I always thought De Rosa made the webbed Primato BB shell in house, but this looks identiical...anyone know if this was a standard option?

OK, THANKS for all the info and kind compliments.. But it gets weirder than this....

So, two months ago I bought a too small (Basically new) 1992 LeMond alpe d'huez from the LBS. It had been sitting on consignment for more than two years. (They sold it new in 1992 or thereabouts) So, I like it because it is ALL CAMPY "Mirage" and I like Campy for no other reason than I do, and this bike is new! (I know Campagnolo Mirage is not fabulous, but this bike is basically new, and it is ALL Campy)

So, they know I've been eyeballing it for a very long time and every time I'm in there, they are always saying: "JIM, would you please buy that!"
So, all this time I'm watching eBay for a nice frame-set to build with the components from this LeMond and then just flip the LeMond frame on Ebay after I'm done.
So around Thanksgiving time with another riding season over, I low-ball them basically for the low-end value of price of the 8-speed Campy group on eBay. They call the guy and he accepts. WOO-HOO!

So, it's sitting here while I shop for a frame..

Soooooo.... Since I'm tearing this Jackson down to bare-bones for a total tune-up and cleaning, should this baby get that 8-speed Campy set? Should I?

Here is the LeMond

No reason not to.

Great bike!

Well no, I'd say, not until you've ridden the Jackson as is. It is so nice already. The Campy gear may be better, but my guess is it isn't. Anyway, the Jackson was a gift, given to you because you appreciated it. I would leave it as is --overhauled and maintained as necessary, of course-- and get to know it. Once i'd ridden it a good bit, I'd feel free to make any changes necessary.

The dropouts are probably not made by BJ, just stamped with the name. Could be from GPM or Technociclo.
I had a vague idea that the "Everest/San Rensho" lugs and BB shell was being produced (or copied/knocked off) by one of the big Asian lug makers like Long Shen...but can't find evidence to support that when I went looking. In any case, I'm not sure where the lugs would have been sourced when this frame was built in (around) the mid-90s...maybe they were still cast in Japan, Everest still offers some parts, mainly IC BB shells in over-sized for Mtn. bikes...not sure where in Asia (Taiwan, China or Japan?) they are cast.
And let me add:
Wow, for the bike and
WOW, for the deal!
A Merry Xmas, indeed!!

Meh...

Fork looks bent.





Just kidding- looks like a beautiful bike! Congratulations on the great score!

OK, now who's being politically incorrect? The guy could be Jewish (like Tom) or maybe a recovering alcoholic (like, well, probably a lot of us)

_________
But seriously, I'd stay with the Shimano bits unless they proved lacking somehow. I don't see how the mid-grade Campy stuff is much of an upgrade. (Though I'm no expert)

And yes, no matter what, that stem just isn't the right look for this bike. And yes, it'll get a leather saddle. Probably a Titanico-X, Selle Anatomica.

You MEANT to say: a custom leather saddle from our own Mr. Rudi Mayr, didn't you?
Yes, that's what we thought. He can out-anatomica those x-titanicos!

If I were going to change the components, I wouldn't bother with the Mirage stuff (not an upgrade in quality). I was thinking more along the lines of a new group from one of the UK retailers like Ribble. You can get a complete silver Veloce 10s group for just over $400 with their current sale; around $450 for silver 105. I believe the extra 10% off ends 12/23.

very nice......karma works..... I would bet dollars to donuts you have done similar type things (maybe not on a Bob jackson scale )

Mine was s/n 17303, with a probable dating to mid-80's. I'd firmly place yours a good five years or more younger.

Very nice, and I'm envious as all get out. I parted with mine because it was just too small, hoping to come across another, larger one. Hasn't happened yet.

Just as a comparison point:

There are a few Bob Jackson threads on BF where people have included their serial Numbers. Mine is 6832 which puts it around 1970. Your color scheme is quite unusual but Bob Jackson seems able to offer a huge choice of customized colours and finishes as well as an ongoing frame modification service. Their website is well worth a browse. Very cool bike...enjoy.

This thread confuses me- How would a free, nearly perfect, Bob Jackson NOT be an amazing thing to fall into?

never mind the bob jackson, how about a photo tour of the whole garage?

Well for one thing, when one Googles the history of the Bob Jackson brand, there are discussions about time-periods when the bikes were not that great, some ownership changes etc.. Lots of posts on threads about their arrogant attitude at the company and how one previous ownership period drove them almost into the ground, and the revitalization into what they are now.

I know that in the 1970s they were at the top of the game. From what I remember, they were right there with MERCIAN etc. And there is some connection to Merlin as well. So at the time of my post, I was and am not sure of exactly what level of Bob Jacksonism that I actually have.

I'm going to tear her down as a winter project and then detail everything, take my time and very carefully put her back together. I can mix the color and brush-touch the nicks etc. (My auto-body background) -

And sure, if you guys would dig seeing my man-cave AKA hoard, that could be arranged as well.

As per being a braggart, you know, I thought it was a mind blower find and some of you would dig the weird way I got this bike. We all know that typically if one looks for something like this it seems almost impossible. Then when you are about to give up on the dream and when you least expect it, jumps out and bites you. And to be my frame size.. Well, the whole thing being now just 24 hours old, still blows my mind.

I'm going to have some free time over the holidays so I'm going to get right into this bike.

Today I was playing with it a little on the work stand and the rear DR is very tight, balky to down-shift, the steering is very tight, but doesn't appear to be brinelled. I also noticed this afternoon that the brakes were switched to motorcycle style, with the front being the right control. (It's funny, I've been a dirt bike rider my whole life and I would never swap my bicycle to match the motorcycle configuration and have never had any problem with grabbing the wrong brake handle. But this set-up will get switched back to proper before I ride it a single mile.)

That all being said, my head is still spinning about this one, and thanks again everyone for the advice and words of encouragement, I am just ecstatic to finally have a Bob Jackson in the stable.

Wonderful find, great story. A fine bike finds an owner who appreciates it - excellent!

Yes, there was a time (early to mid 1970s) when they had problems with the bottom bracket hangers - I had one, and the only way a very fine LBS could find to keep a BB in it was to (a) use a Phil Wood and (b) use the industrial-strength level of Loctite. Otherwsie, it was a great frame, and I still curse the @^#$%!* who stole it out of my garage over 20 years ago. And yes, there was a time after Bob Jackson sold the company and the new owners damn near killed it, but, fortunately, Mr. Jackson came back and led the resurrection.

In any event, your frame was built well after these problems were resolved. Very, very nice.

As to switching over the campy stuff - why not? I am a big advocate of setting up your bike(s) in a way that makes you happy and want to ride it/them, so long as no hacksaws or other butchery is involved. I say, if that flots your boat, go for it.

I like the '69 Impala in the background. That was my first car.

Sweeeeet!!!!

I think that's a Trek LeMond which means it's a '95 or newer.

Wonderful story, that guy sure had the holiday spirit.  A fantastic bike! And I think you should do whatever the heart desires with it. The Mirage group is modern era Campy (as miamijim has indicated about the Lemond) and it'll shift just as well as the 600 tricolor.
Enjoy!!!

Love the bike, love the lugs and the color scheme is off the charts. Three of my favorite colors working pretty darned well together. Confused about the Lemond though. Do you still have the frame? What size? Interested!

Jaw on floor. Some awesome karma going on there.