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Gazelle: A Fresh Build — graphics heavy and descriptive

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Gazelle: A Fresh Build — graphics heavy and descriptive

Old 05-05-15, 09:07 AM
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Gazelle: A Fresh Build — graphics heavy and descriptive

This is my Gazelle Champion Mondial — an ‘AB’ frame. [EDITED: I believe its production is c.1987]. It was assembled for German export in the ‘handwerk’ shop as were all A, AA and AB frames. But, because of an international patent dispute at the time, the 'Mondial' was cancelled out of the ‘Champion Mondial’ decal on the top tube.

I acquired the bare frame from Europe. Subsequently, no attention was made to equip the machine with what would have composed the original build. The idea was to use vintage parts I had on hand, or new production pieces that I could easily obtain here in Japan — but only and if they would not clash with the vintage character.

I did stick pretty close to a vintage Shimano 600 transmission — but for the shifters. The gearing was designed for the sort of exercise training I do on a regular basis.

I took too long to build this bike, but after a few rides I feel it was well worth the time and effort. All sorts of little glitches came to frustrate what I thought was going to be just a sort of “Mechano-Set” assembly. So after all the trials, fretting, filing, reaming, redesign and meditation, I promised myself that I would post documentation of the build up to the t*ts.

I did not tart the bike up before photographing it with my old Canon IXY-10. No wax and no metal polish except on the rear rim.

All the photos have been reduced for screen resolution at 72dpi for fast loading and economy. The originals are of higher resolution and more suitable for printing — if I should ever feel so vain

NOTE: Asterisks denote new parts applied at the time of the build.

Frame diamond: hand-brazed Reynolds 531c; BB shell pinned at ST and DT junctions

Forks: Reynolds 531c

Stays: Reynolds 531c

* Head set: Tange Passage DX

* Quill stem: Nitto Technomic (cut down to accommodate the db down-tube) If you think was easy ...!!!!!

Lug set: unknown (some other members are sure to know)

* BB: TangeSeiki (cartridge); LN-7922. 68-113 (technically speaking, it should have been 110)

Rims: Mavic ‘Monthlery’ tubular type

Hubs: Shimano 600 HB-6270

* Hub bearings: Dura Ace

Skewers: Campagnolo NR

* Tires: Vittorio Rally 21-28 tubular type

Crank set: NOS Shimano 600 Tricolour FC-6400

* Chain wheels: Shimano 44T FC-7900 / 39T FC-6400

* DT shift levers: DiaCompe friction type with SunTour, knock-off internal ratchet

FD: Shimano 600 Tricolor FD-6400

RD: Shimano 600 SIS RD-6208

Freewheeel: Shimano 600, FW-62XX?: 13, 14, 15, 17, 19, 21 T (very smooth); removal tool, Dura Ace FW-10

* Bars: Nitto Universidade 105

* Cables: Shimano with SL housings

* Seat post: Nitto S-65

Saddle: Brooks Professional (brown)

Pedals: MKS Sylvan Lites

Toe clips: MKS L-size (and I am only size 9)

Straps: MKS ‘fit Alpha”

Paint: Original with touch up and clear-coat

* Stay protector: Anodized adhesive foil cut to shape

* Bar tape: Dixna

* Bar ends: Cellini

HT protector and cable "donuts": unrecorded

Lubricants used: TriFlow, Wakkos race-car red bearing grease

Addenda: Diode lighting front /rear and bell affixed according to Japanese ‘motor vehicle’ ordinance. A spare tubular will be tied under the saddle. I carry a miniature pump (Allen wrenches and wallet) in a 'bum pack'.

Please see three posts of four (4) photos each. Apologies — I should have used my ancient Nikon-F and had the results digitized —
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Old 05-05-15, 09:11 AM
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Set-1







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Old 05-05-15, 09:14 AM
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Set-2

[URL=https://s646.photobucket.com/user/SA8900/media/Gazelle_AB-5_zpscpzsdlqp.jpg.html][/URL










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Old 05-05-15, 09:17 AM
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Gorgeous! I have recently become aware of Gazelle...it is migrating toward my list of "want" bikes...but...before I jump, I want to understand the differences in "A," "AA," and "AB" frames...

But...you have done a great job on this bike!
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Old 05-05-15, 09:20 AM
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Set-3 (final)










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Old 05-05-15, 09:27 AM
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Originally Posted by daf1009
Gorgeous! I have recently become aware of Gazelle...it is migrating toward my list of "want" bikes...but...before I jump, I want to understand the differences in "A," "AA," and "AB" frames...

