Latest 650b build...
 

...is almost done. Here's a sneak peak. Any guesses? Some of you might know already. I'll be done with the build by Tuesday.

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/...f7f621b5_b.jpg

I'm guessing gorgeous. Is it gorgeous? I bet it is!

Is that a light mount on the fork? The photo played a trick on my eyes at first and I thought it was holding one of the spikes on your front wheel. Anyway, looks great!

Yes it's a mount for a light. I have an old Soubitez rim dynamo with attached headlight but it's meant for the other side of the wheel...

Is that a new, reddish-colored chain-slap strap on the chainstay? If so, where did you get it? Compass only sells the black.

It is a Champion strap and came with the frame. It might be a real Champion strap given I don't see the reddish ones available as a reproduction anywhere. This frame is from the late 70s or early 80s I'd guess.

Very nice! My eyes grabbed on to those MAFAC canti’s. I hope my 650B turns out nice enough to post.

mmmmmmmmmmmmmmMaxiCar. :)

Looks very Singer-esque. Maybe a Cycles Toussaint?

It's a 1970s Cherubim randonneur, built by Hitoshi Konno. I finished it just now but since it's dark out you only get some cruddy indoor pics for now.


https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/...88ea249b_b.jpg

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/...c95a8d99_b.jpg

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/...48df9ba5_b.jpg

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/...a9db5100_b.jpg

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/...8b99a45a_b.jpg

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/...3232c07e_b.jpg

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/...4d6e6589_b.jpg



https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/...88b92a8b_b.jpg

I knew it!

That is gorgeous! Love the red touches.

Build:

Wheels: Late 80s Maxi-car hubs laced to newer Ambrosio rims, Mavic skewers
Freewheel: 5 speed Suntour Pro Compe 14-30
Tires: Grand Bois Hetre 650bx42
Fenders: Honjo smooth
Brakes: MAFAC Criterium cantilevers with new Kool Stop 4 dot pads
Brake levers: MAFAC Course with new Rustines hoods
Handlebars: Nitto B135 randonneur
Bar tape: Velo Orange cotton
Bar plugs: Velox
Stem: Nitto Dynamic Forged (60s copy of the Ambrosio Champion stem)
Headset: Old steel Tange caged bearing
Housing: Velo Orange stainless wound housing
Seatpost: JPR Extra Legere 26.8
Saddle: Ideale mod. 88 (I think)
Shifters: Sachs-Huret ratcheting
Rear derailleur: 1st gen Deore mid-cage from @hazetguy a while back
Front derailleur: 1st gen Deore
Crankset: Nervar 631 with new TA rings, 46-32
Pedals: MKS Sylvan Prime
Pump: old Zefal Solibloc


Next up is to build a custom front rack for bags from Dave Cain at Waxwing.

:thumb::thumb::thumb:

Wow!

Sublime! I love it.

Some photos in natural lighting:

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/...17727eca_b.jpg

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/...c4375a3c_b.jpg

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/...05fb1d54_b.jpg

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/...4284d14e_b.jpg

Concrats. The bike looks fantastic. I hope to own a japanese randonneur some day.

It's an astonishingly gorgeous bicycle even without the tires, but those red Hetres just give a rando rig a little bit of extra zing.

That's a beautiful bike, @TenGrainBread. I love the red touches.

Those are the Ambrosio Keba rims? What do you think of them so far?

They're pretty nice rims. Not as light as Velocity or Pacenti 650b rims but they work well. One nice thing is that the decal was easily removable.

It's perfect! Where will you be riding it?

FFD next year!

That's the plan! Among other things.

Well there's a real beauty! I very much enjoy seeing these early Japanese rando bikes. Nervar crank adds some interest. Love the four dot MAFAC brakes. First generation Deore gives it just the right amount of funk. I dig the solibloc pump too. Nice how the red matches the tape. Those were always so much nicer to look at than the frankly ugly but great working HP series. How about a headlight for that post?

:love: :love: :love: