KestrelCayson

So here is my 1989 (I think) Kestrel 200SC. It's full carbon, has all campagnolo gear (sans the front derailuer for some reason), a campagnolo Vento G3 wheelset. The rear cassette is a vintage 8spd, custom cut to fit the newer campe hub. Vintage 80s/90s campagnolo veloce calipers are in the mail, and I just added a nice new Selle Italia seat and polished shimano road pedals. What do you think? Personally, I feel it turned out even better than I was hoping.

BEFORE



AFTER

KestrelCayson

Paint wise, I wet sanded the clear, fixed a few small dings with touch up paint, and buffed the entire bike. It is like night and day from when I bought it. Paint was in surprising good shape, just very neglected.

Just about all of the gear needed polished, and I had to replace the chain but otherwise it was a nice bike to start. It was my first bike, and I never plan on getting rid of it. I picked it up for $200 bucks, and value aside, I don't feel like it could be a better investment!'

WNG

Very nice. I have a soft spot for Kestrels. Definitely qualifies for score of the year.

Bianchigirll 

Looks great. What kind of shifters are you using?

I think Veloce brakes would be '93ish or newer, not '80s. The old wheels look pretty nice what are your plans for them.

KestrelCayson

The shifters are Campagnolo Record from what I can tell. Thanks for the input on the brakes, they were new old stock, so hopefully the box will tell me of the year. The current calipers and handles are shimano 105, which I like but wanted to have all the gorgeous campy.

Rear wheel was a nice campe record hub with a Mavic open pro SUP, but the front was a cheap "sta-tru" or something and had a nasty hop I couldn't true out, so I started the hunt for a front campe hub tto build a matching wheel. Ended up finding the G3s for $50 so I went that route. If I can't find a matching hub and open pro for the front, ill probably sell the back.

gioscinelli 

Welcome to BF! My Kestrel 200sc





Rode more like a Triathlon then a road bike!

Decided to sell it and keep my Kestrel 4000

KestrelCayson

Correct me if I'm wrong, but was the 4000 the predecessor to the 200, only with a metal fork? Either way, your guys' bikes both look great!

GrayJay

The 4000 was the first widespread kestral model, frame is very different looking than the later 200. THe 4000 had more aero looking features (dont know if if actually test any worse/better than the 200). Kestral didnt start making carbon forks until several years after introduction of the 4000.

KestrelCayson

Good to know. I know carbon technology has advanced greatly, but I love my old school carbon bike. It will never leave my or my families hands as long as I have anything to do with it.

RobbieTunes

That's the spirit. The 200 is a great all-around bike. Setup can be tricky, to get the fit just right, but once you do, it's bone.

KestrelCayson

Just did a nice 25 or so mile ride today, felt amazing. Slight seat adjustment made all the difference!

wearyourtruth

i've heard mixed thoughts on whether this is safe to do or not. the "for" says it's the same tube, one they thread one they don't, so threading it is no problem, the "against" say that threadless forks have a thinner tubing and threading them would weaken the steer tube... ?

RobbieTunes

Thanks, didn't think about that. I may just get another fork, but I like the painted EMS.

wearyourtruth

it may be fine, perhaps others with more knowledge can chime in...

GrayJay

You could ditch the non-quil stem but keep the threadless aheadset, replace the steer-tube clamping function of the aheadset stem with a gorilla-lock headset clamp (internal threads removed to fit over the smooth steertube). https://www.bikepro.com/products/headsets/hset_acc.html

Push the aheadset internal star way down in bottom of the steertube and use a long bolt + aheadset topcap to adjust the aheadset bearing pre-load, then lock down the gorilla clamp to hold the bearing pre-load tension, remove the topcap and the long bolt and install a quill stem inside the threadless steer-tube (provided the steer-tube ID is same as required for a quill stem, aluminum threaded steer tubes are usually much smaller ID than steel due to thicker walls).

ftwelder

Steel steerers are all .065" wall at the top regardless of size with the exception of early American standard . It's difficult and often unpredictable to thread steerers though.

Robby, I would be happy to splice your steerer for you if you like.


Here is my SC200i. It's a fun bike and fast.


29 1179 by barnstormerbikes, on Flickr

RobbieTunes

I tried HED's on mine, but they don't go so nearly so well with the green as they do with red. I do think you've convinced me to lose the decals.

I looked up the Gorilla thing, and that makes sense, could be beyond my dexterity. The Wheels Mfg thing looks like it would be pretty cool if it came without internal threads. In black it would blend right in.

I'm also thinking about Frank's offer, or just deal with the current stem situation. It does bug me, though. The bar and stem were the only ones I had, so maybe I'll see if I can trade both. The bar is 26.0 carbon, the "early" EC90.

Fred Smedley

Good club to belong to;

RobbieTunes

Lance mountain setup. That is a sweet bike.

KestrelCayson

Is that seat the original that came on these bikes? Mine has the same but was a little tough so I replaced it, but saved it of course

RobbieTunes

I don't know. Mine came to me with one of the original Flites on it, worn slam out.

KestrelCayson

Mine was a flight too. It didn't fit with the "modern gear" look I'm going for, but I'm glad I saved it! That being said, I know the down tubes are not "modern" but I just love how they look!

KestrelCayson

Holy awesome! Just took a day trip to Des Moines and saw a dude on a white 200sc! I had just been cruising mine around 20 minutes earlier and was so mad I wasn't riding when I saw him. Tied to get his attention but he was in pedal mode.

KestrelCayson

Finally got to installing new bar tape, cables/housings, and campe calipers and ergo shifters. Looks great and rides even better. Thoughts/opinions??

RobbieTunes

Tight and right. Some of the years offered OEM Campy, but not as nice as your setup.
My guess is that the pictures don't do it justice, probably more stunning in person.