mnmkpedals 

(just read your other thread about your theory. Interesting).

Anyway, forgot to mention that my bike had/has no tubing stickers on it anywhere, like yours or like they others I've seen. I thought that was interesting when I bought it, since even in the cases where the stickers have worn off or been peeled off on my other bikes, there's still some evidence of the stickers or where they were. Not sure if they were just purposely and carefully removed (why?) or if it just came with none. Not sure if it means anything.

willinorton44

GB,
After looking at the catalog link you sent me, would completely agree, that very model looks like the bike sitting in m garage. Still confused about the date code, it is 0671, which I can tell from all the information I researched, would make it a 1981, but I am discovering from reading other post, it might be possible that a left over frame was used to create a newer model year bike. Not that it really matters, just nice to have my facts straight. I like the way the Takagi run, smooth and, well just have a nice feel to them while pedaling. I haven't had a chance to really put my bike through it paces yet, seven day a week work schedule right now, but am so looking forward to the few mini rides and then head out on a couple of day long adventures.

Again, thanks for the information, I have been out of the cycling world for a long time, but once it was an all consuming passion of m youth, and in the golden years I hope to be just as passionate again (no long cross country trek though).

Willi

ItsTimeToBike

Greetings Vouageurs - I'm back after finishing restoration work on my 1986 Voyageur. I've concluded the bike has fairly low miles and it came out very nice. I took an initial 10 mile ride today and took these pics. I felt my weight was a bit much on the hoods. It's a 56cm and I'm used to a 58cm even though I'm only 5-9. The "hide the axel" technique of determining proper fit failed, and it didn't feel right. I raised the stem to maximum safety line and took 2nd spin. Wow what a difference - I felt very well balanced and at home on it!! Smooth as butter and straight as an arrow. Actually one of the quietest riding bikes I own.

Golden Boy - regarding Gran Compe levers and canti's, and over all quality of the parts on the Voyageur are impressive. I especially like the fact that the majority of the frame is chrome plated prior to painting it. Any minor nicks usually stop at the chrome and are safer from corrosion. The raised chrome Shimano FE-SP-22 drop-outs really do a nice job of keeping the axle from nicking up that area as well. I installed Koolstops (dual type for wet/dry) and 27 x 1 1/4 Panaracer Pasela PT's. I received chrome colored SKS Longboards today but unfortunately the rear one was bent so I just sent a msg. to Amazon about it. I'll be remounting the rear rack that came with the bike and also my old Jim Blackburn FL-1 low rider which hopefully will mount without a much problem.
badger_biker you read my mind - I was trying to decide between tan and chrome and well I guess chrome won but I like your tan as well. This Voyageur was an inspiration for me as I didnt have a pure touring ride. My hope is that I'll be able to get out on a small tour yet this year. I believe we have one of the best tourers made in the peak of the touring era.



Ride hard -

badger_biker 

Beautiful bike ItsTimeToBike! Very nice job with the polishing. Yours is in better cosmetic shape than mine. I did a quick tune up on mine and got it out on the road today. With the rack and fenders on my 1987 I had forgotten what a sweet riding bike the Voyageur is bare bones. I really enjoyed the ride today.

ItsTimeToBike

badger_biker I like your style. Good to hear you had a nice ride on your Voyageur. I was wondering are all those your bikes and or previous ones under brapp in photobucket?
If so you have been a busy enthusiast to say the least.
Question - do you have any guidance or advice regarding mounting a vintage lowrider FL-1 (stamped "Jim Blackburn") - do I use the round hole for the fork boss and attach the jointed piece to one of the eyes? Attaching the jointed piece to the Eye just seems odd to me. The FL-1 came with a late 80's C'dale but I never used the rack.
Ride hard -

badger_biker 

I'm not familiar with the FL-1 so I'm sorry I can't be of help. Mine is a CL-1 with no hoop over the top. I don't have it mounted right now but I think there is a clip with possibly a spacer I use to mount on the fork dropout eyelet.

Most of the pictures are bikes that are still mine and just about all the rest have passed through my hands at some time.

The Golden Boy 

Wow is that thing in NICE shape!!!

Congratulations, I hope you're loving it!

jamesj

Here is mine on the way home from the office. We stopped to smell the flowers.

