Im getting so close to finishing mine, I cant wait! I am a bottom bracket, a freewheel, and some elbow grease away from being done!

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3158/...00d565.jpg?v=0

heres a better pic of my gran tour now that it is finished. for some reason i couldnt figure out how to edit my first post to add a different pic. oh well:thumb: the only thing i want to add is a long cage simplex rear derailleur to match the barends. but not a priority right now

You can find the Simplex lever operated front shifters on eBay but they will cost over $60. Depends how much rust peppering you are willing to accept. Rusty ones go for less and you could get it rechromed. The gearing is 53-28 with 13-32 seven speed, and the front derailleur shifts easily, snicks the chain right in. That derailleur model was originally spec'ed for a 28-52 range, so I'm operating it within spec basically. It won't shift under heavy load, since it is old-school. You do have to plan ahead for shifting. I don't have to shift that often however due to the cross-over gearing... only when I'm on my way up a bigger hill.

The gearing is 53-28 with 13-32 seven speed, so I need chain-wrap for 44 teeth, and thus I'm using the XTR rear derailleur. My understanding from the several I have is that most 1970s long cage rear derailleurs won't wrap that many teeth. Of course one could use a rear derailleur wrapping less teeth and avoid some gears (since I can't use the small chainring and the smallest freewheel cog anyway). However the XTR rear derailleur shifts so nicely and is nice and light, and I'm not going for the total vintage thing anyway (I have other bikes to indulge with that). Those are the CLB 1 model of their centerpull brakes.

This is flat out one of the nicest looking bikes that I've ever seen. Can't remember if you mentioned in your earlier posts, but do you know what year it is?

The simplex shifters on eBay tend to go at a high price, even the rusted ones. Plus it seems they have a rather short cage... do all models accept a 24t difference?
Even if the shifting is so-so I guess with a single + granny you won't shift too often. If it were me I'd go with a 47 (+/-1) with the 28.

:thumb:

The Jack Taylor is terrific.

You can fit a shorter cage to the Simplex Competition lever front derailleur, and I'm guessing that racers would do so. The mounting is the same style as the plastic bodied Simplex Criterium push rod front derailleurs. Parts diagrams/tables from several Simplex catalogs that I have from the 1950s and the Guaranty Cycle Co. catalog circa 1965 show the Competition with only one cage style. As for capacity the book “The Dancing Chain” says it “copes” with 52/28 double chainwheel, and the 1952 Simplex catalog also says capacity is 52 to 28, so I'm guessing the longer cage was standard. On further reflection, perhaps my lack of ability to shift under heavy load might be more due to using old TA chainrings which lack profiling/ramps/pins or perhaps my lack of desire to push really hard on an old front derailleur. Since I never could shift under heavy load in my youth on various touring and other bikes, it is not an issue for me now in my later years... thought it is nice to be able to do it on one of my modern touring bikes. Yes, it's a high gear for a touring bike, but I have sufficient gears for needs, and though I really should be coasting on downhills, I enjoy bombing down them.

Not enough English bikes on here.
So here's my latest.
http://i53.photobucket.com/albums/g5...anTest2002.jpg

A proper Mercian Tourer at last.
(My KOM was sold because it was a Time Trialer)
1978 and original except for the saddle.
Immaculate paint for its age and proof, if it were needed, that Mercian do a proper paint job.
Slight fading, proof of which is the removed dealers sticker on the seat-tube.
Campy derailers, WF hubs, gear levers.
TA crank-set and Weinmann brakes.

Now fitted with guards and black bar tape and waiting for racks.

http://i53.photobucket.com/albums/g5...anTest2014.jpg


More photos of the completed machine when the weather improves here.
http://i53.photobucket.com/albums/g5...anTest2019.jpg

Would love to know what pattern these GB bars are.

Are you talking about those randonneur bars? My Raleigh had/has them. I miss them. :-) I always like the rise on the ends. I found it a comfortable place for my hands.

-Jon

I'm sitting here looking at my old Peugeot and have to say that the Simplex Competition (rod shifter) is a very nice unit and shifts very well... it did not take much to get used to the "suicide" shifter either.

Thanks! I bought it from the original owner who had it custom made for his 18th birthday in 1970.

They are very subtle, cool and comfortable to use.
Randonneur might be right but they only have a number....
And just look so very nice IMHO.
Just been out in the snow and ice and took a couple of photos in the winter gloom.
http://i53.photobucket.com/albums/g5...nTourer012.jpg
Just need to fit the racks and I'm off on some long distance stuff when the weather is improved.
http://i53.photobucket.com/albums/g5...nTourer018.jpg
Its just a lovely bicycle, so light and responsive but not sure yet what it is like with weight on.

65er and Peter B, thanks for the input. I'll stay on the lookout for a shifter :)

My 1983 Specialized Expedition. I bought it new in 1984, it is a great bike.
http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d1...mer/3Exped.jpg
http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d1...mmer/2Eped.jpg

I still have the water bottles that came with it when new.
http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d1...er/bottles.jpg

Have you ever let it come out of it's beautiful garden ? I lusted for one of those back then. (was quite happy with my Nishiki Ultra Tour but that was well below yours). Fun to see one in such incredible condition.

My 1978 Mondia Super.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3138/...5718fd.jpg?v=0

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3109/...3af815.jpg?v=0
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3090/...78aa47.jpg?v=0
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3124/...e86ed3.jpg?v=0
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3202/...d70abb.jpg?v=0
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3052/...bd411e.jpg?v=0

Nice!
What kind of tyres is it wearing?

I've been riding it on mountain back roads lately (dirt and gravel), so I put the WTB cross tyres on it. For road and touring I use 700c 28 or 32 depending on where I'm traveling.

A stunning bicycle, but your brake cable routing made me cringe.

Whew, yeah those brake cables are a little wacky. The kinks in the shifter cables can't help either?,,,,BD

In setting up a Simplex lever front derailleur to shift well, you may have to do an old school derailleur adjustment to shift up more quickly: bend in the front tab of the inner side of the derailleur cage a little itty bit. That really makes a difference on upshifting.

I was real sloppy when I took the picture. That's not how the brake cable is routed, it just got pushed under momentarily.

On the shifter cables: yeah, they're wacky, and I plan to put new ones on this spring. Even with the kink, I've never had a problem, but you're all correct, it looks real crude.

I was real sloppy when I took the picture. That's not how the brake cable is routed, it just got pushed under momentarily.

On the shifter cables: yeah, they're wacky, and I plan to put new ones on this spring. Even with the kink, I've never had a problem, but you're all correct, it looks real crude.

Looks like my size...I wish I were the new owner...