Ged117 

Very nice bicycles in this thread. At 6'3" with long legs, I feel somewhat envious of those who own larger frame Voyageurs. I inherited my '90 Tange frame Voyageur from an uncle who bought it new at Bloor Cycle, a storied Toronto bike shop which no longer exists. The bike is in great shape. The Suntour indexed 7-speed drivetrain with barends works perfectly with a Sunrace cassette. The seat tube measures 23", so this frame is really small for me. I've tried for a long time to make it fit, including the build pictured here with a Nitto Albatross bar. I just can't get comfortable on it. Even my feet feel out of place on the pedals, it is very strange. I was thinking that longer reach might help, but at this point I just want a bike that fits. As a "short backer" with long legs bike fit can be a pain in the neck. My Peugeot is about 60cm or 23.5", and I think I could ride a 24" just fine, though I have fit issues with long top tubes. I'd like to sell the frame on and keep the parts for another Voyageur in my size range (or a similar 1980s Japanese tourer, though I'd prefer a Voyageur), but they are hard to find.

20200813_144739

beicster 

I can't see your picture. I hope you can find a 25" Voyageur. My 25" 1985, built with Tenax rides great. I am sure the Tange versions do, too but if you can find a Tenax frame in your size, you will have a good one.

Ged117 

Thanks! I fixed the image.

Ged

beicster 

That saddle does not look high enough for someone who is 6'3" to me. Are you able to get much leg extension?

polymorphself 

Huh! That very much looks like the 23” frame I woulda bet money on it from the picture.

polymorphself 

Duplicate.

Ged117 

Ah, thanks for spotting. Typo. I was writing about another bike in a separate post at the same time.

Rooney 

Thank you! That's the only one that's been staying on recently — a matching Cannondale. It's been quite handy. I'm still looking for the matching handlebar bag and rear rack pack to complete the set. Need to find that perfect combination of price, condition, and availability. And black.

polymorphself 

cb400bill

^^^Nice looking bike^^^

polymorphself 

Thanks started a thread on it over here.

Phamilton

It would probably fit in the back but you may need to deflate the rear tire to remove the rear wheel

Rooney

Rooney 

I finally ordered some Velo Orange hammered fenders, which arrived today. It took a couple of hours, but they're installed. My question is; there are great examples here — what's the trick to a consistent fender line? They're sold as 700c/27" compatible, but seem more aimed at 700c. Is that correct? Is it possible to get a clean, consistent fender line with 27" wheels, or will they always be a little bit wonky?

I used the daruma for the front fender vs. the L-bracket if that makes any difference. That's also the wonkier fender. The sun was setting as I finished up, preventing more photos. I'll upload some tomorrow for analysis. This is of the front fender while I still had light. The center portion of the fender is consistent, but it pulls away towards the ends. Is there anything I can do or is that about as good as it gets with 27" wheels? (I trimmed the stays to this position, slightly long, and flipped the R-claps after the picture was taken)


PS - New crank jawn. 175mm 26/36/48

polymorphself 

My 86 has VO hammered fenders with 27” wheels. I didn’t install these fenders originally (it came to me with them) but have since taken them off and back on for various reasons, and have installed to other sets of VO fenders on other bikes.

Yes, they will not be perfect with 27” wheels compared to what you’ll get if you swap to 700s, BUT these mid-late 80’s Voyageurs have good clearance and you should be able to get damn close. As for your picture above, don’t be afraid to push down the front aggressively to bend it into shape. They’re made for this and it’s expected. Mine is attached with the L bracket, which means the fender is about 3/4 an inch further back than yours. This may or may not affect it but I doubt it.

You can see a pic of mine a few posts above but here are some better angles of the front fender. If it can be done on mine it can be done on yours.

polymorphself 

Rooney did you ever get the fender situation worked out?

Rooney 

Oh man, I never took more photos, haha. I played around with it a little and was happy enough with how things are for now. I realized I was being overly critical. I also finally got a 27.2 seatpost mounted. I'll try to take some pictures soon, but I moved back home from Brooklyn at the beginning of September, and there are quite a few other projects around here that have been keeping me busy.