But...you have done a great job on this bike!
Thanks for the kind remarks. As for the differences in frames: I have one those obtuse brains that forgets more than it learns. I did know! And I learned from an excellent Gazelle enthusiasts' website that may be have gone away due to what may have been the health of the owner. (I wish him all the best — it was and may still be a great site.) Now I have forgotten, but now that you remind me, I will try to hunt it up. Or perhaps a Gazelle savant among us will educate you better than I. Best .... Lorne
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Old 05-05-15, 09:37 AM
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I like that handlebar tape. Is it native to Japan?
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Old 05-05-15, 09:38 AM
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Originally Posted by daf1009
Gorgeous! I have recently become aware of Gazelle...it is migrating toward my list of "want" bikes...but...before I jump, I want to understand the differences in "A," "AA," and "AB" frames...

But...you have done a great job on this bike!
Personally I'd hold out for the A+ frame; like the bike the OP has. A plus job and beautiful bike,
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Old 05-05-15, 09:55 AM
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Nice build! Looks mighty comfortable.
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Old 05-05-15, 09:56 AM
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Wow, this is fun. How did you need to cut the stem?
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Old 05-05-15, 09:57 AM
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Originally Posted by daf1009
Gorgeous! I have recently become aware of Gazelle...it is migrating toward my list of "want" bikes...but...before I jump, I want to understand the differences in "A," "AA," and "AB" frames...
Have a look at this site. There's a page on the various models, complete with detailed specifications.
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Old 05-05-15, 09:59 AM
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Originally Posted by icepick_trotsky
I like that handlebar tape. Is it native to Japan?
I'm surprised. After a troll through the net it seems it is a product that may be mostly, if not exclusively restricted to Japan. If you want some in a serious way, PM me.

I like this tape a lot, and the colour was, in my opinion, bang on. It was not too difficult to wind on, but I did do some back-tracking and rewinding. These "Mays" type bends like the Nitto-105 are not an easy wrap.

My favourite tape is Bontrager. And if you need this colour, I'd look to see what they have for you. I have Bontrager on my Vitus 979, and the bar always feel like the "right fitting glove". But this stuff feels good too!

The Bontrager may not have the punch-throughs. They are a challenge to line up.
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Old 05-05-15, 10:16 AM
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I have cut a Nitto Technomic with a Dremel & a cutting disc. Took about 5-10 minutes. Used file to smooth edges.
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Old 05-05-15, 10:20 AM
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Originally Posted by Velocivixen
I have cut a Nitto Technomic with a Dremel & a cutting disc. Took about 5-10 minutes. Used file to smooth edges.
That's a great way to deal with the technomic as it can be too tall for some builds.
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Old 05-05-15, 10:23 AM
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Originally Posted by bikemig
That's a great way to deal with the technomic as it can be too tall for some builds.
There is also a Nitto Deluxe, which is tall, but a bit shorter than Technomic "standard" height. Ben's Cycles in Mikwaukie sells a huge variety of Nitto stems.
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Old 05-05-15, 10:37 AM
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Originally Posted by noglider
Wow, this is fun. How did you need to cut the stem?
Nitto 'Technomics' come in various quill sizes. Twice I have ordered what I thought was a good fit. Twice I have not taken into account that some steering tubes are double butted. The quill will simply not sink far enough to be at the correct height when all the head set is buttoned down. it is one of those 2:00 A.M. little electric shocks that makes you thick you should have had a glass of volka and gone to bed at 10:00 P.M.

THE CASE AT HAND

It was an on-the-job lesson. You cannot just saw an angle on the tube. The cut has to progress on a decreasing radius. If I am not explaining this well-enough, trust me anyway! I have done this twice when long-quilled Technomic stems had to go into db steering tubes.

The first go was on a Dawes Atlantic I built for a friend. I began a cut with a Canadian blade (Japanese blades work in reverse). And I was thinking: 'I'll just cut the 45 degree or so angle, and then the expansion plug will bung it up tout-suite.' WRONG!

Shortly before the complete horror set in, I stopped. I realized what was happening. Then I re-thought the whole thing through. So — uhhhh — there I was with the wrong cut and a bit of a notch in the stem tube. I redesigned the whole cut, but the problem was I could not figure out how to make a template. Instead I just wrapped some tape on the angle and restarted the cut. Alas, a huge bastard cross-cut file made the final result presentable. (For those who do not know, a kind of file is called a 'bastard".)

