:thumb: And wheels, saddles, etc.

Actually the wheels weren't that bad, they generally came from the factory with 36 spokes regardless of the size of the bike. I still have a set of Torelli Master Series wheels I had built with 36 DT Revolution spokes on the front and 36 DT double butted Competition spokes for the rear, I can't recall the gauge but they were the thinnest gauge of the 2 Comp spokes offered at the time. I never had any problems with those wheels, and a lot Clydesdales rode on 36 spoke wheels without issues, Tandem and touring bikes sometimes came with 40 spoke wheels at least on the rear wheel.

I didn't think the saddles were that bad either, heavy compared to todays saddles, but the all steel seat rails held up great whereas today the ones with CF rails break, and the AL rails bend, but the padding in those old saddles didn't last as long as the ones do today while the covers back then lasted longer then they do today.

Weird stuff like pedals today don't last anywhere near as long as the old clip pedals did, and neither do todays shoes, todays shoes are lucky to make it 5 years, whereas I still have a pair of clip style shoes I've had since 1981 and are still wearable...well they would be still wearable if my feet hadn't gotten wider!

Overall I believe bikes from the 80's especially were built way better for long life application then they are today...as long as you didn't need the largest frame made and weighed a lot. Geez, I remember testing riding a slew of bikes in 1984 before I bought a Trek 660, you would be surprised as to how many of them were flexy has you cranked on the power going up steep grades, that was the reason I stayed away from the Trek 760 with 531P tubing as well, it flexed like crazy but the later found out it had a 165 pound rider weight limit and I weighed 160 at the time. Tange Prestige had a weight limit of 150 pounds. The worst flexing bike I tested was a Peugeot PY10, I didn't even take it up a grade and that darn thing was flexy like a wet noodle, so I took it back to the store after going down one side of a block, I don't recall the weight limit on that probably 75 pounds!

As crazy as this sounds but I believe that Miyata triple butted splined tubing and Fuji quad butted frames were better than anything that Reynolds or Columbus put out. Had I known that back in 84 when I bought the Trek 660 I would have probably bought one or the other in the high end category.

I'm on a roll! Picking up a Volkscycle Mark XV tomorrow with full Arabesque. I don't know must be the camera angle but the fork looks a little bent.......... :rolleyes: Hard to tell with that mangled frame.

https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...33825c51b8.jpg


It was another one that was too cheap, full Arabesque and a functioning (Soubietz?) gen set for $40, delivered! We were having a hard time getting together so I could pick it up. The guy lives 5 minutes from my work and has an appointment on the other side of town and will be going right past about lunch time so he offered to bring it by on his way.

It's here, except for collision damage it's in great shape. It was raining during the hand off so I just did quick look over for now.

Grand Jubilee
 

Not a dump save, but a catch. This popped up on CL yesterday, and I bought it this morning.
https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...c09716a0b9.jpg
Some details:
Vitus 172 butted frame, 172 forks
Nervar cranks
Simplex derailleurs (branded Motobecane) and shifters
MAFAC Competition brakes, levers with good half-hoods
Rigida alloy rims
Original Motobecane bar "wrap"
Motobecane branded headset
Sella Italia Anatomic saddle
Seatpost, SR LaPrade fluted
Stem is SR, 80mm
Hubs - Normandy
Pedals - I don't know (appear to be Japanese MKS clones)
Handlebar - alloy, laurel leaves around a Motobecane "M"
Spokes - zinc plated I think and clean
Freewheel - Suntour Pro-Compe, 6 speed
Tires - Michelin Elan, 630x23

And that is all I have for now.

Got it home and looked it over some more, handlebars are bent, both sides are pulled forward forming a shallow "U". The fork is pretty close to being in line with the head tube but it clearly was not at some time. Lots of cracked and missing paint on both blades about 4 inches below the crown. All the components look good though, both rims are true AND match, must have replaced the front one, they have high flange Shimano hubs and no name aluminum rims with zinc plated spokes. It has 3 "Dura Ace" top bar cable guides. Gen set is a "Union", it will probably end up on my Raleigh LTD 3. At the moment the plan is for all the Arabesque to go on my Gitane Interclub. I'll keep the head badge, it's kinda cool and save anything of use but the frame and fork are toast. Still well worth what I paid though.

