Park your Davidson here!
03-13-16, 01:03 AM
#26
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In 2015, I had Bill essentially rebuild the bike with new components, replacing my 20 year old Campy Chorus components with NOS Campy Record 10 speed components. Here's the current bike (still loving it!).
Last edited by 41roadmaster; 03-15-16 at 02:09 PM.
03-13-16, 02:29 PM
#27
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@due route: thanks for the newest pics - and no apologies necessary. The bigger the better! Beautiful details 
@41roadmaster: nice that you have had yours since new, and that you've done quite a large amount of miles with it! I like your modern update, too.
DD
@41roadmaster: nice that you have had yours since new, and that you've done quite a large amount of miles with it! I like your modern update, too.
DD
04-28-16, 05:25 PM
#28
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Bikes: Davidson Impulse, Suntour Superbe Pro gruppo, Vredestein tires
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Here's my 1991 Impulse, still the only bike I ride. 25 years old, and still a sweet ride, and I still admire the workmanship. A couple of years ago, I swapped the Suntour Superbe Pro wheels and derailleurs to Shimano, although the aesthetics are nowhere near what Suntour was. I kept the Superbe Pro brakes and crank, though. I treated it to some Nitto bottle cages and handlebar stem, just for the heck of it (and the bike looks happier with them).
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06-30-16, 02:20 PM
#29
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does anyone have any information regarding the Davidson Challenge? the only thing i came across is that there were about 4 different model types, the parts that were used and the price.. No frame material, no description, nada. any help would be nice.
06-30-16, 03:26 PM
#30
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https://bulgier.net/pics/bike/catalog...on-84/dav4.jpg
https://bulgier.net/pics/bike/catalog...on-84/dav3.jpg
.
06-30-16, 03:37 PM
#31
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i have an '84. it's tange tubing. there were two production models that year, the challenge and discovery (touring bike). the challenge was available with four different groupsets: s600, specialized, dura ace, and super record.
https://bulgier.net/pics/bike/catalog...on-84/dav4.jpg
https://bulgier.net/pics/bike/catalog...on-84/dav3.jpg
.
https://bulgier.net/pics/bike/catalog...on-84/dav4.jpg
https://bulgier.net/pics/bike/catalog...on-84/dav3.jpg
.
oops i meant specialized and super record, the dura ace model was the other braze on.
Last edited by shuru421; 06-30-16 at 03:42 PM. Reason: wrong model
06-30-16, 04:04 PM
#32
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^ i didn't know the '84 came with a brazed boss for the fd. i haven't seen one like that.
mine had a mix of components on it when i got it (specialized, d.a., and campy).
mine had a mix of components on it when i got it (specialized, d.a., and campy).
07-05-16, 02:19 AM
#33
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Ah, thanks for doing the research I neglected to carry out! Appreciated
So, um...well, if you do have one from the old EBB location, it's still mighty special. I mean, just look at some of the recently-shared beauties.
I don't know about y'all, but I sure would like to see details on these frames. In my mind, that's what American builders truly excelled at; the devil's in the details. So let's see those thinned lugs, smooth dropout transitions and beautifully-finished seatstay caps!
Thanks to everyone for their contributions so far
dd
So, um...well, if you do have one from the old EBB location, it's still mighty special. I mean, just look at some of the recently-shared beauties.
I don't know about y'all, but I sure would like to see details on these frames. In my mind, that's what American builders truly excelled at; the devil's in the details. So let's see those thinned lugs, smooth dropout transitions and beautifully-finished seatstay caps!
Thanks to everyone for their contributions so far
dd
05-02-17, 10:24 PM
#34
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Bikes: 2016 Kona Process 111, 2004 Merckx Fuga, '89 Fisher Paragon, converted to 700c, 1983 Davidson touring custom
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Hey guys! I may be receiving a touring model, perhaps signature, but knowing the lady that ordered it, I would be surprised. She is taller, and I am a short to average guy, and it seems to fit for a good tourer/allroad frame. It appears to me to be an early to mid 80's bike, but I am guessing based on the Shimano 105 brakes (but those could have been replacements). The derailleur is Sachs, the crank and bottom bracket is TA, the headset and hubs are Campagnolo, the bar cinelli, the wheels are Weinmann, 36 hole, and built to be stout for touring, not especially light. The seat is an Avocet touring. The shifters on are the bar ends and there are no braze ons for shifters on the downtubes. This is what has me thrown and thinks maybe it was custom. Unless this was offered in models I did not find online. I don't have a pic to post right now, but will get one. In the meantime, anyone have any ideas? It seems to fit me for standover (I am 31" inseam, 5'9" at best) and seems slightly on the short side for top tube length but I think that is the touring geo.
