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1981 ~ Custom ~ Hand Built in USA ~ Columbus SL ~ 54 cm F&F

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1981 ~ Custom ~ Hand Built in USA ~ Columbus SL ~ 54 cm F&F

Old 08-04-19, 09:00 AM
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deux jambes
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1981 ~ Custom ~ Hand Built in USA ~ Columbus SL ~ 54 cm F&F

SOLD

• NOTE: The first two photographs are of the complete bike. First photo was taken by the original owner, and comes from his CL ad last winter. The second photo shows the bike after I had made a few changes to it last spring. The following photos are of the frame as it is being offered now.

• WARNING: Long read ahead, as I know of no other way to introduce such an excellent, and extremely rare road bike frame. If you’d like to fast forward to specs, and price... scroll way down to the bottom of this post.

— — —

Primarily known for his innovative design work, and pioneering influence in the recumbent, and hand powered cycling market, Gary Earl Hale also hand built, to custom order, approximately 300 diamond frames over a 10 year span between the mid 70’s to mid 80’s.

Over the course of that decade, Gary set up shop in Eugene, Oregon, and playing off of his middle name, he called his business “Early Cycles.” During that time, he taught Dwan Shepard the art of building frames. After his apprenticeship with Gary, Dwan ventured out on his own to start his own business Co-Motion Cycles. Gary also had ties with the the start up of Burley Design.

If you’d like to know more about Gary Hale as a cyclist, a frame builder, his custom frames, and his other cycling innovations, please let me know so that I can provide you with some interesting links.

— — —

Anyhow...

The original owner of the frame which I’m offering, met Gary at a bike convention late 1980 in Eugene, OR. The fellow had recently wrecked his prized Strawberry frame, and was searching a worthy replacement. He found Gary’s work, and skill to rival the best, and he was further sold by Gary’s price point which was significantly lower than the competition. A frameset was then ordered to spec, a down payment was made, and by spring of 1981 the fellow took delivery of his new custom Early Cycles diamond frame. Total purchase price then was $300!

The original owner proceeded to build the bike with a full Campagnolo Record group, and in that form, the bike served as his daily rider for nearly three decades.

By approximately 10 years ago, the paint had taken enough of a beating, that he decided to have the frame, and fork repainted. He chose to stick with the original fine metallic black Imron paint for the respray. Fortunately, at time of purchasing the frame, he had requested an extra downtube decal “just in case.”

He then chose to rebuild the bike as fixed gear, and assembled it with middle of the road, slightly more contemporary components. The result? He didn’t like it. He hung it in his garage for most of the next decade, and never got around to putting the Campy Record group back on as he had intended to.

— — —

Fast forward to December 2018, needing to thin his collection out, the fella put the bike up for sale on Portland CL. Viewing the ad from over 100 miles away, I fell in love with the bike, and made arrangements to purchase it with a PayPal down payment, and we agreed that I’d pick the frame up within a week, cash balance in hand.

Looking back, I probably paid a bit too much for the bike, but for the experience there are no regrets. This bike was my first taste of the sort of real high end vintage quality that still survives. It revealed to me what all the fuss over Columbus SL tubes is all about. And it offered a

new personal appreciation for American builders.

I rode the bike for the next few months. Beside it being a perfectly comfortable fit due to the slightly longer top tube, it was also the most lively, and best handling frame I’ve ever had the pleasure to ride.

Like it’s first owner however, I was also dissatisfied with the single speed (flip flop hub) configuration. I collected most of a 1st generation SunTour Superbe group. And the bike was slated for a rebuild. I got about half way there, riding the bike, and replacing components along the way. But hard finances hit, and I realized I needed to cash in on the Superbe pieces. The bike was torn down to its frame, and stashed away in a closet where it has resided for the past few months.

— — —

I’ve come to realize that my income, and extremely small living quarters dictate that I can only feasibly build, and keep one bike at a time. My riding needs span the commute to the eventual loaded tour. The Gary Hale is not versatile enough to meet all of my riding needs as an only bike. So it’s with a bit of a broken heart that I have to let it go.

Hopefully, someone who really appreciates the American built frames from the era will give this wonderful, and rare frame a new home, and life. Now, if you’ve stayed with me through this incredibly long story so far, then that person might be you!

— — —

So, what exactly are we looking at here with this frame/fork package?


  • 54 cm seat tube (c-c)
  • 55 cm top tube (c-c)
  • 42 cm chainstays (c-c)
  • Full Columbus SL tube set
  • 27 mm ID seat tube
  • 126 mm rear drop out spacing
  • Campagnolo drop outs & fork tips
  • Braze on shift lever bosses
  • Two sets braze in bottle cage bosses
  • Head tube pump peg
  • Nutted brake mounts
  • Bottom bracket drain hole
I suspect that all the braze ones may be Campagnolo, but I won’t claim that much. Perhaps someone more knowledgeable, and who has a discerning eye can tell if this is the case or not.

Gorgeous brazing, and lug work throughout! Paint is in overall nice condition with few scuffs, and minor chips. Decal is in excellent condition.

Both the frame and fork appear straight, and true, as well as absolutely structurally sound. No tools or methods were used to come to these conclusions other than close scrutiny by eye, and many pleasant miles in the saddle.

— — —

I will include the Sugino bb cups (ex. condition), and a new in package pair of adjustment screws for Campy drop outs.

It’ll be packed with upmost love, and care to ensure safe handling, and delivery.

I’m happy to provide additional photographs, and to try to answer any questions you might have. Just let me know!

— — —

Unsure how to put a price on such an obscure piece of American C&V craftsmanship, in a niche market... I’m going to cut my losses, and set an asking price of...

$230 shipped & insured through shipbikes dot com SOLD

PayPal f&f please, or add 3% for g&s

Last edited by deux jambes; 08-07-19 at 09:49 PM.
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Old 08-04-19, 09:02 AM
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As purchased (from original Portland CL ad):

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Old 08-04-19, 09:04 AM
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Later, last spring after I swapped on some Cinelli, Superbe, Campy post, San Marcos, etc...

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Old 08-04-19, 09:23 AM
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Posing steady with out a headset...


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Old 08-04-19, 09:25 AM
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Campy!


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Old 08-04-19, 09:26 AM
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Hard to see it, but the Columbus birdie there in the steerer tube...

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Old 08-04-19, 09:29 AM
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Head tube, fork details. Gorgeous lugwork in my opinion!





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Old 08-04-19, 09:30 AM
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Tubes:


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Old 08-04-19, 09:33 AM
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Tasteful! And that clamp bolt is hidden on the left side


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Old 08-04-19, 09:35 AM
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Final details...




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Old 08-04-19, 10:04 AM
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Almost forgot... Here’s those drop out adjustment screws which I had mentioned. They’re included of course!


Last edited by deux jambes; 08-05-19 at 11:54 PM.
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Old 08-04-19, 10:34 AM
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Lovely bike.

I'd add $30 to your asking price just for the work you put in this listing.

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Old 08-04-19, 12:24 PM
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How wide of tires will fit in this frame?
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Old 08-04-19, 07:45 PM
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Originally Posted by delbiker1
How wide of tires will fit in this frame?
It’ll easily fit 35c, and though it’d be a tight fit it might take 38.
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Old 08-04-19, 11:56 PM
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Very cool frame. Someone's gonna be happy.
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Old 08-05-19, 09:28 PM
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That’s a beautiful frame. Wish it were my size.
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Old 08-05-19, 10:54 PM
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It is my size.........but I had to keep looking away.........if the the buyer backs out, I'm all in.

A complete Coppi was posted on FB marketplace today for $125............this has to stop!
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