Harry Quinn Track Bike Build
#1
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: Eastern PA, USA
Posts: 187
Bikes: 1973 Schwinn World Voyageur | Francesco Moser SL | 1984 Ross Utopian | St. Etienne 531 | 1981 Peugeot PK10 | 2015 Cannondale SuperSix | 2012 Felt F65X
Mentioned: 5 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 54 Post(s)
Liked 51 Times
in
18 Posts
Harry Quinn Track Bike Build
I have no idea why this seemed like a good idea, likely N+1 or COVID stupidity, but I desired a track bike and was never tempted because the sizes always seemed a bit small. So this Harry Quinn shows up on the 'bay in 62cm seat tube. Transaction happens and I am anxious to put a track/fixie in the stable to vary my rides. My guess based on the S/N of 3273 is that this dates pretty close to 1973ish range.
Is there any logic to build this other than Campy bits? I actually have a fair amount of French bits lying around but I want to build wisely and not regret. I could put Stronglight headset, Stronglight 93 and as long as I figure out wheels I could go ride it. So...wheels? It starts me down this path of everything must actually be Campy. Were there any / many French track parts in 1970s? Does it conflict to build an English frameset with French over Italian?
Is there any logic to build this other than Campy bits? I actually have a fair amount of French bits lying around but I want to build wisely and not regret. I could put Stronglight headset, Stronglight 93 and as long as I figure out wheels I could go ride it. So...wheels? It starts me down this path of everything must actually be Campy. Were there any / many French track parts in 1970s? Does it conflict to build an English frameset with French over Italian?
Last edited by Revracer; 05-04-20 at 08:02 PM.
Likes For Revracer:
#2
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: PDX
Posts: 13,045
Bikes: Merz x 5 + Specialized Merz Allez x 2, Strawberry/Newlands/DiNucci/Ti x3, Gordon, Fuso/Moulton x2, Bornstein, Paisley,1958-74 Paramounts x3, 3rensho, 74 Moto TC, 73-78 Raleigh Pro's x5, Marinoni x2, 1960 Cinelli SC, 1980 Bianchi SC, PX-10 X 2
Mentioned: 267 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 4512 Post(s)
Liked 6,386 Times
in
3,671 Posts
I didn't race bicycles but do drag race motorcycles and can tell you that presentation matters, the right stuff and the right look can put the competition on notice and give you a psychological advantage before you ever get to the line, I used it in reverse with stock looking sometimes shabby presentation so they were taken off guard when I brought the whoopin, it served me well.
Track racing seems like it would have been the same, if you showed up with anything less than the best, you probably got less respect, Harry Quinn's were/are a known quantity, I suspect it would have been fitted with the best unless a rider had a strong reason otherwise.
Track racing seems like it would have been the same, if you showed up with anything less than the best, you probably got less respect, Harry Quinn's were/are a known quantity, I suspect it would have been fitted with the best unless a rider had a strong reason otherwise.
#3
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: PDX
Posts: 13,045
Bikes: Merz x 5 + Specialized Merz Allez x 2, Strawberry/Newlands/DiNucci/Ti x3, Gordon, Fuso/Moulton x2, Bornstein, Paisley,1958-74 Paramounts x3, 3rensho, 74 Moto TC, 73-78 Raleigh Pro's x5, Marinoni x2, 1960 Cinelli SC, 1980 Bianchi SC, PX-10 X 2
Mentioned: 267 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 4512 Post(s)
Liked 6,386 Times
in
3,671 Posts
I have no idea why this seemed like a good idea, likely N+1 or COVID stupidity, but I desired a track bike and was never tempted because the sizes always seemed a bit small. So this Harry Quinn shows up on the 'bay in 64cm seat tube. Transaction happens and I am anxious to put a track/fixie in the stable to vary my rides. My guess based on the S/N of 3273 is that this dates pretty close to 1973ish range.
Is there any logic to build this other than Campy bits? I actually have a fair amount of French bits lying around but I want to build wisely and not regret. I could put Stronglight headset, Stronglight 93 and as long as I figure out wheels I could go ride it. So...wheels? It starts me down this path of everything must actually be Campy. Were there any / many French track parts in 1970s? Does it conflict to build an English frameset with French over Italian?
Is there any logic to build this other than Campy bits? I actually have a fair amount of French bits lying around but I want to build wisely and not regret. I could put Stronglight headset, Stronglight 93 and as long as I figure out wheels I could go ride it. So...wheels? It starts me down this path of everything must actually be Campy. Were there any / many French track parts in 1970s? Does it conflict to build an English frameset with French over Italian?