In the meantime, anyone have any ideas what it might be? No model identified in the decals either.
the bike, with its owner, toured japan, all over canada, Washington state and other places. Metallic blue paint has some chips and scrapes from all the loving use, but I guess I consider that mojo. Much like an old classic tube guitar amp with a couple nicks and cigarette burns. I will have to change out the foam on the bars though.
In the meantime, anyone have any ideas what it might be? No model identified in the decals either.
the bike, with its owner, toured japan, all over canada, Washington state and other places. Metallic blue paint has some chips and scrapes from all the loving use, but I guess I consider that mojo. Much like an old classic tube guitar amp with a couple nicks and cigarette burns. I will have to change out the foam on the bars though.
Last edited by sunvalleylaw; 05-02-17 at 11:22 PM.
05-02-17, 10:56 PM
#35
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05-02-17, 10:59 PM
#36
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05-02-17, 11:16 PM
#37
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I had two Davidsons, and they were two of the nicest built and best riding bikes I've owned. Unfortunately I had to sell them as I became obsessed with French bikes and was exceeding my self-imposed limit (20). I vaguely recall some top racers around here riding Davidsons in the early 80s, but first really took notice of them when a collector friend bought one a few years ago. The PO had bead-blasted the paint off all the lugs, IIRC with the idea of clear-coating them or something, but then gave up and sold the frame to my friend. After inspecting the bare lug work on this frame, I decided I had to have one. I first found the blue 79, then later the green 73, which I think was the first year Bill was making frames under his own name.
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05-03-17, 12:50 AM
#38
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05-03-17, 07:06 AM
#39
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Wow. Following!
Your reverse engineered Rene Herse brakes are outstanding!
__________________
If someone tells you that you have enough bicycles and you don't need any more, stop talking to them. You don't need that kind of negativity in your life.
If someone tells you that you have enough bicycles and you don't need any more, stop talking to them. You don't need that kind of negativity in your life.
05-03-17, 10:24 AM
#40
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Bikes: 2016 Kona Process 111, 2004 Merckx Fuga, '89 Fisher Paragon, converted to 700c, 1983 Davidson touring custom
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Hey guys! I may be receiving a touring model, perhaps signature, but knowing the lady that ordered it, I would be surprised. She is taller, and I am a short to average guy, and it seems to fit for a good tourer/allroad frame. It appears to me to be an early to mid 80's bike, but I am guessing based on the Shimano 105 brakes (but those could have been replacements). The derailleur is Sachs, the crank and bottom bracket is TA, the headset and hubs are Campagnolo, the bar cinelli, the wheels are Weinmann, 36 hole, and built to be stout for touring, not especially light. The seat is an Avocet touring. The shifters on are the bar ends and there are no braze ons for shifters on the downtubes. This is what has me thrown and thinks maybe it was custom. Unless this was offered in models I did not find online. I don't have a pic to post right now, but will get one. In the meantime, anyone have any ideas? It seems to fit me for standover (I am 31" inseam, 5'9" at best) and seems slightly on the short side for top tube length but I think that is the touring geo.
In the meantime, anyone have any ideas what it might be? No model identified in the decals either.
the bike, with its owner, toured japan, all over canada, Washington state and other places. Metallic blue paint has some chips and scrapes from all the loving use, but I guess I consider that mojo. Much like an old classic tube guitar amp with a couple nicks and cigarette burns. I will have to change out the foam on the bars though.