Lots of plans for the SP in the works, especially now that the northeast is getting colder:
I'm waiting on handlebars — 46cm Noodles. The current bars have always felt too narrow. The corresponding stem arrived today (current stem is 25.4 vs. new stem 26). The handlebars will be finished off with some aero brake levers and bar-end shifters all wrapped-up in cotton tape that'll get a good shellackin' to match the Brooks. Still need some downtube cable stops. And then modify them because of the odd bosses. Brakes and derailleurs will get swapped too because at that point, why not? The brakes (Shimano M732) are at least to make a 700c conversion possible later on (spring?). I'm trying not to think about wheels too much right now, but I do like the idea of a 7- or 8-speed cassette.

I'm excited to get things changed after planning for so long. Updates to follow in the coming weeks!

ravenix 

Received an update on my '85 Schwinn Voyageur SP: Cold-set to accept 135 hub, Cantilever Posts moved for modern brakes, fresh powder-coat and new decals! Awaiting a final clearcoat and then I get to start my build project

polymorphself 

Well that is gorgeous.

justcynn

I own three Voyageurs. ‘80 chrome, ‘81 chrome and newly acquired ‘87

this is going to be my primary bike. Updated to new Tiagra 3x10, carbon bars, eco rack, tektro 539, brooks c17, mavic ksyrium elite 700 wheelset. Resto-Mod if you will. Just need to muster the courage and skill to get the cables done and then make a bar tape selection

Also drooling over the hammered fenders I see on many of your rides and may add those too!








This is my first ‘80 all chrome. It’s going to be restored to more original condition.



And this is the ‘87 I picked up today. For now going to be a parts bin build. The paint is pretty rough. Maybe a rider to take on trips when I don’t want to worry about someone stealing one of my beloved chromes

polymorphself 

justcynn Nice voyageurs! I'm not sure the 80 or 81 will fit fenders very easily, but your 87 is a prime candidate! As for the rough paint, I'd say that's perfect for a touring frame!

justcynn

thank you and good point on the '80/'81 clearance for fenders, not likely to fit and have any size on the tires. the 700 35mm front barely fits with no fender on the chrome with red handle bars, the resto-mod is going to get 700x28 road tires for now

but the '87 does a have a ton of room! the '87 is also missing the smallest front biopace chain ring. I have a '86 21" schwinn passage that I picked for $30 so may be a donor to the '87 as needed unless my wife gets more interested in touring. playing with the old steel road bikes is a relatively new hobby, that has filled a lot of pandemic time. watch facebook marketplace, if its a good deal buy it, if its a good deal and my size, definitely buy it and possibly drive a ways to get it depending on how cool it is!

as I have learned, I have become pickier for the more desirable frames so I can sell on Ebay if need be (a real pain to ship though).

there is that one guy that beats me to half the deals too, I bought a few bikes from him and he has bought from me - we actually traded cell numbers and I make him aware of good deals when I am out of town, etc. glad to beat him to the '87 Voyageur

justcynn

ditto on Gravel King SK's, great all around tire. I run 35 front, 32 rear on a chrome voyageur (35's barely fit on the front) likely going to go with blackwall 32's GK SK's on the resto-mod voyageur build and 35's on the '87 voyageur.

shoota 

The new SSs are better than the SKs in my opinion. The 38mm would fit the 87-88 Voyageurs.

Prowler 

Your's looks very much like my '87 when I bought it a couple of years ago. My "beer case" Voyageur had the same frame and paint wear, even got a milky look when wet. I repainted one chain stay and the BB due to rust. It now has about 500 miles full loaded and many more JRA. I sure was happy to have the wee granny ring when we rode the GAP. Near Pittsburg the trail criss crosses over the active rail corridor via bridges with steep ramps. I used the granny gears to great effect getting the bike (70lbs bike, gear, food, water) over those bridges.

I've removed most of the parts and am treating the whole shebang with multiple thin coats of boiled linseed oil. Slow and free but it has greatly improved the appearance and it's good rust protection. I'll post photos when I finish. Don't hold your breath - I have until spring to get it done.

edit: looks like you have the stock 40 spoke rear wheel too. Glad for mine given the loads its hauled. What a mule!

trailmix

I don’t have a Voyageur but my wife does. Not the best pics but they are the only ones that I have at the moment. Probably going to switch back to quill stem and install a new set of Pasela tires soon.