mechanicmatt

And so it begins. Just got a rolling chassis going today. Much left to go. I've got questions for the masses coming but for now. Paint color is Daffodil, and really is more yellow than orange.

mechanicmatt

Frame is Columbus SL, Campy headset, Bontrager SSR Seatpost, Nitro Technomic stem, Randonneur Bars by Motobecane I think, and the very business like Trek Titan rims on Sansin hubs. That's so far.

Found out the 700x28c Forte tires I have, do fit. So I'll ride them for now.

obrentharris 

I'm looking forward to following this one.
Great bike!
Brent

JT1973

Love the color. Did you repaint or is that original paint color? Looks wonderful.
Thanks,

Kobe 

That has to be a repaint, too nice to be original. Love the seat lug.

mechanicmatt

Yes it has been repainted. Decals by Alan Wanta and paint done by the Groody Bros.

Flickr link for the repainting done in 2013 if I remember correctly. It's powder.
(Link isn't working so I will attach some of the select photos...)

mechanicmatt

From the original owner on the frame, I bought it in 2010 and have been sitting on it. The frame is from '87, it was confirmed by Bruce.

"I am the original owner. I did a lot of riding in the early 80's and after having a couple of bikes I decided to get one built by a custom builder. I decided on a Bruce Gordon bike after doing research. He was located in Oregon then and is located in California now and still building bikes. He is regarded as a legend in bike building. As I mentioned, it is a steel frame and I am partial to steel because to me it seems to ride a little better.
I quit riding much on the roads several years ago and did most of my riding on bike paths or on my mountain bike. The bike has been mostly hanging in my garage. Early this year I got the idea of getting a steel touring bike. I decided to get a touring frame and transfer the components from my Bruce Gordon bike to the touring frame. That is why the frame is for sale.
The frame has never been crashed and still rode very well. As I mentioned, it has picked up some nicks over its 25-year lifespan. "

omgar

This will be sweet. Glad it's getting back on the road.

mechanicmatt

So I will attach a few more pics. The frame was in really rough shape when I got it, it needed to be repainted or it was going to rust itself to death. At the time I did contact Bruce G for a respray and what not, but Bruce would only do it if it was a wet spray, and at the time I wanted a powder coat because I had recently came out of the paint business. I regret it some but instead I found that Alan Wanta had redone a Chinook and he had made his own decal set for and I asked if I could just purchase the decals. He agreed and in the mail a few days later were BG Chinook and Columbus tubing decals.

At that time the Groody Bros, which I think now gugie prefers for resprays, were just starting out and local and did powder coating. Everything I wanted to do. They are both friends of mine in KC, and I wanted to help them out, but also go see the work get done (and snoop around their extensive bike pile in the back). Any way some more pics of the frame from back in the day.

uncle uncle

Just checking in... I want to follow the progress.

repechage

I do not like powdercoat, but that is a good color (at least on my screen) and appears well done.

abshipp 

I'm really loving that color.

Also a very very nice powder coating job. Looking forward to this one!

mechanicmatt

JT1973

Thanks for the added restoration details & photos! Glad to hear and see that powder can look this nice. I’ve read that a yellow like this is hard to achieve with sprayed paint; perhaps the powder makes this lovely color more attainable. I saw a resprayed/restored B. Carre frame on Flickr with a similar yellow, and the painter/frame builder who did the restoration said it was a difficult color to work with. Anyway, great project.

mechanicmatt

A couple of related links:

Not mine but where I want mine to go: https://theradavist.com/2019/04/an-e...-chinook-road/

Color inspiration: Bruce Gordon Cycles - The Unofficial Official Blog: Second in a series of Bruce Gordon's Personal Bikes

gugie 

Mark Rainey at Groody Brothers does a great job, his prices are reasonable, and he'll do some minor frame repair as well as add on most braze-ons you'd want. There are others around the country that can probably do a good job, but KC is right in the middle of the US, so shipping won't be very expensive for anyone, and you can trust him with your frame. His turnaround time is pretty good as well, and he hit his ship dates on two frames I sent to him. Plus, he knows his vintage bikes!

socalbike

Beautiful bike, nice work!

mechanicmatt

Today's progress. Lots of cleaning, polishing of brake parks and stem. Also, super trued the front wheel. Simichrome is awesome.

Bianchigirll 

Your doing it wrong. It is easier to start with the Cranks, assuming the HS is already in, then hang the derailleurs, DT shifters, bars and levers, then the wheels and finally cables.


Great looking bike though

mechanicmatt

You're not wrong. I'm having a heck of a time figuring out which crank to use. I have Shimano 600, Campy Strada, and others. I can do a 52-39 setup but I'd like to have smaller or a triple. I did this today while watching my two boys play football and ride bikes in circles. Just sat and polished. I knew I'd use those brakes and levers but not everything else is decided.

The goal is to only use stuff I have, no money spent. Shifters will be Suntour friction barcons. Really crank, derailleurs, and bar wrap are in the air.

Bianchigirll 

Down there in Soddy Daisy I'd want a triple too!

mechanicmatt

Important question:

Has anyone ever used a Shimano 10spd compact crank with 7spd components?