In the meantime, anyone have any ideas what it might be? No model identified in the decals either.
the bike, with its owner, toured japan, all over canada, Washington state and other places. Metallic blue paint has some chips and scrapes from all the loving use, but I guess I consider that mojo. Much like an old classic tube guitar amp with a couple nicks and cigarette burns. I will have to change out the foam on the bars though.
05-03-17, 11:54 AM
#41
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Do you know how old this one is? Because I see all the same details as my burgandy one, which Bob Freeman guessed was early 80s. DD fork crown, bikini lugset - and it appears as though your rear brake clearance is as tight as mine, too. What is the maximum tire that will fit your frame?
DD
DD
04-11-18, 12:51 PM
#42
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Parking my Davidson here, too.
It's a 1988 Discovery that I bought from the original owner. At one point he sent it back to Davidson for a repaint and to add internal cable routing. They mistakenly added Impulse to the top tube as the model, but it is in fact a Discovery. Those are 700x30 Challenge Strada Bianca with room to spare, and they're super smooth. Since getting it I've swapped the bar, stem, saddle, pedals, brake levers, shifters, and the two big chainrings.
This one will be my ride for Eroica this weekend.
As bought:
As it is now:
It's a 1988 Discovery that I bought from the original owner. At one point he sent it back to Davidson for a repaint and to add internal cable routing. They mistakenly added Impulse to the top tube as the model, but it is in fact a Discovery. Those are 700x30 Challenge Strada Bianca with room to spare, and they're super smooth. Since getting it I've swapped the bar, stem, saddle, pedals, brake levers, shifters, and the two big chainrings.
This one will be my ride for Eroica this weekend.
As bought:
As it is now:
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04-11-18, 04:38 PM
#43
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1977 Davidson
Bob Freeman directed me towards this frame. This was a custom built frame in 1977. I bought it as a frameset. I have since replaced the clinchers with tubular wheels.
IMG_0723.jpg
IMG_0723.jpg
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04-11-18, 05:58 PM
#45
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Parking my Davidson here, too.
It's a 1988 Discovery that I bought from the original owner. At one point he sent it back to Davidson for a repaint and to add internal cable routing. They mistakenly added Impulse to the top tube as the model, but it is in fact a Discovery. Those are 700x30 Challenge Strada Bianca with room to spare, and they're super smooth. Since getting it I've swapped the bar, stem, saddle, pedals, brake levers, shifters, and the two big chainrings.
This one will be my ride for Eroica this weekend.
As bought:
As it is now:
It's a 1988 Discovery that I bought from the original owner. At one point he sent it back to Davidson for a repaint and to add internal cable routing. They mistakenly added Impulse to the top tube as the model, but it is in fact a Discovery. Those are 700x30 Challenge Strada Bianca with room to spare, and they're super smooth. Since getting it I've swapped the bar, stem, saddle, pedals, brake levers, shifters, and the two big chainrings.
This one will be my ride for Eroica this weekend.
As bought:
As it is now:
04-11-18, 06:11 PM
#46
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04-11-18, 11:32 PM
#47
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I never did truly park my Davidson here. So here is a link to my thread with a ton of pics of my 1983 custom, along with the whole story. https://www.bikeforums.net/classic-v...al-thread.html
As original
Davidson1.jpg
With new tires
Davison 2.jpg
Mid-project, right before I had to hang it up for winter. Project to be soon re-started. Looking forward to riding her this spring/summer.
Davidson3.jpg
As I said, the full story is at the link. But will park her here too.
As original
Davidson1.jpg
With new tires
Davison 2.jpg
Mid-project, right before I had to hang it up for winter. Project to be soon re-started. Looking forward to riding her this spring/summer.
Davidson3.jpg
As I said, the full story is at the link. But will park her here too.
04-15-18, 07:56 PM
#48
Full Member
Here is my late ‘80s/maybe early ‘90s Impulse...I bought the bike from eBay and have no history on it at all...does anyone know how to date a Davidson? I’d be curious to know the year...thanks!
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04-16-18, 07:20 PM
#49
Senior Member
I’m not sure if even Davidson would know for sure. At least they didn’t seem to when I wrote to ask about the one I had. I offered a date and they said something like “that’s about right.”
04-17-18, 12:04 PM
#50
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