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-   -   1987 Schwinn Voyageur Restoration (pic heavy) (https://www.bikeforums.net/classic-vintage/695296-1987-schwinn-voyageur-restoration-pic-heavy.html)

ColonelJLloyd 11-15-10 08:40 AM

1987 Schwinn Voyageur Restoration (pic heavy)
 
I've referenced this bike in several other threads. I drove 3.5 hours round trip and gladly paid $135 for it this summer. It was intended to be my winter project, but I'm impatient and want to see it on the road. I received the frameset and fenders back from the powder coater this week. It was done in a three stage "molten copper". It's an interesting color that changes in different lighting. Everyone that has seen it really loves it.

I replaced the headset (rusty cups) with a VO JIS headset. The fenders are VO 48mm fluted aluminum fenders powder coated to match the frame. It'll get a VO Pass Hunter front rack and eventually a rear rack and a front lowrider rack (can't decide on new racks or vintage Blackburn).

I'm putting the wheelset from my rando bike on this one and getting a lighter/faster set for that bike.

I have a set of the new Dia Compe bar end shifters for it, a Nitto Noodle, Shimano SLR aero levers and some other cool bits. It'll get braided SS housing.

I'll update this thread with more photos as the build progresses. My friend Beth took these photos yesterday outside my LBS.

http://gallery.me.com/justinhughes/1...12897891720001
http://gallery.me.com/justinhughes/1...12897892100001
http://gallery.me.com/justinhughes/1...12897891630001
http://gallery.me.com/justinhughes/1...12897892800001

southpawboston 11-15-10 09:05 AM

i love it already! can't wait to see it built up.

LeicaLad 11-15-10 09:15 AM

Wow. I just want to subscribe to every thread/project you start. Very creative. Great taste in color, too.

One nice thing about the mid-80's frames is that they come will all those braze-ons.

Is that RD friction or indexed? And that cute seat post binder/hanger: is that the TA version? And the front QR version?

Very, very nice. Looks like it'll be a great rider, to boot.

auchencrow 11-15-10 09:20 AM

Great color choice. This is obviously going to be another one of your incredible builds. Can't wait!

sauze 11-15-10 09:27 AM

wowza, love it. Subscribing to see it built up.

nlerner 11-15-10 09:27 AM

Very sharp!

Neal

ColonelJLloyd 11-15-10 09:28 AM


Originally Posted by LeicaLad (Post 11789114)
Wow. I just want to subscribe to every thread/project you start. Very creative. Great taste in color, too.

One nice thing about the mid-80's frames is that they come will all those braze-ons.

Is that RD friction or indexed? And that cute seat post binder/hanger: is that the TA version? And the front QR version?

Very, very nice. Looks like it'll be a great rider, to boot.

Thanks! Yeah, it has three sets of water bottle braze ons, lowrider rack mounts, rear rack mounts, and two eyelets per dropout.

The original DT shifters do have an index setting so I guess this was an early 6 speed indexing RD. I'll be using friction shifting with an 8 speed cassette. I'm excited to test those Dia Compe shifters. The rear cable hanger is the original one (at least it was on the bike when I got it). It's very cool, but I'm going to replace it with a Surly hanger because the Surly hanger hangs lower and will allow a better cable angle. The front quick release hanger is a Dia Compe product. This bike is getting those fancy VO roller hangers. :thumb:

Zaphod Beeblebrox 11-15-10 09:40 AM

Suh-Weet! Wow that's sharp lookin :)

And you mentioned you got the fenders color matched as well? awesome call :thumb: Are you gonna put the Original Decals back or are you gonna do something a little wild? IMHO a custom headbadge wouldn't be out of place. Or maybe call it an 11.9....or an 11.11 because it goes up to 11.

I love those VO roller hangers too, I put a set on some Mafac Racers...just be sure you aren't in a hurry to do anything when you go to put those hangers on...It took me forever and was quite frustrating. Result was worth it though.

Can't wait to see what ya do with it, have you decided on wheels/tires yet?

ColonelJLloyd 11-15-10 10:02 AM


Originally Posted by Zaphod Beeblebrox (Post 11789232)
Suh-Weet! Wow that's sharp lookin :)

And you mentioned you got the fenders color matched as well? awesome call :thumb: Are you gonna put the Original Decals back or are you gonna do something a little wild? IMHO a custom headbadge wouldn't be out of place. Or maybe call it an 11.9....or an 11.11 because it goes up to 11.

I love those VO roller hangers too, I put a set on some Mafac Racers...just be sure you aren't in a hurry to do anything when you go to put those hangers on...It took me forever and was quite frustrating. Result was worth it though.

Can't wait to see what ya do with it, have you decided on wheels/tires yet?

Thanks, man!