Gold medal in track on a Quinn, you can get info straight from the source.
https://www.bikeforums.net/classic-v...-restored.html
#4
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: Eastern PA, USA
Posts: 187
Bikes: 1973 Schwinn World Voyageur | Francesco Moser SL | 1984 Ross Utopian | St. Etienne 531 | 1981 Peugeot PK10 | 2015 Cannondale SuperSix | 2012 Felt F65X
Mentioned: 5 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 54 Post(s)
Liked 51 Times
in
18 Posts
Thanks, that is helpful. To get more granular, if I go Campy, crank, hubs, what rims would be most appropriate? Mavic? Tubular or not? I have a few tubulars and being a track bike (you're not 50 miles from home with a flat) makes a lot of sense.
This frameset is actually amazing in condition IMO. I can just build to ride at the Velodrome in Trexlertown, but it is so tempting to drill a front brake to make for riding in PA rolling hills, but that would be a job for a random fixie.
For context, bikes found their way into my "home office" during this Covid time as art, hence the non-workshop look of this photo.
This frameset is actually amazing in condition IMO. I can just build to ride at the Velodrome in Trexlertown, but it is so tempting to drill a front brake to make for riding in PA rolling hills, but that would be a job for a random fixie.
For context, bikes found their way into my "home office" during this Covid time as art, hence the non-workshop look of this photo.
#5
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: PDX
Posts: 13,045
Bikes: Merz x 5 + Specialized Merz Allez x 2, Strawberry/Newlands/DiNucci/Ti x3, Gordon, Fuso/Moulton x2, Bornstein, Paisley,1958-74 Paramounts x3, 3rensho, 74 Moto TC, 73-78 Raleigh Pro's x5, Marinoni x2, 1960 Cinelli SC, 1980 Bianchi SC, PX-10 X 2
Mentioned: 267 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 4512 Post(s)
Liked 6,386 Times
in
3,671 Posts
Thanks, that is helpful. To get more granular, if I go Campy, crank, hubs, what rims would be most appropriate? Mavic? Tubular or not? I have a few tubulars and being a track bike (you're not 50 miles from home with a flat) makes a lot of sense.
This frameset is actually amazing in condition IMO. I can just build to ride at the Velodrome in Trexlertown, but it is so tempting to drill a front brake to make for riding in PA rolling hills, but that would be a job for a random fixie.
For context, bikes found their way into my "home office" during this Covid time as art, hence the non-workshop look of this photo.
This frameset is actually amazing in condition IMO. I can just build to ride at the Velodrome in Trexlertown, but it is so tempting to drill a front brake to make for riding in PA rolling hills, but that would be a job for a random fixie.
For context, bikes found their way into my "home office" during this Covid time as art, hence the non-workshop look of this photo.
Oh, and PS, don't you dare drill that fork.
#7
seńor miembro
Join Date: Dec 2018
Location: Pac NW
Posts: 6,624
Bikes: '70s - '80s Campagnolo
Mentioned: 92 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3888 Post(s)
Liked 6,488 Times
in
3,211 Posts
When the Harry Quinn track bike gets built
Revracer jumps for joy
Come all without, come all within...
Revracer jumps for joy
Come all without, come all within...
Likes For Kilroy1988:
#9
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: PDX
Posts: 13,045
Bikes: Merz x 5 + Specialized Merz Allez x 2, Strawberry/Newlands/DiNucci/Ti x3, Gordon, Fuso/Moulton x2, Bornstein, Paisley,1958-74 Paramounts x3, 3rensho, 74 Moto TC, 73-78 Raleigh Pro's x5, Marinoni x2, 1960 Cinelli SC, 1980 Bianchi SC, PX-10 X 2
Mentioned: 267 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 4512 Post(s)
Liked 6,386 Times
in
3,671 Posts
#10
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2006
Posts: 20,305
Mentioned: 130 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3464 Post(s)
Liked 2,831 Times
in
1,997 Posts
Far from every racer could afford full Campagnolo but would spend where they could
hubs, Campagnolo 36 hole- tubular rims, 195-220 gram tires ( anything less save for Shimano Dura-Ace and you were not taken seriously ) ancient Schwinn track hubs or airlite hubs were OK - very few out there.
headset - what one could afford
seatpost- what one could afford
saddle- plastic unicanitor or leather covered with no padding.
pedals- pista - Campagnolo if you could
I used Lyotard 65 with the ends cut off.
crank- TA or Sugino . Sugino could interchange with Campagnolo rings
I started with Sugino Road with the inside chainring tabs filed away, moved to Sugino track then Campagnolo with Sugino ring
bars and stem- road stem with #65 bars
later I was very lucky and found a Steel Cinelli stem the right length and #16 Cinelli steel bars
so much more secure feeling.
Binda Extra straps. No pulling out.
