1971 Crescent
 

22 inch frame.

All Campagnolo nouvo record components except Mafac center pulls.

Has Dia compe brake handles.

Index accushift suntour bar shifters.


https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...b50f5c99d8.jpg
https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...31a2a0f264.jpg
https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...3629663cf1.jpg
https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...2774555071.jpg
https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...190008da3c.jpg
https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...6aab72ddd1.jpg
https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...17ac3dcb94.jpg

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a discussion thread has also been begun on this machine over at thecabe.com -

​​​​​​https://thecabe.com/forum/threads/1971-crescent.208797/


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Nice vintage bike, how did you determine the year?
 

I have a similar 531 crescent in white with similar decals and a slightly different head badge but somehow I thought it was mid 70s not as early as 1971. I got it as a frame, so no components to help identify the vintage. S/N 5024010. Anyone have any idea on what model and what year this is?
https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...044116762.jpeg
Crescent model?? Year??
https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...0cd225122.jpeg
Crescent head badge

Oh boy, another chance to show an orange one, a white one and a blue one in the same thread. Ergo, my 1974 92319


https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...8c485e11b.jpeg

The f/f is 1974 though most everything else is later stuff, but quite possibly the sort of upgrades than an enthusiast may have done. A VERY nice ride and in regular rotation.

The white f/f that retroshifter shows above, assuming the frame is also 531, is possibly also a 92319 as it looks like it has the Suntour GS dropouts on the rear. I rather like those DOs vs Campy as they position the seat stays a bit outward which creates more clearance for the FW and the chain riding on the small cog. Also the white bike has just the very classic Crescent moon head badge that mine does, without the black panel behind it as on the orange f/f of the earlier bikes. I'm not sure when the black panel was deleted but it may have been for 1974 and beyond. The historians will know that the Crescent moon style head badge traces DNA directly to the badge created by Western Wheel Works of Chicago in the 1890s and still in use today.

Also, from what I've seen on line, the blue on my Crescent is a bit darker that the Monark blue used by MCB. Our Swedish members would know better that I do.

That quick release seat post clamp has got to GO!

You have the makings of a very nice bike. What do you intend to do with it?

Model 92319 it is
 

Prowler
Thanks for the info. somehow I always assumed campy dropouts, but you are right suntour (very faded couldn’t read GS). As other crescent owners know the dropout brazing is pretty crude. What brake reach is yours, old normal (57mm) or old long? My front dropout has been modified I think to allow for normal reach brakes. The rear also uses normal reach, not sure if that was factory or if the rear brake brace was lowered, again really crude bracing and faded paint. Now that I know the model 92319 I can look up more details thanks.
https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...d7b448478.jpeg
Rear brake bridge
https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...9a75ac315.jpeg
Modified suntour dropout

We don’t want to hijack hzqw2l thread but I’ll answer the reach question as it may help him too. For 700c rims my bike needs 60mm reach F&R.

As for the brazing, I’ve read several comments about that. I have no issue with the f/f quality. I’ve viewed the Swedes of that time frame as quite pragmatic. The bike offers a great ride which I very much enjoy and the brazing is suitable for purpose. Strong, responsive and, probably, as sound as it was almost 50 years ago when it left Varberg. I’m happy and lucky to own it.

No issues. I don't see any suspect brazing on my bike.

I like the original paint and components and will attempt to find the missing bits to make it whole.

My two cents, which is probably a generous amount, giving my comment, but I always thought that Crescent did a great job with the decal scheme on their bikes. Much in the ballpark (or is it velodrome here) of 70's Peugeot, a Crescent stands out in the crowd (especially the orange ones).

Crescents were neat bikes (their advertising was pushing the limits of decency by today's standards) but they did have very short front centers as I recall. So lot's of foot overlap. Is that the case on this one as well? Kinda curious. One can usually get used to very short front center bikes.

Shortish front to center
 

My 22inch crescent has more TCO than I was expecting. I had planned to set it up as a commuter with fattish tires and fenders, but with even with skinny 32mm gatorskins sans fenders there was moderate TCO. But to be honest my vintage 22” Trek that can take a full 32mm tire has a little TCO.

Vintage Crescent 531 on sfbay Craig’slist
 

https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...8f573f4338.png
Hope this is okay to put on the forum, there is a nice looking early 70s crescent on the sfbay craigslist in Santa Rosa. Not mine, I know nothing about it just what is posted on craigslist. I thought that maybe someone on this forum who is interested in vintage crescents might want to check it out. Looks like it was posted an hour ago. Let me know if these kind of posts are not allowed

Basically ok but there is a dedicated "Are you looking for" thread that is usually on the front page as we troll it fanatically 24/7. ;)

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CCCXIX


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just look at that bar; they were no a-makin' 'em lykka datta in MCMLXXI!



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That is a very nice vintage road bike. I just might have an unneeded set of Mafac levers, in good shape. Send me a PM if I can be of help.

The dropout does not look as though it was modified for shorter-reach brakes, instead the slot looks as though was widened to allow a bigger axle to fit - though the normal width of a forged dropout should be enough for a normal qr axle. And you are not going to get the necessary 4mm change from the modification you see. I wonder if the previous owner had one of the Atom tandem front hubs with a 9.5mm axle.

And if so it's been modified the wrong way - the top of the slot, where the axle bears on the frame, has been filed. It's not easy to do this equally each side, so the better approach is to file the down side - when the wheel is inserted it will rest against the unchanged tops of the slots.

For comparison, two pics of serial 455488 (currently a work-in-progress), with a black panel behind the badge; it takes 700c (well, sew-ups) rims with Universal 68's no problem:

https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...4ba1f0f972.jpg
https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...30abe0c7cb.jpg

That is a matter of hand size and reach. I use Weinmann, DiaCompe, and Shimano brake levers because I can grab them much more quickly and securely than Mafacs, Modolos, or Campagnolos in a panic stop.

thanks, I have never opened that thread. Probably a good thing

But that's how you find all the bikes you didn't know you need. :twitchy:

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spoken like a true gugie-O-phile :D :lol:


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"make 'N + 1' your meditation mantra!"



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I didn't see this thread until now but I believe your white Crescent is a model 92318. I've only seen those seat tube decals on other 318s including my white one which looks just like yours. I've also read that white was only offered on the 318s. Great bikes.
https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...34bf726108.jpg
https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...18753fe9a7.jpg

Really nice white crescent
 

Your white crescent looks identical to mine, except yours is in almost new condition and mine looks like… it’s 50 years old. Thanks for the update that it is a 318. Mine is out of the rotation and is currently hanging in the rafters of my garage; if I get around to building some wheels it will be the next bike I put back on the road. I’ll post a pic, but it won’t be as nice as yours and won’t have period correct parts.