I just posted this up elsewhere, but it's a good source. https://www.bikekitchen.org/links.htm I have a group in my community that I already donate to. They struggle with thier life's comebacks and driving is no longer an option. I also donate low end stuff to a recycle program that supports itself with landfill saves https://urbanore.ypguides.net/ . You can find these in most communites now days. It saves energy/money to work these programs local.

I'm already borrowing from DirtDrop...

Hey everyone! Quick update here...

Patience is not one of my better virtues, I'm itching for things to get here! However, yesterday my first part arrived: A spindle! Thank you very much, hopefully I can really start getting parts together soon..

-Nick

One more update-

Bar tape arrived today, along with some SR pedals and classy modern Campy brakes.

Thank you again, everyone, I feel great knowing I'm helping someone and want you guys to share in that.

Pictures to come.

-Nick

Today I was almost brought to tears.

The Golden Arrow stuff arrived. Machin Shin went waay out of his way with this one.

The GA stuff is almost NOS, also included were lots of cables, posts, water bottle cages, et cetera.

He went way above and beyond the call of duty and really helped out with this project.

Thank you again.

-Nick







PS: How do I know what spindle length certain cranks need? Is there some specific alignment I should aim for?

-Nick

Sheldon supplies the knowledge:
https://www.sheldonbrown.com/chainline.html

Glad to help, Nick.

As far as the spindle length is concerned, I'm thinking a 107 to 110 spindle will work. What are the markings on the spindle you received? You want to shoot for a 43.5mm chain line with the GA double.

107 to 110 spindle? I'll look at the spindle I recieved Monday afternoon.

That crankset is gorgeous, btw.

-Nick

Update:

The GA RD didn't have a hanger, and the Univega needs one. So, I rode to my LBS, and they didn't have one. So I called all the other 4 in town, and none of THEM had one. So I called the C&V bike shop 20 miles away, Ira's in Arroyo Grande, and he ran out months ago.

So there are NO deraileur hangers left, and I don't want to have to wait another week to get this project going.

Any solutions or ideas?

It's mind blowingly frustrating and I need to get started!

-nick

^are all hangers created equal? Are they the same no matter the derailer brand, etc? If so, I probably have 1 or two somewhere.

Nick, I have one that will fit a Suntour derailleur. Not sure if it will work with the GA RD I sent you. If no one else can help, drop me a line and I'll see what I can do. I might be able to throw something together for you.

90% of them are (actually 75%). As far as I know, (which is less than two miles) I know that Suntour hangers don't really like Shimano deraileurs, Shimano and campy hangers don't mind each other, and that old french bikes have threadless hangers that obviously don't work with almost all rear derailleurs ever invented.

But if you have one, that'd be fantastic. (Two would be even better if you're sure you won't need them, I actually need two and thought it wouldn't be a problem until it turned out no one in this god forsaken county has derailleur hangers, only lots of replaceable dropouts...

Actually, I think Suntour hangers have a slightly different tab position/thickness/taper/whatever than the Shimano ones, Shimano and Campy actually have the same styled hangers, I believe.

Hmm.

-Nick

I have one I can steal from a busted Shimano Eagle if you need it.

mkeller, didn't you already send a bunch of stuff my way?

Anyway, Shimano is Shimano, is Shimano, so if you've got it and it's the right size (not the super small wierd deraileur bolt size) than I'll accept your offer gladly.

It's just that I can't keep the wheel on without the deraileur in place, and I can't mount the chain without the wheel on, and the whole drivetrain isn't going to start working until I can mount my RD... *sigh* And I can't really dial in the brakes until I get the wheels on.

If you give a mouse a cookie... Or take one away, eeccch. I never cease to be amazed at how one little piece can keep a whole mechanism locked up!

That DR mount will probably ship for super cheap, too, but I will still cover the cost for that and toss it in with the bar tape reimbursment business. (That was you, I believe...)

-Nick

Yeah, the other stuff I sent is still in tranist (shimano 600 stuff and some pedals) The steel mount can probably just be tossed in a small envelope so it won't be a big deal.

This is the exact adaptor claw that I am talking about:

It's definitely the right style of hanger, my only concern is the hole size, but that's just a "wait and see" thing, if it doesn't suit, I'll either Pass It Forward or mail it back...

Thanks again,

Nick

^I have one from a newer Sora Derailer if that doesn't work.

I also have one or two of those hangers.

So... Anyone willing to mail one off to me? PM me and I'll send an address.

Yeah, I'll send it if you want. It might take 5-10 days to get there from Ohio. I already have your address too.

You should be receiving a box from fedex today.

Matt

Oh, I'm excited! I've actually been counting down the days until that arrives, it's the levers!

And here I thought the drivetrain would be done ages before the brakes! Haha, I forgot that bicycles never build up the way one hopes, unless it's right after it comes out of the box...

But today is the day that the Univega gets brakes and quite possibly harlequin wrap!

(And I haven't forgotten about two specific reimbursment offers, one involving shipping and one involving bar tape. )

-Nick

Hey everyone! Quick update: Mkeller can't get me a deraileur hanger after all, so that's still an issue. Anyone else with a derailleur hanger? PM me. Anyway, today I did a "quick setup," basically, I put parts on for some pictures, but still have to seriously install the BB, cranks, etc. (Which I can't do without a hanger.)

Here's the pictures!







A PROBLEM:


The cage on the GA derailleur is too short!! I can't split up the GA groupset, nor am I very willing to. So... I was thinking about switching the cage with a longer one.

Could I swap the GA's cage with the one from this Shimano 600 RD?




Or is there an alternative solution? I thought I could shorten the chain, but then it'd be overly tight in the more extreme gear combinations, or too loose?

Help? Thoughts on switching the cages? Suggestions?

-Nick

Again, thank you all for your help!

Don't attempt to switch the cages. The easier route would be to switch out that monster freewheel for a smaller one. I have several that should work.

According to VeloBase.com, the GA shortcage RD will shift to a 28t rear cog. I have a 26t and a 28t freewheel I can send you tomorrow.

Also, you are going to need a couple of ferrules for the top of the brake levers. The Shimano 600 brake levers require a special one (larger) if I remember correctly. I'll look into that for you.

Holy perfect cotton bartape, Batman!

-Kurt

Nick, that bike has turned out gorgeous.
I know I'd consider you my best friend after being given that bike.
-Gene-