Green Giant: 1979 Michael Johnson
04-05-21, 10:39 AM
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Green Giant: 1979 Michael Johnson
I've been finding big bikes lately. Bigger than I usually ride(I've always had a good amount of seatpost showing on my 62 and 63cm bikes). Fortunately, on a lot of bigger bicycles, the top tube doesn't grow with the seat tube.
I happened across this one on someone else's Craigslist search. I ended up having to travel a bit for this one, but I am pretty excited to have it. I bought it from the original owner, who had it built in about 1979. He only put about 100 miles on it, before demoting it to wall hanger. According to him, it was to nice to ride.
I'm just going to post a few pictures first. Maybe some of you can figure out who built the frame...
EDIT: Added builder to the title.
I happened across this one on someone else's Craigslist search. I ended up having to travel a bit for this one, but I am pretty excited to have it. I bought it from the original owner, who had it built in about 1979. He only put about 100 miles on it, before demoting it to wall hanger. According to him, it was to nice to ride.
I'm just going to post a few pictures first. Maybe some of you can figure out who built the frame...
EDIT: Added builder to the title.
Last edited by Roger M; 04-10-21 at 09:04 PM.
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04-05-21, 10:44 AM
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I just picked it up last night, and this is how it is(as purchased).
The owners brother gave him a Superbe group for it, but he wanted to run a bigger freewheel, so he installed a Cyclone GT and put this back in the box.
The owners brother gave him a Superbe group for it, but he wanted to run a bigger freewheel, so he installed a Cyclone GT and put this back in the box.
Last edited by Roger M; 04-05-21 at 10:53 AM.
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04-05-21, 11:40 AM
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04-05-21, 11:41 AM
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Damn, those are thinned lugs.
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04-05-21, 12:59 PM
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04-05-21, 02:37 PM
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I've been finding big bikes lately. Bigger than I usually ride(I've always had a good amount of seatpost showing on my 62 and 63cm bikes). Fortunately, on a lot of bigger bicycles, the top tube doesn't grow with the seat tube.
I happened across this one on someone else's Craigslist search. I ended up having to travel a bit for this one, but I am pretty excited to have it. I bought it from the original owner, who had it built in about 1979. He only put about 100 miles on it, before demoting it to wall hanger. According to him, it was to nice to ride.
I'm just going to post a few pictures first. Maybe some of you can figure out who built the frame...
I happened across this one on someone else's Craigslist search. I ended up having to travel a bit for this one, but I am pretty excited to have it. I bought it from the original owner, who had it built in about 1979. He only put about 100 miles on it, before demoting it to wall hanger. According to him, it was to nice to ride.
I'm just going to post a few pictures first. Maybe some of you can figure out who built the frame...
Beautiful bike. My size, too. And it looks like a Michael Johnson. Triple jealous.
04-05-21, 03:24 PM
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@Roger M
Any S/N or other on the BB, or?
Doe's the SP binder go all the way through or is open on the other side?
Nevermind
Any S/N or other on the BB, or?
Doe's the SP binder go all the way through or is open on the other side?
Nevermind
Last edited by merziac; 04-05-21 at 03:44 PM.
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04-05-21, 03:41 PM
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Last edited by Roger M; 04-05-21 at 03:54 PM.
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04-05-21, 03:46 PM
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04-05-21, 06:27 PM
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What size is it? Looks bigger than a 63.
04-05-21, 06:28 PM
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Damn that's a great looking frame. The thinning of the lugs is amazing.
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04-05-21, 06:41 PM
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That is some beautiful paint! Imron?
04-05-21, 07:14 PM
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I'm not home with it yet, and don't have a tape measure. Using the goofy 3.75 inch ruler that's on my phone, I came up with just shy of 26.5 inches c-c on the seat tube. Could be different when I get a real measuring device, but I'm not far off.
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04-05-21, 08:56 PM
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04-05-21, 11:16 PM
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So here's what I know. These parts have been on the bike since new. It has 27 inch wheels that where built by MJ. I ask him about the 27", and he said 700c wasn't common back in the day.
He also gave me a 13-21 Winner 6 freewheel and a 28t and 32t cog. I need to learn the ropes on freewheel assembly...
1979 Michael Johnson frameset w/SP tubing
Suntour Superbe:
Headset
Crankset
Front derailleur
Brakeset (4700)
Low flange hubs
Shifters
Pedals
SR:
Bars and stem
Laprade seatpost
Ideale model 90 saddle
Cyclone GT rear derailleur
Thanks for all of the comments.
He also gave me a 13-21 Winner 6 freewheel and a 28t and 32t cog. I need to learn the ropes on freewheel assembly...
1979 Michael Johnson frameset w/SP tubing
Suntour Superbe:
Headset
Crankset
Front derailleur
Brakeset (4700)
Low flange hubs
Shifters
Pedals
SR:
Bars and stem
Laprade seatpost
Ideale model 90 saddle
Cyclone GT rear derailleur
Thanks for all of the comments.
Last edited by Roger M; 04-06-21 at 05:29 AM.
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04-06-21, 12:31 AM
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That bike is GORGEOUS!!! 
Definitely looks every bit of 68cm to me. And all Superbe... Knock me over with a feather! Same with the ultra-thinned lugs. That's darn near illegal!
Definitely looks every bit of 68cm to me. And all Superbe... Knock me over with a feather! Same with the ultra-thinned lugs. That's darn near illegal!
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04-06-21, 08:35 AM
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That is a beauty Roger. Congratulations!
I see design elements of Bruce Gorgon and Chris Kvale in it.
I see design elements of Bruce Gorgon and Chris Kvale in it.
04-06-21, 08:45 AM
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I could use the top tube a pull up bar!
04-06-21, 08:45 AM
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Really thinned lugs. Some almost bleed into the painted tube.
The seat post bolt location is pretty darn uncommon for it being a '79. That style existed sure, but not exactly common.
Nice fastback seatstay design too.
The seat post bolt location is pretty darn uncommon for it being a '79. That style existed sure, but not exactly common.
Nice fastback seatstay design too.
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04-06-21, 09:39 AM
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Who buys a bike and rides it 100 miles and then never rides it again for 40 years? That's crazy, but good for you.
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04-06-21, 01:11 PM
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Super-nice bike. Many congrats. Whatever you paid for it, it's worth it. I'd be interested in the measurements when you have it in hand and use an actual tape measure and angle gauge on it.
SP tubing is a smart call for a frame that size. So is that longish chain stay length. I'm very glad it's in the hands of someone who will let it see the outdoors and - gasp - actually be ridden.
BTW, it looks to me like the front brake. at least, has plenty of reach adjustment if you ever want to swith to 700c wheels. The rear brake looks to be a closer run thing, but you only need them pads to be 4mm lower, so you might be able to juuust do it. Not suggesting you should make that change, just that it looks like it might be an easy option.
SP tubing is a smart call for a frame that size. So is that longish chain stay length. I'm very glad it's in the hands of someone who will let it see the outdoors and - gasp - actually be ridden.
BTW, it looks to me like the front brake. at least, has plenty of reach adjustment if you ever want to swith to 700c wheels. The rear brake looks to be a closer run thing, but you only need them pads to be 4mm lower, so you might be able to juuust do it. Not suggesting you should make that change, just that it looks like it might be an easy option.
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