it had a little more clearance - limited to 25mm tires with the fenders - it would be perfect for just about anything. I haven't done a 650b conversion but it would probably be good candidate for that. I'm not into big tires but it would be nice to get a 28 in there.














Thanks for keeping me company. Anybody have a favorite from the collection? Just curious what type of bike the folks here like best. None of these are completely top of the line models, but they are great quality bikes. Now if I only had carbon fiber...

redneckwes

CF is just a fad, Steel is Real!

I love the Competition, but I'm a big fan of English bikes.

USAZorro

Hey intheshop, You're saving the unridden Rene Herse for last right?

Sorry to hear of your misfortune, but I've been enjoying the show. Thanks for sharing (and thankfully you're significantly taller than me or else I'd hate you).

WNG

They are all so well kept and detailed, it's hard to choose one.

I wish I had one of those small racers your sons have when I was a small boy.
I like the color and set up of your Bridgestone. Very sharp. I believe I see Ambrosio Extra Elite 19 Durex rims on it.

awc380

Now what did we just say about responding and quoting 8 large pics in a row?

ridethecliche

Hey intheshop!

Where did you get that cool retro crankset? My 52/42 setup won't cut it and I'm thinking of either getting a 39 ring (if I can find one to match the superbe crank bcd) or just getting a retro crankset because I don't know which new one will be compatible with everything.

Thanks.

I'm actually almost done my Trek 760 project. I'll post before and after pictures on this thread when I'm done!

poprad

The Raleigh...most definitely the Raleigh. For riding on cool, dreary pac NW mornings when the fog and mist blanket the land like in the hills of England. What a neat bike.

intheshop

Hey guys, I need a fix. I was going to post the Rene Herse but I must have misplaced it in the shop.

Ridethecliche - that crankset is an old Sugino GT with 110 bcd, the same as modern triples and compacts. They were fairly common on old bikes. If your Superbe crank is a 130 bcd it should take a 39. It's a pretty good combo with a 26 or 28 tooth rear max on the rear, depending on what your RD can handle.

I would be hard pressed to pick a favorite myself. Those little road bikes probably give me the most pleasure, although sometimes they are a little fast for dad's comfort.

So who's going to hook me up?

redneckwes

Want pictures??

My Raleigh. ...err one of em.

23.5" frame but the 700c tires make it look huge.


It has a Brooks B/17 on it now.

intheshop

You're the man! That's a sharp Raleigh. I bet the Brooks B-17 looks right at home. I keep planning to use a set of bar-end shifters that I have, but it just hasn't happened yet. Seems like they would be good on a touring rig.

redneckwes

They were stock on that one ('80 Super Course,) and they took a bit of getting used to. The S.C. I only got a couple months ago, I'm really looking foreward to lots of miles on it this summer!

Here is it's cousin, '81 Grand Prix, same deal. Not even dialed in yet.


I need to add a link or two to the chain, but it rides pretty nice for a 20-30 frame.

intheshop

I'm back on the bike! I had my first physical therapy appt. today and they put me on the stationary bike for a few minutes. I was able to get the cranks around, although the left leg was doing all the work.

I had to celebrate so here's a mystery frame for you. The workmanship is stunning on this one. It is a little small for me (54cm) which is the reason it has not been built up. Do any of you gurus know what it is?

East Hill

All right, I can't stand it any longer!

First, I'm so glad that to hear that you are back on your feet! Considering the interesting weather we've had, it probably was a good time to stay home, especially if you had snow and ice (I had a lot of icy roads here on the East Hill).

Second, IF YOU EVER WANT TO GET RID OF THE SHOGUN OR THE RODRIGUEZ, remember, I'm local, and they're my size .

Your kids are darling (don't tell them that, they probably woudn't like being told that)!

East Hill