This time around with the Gazelle, I managed the compound radial cut in sections that were pretty darn smooth. If you do it, be careful not to snap the blade. Again with the file to finish, I produced exactly the same profile as the original.

I do not feel any public pride in this. But privately I feel satisfaction: many, many years ago a guy who rebuilt vintage race-cars and cut metal for my old, English Triumph-Norton [Triton] road racer motorcycle showed me what patience and a LOT of thinking can do. It had been a long time since I had cut serious metal. At first I panicked, and then I remembered my dear old friend.

I think that is why I am on BF. My old friend is gone — but you men and women are here.
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Old 05-05-15, 10:50 AM
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Originally Posted by Velocivixen
There is also a Nitto Deluxe, which is tall, but a bit shorter than Technomic "standard" height. Ben's Cycles in Mikwaukie sells a huge variety of Nitto stems.
Thanks — good to remember. The local catalogue did not mention it — but maybe i over looked it.
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Old 05-05-15, 10:51 AM
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Originally Posted by Velocivixen
There is also a Nitto Deluxe, which is tall, but a bit shorter than Technomic "standard" height. Ben's Cycles in Mikwaukie sells a huge variety of Nitto stems.
I know. I've been thinking about picking up a nitto deluxe from Bens for a build. They're a little nicer quality and more expensive than the technomic though.
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Old 05-05-15, 10:52 AM
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Velocifixin: Thanks — some good advice
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Old 05-05-15, 11:04 AM
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Originally Posted by non-fixie
Have a look at this site. There's a page on the various models, complete with detailed specifications.

Thanks for providing the site...I have started looking through it...basic question is...which frame is the "best"?? From the specs shown, it is hard to determine...is the "A" the top of the line? Or the "AB"...which way does it go?
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Old 05-05-15, 11:11 AM
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Originally Posted by daf1009
Thanks for providing the site...I have started looking through it...basic question is...which frame is the "best"?? From the specs shown, it is hard to determine...is the "A" the top of the line? Or the "AB"...which way does it go?
I've tried three browsers and the site won't show **********
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Old 05-05-15, 11:21 AM
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Originally Posted by daf1009
Thanks for providing the site...I have started looking through it...basic question is...which frame is the "best"?? From the specs shown, it is hard to determine...is the "A" the top of the line? Or the "AB"...which way does it go?
The A is more touring-friendly, with its eyelets and room for fenders. The AA was the racing version: no eyelets, no room for fenders. The AB was meant, I think, as a cheaper AA- with 531 db instead of sl. The AA Super was very short. A crit bike, that could handle no tires wider than 23mm.
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Old 05-05-15, 11:43 AM
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Perhaps @Italuminium will weigh in on this thread. My recently acquired Gazelle frame is an AB frame also. What I found online was slightly inconsistent, or perhaps I should say had some info missing about the early models. From what I was able to learn the AB frame was the pure racing frame made from 531C with no eyelets, and occasionally produced with a number hanger under the TT. (Mine has no number hanger.) It was definitely later in the production run as if in response to some demand.

There is a nice description here:
Lightweight Classics: 1979 - Gazelle Champion Mondial AB-Frame

I have seen catalogs online but don't recall where, don't have time to hunt around right now.
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Old 05-05-15, 12:56 PM
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I've tricked my back up, so for a few days I've been off riding. But during the last two rides, I was beginning to think that the AB bike was designed as a road racer *** crit bike. Call me wrong, but I don't think this was unusual back in the days when money was not so plentiful for most riders — especially the youngsters. It's a dual purpose frame, and don't mean "clubman" race on Sunday ride to work on Monday. It is solid, but it handles quick, and you really gotta watch you don't stick your toe in the wheel. I should work out the geometry one day.

Mine was also built with no eye lugs for anything. And, there is no provision for a number plate. But it's convincingly a pure racer; it's as stiff as hickory on a frosty morning. With a pegged BB it is rock solid. The stays tell you every crack in the road. There is no way I am ever going to bend it standing up out of a corner.
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Old 05-05-15, 12:59 PM
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Thanks for the mention, @jimmuller, but I'm by no means a Gazelle expert, although I rode a series of Gazelle three speed roadsters ("opafietsen") through high school and college. I've never even owned a CM! (Yet). I do believe @non-fixie is right in his list of A-type frames. But, like any chum in this place with a passing interests in Gazelle bikes, I have to steer by the thankfully large
repo of Gazelle catalogs online.
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