My Faux Constructeur (pic heavy)
08-30-10, 03:41 PM
#27
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Thread Starter
I don't think the bike is odd (I shouldn't - I chose and installed every part).
I was referring to the short top tube and stem. I'm building up an '81 Super Sport (one model above the Voyageur 11.8 that year) for a friend. It has a 23" seat tube but the same length top tube, which to me is odd though apparently common for the era. The fit is perfect for me, though. The stem is a 60mm Technomic. In hindsight a 70mm would've been a bit better, but as I had to have the stem turned down to a 21.1mm diameter by a local machine shop I'm gonna live with it. I did a good deal of modifying and fabricating parts here and there. Fabricateur? Yeah, that's the ticket.
08-30-10, 04:52 PM
#29
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That is a great looking bike! I hope you will post a report about the VO crank after you've had some time with it. Some shellac on the twine may keep it from fraying.....
08-30-10, 05:34 PM
#31
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I've been tinkering with my bike for over a year now. It's a 1981 Schwinn Voyageur 11.8. The only part original to the frame/fork is the headset. I can finally answer "yes" when my wife asks, "Are you finished buying stuff for that bike?". 
As you can see, there are a lot of parts from Velo Orange. I've wiled away hours looking at pictures of classic radnonneuse-type bikes and this is my own assimilation. I'm tickled with it. Love, love, love it.
These pictures were taken outside my LBS yesterday. If the size/configuration look a bit odd it's because I've got long legs and a bad, bad lower back.
As you can see, there are a lot of parts from Velo Orange. I've wiled away hours looking at pictures of classic radnonneuse-type bikes and this is my own assimilation. I'm tickled with it. Love, love, love it.
These pictures were taken outside my LBS yesterday. If the size/configuration look a bit odd it's because I've got long legs and a bad, bad lower back.
Mike
08-30-10, 06:30 PM
#34
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Beautiful bike. Could you show close-ups of the lights and wiring setup? I'd love to do something similar to this to the Peugeot fixed gear...
08-30-10, 06:46 PM
#35
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Well done Sir!!!! Absolutley beautiful!!!
Cheers,
Chris
Cheers,
Chris
08-30-10, 08:45 PM
#37
Senior Member
colonel, what an outstanding build! you've really paid attention to the details and put a lot of thought into it. spectacular! i love how you painted the taillight shell silver to match the bike... nice touch... the stock black wouldn't have suited this bike. i also like how you integrated the lower rack tang with the fender stay R-clip. did you just use a spacer? details, details, details, and you've really done a great job tending to them.
Last edited by southpawboston; 08-30-10 at 08:50 PM.
08-30-10, 09:06 PM
#38
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While a constructuer bikes generally don't tweak me you have done a simply awesome job of putting that together. Impressive.
08-30-10, 09:16 PM
#39
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I'd like to see a picture of you on it.
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Blogs: The Experienced Cyclist; noglider's ride blog
“When man invented the bicycle he reached the peak of his attainments.” — Elizabeth West, US author
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08-30-10, 10:55 PM
#40
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Merci beaucoup!
Yes, it is. I had the VO elk hide sewn-on leather on it for several months but it I didn't do the prettiest job. I eventually moved it to my wife's Bridgestone. I wanted to try the leather wrap and got a good deal on the Brooks. It's very, very nice. I'd buy it again.
Thanks, Jonathan! I like them enough I've bought two! They were good bikes when new and are a great canvas for different types of builds. All of the original parts from the chrome 11.8 were transplanted to a light blue (pretty rare color, I think) 11.8 that I found as a frameset only. I recently sold it to a friend who really, really likes it. He's the infamous monster masher referenced in this thread.
Says one of the more detail oriented among us. Thanks!
Yes, it is. I had the VO elk hide sewn-on leather on it for several months but it I didn't do the prettiest job. I eventually moved it to my wife's Bridgestone. I wanted to try the leather wrap and got a good deal on the Brooks. It's very, very nice. I'd buy it again.
Thanks, Jonathan! I like them enough I've bought two! They were good bikes when new and are a great canvas for different types of builds. All of the original parts from the chrome 11.8 were transplanted to a light blue (pretty rare color, I think) 11.8 that I found as a frameset only. I recently sold it to a friend who really, really likes it. He's the infamous monster masher referenced in this thread.
Says one of the more detail oriented among us. Thanks!
Last edited by ColonelJLloyd; 08-30-10 at 11:24 PM.
08-30-10, 11:06 PM
#41
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08-30-10, 11:14 PM
#42
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New York City and High Falls, NY
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“When man invented the bicycle he reached the peak of his attainments.” — Elizabeth West, US author
Please email me rather than PM'ing me. Thanks.
Tom Reingold, tom@noglider.com
New York City and High Falls, NY
Blogs: The Experienced Cyclist; noglider's ride blog
“When man invented the bicycle he reached the peak of his attainments.” — Elizabeth West, US author
Please email me rather than PM'ing me. Thanks.
08-30-10, 11:17 PM
#43
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Thread Starter
I have an '87 Voayageur in the pipeline. I could see it turning out something like your LeJeune.
Last edited by ColonelJLloyd; 08-30-10 at 11:31 PM.
11-10-10, 09:35 AM
#44
Senior Member
11-10-10, 09:42 AM
#45
Senior Member
I've been inspired by every one of your bike builds, including a couple fabulous mixtes.
I also appreciate your passing on this little tip:
"Yes. I used the knurled nut from a Presta valve as a spacer. Tom from VO suggested it."
I'll be putting that same rack w/VO fenders on my current project.
Cheers!
I also appreciate your passing on this little tip:
"Yes. I used the knurled nut from a Presta valve as a spacer. Tom from VO suggested it."
I'll be putting that same rack w/VO fenders on my current project.
Cheers!
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(replacing stolen 1981 TR Everest custom)
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1959 Hilton Wrigley Connoisseur (my favorite!)
1963 Hetchins Mountain King
1971 Gitane Tour de France (original owner)
* 1971 Gitane Super Corsa (crashed)
* rebuilt as upright cruiser
1971 Gitane Super Corsa #2 (sweet replacement)
1980 Ritchey Road Touring (The Grail Bike)
1982 Tom Ritchey Everest
(replacing stolen 1981 TR Everest custom)
1982 Tom Ritchey McKinley (touring pickup truck)
1985 ALAN Record (Glued & Screwed. A gift.)
11-10-10, 09:43 AM
#46
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You have done a wonderful job sir. A bike worth every bit of your pride...and jealousy for me!
11-10-10, 09:47 AM
#47
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That is simply stunning, There's just nothing else to say.
11-10-10, 10:01 AM
#48
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Amazing, amazing bike. I also picked up a 63cm 1980 Voyageur that I plan to do something similar to. I get why you wanted to do all this to it - what a ride and the first time I just thought, this needs to be French-ified for long voyages.
11-10-10, 10:02 AM
#49
No one cares
My size, my style, VERY similar to how I'd of done it. Looks like something that might have been reviewed in Bicycle Quarterly. I hope it rides as nice as it looks. Wonderful job!
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I prefer emails to private messages - holiday76@gmail.com
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11-10-10, 10:04 AM
#50
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Looks great! How does it ride? It doesn't have the typical French low trail geometry so I am curious how it rides with the front bag loaded. I have a similar bike that I have been thinking of building up like this but would hate to fight the handling.
vjp
vjp