Help me with my new project (Klein)
 

This was given to my dad in the early 80s who subsequently gave it to my cousin who was about 14 at the time. He rode it for a little while, but for most of the last 25+ years this bike has been in the rafters of my aunt/uncle's garage. About a week ago I decided to go get it and try to salvage it. It's actually in much better shape than I expected, seeing that my cousin probably didn't care one bit about it.

Any info about it would be appreciated. I'm thinking it's a Quantum frame? It's got a DA 52/42 crank and FD and a 6-speed cassette (don't know brand). I'm thinking the Huret RD isn't original which is why I'm looking to upgrade it. Can anyone tell me if this RD will work (hopefully quickly since the auction is ending)?

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...#ht_3923wt_911

Also I'm thinking these brakes should work?

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...#ht_4642wt_911

So far all I've done is clean/lube drivetrain, new saddle (old one was far gone), new tires/tubes, and re-taped the bars

Here are some pics, they're from my iphone so the quality isn't super. Any info is helpful, thanks guys

I would not change those brake calipers since they match the bike. They appear to be original. Those Dura Ace calipers don't look like they have enough reach. I would measure what you have and contact the seller.

Very nice find!!!

Holy white balance!

Keep those brakes. Super cool to have them match the frame.

yes that RD will work so will the brakes. are those Modolos blue?

haha I know but I didn't feel like breaking out the big nikon. And I was thinking of trying to upgrade everything to DA but I'll have to see if I want to keep it original or not. Anybody know about the RD though, I can't imagine that's original so I don't feel bad about replacing it...

Take what i say with a grain of salt, I am no expert but i have seen some Klein catalogs from this era. I believe this is an early Klein "team". 1980-83 or pre the Quantum name. Very, very expensive & exotic bike at that time. Klein's from that time were all semi-custom. Most had the top-of-the-line Huret rear mechanical & Modolo brakes, but anything available was an option.

thanks, yes they match the frame

From 1981 Catalog.

This is the "stage" model.

wow, very cool. You said they used some Huret parts on them, do you think the RD is original or no?

Not so quick :)

the Dura Ace 7402 RD could work. But you need Dura Ace 74xx shifters to make it work and a compatible freewheel/casette (not sure what you have there, but it looks like a 6sp and I would bet that it is not compatible). The 7402 is really build for an 8 sp Hyperglide set up, but can do 6-8 sp in either a Hyperglide or a Uniglide set up. No such a thing as a 6 sp Hyperglide, so looking for a 7sp Sante/Tricolor/105 Uniglide freewheel might be in the OPs future...

By any chance, is there a model in that catalog with similar-length chainstays to the Stage, without seatstay rack mounts - such as the example below? The Performance, perhaps?

http://www.jaysmarine.com/klein_7.jpg

-Kurt

*Ahem...*

http://s.wiggle.co.uk/images/shimano%20mfhg22428.jpg

http://www.amazon.com/Shimano-6-Spee.../dp/B003EQ71QI

FYI, OP has a 6-speed Regina freewheel. His rear drop spacing is more than likely 126mm. Mind you though, the touring frame shown in my earlier post has 120mm spacing - I'm guessing Klein did that to the models designed for touring - less chance for axle breakage.

-Kurt

nice, thank you, it is a 6 speed. I'm not looking to open that can of worms now, especially since I don't know all of this terminology haha

I am guessing it is original. Many bikes came with a mix of components, really not very unusual at all. And you have a Huret sticker on the chain stay. Its about the right age too.

I bet that this particular freewheel will not work with the 7402 DA RD :) (and if one wants a 14-28 freewheel, vintage DA ain't the way to go). Of course, I was talking about vintage freewheels. I suspect that the new mega range Shimano freewheels are hyperglide as well, but try to get them (and that 34) to work with any vintage road set up... I dare you ;)

That rear Huret is original. and its the titanium model too. Those skewers might just be Pino ti units. Nice bike.

Titanium? I figured it was aluminum but it's definitely lighter than my modern Cannondale so I'm not too surprised. I saw the Huret logo on the chainstay but I still thought the RD looked out of place, dunno. Thanks for the info though

Huret parts can be easily misunderstood. Klein had no problem with mixing & mismatching parts if it made for a lighter bike.

Only two models in my catalog. Stage & Team.

Do the specs for the Stage say it can be ordered without rack bosses?

-Kurt

Kurt, My Catalogs are all stashed away :( I only have the scans i posted handy. With Klein, at that time, almost anything could be done if you had cash. Doe's your Klein have the tubular cable guides under the BB?

Tubular cable guides under the BB, through-the-chainstay RD cable routing, like the OP's frame, downtube bosses on the sides of the downtube, dual water bottle cage mounts on the downtube - just like the Stage shown in the catalog - and nutted brake mounts:

http://www.jaysmarine.com/klein_8.jpg

http://www.jaysmarine.com/klein_9.jpg

http://www.jaysmarine.com/klein_10.jpg

Excuse the mess. I've yet to sand the old paint smooth with the metal in these areas. Lots of spots on the frame like this.

http://www.jaysmarine.com/klein_11.jpg

The inside of the seatstays (see extreme left) also need some Bondo work over the boron weave. I also found Bondo over the main tube joints; apparently, they figured the smooth joints weren't smooth enough:

http://www.jaysmarine.com/klein_12.jpg

I hope the OP doesn't mind the thread hijack :eek:

-Kurt

Kurk, I am only going from memory on this but I am pretty sure the catalog listed extras & deletions from the standard models. That looks like a early 80's Stage to me. I will try to dig up some info.

Probably was an optional delete then. Of note, this particular frame had a Campagnolo Record crankarm on it - though it was a single-ring (no lip on the inside) BMX arm for 3/32" chain.

-Kurt