Yes, I had the fenders color matched. They look awesome. He just coated the underside of them with the first coat (black) which was a good call. I am not going to put the original decals on it, but I did buy a Columbus Tenax decal for the bottom of the seat tube from Velocals. I'll install that soon.

I had the idea of a custom headbadge last night when I was wrenching on it. I was thinking of something along the lines of a flattened penny or a profile of Lincoln or just the font "Honest Abe". Do you know a good source for custom head badges?

Wheelset:
Front: Shimano DH-3N80 dyno hub, 32h, VO Diagonale rim, straight 14 ga SS spokes, VO anti-theft skewers
Rear: Shimano 105 hub, 36h, VO Diagonale rim, straight 14 ga SS spokes
Cassette: SRAM PG-850, 11-28, 8 speed
Tires: Panaracer Ruffy Tuffy 700c x 28mm

southpawboston 11-15-10 10:04 AM


Originally Posted by Zaphod Beeblebrox (Post 11789232)
IMHO a custom headbadge wouldn't be out of place.


Originally Posted by ColonelJLloyd (Post 11789330)
I had the idea of a custom headbadge last night when I was wrenching on it. I was thinking of something along the lines of a flattened penny or a profile of Lincoln or just the font "Honest Abe". Do you know a good source for custom head badges?

if you want to go custom, i can recommend the person who made the badge for my jeunet. he can make them from metals other than aluminum.

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4046/...138959bcdb.jpg

Zaphod Beeblebrox 11-15-10 10:11 AM

A profile of Honest Abe cut into copper like that might be pretty cool, although I really like the idea of a Flattened Penny. Go hit the railroad tracks with a pocketfull. Or if you want to do it the less fun way there's those machines at highway rest stops. that you put a penny in and turn the crank.

Col., are you ordering those wheels built from VO or building them yourself?

ColonelJLloyd 11-15-10 10:25 AM


Originally Posted by Zaphod Beeblebrox (Post 11789384)
A profile of Honest Abe cut into copper like that might be pretty cool, although I really like the idea of a Flattened Penny. Go hit the railroad tracks with a pocketfull. Or if you want to do it the less fun way there's those machines at highway rest stops. that you put a penny in and turn the crank.

I'm afraid that a flattened penny might not be large enough. I'll contact southpaw's guy and maybe one or two others once I have a more concrete design idea. I'm open to any ideas, so throw 'em at me. I'm pretty certain I want copper, though.


Originally Posted by Zaphod Beeblebrox (Post 11789384)
Col., are you ordering those wheels built from VO or building them yourself?

It's the wheelset I had on my chrome Voyageur 11.8. I ordered the pre-built rear wheel from VO and had a local guy build the front for me.

badger_biker 11-15-10 12:42 PM

Very Nice!! I'm anxious to see follow up pics - especially with the fenders. If you ever do decide to restore the decals please post - I may want to go the powder coat route some day on mine and would like a source.
Was it originally the imperial rose color? I went rattle can to freshen mine up for now and posted some pics in the touring forum a while back - http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread...=rose+voyageur

If you haven't ridden one in the past I think you will love the ride the Voyageur gives.

dashuaigeh 11-15-10 12:52 PM

it finally happened! that does look amazing :) (was there a RAL number for that color?). Noodles and silver shifters + VO outfit? This is going to be one classy classy bike.

The custom headbadge is a neat idea. Are you planning on just having the Tenax decal + headbadge?

ColonelJLloyd 11-15-10 01:04 PM


Originally Posted by badger_biker (Post 11790330)
Very Nice!! I'm anxious to see follow up pics - especially with the fenders. If you ever do decide to restore the decals please post - I may want to go the powder coat route some day on mine and would like a source.
Was it originally the imperial rose color? I went rattle can to freshen mine up for now and posted some pics in the touring forum a while back - http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread...=rose+voyageur

If you haven't ridden one in the past I think you will love the ride the Voyageur gives.

Great looking Voyageur, Badger! I'm planning on installing an interrupter lever (but maybe just for the front brake) much as you did. Contact Velocals if you want reproduction decals. I'm sure he can do them. I suppose my bike is actually an '88 model. It was originally Emerald Green. The headbadge indicated a December 1987 assembly.

I actually have not ridden it. It wasn't really rideable when I got bought it. The ST and TT measurements are exactly the same as my 11.8 so I'm sure it'll fit great but have some subtle differences in ride and stability.


Originally Posted by dashuaigeh (Post 11790402)
it finally happened! that does look amazing :) (was there a RAL number for that color?). Noodles and silver shifters + VO outfit? This is going to be one classy classy bike.

The custom headbadge is a neat idea. Are you planning on just having the Tenax decal + headbadge?

I'm sure there was a color code, but I don't know it. I imagine you could find it using the name "molten copper". I had originally asked for "translucent copper", but the powder coater discouraged me because he didn't like the results with it and neither did previous customers. He suggested the three stage (and more expensive) "molten copper" so I trusted him.

