noglider 

I have projects, and winter is approaching, so does that turn my projects into winter projects?

One is a 1974 Raleigh International I've been working on for years, very slowly, obviously. I'm in the middle of painting it.

Another is a 1973 Raleigh Twenty. I put on a threadless 1" headset, and that kinda sorta worked, but now, I've pushed the star nut into the steerer tube too deep. Gotta get it out somehow. And I'm going to shave down the head tube to effectively make the steerer longer. The steerer didn't really protrude far enough for the stem to grab it well.

CV-6 

I had no Italian stallions in my stable, so I am adding one. Ca. 1973 Italian Masi GC purchased from a BFer. Frame is with Jack at Franklin Frame for repair of TT aero routing, chroming of fork crown and of course a refinish. Decided to stay with the blue already on it. It might be original color but who knows? Unfortunately the Masi panto chainring is ruined, so I decided to put drillium on it. Drillium Dude did some really nice rings for me on a trade and I have some other drillium bits that will get polished for use on the frame. I have a Martano front rim but am in need of a good rear Martano.

Before pic from seller below.

Drive by CV6Enterprises, on Flickr

CV-6 

I considered doing that on one of my frames. Every frame person I spoke with advised against it. It does change the geometry of the frame. Can you find a headset with a lower stack height?

noglider 

What's the worst that can happen? It's only a Raleigh Twenty, and it doesn't ride like a DeRosa anyway. I could hardly make it worse. I'll shave off the top, so the effect that the handlebars will be lower, which will be an improvement. I've already bent the fork blades back a bit to remove some of the excessive rake. I can't say it was an improvement, but it doesn't ride any worse. If the bike ends up being unridable, I'm only out a Twenty, and I can't imagine I'll truly ruin it.

RaleighSport

I'm planning a restore on the Sekai 2700 but vying for equal attention in the stable this winter is my Raleigh Sports that started all this madness. Backlogged there's a Raleigh Superbe and a Supergo All access full suspension mtb.. might be a very busy winter if things slow down enough to work on bikes.

noglider 

Have you tried riding a Sports in proper working order yet? You should, so you can decide whether it's worth the trouble. You might decide to hurry. Or you might decide to put it in the back of the queue.

RaleighSport

I have and I love how my Sports rides, what it really needs is the hubs repacked and I was a novice and felt it was beyond my skill level when I did originally preserve it.

CV-6 

I was considering doing it on something a little higher end. So I see your point.

noglider 

likebike23

I picked up a few vintage Soubitez dynamo and light sets as well as an old Union set. I'm going to work on converting them to led and making bridge rectifyer circuits for them. I also have a few bikes to overhaul, nothing special though.

gomango

That's a beauty.

Looks like a fun project for you.

I have a 1974 Masi GC heading my way in the new year. I wish you all the luck with this one.

iab

Putting a carpet runner on the stairs.

New tile (probably slate) in the front hall.

Paint the office.

Build one table and two cabinets.

And this was somewhat of an impulse ...

DSC_0074 by iabisdb, on Flickr

jimmuller 

You can drive B&M LED lights directly with an old dyno. Of course you have to pay for the light...

repechage

Let's see, gomango and CV-6 both going Masi.

I started with ONE too.

I don't know what fork crown yours will have gomango, but it will be interesting to read CV-6's ride comments on the twin plate crown.
There is precedent by the way for a Carlsbad bike to have brazed on downtube cable stops.

likebike23

Yeah, I have an IQ fly running off of an Axa bottle Dynamo and it works well for the $25 it costs. I'm just looking for something to tinker with and this seems like it'll be a fun little project. I've tracked down some E10 led bulbs that'll just screw right into the old lights (one of which is a Soubitez golf ball light which will look cool on my U08). Getting them to run well will be the challenge.

CV-6 

Price was too good IMO to pass. It will be a loner. I did break my decision to not buy anything but a 753 Lejeune when I bought it. I did ride it several times this summer. I cannot say I found the "Masi Mystique" while riding it. It was pleasant to ride but I do not consider it superior to anything else I own. Truth be told my favorites are my Jan de Reus and the Vitus Bernard Carré.

Not sure if the remark about DT cable stops was about mine. This one is not a Carlsbad Masi.

gomango

I've been looking at this particular GC for eight years.

An old friend is doing a bit of downsizing and I've ridden this one quite a bit.

I offered a reasonable price and he wants me to have it.

I don't release pics till I am the actual owner, but I will be happy to share next summer.

That and one more special bicycle on the horizon will have me in C&V bliss for some time to come.

Giacomo 1 

Glad to hear that.

I was beginning to think we were losing you to something loosely called "gravel grinders" or some such nonsense!

gomango

Still in danger actually.

The roads here stink and I am leaning towards overbuilt wheelsets atm.

I'm drinking the wide tire Kool aid as well.

I'll still have a few road bikes though. Too much fun to pass that up.

jjhabbs 

Finish rebuilding my Raleigh Superbe 3 speed. Looking for another project. now

repechage

It will take a while to find that 753 Lejeune...
Italian example... Torch those cable stops off then.... Wink wink.
I have an Italian one from '74.
The twin plate fork crown is more flexible than the others used. It absorbs road shock a bit better under most conditions. At least I have found.

There is a Lejeune frame on eBay with Nervex pro lugs right now... Different.

mountaindave 

Restoring dad's '73 TdF:

It will get a blasting and powder coating; a triplized chainring; a set of guidonnet brake levers for my wife's small/not-so-strong hands. The rest will be polished up and an put back.



The saddle has already been rejuvenated with about three good coats of Obenauf's heavy duty leather protection. Place in sun for a while, apply and rub in as it melts from the warm leather.

miamijim

Lynne, I've shaved head tubes on many occasions. Shaving the lower head tube by 2mm will have inconsequential effects on geometry. Will it change? Yes. But if you calculate out the change is minimal at best. If you shave off the top there's no change in geometry.

Running mismatched tire from to back will change geometry well and depending how angled the rear dropouts are will change geometry depending on wheel position.

Italuminium

I've found road bikes better to look at, but off road bikes more fun to ride. My winter build is definitely a looker

gomango

Is that your attractive Somec you are talking about?