Beater Bike update...
 

Well, I finally got the shifters installed...they "look" like they will...I bought a pair of clamp-on Arabesque shifters and used those plus the chrome/silver looking thingies next to the frame from the old stuff. Tonight I put the cranks, RD, FD, and brakes on. Put the wheels on too! :). Didn't feel like putting the freewheel on, just wanted to get some stuff on so that I can, hopefully get a little more progress made towards finishing the build and finally riding this bike.

I'm sure that I will probably have to move the FD some, just sorta "slapped" it on this evening.

Wow. I think it's gonna look really sweet with a white saddle, bar tape, and cable housings....
http://i45.photobucket.com/albums/f7...083800x600.jpg

http://i45.photobucket.com/albums/f7...084800x600.jpg

http://i45.photobucket.com/albums/f7...085800x600.jpg

http://i45.photobucket.com/albums/f7...086800x600.jpg

http://i45.photobucket.com/albums/f7...087800x600.jpg

http://i45.photobucket.com/albums/f7...089800x600.jpg

It's already looking sweet!

Looking good! Can't wait for the final build pics and a ride report. :)

Looks very nice at the moment. It should be a nice "beater" when your finished.

I'm not normally a Shimano guys but I do like the Arabesque stuff especially those shifters. Sweet. It's going to look great when you're done.

Looking very good. Glad the 600 shifters worked on those bosses. :)

And yes, some white accents will look very good.

I think everyone would like to have a beater like that.

It is gonna be one fine looking bike when it is done.

nifty

I have those cranks but they sadly have a bent spider and I cant find another pair :(.

But very nice build you got going on :).

Nicely assembled group, was just admiring the Arabesque shifters on ebay today

I have the same Arabesque groupo for my '73 Carlton... except for the brakes and levers / hoods. For that I have some Carlton levers and some period correct Dura Ace centre pulls.

wethepeople - If I come across another 600 crank you will be the first to know.

Looking good there Wolfpack. You do know you're now on the slippery slope to Total.Vintage.Bike.Obsession.Syndrome... It's probably too late already.

The efforts on the 600 shifters paid off, they look good and complement the rest of the bike.
Looking forward to seeing the final results. I started my bike maddness with a new 600EX crankset/BB kit as a teenager. It was slightly older than yours, with the Nuovo Record style chainrings. That 52x39 combo worked so well. It's still in use on my brother's Raleigh/Triumph roadracer.

If thats your "beater" , Wow how good is your good stuff ?

this is the "good stuff" :D:
http://i45.photobucket.com/albums/f7...881800x600.jpg

you were just laying in wait to post that pic...

:lol: but of course:D

AAARRRRGGGGGHHHHHHH my eyes!!!!!

just kidding, a bit of Cranky & Vintage humor there.

I like the beater build, red bikes with silver looks so classy.
I might have missed a thread or two but any idea what the frame is?

Marty

sorry:o. hope everyone's eyes are ok:). the frame is a lotus excelle. bike was given to me by glenng. see this thread.

Wolfpack,
You'd be surprized how many of us cranky types have modern bikes. . .
yep, somehow I missed the first thread (wouldn't be the first time, won't be the last).
I think you've got yourself a really nice bike there, and as stated above you've set off
on the slippery slope of C&V.
I'd be very interested to know what you think of the ride of the steel bike (beater) vs the
ride of your Fuji. And no I'm not going to start a whole which is the better frame material,
all I (or anyone for that matter) can say is they're different.
keep us posted on build/ride etc.

Marty

The bike does indeed look much too good to be called a "beater." :)

regarding ride quality...I don't know if it's the difference in steel type, quality of build, different size and geometry, but my slightly-too-big-for-me '89 55cm paramount (columbus sl?) rides way more smooth and solid feeling, than my mid-80s 53 cm bottecchia (columbus aelle) that supposedly fits me. (I'm 5'8")
edit: after riding ~30 miles on the bott, and likewise on the schwinn a few days later, I reckoned the bott 30 would equal about 50 or 60 schwinn miles as far as body fatique and overall workout "feel" afterwards.

I am prediciting that the "beater" will end up getting more ride time that the "good" bike. ;)

ok, here's another picture. will most likely get chain and cables on this weekend as well as, gasp!!, maybe finish it up..

http://i45.photobucket.com/albums/f7...090800x600.jpg

Thanks!

I have a full 600 groupo sans cranks and RD, but all I really need are cranks :p.

EDIT: Actually, I'm also missing the headset and one brake lever.