randyjawa 

I did it again, twice - impulsive purchases. Am I the only one who does this?
I like to look through Vintage Cycles in Ebay, hoping to stumble across an elusive component and at a good price (good for me, that is). Of course, while I am looking, other things and possible projects present themselves. Twice this week the market gods got me.

First, I was the only bidder on a NOS Brooks BSN black saddle. I got it and it is on the way. I am not sure on which bike it will go but I am thinking my Legnano Grand Premio. To buy the saddle, I had to empty my PayPal account. No big deal cause I had just barely enough to cover saddle price, shipping cost and import costs...


Then, a few hours later something surfaced that I really want and need for a 1958 German road bike that I am working on - a Stronglight Competition cottered crank set with Simplex rings and for a very low Buy It Now price. Needless to say, my PayPal pal was out of funds so VISA came to the rescue(listed as "good to excellent condition" - let's hope)...




This has happened to me on a few occasions. I was the only bidder on my 1969 Atala Pro, so I bought it for a low sum...


Same thing with the 1958 Rabeneick...


At least, I will get to post in the "What Came In The Mail For You Today!

randyjawa 

Sorry, just posted this thread in the wrong section. Could use some help moving it, please.

orewatsuyoi

SJX426 

Great finds! I was looking for a Superbe Pro crank set and found one and was the only bidder, great price!

noglider 

I try not to buy stuff only because it's a good value. If I don't need it, I shouldn't buy it. I used to buy too much crap like that. I'm much more disciplined now. But a good Brooks saddle can be seen as an investment. You'll eventually use it, and it can be an upgrade, and it's durable.

I think it's a B5N, not a BSN.

I can't comment on the value of that crankset. I resolutely stopped using cottered cranks long ago, and I'm divesting of all freewheels now. Freewheels aren't Satan for me, but I've had so many bad experiences with cotters, it's good riddance. If you like them, more power to you. I do see the appeal, but it's just not for me.

CV-6 

Nice snag on the Stronglight. But do you have the BB for it?

randyjawa 

The Stronglight crank set is period and model correct, intended to be installed on my late fifties Rabeneick 120d. I do like cottered crank sets but only because they suggest older school technology, which has captured my interest, these days. I already have one of the finest riding bikes I could ever hope to fine, leaving me free to build up much older stuff. Stuff that screams vintage, even to someone who has minimal understanding of old bikes. Anyway, that Stronglight Competition will be replacing this...

Johno59

Most Stronglight cranks require a different sized extractor. The teeth on your purchase look pretty worn. A new chainring for a Stronglight crank also poses the poss of flaky BCDs. So before your really tighten your new cranks onto to your lovely bike make sure you have the right tool to get them off again (for whatever reason) and IMHO discern their BCD dimension and get a spare chainring.

Johno59

Oops I just realized the Rabeneick has cottered cranks. Sorry a combination of a senior moment and my own Post Stronglight Extractor Crank Distress Syndrome.

randyjawa 

No biggie. I do have a regular crank puller, a Stronglight crank puller and a TA puller. I even made my own cotter pin press for installing and removing cotter pins. I can hardly wait to see the crank set. I was afraid that I would be stuck with the seventies one forever.

merziac

As a minor aside I would encourage you to click on the "My ten speeds" link in Randy's sig line, he literally wrote the book on our little obsession, covers every facet better than most.

Also, most of the 3 arm steel cottered cranks like Stronglight, Magistroni, the later Campy square taper Sport and Gran Sport, FB, Attala, Legnano and many others take the Simplex rings with adapters that are 116 BCD and 157 BCD at the chainring.

juvela

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That Atala Pro is a wonderful find Randy!

You probably have the correct chainwheels and pedals for it.

Have not previously seen one with the white paint on the frame ends.

Do folks think this feature OEM?

​​​​​​​-----

randyjawa 

Gotta stick with the SR rings for now. As I suggested earlier, getting that last part is part of the fun for me. The Atala draws closer and closer to original with each find. And, as for pedals...