I hear the current guys at the velodrome with creaky bars and it just scares me.
hubs, Campagnolo 36 hole- tubular rims, 195-220 gram tires ( anything less save for Shimano Dura-Ace and you were not taken seriously ) ancient Schwinn track hubs or airlite hubs were OK - very few out there.
headset - what one could afford
seatpost- what one could afford
saddle- plastic unicanitor or leather covered with no padding.
pedals- pista - Campagnolo if you could
I used Lyotard 65 with the ends cut off.
crank- TA or Sugino . Sugino could interchange with Campagnolo rings
I started with Sugino Road with the inside chainring tabs filed away, moved to Sugino track then Campagnolo with Sugino ring
bars and stem- road stem with #65 bars
later I was very lucky and found a Steel Cinelli stem the right length and #16 Cinelli steel bars
so much more secure feeling.
Binda Extra straps. No pulling out.
I hear the current guys at the velodrome with creaky bars and it just scares me.
#11
Pedal to the medal
If you do want to ride it in the street and not drill the fork crown, I've seen clamp on brakes for this very purpose. Dia-compe makes a set
#12
Senior Member
If you want this to be a 70’s bike, at least as ridden in the US, all Campy parts are your first choice. It would have been acceptable to show up with Campy clones, especially Zeus. There were a lot of Zeus parts ridden, especially in the NE. They worked well and were a little more affordable. French parts? Not so much. Unless they were on a bike that came from the Paris Sport group, not many were seen.
But if you want to look French, , first check out this pix of Daniel Morelon from the Cyclepunk website. Looks like Campy to me...
But if you want to look French, , first check out this pix of Daniel Morelon from the Cyclepunk website. Looks like Campy to me...
Last edited by Mr. Spadoni; 05-04-20 at 09:40 AM.
Likes For Mr. Spadoni:
#13
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: Eastern PA, USA
Posts: 187
Bikes: 1973 Schwinn World Voyageur | Francesco Moser SL | 1984 Ross Utopian | St. Etienne 531 | 1981 Peugeot PK10 | 2015 Cannondale SuperSix | 2012 Felt F65X
Mentioned: 5 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 54 Post(s)
Liked 51 Times
in
18 Posts
I know Unicantor was suggested as a saddle. Did Brooks ever have a presence at the track? Thinking it was fitting as a British part.
#14
Senior Member
It’s British. British build with anything and everything.
At a US track circa 1973 there would be very few bikes seen with other than full Campy.
Yes Brooks saddles would be seen at track. On a proper Brit bike the saddle would be butchered. And it would be narrow. No B.17 Standard allowed
Main reason to not go Campy would be that unless you have a friend or a donor bike Campy Pista has become very dear. Most Campy is super available, not so for Pista.
Have only seen a small handful of Quinns. Every one was a top frame. They were jobbed out but only to a small handful of ace builders.
At a US track circa 1973 there would be very few bikes seen with other than full Campy.
Yes Brooks saddles would be seen at track. On a proper Brit bike the saddle would be butchered. And it would be narrow. No B.17 Standard allowed
Main reason to not go Campy would be that unless you have a friend or a donor bike Campy Pista has become very dear. Most Campy is super available, not so for Pista.
Have only seen a small handful of Quinns. Every one was a top frame. They were jobbed out but only to a small handful of ace builders.
#16
Senior Member
Small details. Mavic rims were not well regarded circa ‘73. Pumping out way too many rims to meet bike boom demand and they were erratic. Did not recover any cachet until introduction of the SSC heat treated rim. If you could score those the anachron would not much matter. Otherwise Nisi or Martano would be much more fashionable and old copies of those are still quite available.
Road tubulars were always acceptable for track. Few tracks are all that smooth or have well designed corners. When it got crazy and you needed the bike to handle road tires worked well. Glue them solid.
Track wheels are 36 hole 3 cross. Even those of us who completely believed in the superiority of Union .080/.060 galvanized spokes wanted chrome for track.
Campy is the automatic choice. The Quinn would be stunning with Williams steel cranks, Barelli pedals, Airlite hubs, TDC headset, Brooks saddle. If you can ride them at all try for track stems with a drop. Road stems were of course widely used but the track stems look like track.
Road tubulars were always acceptable for track. Few tracks are all that smooth or have well designed corners. When it got crazy and you needed the bike to handle road tires worked well. Glue them solid.
Track wheels are 36 hole 3 cross. Even those of us who completely believed in the superiority of Union .080/.060 galvanized spokes wanted chrome for track.
Campy is the automatic choice. The Quinn would be stunning with Williams steel cranks, Barelli pedals, Airlite hubs, TDC headset, Brooks saddle. If you can ride them at all try for track stems with a drop. Road stems were of course widely used but the track stems look like track.
