eschlwc

i had to post a photo of the almost finished bike bought recently on the web. i got really lucky with the 58cm frame and paint. it polished up so well with a bit of touch up black and red. the major improvement was replacement of the derailers with nos suntour cyclone. i changed the factory look of the black saddle/red cloth tape with honey and more honey. i think shellacked red cloth would look great though. i'm a little dissapointed in my purchase of ird long reach calipers to replace the too-short sidepulls that came with the original 27" rims. it was 700c when i bought it, and i just ended up keeping/rebuilding these cool, old rigida rims. seems the ird brakes are a bit too meaty/aggressive looking on this bike. but they work. i also should have probably gone with panaracer paselas instead of the krylions, but only because i miss the old gumwalls. i do need a smaller chainring -- the 48t/44t combo (144bcd) is perfect for most rides without much of a pack, but the lack of a low gear is limiting for the steep. the bike came with a rear rack that i might add with some paint. i would really like to find a nice looking bag for behind the saddle. recommendations on that?

ps: oh it might be a '76, but '75 was such a wonderful year, what with blood on the tracks, physical graffiti, fly by night, katy lied, tonight's the night/zuma... (i mean no disrespect to desire, presence, or 2112 though.)

nlerner

Beautiful bike, but I agree that the look of those tires doesn't quite fit!

Neal

bibliobob

Beauty! NightTiger just picked one up as well and I got to see it up close last week. Very nice indeed. That and the Grand Jubile are simply stunning bikes. Enjoy, and post more photos!

rootboy 

Always like the pre-75 Motos. Beauty!

auchencrow

+1 They were some of the most beautiful production bikes ever made.

PS- I would go for some fresh red cloth tape, to bring out those brightly-colored red panels.

ColonelJLloyd 

I'm ok with the leather wrap. Feels good, huh? I agree that the bike would look better with Paselas, Challenge tires, Grand Bois, etc. Just choose a good quality skinwall. I think your front brake housing is a bit too long or may just need to be tied to the rear (old school).

eschlwc

colonel, you're right, the front caliper clearance is much shorter than the rear. so i needed the long reach primarily for the rear. that rear brake pad is perfectly centered within its reach, while the front pad is pulled all the way to the very top, making the front look a little weird. i'm going to try to find something else i guess. so what do you mean by 'old school'?

svt4cam

Ya had me right up until Rod Stewart

realestvin7

Some brown wall tires would look really good (not gum/skin wall).

ftwelder

That is a fine looking machine. I started this one about a year ago and should have it out on it's first ride next week. It is a 1970


12 012 by barnstormerbikes, on Flickr

rootboy 

Ten four. And a black saddle. Sorry

rootboy 

yeah .... and a set of black/black Veloflex tires ..yeah ...and... ,

very nice bike. I want one.

rootboy 

heh heh. me too, ...but I didn't want to get off topic. :>

....did I mention that is a very nice bike?

rootboy 

I don't know what it is about that photo. It really blows my skirt up.

PhotonDon

A couple of real nice (re)builds. I've got to start a thread on my '73 (or '72) Grand Record someday. They are for sure fantastic riding machines. Rode fifty miles on mine today in parts of Alabama and Georgia. 98 degrees but the black/red Moto ALWAYS looks hot.

We need a ride report ASAP. You will enjoy it.
Don

ColonelJLloyd 

You can find the clips in metal, plastic or just wrap twine around them. That's what I did on my wife's bike.

rootboy 

THAT'S YOUR WIFE'S BIKE !?

will you marry me?

rootboy 

[QUOTE=eschlwc;12808360]

...this is a great photo too. A little dark on my monitor, but that thing looks like a black panther about to leap out of the shadows. Thanks.

ColonelJLloyd 

No, no. That's a Ray Dobbins bike.

This is my wife's bike.

-holiday76

i didnt really read this thread, but i'd just like to say, leather is the best. looks great, and i can literally ride it all day with no gloves and no numbness.

ColonelJLloyd 

That's what she sai. . .

rootboy 

[QUOTE=ColonelJLloyd;12811776]No, no. That's a Ray Dobbins bike.

This is my wife's bike.



OK , OK

I wonder if Ray will marry me? :>

rootboy 

Nice

My wife has a Bianchi about the same color.

eschlwc

oh, twine the brake housing. interesting. i might do the entire length of housing. i've already gotten carried away with the water bottle, a pipe and assorted kitchen knives...

rod stewart? that's funny. tonight's the night and zuma were released in '75 by neil young.
with that said, the faces was a damn good band.

rootboy 

I used a short length of 16 ga. stainless wire on the brake cables of my Frejus. Three wraps around each housing.

Sorry for agreeing with the Stewart quip. That's what I get. But ...you had me until you mentioned Neil Young.

KIDDING.