I have one set of drop dead gorgeous Campy NR pedals with the strap loops but they, like all other old school pedals in my collection, are used as wall art on appropriate bikes. If the bike is to be ridden, by me, SPD and that is that. I even altered a Stronglight 49d crank set to accept the SPD thread size and count. And I am not one who usually condones irreversibly altering a frame, fork or component on a vintage bicycle. But my X10 now sports a set of SPDs.

satbuilder 

randyjawa 

Without going through a host of disorganized records, I will never be able to remember where the Atala came from. The Atala frame and fork showed up on Ebay, one day at a low price. $150.00 US rings a bell. Anyway, knowing that the Atala Pro is a very good, but sadly under rated, and it sports chrome fork socks, stays socks and my fave, chrome plated head lugs. Anyway, just for poops and giggles, I bid and, son of a gun, I won the bid. At last, I could replace the top of the line Atala that I foolishly sold when I was forced to sell many years ago...

srge

georgeous

wrk101

If you know values, buy it now items on eBay can be great deals! You just have to be confident on value, and then CLICK! If you wait, some other knowledgeable person will snap it up.

randyjawa 

Exactly and that is one of the reasons for building MY "TEN SPEEDS" - to help others avoid costly and frustrating experiences. And...

Wouldn't you know it? Another item I seek surfaced on Ebay. Only another fifty dollars, shipping included, but I feel guilty spending money on my bikes, three times in a single week. No to mention the bundle I dropped buying a Cyclops two weeks ago. That is my bike for this year, but I am still into upgrading the Legnano and painting my Rabeneick.

non-fixie 

Nice finds, Randy! I like the B5N. Thought those always had a dimpled top, but apparently not.

Speaking of what-the-heck-just-bid: this one is still being very much enjoyed at the non-fixie household. This was yesterday, during Eroica Limburg, at the "highest point of the Nederlands, at 327.5 meters above Amsterdam level".

randyjawa 

Is that the Mercier you got from me? So glad to see that you are enjoying the bike.

francophile 

Guilty. Dangerous indeed, and an Atala to match for me. Here's this weekend for me, $25 and $75, respectively (+reasonable shipping).

Wildwood 

You guys......... stop. Stop, please
A Nishiki Pro with bad paint came up on CL for a decent sum - it could be my CHROME bike.
and
the unique Weinmann delta style brakes I recently acquired could use an appropriate bike.
and
the Speedy Modolo brakes/levers/stem/bars really should be on an Italian bike, that I don't currently own.

randyjawa 

I am guessing, based on quite a bit of on-line searching, that the painted drops are OEM. I have seen other high end vintage Atala bikes with the painted ends. Personally, I really like the presentation. Here is a picture of another one, not my bike or picture...

CrankyFranky

[QUOTE=randyjawa;20425934]Randy, I bought a '72 Atala Record Pro from my LBS, and still ride it daily in lowly commuting service. Mine definitely did not have painted frame ends and I didn't see any with painted lugs in my time ogling other Atalas at that LBS during the period around when I bought it.

I ended up stupidly vibra-engraving my name in places on the chrome during the crack years that raged then - when the local US constabulary suggested that this solution was the only thing to avoid the bike being stolen and chopped. Grrrrrr... so the ID'ed lugs will need to be defaced and painted before I kick the bucket. Oh, the humanity!

I too am a fan of that flattened fastback seat cluster and chromed ends, socks, and all lugs except the BB. I really like the gold with green panels on the 'one that got away' from you...absolutely beautiful (edit - whoopsie I now see that that gold/green one wasn't yours). Mine is a really non-flashy ho-hum battleship gray with blue panels, and seems to have been mostly nickel plate under the paint - thus, it doesn't hold paint very well. Like you, I converted to clinchers too early - but this meant 27" rims due to the brake reach demands. I did tour on the tubs in northern Europe and amazed myself that I could go a hundred miles laden on it without trouble. But the chore of doing the tubular repairs between rides each day end got to me! I upgraded the brakes on mine, even though the Universal center pulls did well enough - I used the Campagnolo Road with a drop bolt for the rear. I later reverted to the Universals which work fine - I moved the Records to my Stan Pike once I got that from the builder in the early 80's. Unlike you, I haven't become a collector, I just ride 'em - but I definitely envy your dedication to your hobby and your excellent documentation. Thanks Randy!

The Golden Boy 

Wow- that's a pretty bike.