#17
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: PDX
Posts: 13,045
Bikes: Merz x 5 + Specialized Merz Allez x 2, Strawberry/Newlands/DiNucci/Ti x3, Gordon, Fuso/Moulton x2, Bornstein, Paisley,1958-74 Paramounts x3, 3rensho, 74 Moto TC, 73-78 Raleigh Pro's x5, Marinoni x2, 1960 Cinelli SC, 1980 Bianchi SC, PX-10 X 2
Mentioned: 267 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 4512 Post(s)
Liked 6,386 Times
in
3,671 Posts
Indeed Campy seems to be dominant. I happened to see a Stronglight 93 1/8" chainring but could not find much more in the way of track parts. It happened to have a Stronglight 93 available so it was my reason for exploration. Hubs was another area, I could not find much in the way of a Normandy or Maillard track hub, so Campy that will be.
I know Unicantor was suggested as a saddle. Did Brooks ever have a presence at the track? Thinking it was fitting as a British part.
I know Unicantor was suggested as a saddle. Did Brooks ever have a presence at the track? Thinking it was fitting as a British part.
#18
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: Eastern PA, USA
Posts: 187
Bikes: 1973 Schwinn World Voyageur | Francesco Moser SL | 1984 Ross Utopian | St. Etienne 531 | 1981 Peugeot PK10 | 2015 Cannondale SuperSix | 2012 Felt F65X
Mentioned: 5 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 54 Post(s)
Liked 51 Times
in
18 Posts
Small details. Mavic rims were not well regarded circa ‘73. Pumping out way too many rims to meet bike boom demand and they were erratic. Did not recover any cachet until introduction of the SSC heat treated rim. If you could score those the anachron would not much matter. Otherwise Nisi or Martano would be much more fashionable and old copies of those are still quite available.
Would I be incorrect to assume that saddle and bar tape color rarely went toward brown/honey on a track bike? Somehow I think that a white/black or bright is more fitting for a racer.
#19
Senior Member
On rims, if you really want to hunt, Fiamme Yellow Label, the ones with the balsa blocks would be period correct. No matter what rims, try to get the wheels tied and soldered.
Tires? Yes to road tires. Track tires were saved for really big events and couldn’t stand up to heavy use.
Tires? Yes to road tires. Track tires were saved for really big events and couldn’t stand up to heavy use.
Likes For Mr. Spadoni:
#20
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2006
Posts: 20,305
Mentioned: 130 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3464 Post(s)
Liked 2,831 Times
in
1,997 Posts
Gotta give the Press photographers something.
#21
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2015
Location: Murrieta Ca.
Posts: 537
Bikes: Teledyne Titan, Bob Jackson Audax Club, Bob Jackson World Tour, AlAn Record Ergal, 3Rensho Katana.
Mentioned: 9 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 215 Post(s)
Liked 623 Times
in
245 Posts
Charles at Jet Bicycle Wheels does tied and soldered better than anyone on the planet.
https://www.jetbicyclewheels.com/custom-wheels
: Mike
https://www.jetbicyclewheels.com/custom-wheels
: Mike
__________________
Booyah Hubba-Hubba!!!
Booyah Hubba-Hubba!!!
#22
multimodal commuter
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: NJ, NYC, LI
Posts: 19,808
Bikes: 1940s Fothergill, 1959 Allegro Special, 1963? Claud Butler Olympic Sprint, Lambert 'Clubman', 1974 Fuji "the Ace", 1976 Holdsworth 650b conversion rando bike, 1983 Trek 720 tourer, 1984 Counterpoint Opus II, 1993 Basso Gap, 2010 Downtube 8h, and...
Mentioned: 584 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1908 Post(s)
Liked 574 Times
in
339 Posts
The Brooks saddle for a track bike is a B17 Sprinter. Properly called a Champion Sprinter, I think. It's narrower than a Champion Narrow, which is of course narrower than a Champion Standard.
The Sprinter is very narrow. No, really, I mean narrow. Seriously. Narrow.
The Sprinter is very narrow. No, really, I mean narrow. Seriously. Narrow.
__________________
www.rhmsaddles.com.
www.rhmsaddles.com.
#23
Senior Member
Since you do seem interested in being correct - track gear is 46x14. 47x14 is for big riders and late season. 48x14 is for national champs and 49x14 just maybe for world champs. Pursuiters could go bigger but not for mass start. This is also just about the time when 3/32 chain and road rings became acceptable. Rings would be 52,53, 54 because you had a supply of those and then paired with a 16 cog. 52x16 definitely ran smoother than 46x14. For warmup and training smaller gears always. Use old chain with rivets, you will be adjusting chain length. Snap links are used currently and break all the time currently. Current track gearing is nuts and has terminated the sport IMO.
#25
Senior Member
Bikes that don’t make you happy are bikes that don’t get ridden. By all means make it a color you like. Those were good bikes and should be used.
Wet paint for me but it’s yours. Just don’t use the Olympic bands. Those were for Olympians. Paramount Room would not use them for repaints if the current owner was not an O.
Wet paint for me but it’s yours. Just don’t use the Olympic bands. Those were for Olympians. Paramount Room would not use them for repaints if the current owner was not an O.