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Hetchins Super Special / Nulli Secundus, full restoration.

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Hetchins Super Special / Nulli Secundus, full restoration.

Old 04-11-10, 07:31 PM
  #1  
Blakey
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Hetchins Super Special / Nulli Secundus, full restoration.

Acquired in late 2007, refinishing finally completed in late 2009, collected yesterday.

Late 40s / early 50s Hetchins Super Special

Photos

As found, with awful cream powdercoat, added bidon mount, cracked chainstay bridge, track ends replaced with road drops:


Awaiting build (Suntour Superbe):


I'll update with further details and photos as I progress.
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Old 04-11-10, 07:50 PM
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uh wow... beautiful what a great looking Hetchins
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Old 04-11-10, 07:59 PM
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Very nicely done.

How'd you get the modern headset to work?
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Old 04-11-10, 08:00 PM
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Why didn't you have the track ends redone? Couldn't find the right style?
To me, it's not a big deal, but I know some people care.
Otherwise, looks great! You gonna ride it?
-Gene-
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Old 04-11-10, 08:05 PM
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What's the serial stamped on the rear dropout?
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Old 04-11-10, 08:21 PM
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Beautiful! love the colour

i've got a pair of suntour superbe pro NOS hubs on ebay at the moment if your'e interested?
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Old 04-11-10, 08:31 PM
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@oldmuthariley: *Superbe*, not Superbe Pro. Thanks though.

@USAZorro: Serial # lost when the dropouts were changed, nothing stamped on the steerer either

@Amani576: Serial # was lost, as such so was the history. Bidon mounts were also installed, I had the chainstay bridge replaced etc, so I decided to restore as a 6sp friction road bike rather than go for 1940s period correct. I'm certainly going to ride it.

@Miamijim: Stronglight headset was in there when I bought it, plastic cups are pressed into the HT. I think the steerer was cut when this was done so I can't install the proper integrated HS again. Need to measure and confirm. I may be able to find a HS with longer cups that will mount securely into the HT to replace this one.

Last edited by Blakey; 09-06-11 at 05:15 PM.
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Old 04-11-10, 09:55 PM
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miamijim,

Older Hetchins' have an unusual headset configuration. My '54 has what looks to be an odd combination of threadless and threading.
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Old 04-11-10, 10:01 PM
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WOW...that's just amazing. I'm drooling, and jealous!
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Old 04-11-10, 10:04 PM
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Dumb question: How do you know it had track ends previously?
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Old 04-11-10, 10:43 PM
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That blue reads really intense, should be a looker when done.

I would not change ends twice on the same stays, that would be three heat cycles.

Ditching the aero top of the tube lever boss is a good thing, I think I would have just gone clamp, but thats just me.

Last edited by repechage; 04-11-10 at 10:45 PM. Reason: more info
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Old 04-11-10, 11:46 PM
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Where did you get that refinished?
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Old 04-12-10, 01:42 AM
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@USAZorro: I bought it from an old cycle nut / historian who bought it from someone who had converted it in the early 80's (Suntour symmetric boss, bidon mount, dropouts, powdercoat) for a time trial setup. The old guy was going to restore it, but ran out of time (85 years old).

@repechage: The colour is accurate, I used a WB card to adjust the camera for the indoor lighting. It really is that intense and the finish is liquid and glossy.

@banjo_mole: Joe Cosgrove (Cycle Designs / Frezoni) in Brisbane, Australia did the work. He also paints all of the frames that are made by Darrell of Llewellyn Custom Bicycles. Two time NAHBS "Best Paint" winner.

My concern now is that the build can hardly do justice to the paintwork.
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Old 04-12-10, 02:54 AM
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Nice. I'm looking forward to seeing the full build. PIX!
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Old 04-12-10, 06:17 AM
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Originally Posted by Blakey
@USAZorro: I bought it from an old cycle nut / historian who bought it from someone who had converted it in the early 80's (Suntour symmetric boss, bidon mount, dropouts, powdercoat) for a time trial setup. The old guy was going to restore it, but ran out of time (85 years old).

@repechage: The colour is accurate, I used a WB card to adjust the camera for the indoor lighting. It really is that intense and the finish is liquid and glossy.

@banjo_mole: Joe Cosgrove (Cycle Designs / Frezoni) in Brisbane, Australia did the work. He also paints all of the frames that are made by Darrell of Llewellyn Custom Bicycles. Two time NAHBS "Best Paint" winner.

My concern now is that the build can hardly do justice to the paintwork.
The paint is amazing...but the truth is that neither the paint or the build can compete with the distinctive stays for the attention of a fan. That is just such an awesome piece. I want to know how it rides!
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Old 04-12-10, 10:48 AM
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I like.
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Old 04-12-10, 07:21 PM
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I have:
Superbe cranks & Suntour BB (not exact match, need to check chainline)
Superbe F&R derailleurs
Superbe brakes (one silkscreened, one engraved)
Rivendell ratchet Silver Shifters or Superbe DT levers
Winner Pro 4 notch 13-18 6sp or Suntour 2 notch 13-18 6sp
3T or Gipiemme fluted post 27.2
Cinelli alloy bars/stem
Superbe slotted non aero levers and gum Cane Creek hoods
Silver braided gear / brake housing
Brooks Professional (black) or Rolls (perforated white)
High flange Record to Mavic 'Module E' clincher wheelset
MKS Sylvan or steel Campy quills

I will soon have:
High flange Superbe hubs

Still to acquire
7sp HG chain
Chainrings 42/52 or similar, TA polished would be nice.
Superbe stem / seatpost / quill pedals
Better condition Suntour QR skewers

Am also after rim and tyre suggestions. Currently leaning towards VO rims for a classic polished box section and Grand Bois or Challenge clinchers.
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Old 04-13-10, 09:23 AM
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The VO rims looked pretty deep when I saw them- I'd go for some Mavic MA-40's instead. Those are SWEET clincher rims.
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Old 04-13-10, 09:52 AM
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Totally Sweet.
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Old 04-15-10, 12:41 AM
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Point taken, they are a little deep. Currently searching for MA-2s or similar. Grand Bois Papillion would also do.

Hubs acquired:



And added to the pile

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Old 04-15-10, 06:26 AM
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who cuts off track ends and puts road dropouts on? haven't they ever seen craigslist?
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Old 04-15-10, 05:14 PM
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really nice
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Old 09-06-11, 05:19 PM
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Thread dig!

Full photoset:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/4494857...7627450817188/

A sampling:

hetchins01 by fyxomatosis - since forever, on Flickr

hetchins03 by fyxomatosis - since forever, on Flickr

hetchins18 by fyxomatosis - since forever, on Flickr

hetchins17 by fyxomatosis - since forever, on Flickr

hetchins28 by fyxomatosis - since forever, on Flickr

hetchins26 by fyxomatosis - since forever, on Flickr

hetchins31 by fyxomatosis - since forever, on Flickr
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Old 09-06-11, 06:05 PM
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okay, that may be the single most gorgeous hetchins rebuild/refurb I have seen.
outstanding.

Marty
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Old 09-06-11, 06:13 PM
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Oh, I forgot to mention, I ended up finding a NOS / NIB Suntour Superbe groupset, so all those other parts were discarded. (The HS, BB & Shifters are safely packed away to keep the group complete.)


Suntour Superbe groupset by ah_blake, on Flickr
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