The Golden Boy 

Hey James,

Thanks for posting your VSP again- it's a really spectacular bike!


What do you have for a seatpost?

jamesj

Whatever came with the bike, I think and am pretty sure it is a SR post, I'm not sure what kind.
And thanx, I like this bike...

ItsTimeToBike

I mounted my SKS Longboards and managed to utilize every braze-on boss and eyelet, and some more than once. The vintage Jim Blackburn front low rider fit like a glove - one of those rare compatibility gifts from the heavens. It even fit properly in the round hole vs using the longer spaced ones.

jamesj

Added the rear cannondale panniers I was able to acquire

They make my bike look even smaller, this things seem huge.
Now all I need is some front ones.


.

rccardr 

Curious as to what tires you guys have mounted on your Voyageurs. Assuming I keep the 27" wheel set, are Panaracer Pasela PT 1 1/4 Tour Guards considered optimum?

Ordered a set of Kool Stop thinline brake pads but other than that and the tires, this '87 is really like new. I'll replace cables & housing just because they're so much better now than they were 27 years ago, and bar tape for preference, but other than a total strip-down and rebuild I think I'll leave it as is. Have also noticed that a couple of you have replaced the GC levers with Tektro R200L's, also my preferred brake lever. Any reason other than personal preference/feel?

Still no pics, it's been raining here for days...

mnmkpedals 

I have one of the green 86's above that I'm tinkering with for commuting and by default and habit with my other touring bike I ordered some 27x1 1/4 panaracer pt's like you assumed. I was about to put them on, then I stumbled across some NOS 27x1 3/8 Tioga Bloodhound tires with tan sidewalls that I liked. Initially I put them on just to see if they'd fit with the SKS longboards I put on the bike (which they do) but I've since liked them enough for commuting that I've left them on. Obviously the PTs would be my go-to tire, but if for any reason you were looking to go wider, just wanted to point out that even with fenders, it would take 27x 1 3/8s.

The Golden Boy 

I use Panaracer Pasela PTs as well.

I think it's a good tire with a nice ride- and they look great.

Somebody mentioned something the other day about the Pasela wearing fast- and I realized that they do. But for the purposes that I use the tires for, and for their positive traits- that wear is acceptable to me.

mobilemail

I'm in the Voyageur club! This photo shows the original saddle, not the Brooks Champion Flyer I have now.

I have a 23" Voyageur listed in the C&V sales that is looking for a new home https://www.bikeforums.net/classic-vi...geur-sale.html

The Golden Boy 

Are those the knobbies? As much as I'd like tires in that size- I'd only want knobbies for specific porpoises, not as every day tires.

I wish someone would make 27 x 1 3/8 "road" tires- Pasela PTs in that size would be smashing. I used to have a bike with Specialized Expedition tires in that size. They were really plush, but really old - so I didn't trust them at all.

southpawboston

I built up a 1988 Voyageur as a potential camping bike, but after hanging on a hook in my basement for a year and about a total of 10 miles clocked on it, I realized that bike camping is not a part of my cycling life. It moved on to another caretaker (another bikeforums member) who hopefully is using it more than I ever would. I should say, it was an exceptionally smooth riding bike! And it handled a front load very well despite having high trail geometry.

vqstaphbeard

Fancy that, here is mine. Didn't build up as a campeur, but do enjoy bike camping. Mine is gone as well.

mnmkpedals 

yeah, I suppose these were cyclcocross style tires. Not super aggressive knobbies and as bad as my roads are here, my commute might as well be off-road. I really like the tires, but can't find much about them (nor any others for sale) online.

badger_biker 

I'm running 1 1/4" Continental Gator Skins mainly because I use the bike for touring. I'm a little afraid of the Pasela sidewall strength while out on tour with the potential if hitting gravel. I would prefer the tread and ride of the Pasela but the Gator Skins roll nicely.

The Golden Boy 

Hey A!

Your build of that bike was pretty much THE example of a classy looking touring bike.

It's also interesting how similar yours and @vqstaphbeard 's bikes are.

vqstaphbeard

I'm guessing we chose tape color for the same reason, the little stripe in the 'voyageur' logo.

southpawboston

Always tease out the details, said the old wise man.

Yes, I noticed his slick voyageur. Very nice!

vqstaphbeard

This older photo is even more reminiscent: