:o Whoops. I realize looking back at my - now edited - post that I might have given that impression inadvertently!

Actually, what I meant to convey is that my stable of older bikes (from various Canadian, UK, and Japanese builders) centres around the mid-80s! Not one a Davidson, unfortunately.

A couple of my favourites are built date to 1984-5 (my Mercian Pro, for example); my feeling is that many craftsmen and larger manufacturers hit a sweet spot around this time, producing wonderfully clean, elegant road frames.

Which probably makes my last comment a little clearer (I literally picked up my first US-made bike from the PO 15 mins ago!)

Really, really dig your Davidson!

^ thanks.

you know, '84 was about the last year that higher end bikes were assembled with non-aero levers, so this year is kind of my cutoff year too.

(... not to mention that paint schemes started losing their classic simplicity as well.)

http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=398017

...this one is a 1978 signature model. About the same size as yours.



http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=398018

...Much later in production, but I don't know the model name or the year.

I don't know if the head tubes are longer as such, but it is true that when you
design a frame with more aggressive angles, very often the head tube gets longer
to make everything come together in the end.

Well, that came out perfectly! Glad I could contribute :)

However, it is lacking one tiny detail:

https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7001/...69e9f7be_b.jpg

On a vintage setup, a Campy stainless coil housing for the RD cable is a must. And, yes, I have a spare one for you; now you and I just have to meet up somewhere on the Interurban so's I can deliver it to you. Oh, yeah - and you have to be riding this bike :)

I'm looking forward to seeing this one in the metal soon.

DD

:thumb: to this, a million times this.

It's simply the right thing to do.

3a, i like your '78.

jeff, can i have the derailler too? ha!

(one went for $137 on ebay a few days ago.)

nice pic, btw.

Beautiful! Perfect for a ride on a sunny day

HOLY Shirtsleeves, Eschlwc. That is one beautiful bike.

now there's an idea. we should've done that instead.

and thanks, rootboy (the boy wonder) and everyone.

DD,
I think Bill already has the best shift cable housing on his Davidson. That yellow housing is the perfect complement with the decals, and that little bit of it at the back end looks perfect.

OTOH, the stainless coil housing looks good in that picture, but we should see the total bike to get the full effect. And you do always build great looking bikes, but so does Bill.

I have to admit, the yellow highlights (cables) across the board do work nicely! For myself, I've always equated the stainless coil housing with a mechanical look, and it just screams out to me :)

Bill, if you want it, it's yours. If not, no harm nor foul. We've still gotta line up a ride in any case, and getting a look-see at this beauty is all the excuse I need!

DD

So sorry, but I'm fresh out of spare Super Record derailleurs :)

DD

[MENTION=340794]Dfrost[/MENTION], thanks for the compliment.

because you keep drilling holes in them?

[and i'm down for a ride ... prolly next week.?.]

Top tube length
 

Hi E

What is the actual top tube length of that 58 cm Davidson?

TT

Zombie thread... I will say though. Whoever wrapped the bar tape on the OP's bike... magical.