On 2nd thought I may build it back up with orphan parts as a dedicated bike for my stationary trainer. I have plenty!

https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...d1a1303f93.jpg https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...a2c302396a.jpg

I pumped up the tires, raised the seat post and stem, and took it for a spin around the neighborhood. There is nothing wrong with it.

I'll be working on cleaning it up, and that should be an easy task.

What is a "gen set"?

I am quoting myself here, but why not.
New photos:
https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...735bcaa048.jpg
https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...3519913df3.jpg
https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...f34d82377d.jpg
https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...6987f4a650.jpg
https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...e8b7f68c5c.jpg
https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...e4a3835a01.jpg

"Generator", we make onboard Oxygen generator sets for aircraft where I work, we abbreviate it as "gen set".

jeirvine
Well I bought the bike, as you can see in another thread. My wife doesn't want it. It's a bit too small for me. Send me a PM.

I think this is the beginning of a love story...

https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...67004c407f.jpg

This is a “Not Saved from the Dump” post, unfortunately. But with a cool ending.

First, a Miyata buried behind a railing. Don’t know the model, but I love the color!

https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...87008762b.jpeg

Next, a Hardrock high on the pile. This would be great for my daughter, as she is outgrowing her 24” Trek. Alas, no salvaging.

https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...6a54739ba.jpeg

After a grim survey, at least my spirits were lifted as this guy backed up to the pile.

https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...cfee6549e.jpeg

What’s the oldest truck you’ve seen at the dump?

Not so much that I saved it from the dump, but definitely my catch of the day.

A nice used B17 with lube and a wrench(I have several Brooks saddles, but never have owned the proprietary tool).

And my first ever Nitto bottle cage.
https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...d6ecb358c5.jpg

Too bad it's inaccessible. I think those Specialized "Flag" cranksets are worth something.

So you, ermm, lubricate your saddles? It takes all sorts! Every day is a school day.

Nice catch today from the local bike collective:


https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...470e1dfa5.jpeg
https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...68ea97d82.jpeg

I think it’s a 1990 or 1991 Bianchi Axis with Tange double butted “superset II” tube set. Appears to be bone stock and all original minus the tires. Sun Tour XCD/GPX components, 3x7 with the sweet command shifters inside the brake levers. Handlebar is bent but I have a plan to remedy that - visit the local bike collective!

Saddles? I learned something new today. I've always put on my shorts, so they don't stick to the seat.

Lighten up francis

Apologies, you did not detect the tongue firmly in the cheek Old Sausage. However, lubricating one's shorts could also be open to niche interpretation. Lederhosen, 'Yodel-eh-he-hoo!'

You may want to throw away the tool. Almost everything I have read from experienced Brookies say NOT to tighten the nut on the saddle!
NICE nitto cage and I love the Obenauf's. Way good leather treatment.
Cheers!

That is truly rather pretty and in crackingly good nick! Great find.
Edited to add: It is a very practical tool that you should get loads of road (s)miles out of.

I forgot to add (being a bear of very little brain) that that saddle is a thing of beauty.

Oh, Pooh!

Thank you - I’m pretty well chuffed about it. Having some doubts about the Suntour Command shifters, but otherwise I’m through the moon!

Yard Sale Catch. Centurion Prestige
 

https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...6c65fe47bc.jpg
https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...a5b3c93471.jpg
https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...1f9185c486.jpg
https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...73cef423bc.jpg
https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...b5a14ec1a4.jpg
https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...9309a7bcb5.jpg

FB Marketplace catch. Centurion LeMans
 

Not as pretty as the preceding Centurion - but it was $35, so there's that ...


https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...bb2531f5b.jpeg