Restoring Bridgestone '82
 

Hi from Amsterdam! I've finished restoring my first racing bicycle ever, and as we speak I've made just 600 kilometres the past couple of weeks. I figured out it is a Bridgestone Diamond Road from 1982 and is mainly fitted with Campagnolo Triomphe group. Three parts have been replaced by the previous owner, Shimano 600.
Firstly, I will show you the terrible condition it was in. At first sight I saw nothing but dirt, superficial rust and bad paint.
http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=323618
http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=323619
http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=323620

After some elbow grease and car shampoo, it started to look pretty nice for a 31 year old bike.
http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=323621
http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=323622
http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=323623

Next on are the new items I bought:
tubing, headcovers, braking and cabling parts, tape and the saddle.
http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=323616

After a good decrease of all parts and some new oil/silicon on the moving parts, this is the final result:
http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=323624

Feels as a new bike!

You made a super nice bike out of a clunker. You were able to see what was under the dirt. Shop around for some touch up paint and the you can make the bare spots go away. Try model car paints from hobby shop.
Ed

Thanks a lot Ed, I will certainly try your suggestion!
I've been enjoying the restoring so I'm definitely keeping my eyes open for another old bike to be saved from the dumpster. Nevertheless, I will keep 'improving' this one.

Great job, the bike looks fantastic! I'm sure your BS is a few steps up from my 1984 BS 500 but I really like this bike.

Your bike looks fabulous!

http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=323649

Great to see another Bridgestone, yours looks nice too. Though it is in a somewhat better paint-condition judging from the picture!

If anyone knows more about my bicycle or Bridgestones from the 80's in general, I'd love to hear more. ie. was mine first fitted with Shimano 600 or Campagnolo Triomphe? Hard to tell :)

Wow
Been a long time since I've seen a Bridgestone. Good work !

I didn't even know Bridgestone was making bikes back in 82.

Great resto and save!

Here's a catalog from '82, though the Diamond Road is not mentioned there (http://sheldonbrown.com/bridgestone/...%20catalog.pdf).

Found a likewise Bridgestone here: http://velospace.org/node/12379 Which mentions some of the corresponding parts (Shimano 600 EX (probably for the dutch market)+ Dia Compe)

Hi

here is mine converted for a summer touring...

https://www.flickr.com/photos/prosto...n/photostream/

this is how it looks for everyday

http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=394725

I brought it with full shimano 600Ex arabesque, nitto technomic stem, Friko's bars, dia compe brakes/levers, Araya rims, SR seatpost.... I love this bike but when i found 87 C'dale ST 400 i have to admit that its less on the streets..

Nice job and sweet looking bike.

That's a beautiful bike! Great work!

Wow It's been a year since I made my comment on this thread. Since then I bought this 1988-89 Bridgestone Radac. This model was never imported to the US. There was another all aluminum Radac sold here for a few years. This one is a Aluminum with steel seat and chain stays. These is a big resurgents for these now in Japan.
http://i515.photobucket.com/albums/t...001800x506.jpg