Yes, I'm just planning on having the Tenax decal and a custom headbage. I suppose I need one for my chrome bike now too. I ordered the Pass Hunter rack and some other bits today. I'll begin fender installation tonight.

Does anyone have a lead on replacement hoods for older Shimano 105/SLR aero levers? My LBS was going to order them for me from QBP but they were out of stock. :(

This is what the levers look like. Model BL-L331
http://www.retrobike.co.uk/forum/fil...akes_1_931.jpg

I'm assuming that these hoods will be a close enough fit. Am I right?

http://www.bikeman.com/store/graphic.../BR/BR5104.jpg

ColonelJLloyd 11-17-10 10:16 PM

Fender night #1

http://gallery.me.com/justinhughes/1...12900530960001
http://gallery.me.com/justinhughes/1...12900527630001
http://gallery.me.com/justinhughes/1...12900527080001

Doohickie 11-17-10 10:20 PM

Beautious!

dashuaigeh 11-17-10 10:41 PM

that is amazing - with that color especially! i don't think it'd work with most other powdercoats, but that molten copper really does something amazing when color-matched.

gomango 11-18-10 12:00 AM

Can't wait to see her built!

I rode a Voyager quite often this summer and really enjoyed the bike.

mkeller234 11-18-10 04:06 AM

Wow, those fenders look great on it. Nice color too.

ftwelder 11-18-10 04:15 AM

Very nice. I have an older Voyaguer II with the chrome flaking off the lugs. Yours looks really nice!

southpawboston 11-18-10 09:27 AM

wow, this is coming along so nicely!

[and the PBR can in the periphery is as classic as the bike :-)]

ColonelJLloyd 11-18-10 09:39 AM


Originally Posted by southpawboston (Post 11806315)
[and the PBR can in the periphery is as classic as the bike :-)]

Never attempt fender installation without the right tools. :thumb:

cehowardGS 11-18-10 10:05 AM


Originally Posted by ColonelJLloyd (Post 11790501)
Great looking Voyageur, Badger! I'm planning on installing an interrupter lever (but maybe just for the front brake) much as you did. Contact Velocals if you want reproduction decals. I'm sure he can do them. I suppose my bike is actually an '88 model. It was originally Emerald Green. The headbadge indicated a December 1987 assembly.

I actually have not ridden it. It wasn't really rideable when I got bought it. The ST and TT measurements are exactly the same as my 11.8 so I'm sure it'll fit great but have some subtle differences in ride and stability.



I'm sure there was a color code, but I don't know it. I imagine you could find it using the name "molten copper". I had originally asked for "translucent copper", but the powder coater discouraged me because he didn't like the results with it and neither did previous customers. He suggested the three stage (and more expensive) "molten copper" so I trusted him.

Yes, I'm just planning on having the Tenax decal and a custom headbage. I suppose I need one for my chrome bike now too. I ordered the Pass Hunter rack and some other bits today. I'll begin fender installation tonight.

Does anyone have a lead on replacement hoods for older Shimano 105/SLR aero levers? My LBS was going to order them for me from QBP but they were out of stock. :(

This is what the levers look like. Model BL-L331
http://www.retrobike.co.uk/forum/fil...akes_1_931.jpg

I'm assuming that these hoods will be a close enough fit. Am I right?

http://www.bikeman.com/store/graphic.../BR/BR5104.jpg


Bear with me, cause I be a newbie. With that said, trying to get hoods to fit my 1980+ vintage Raleigh seems to be quite a chore. However, I found out that getting the whole lever/hood combo is the smarter move, and the fit will be perfect. They have some nice Shimano aero lever/hoods on ebay.

After a miss on putting hoods on my vintage 1985 Raleigh Prestige, I am getting a used aero combo and the fit will be assured..

The 2 cents of a newbie!! ;)

ColonelJLloyd 11-18-10 10:26 AM


Originally Posted by cehowardGS (Post 11806537)
Bear with me, cause I be a newbie. With that said, trying to get hoods to fit my 1980+ vintage Raleigh seems to be quite a chore. However, I found out that getting the whole lever/hood combo is the smarter move, and the fit will be perfect. They have some nice Shimano aero lever/hoods on ebay.

After a miss on putting hoods on my vintage 1985 Raleigh Prestige, I am getting a used aero combo and the fit will be assured..

The 2 cents of a newbie!! ;)

I totally agree with you and I'm sure I'm not making the most cost effective decision here, but I went ahead and purchased the replacement hoods designed for the newer 105/Tiagra levers. It won't be a perfect match, but I'm thinking it'll work out OK. I just have these levers which function perfectly and are a period correct upgrade for this bike so I'm going to use them.


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