My Titanium Bike Build (lots of pics)
 

https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...0a1e2e519a.jpg

I ordered a 60 cm Litspeed Classic 2001 model year off Ebay. Arrived well packed and in great shape. 500 bux shipped. I did the " make offer" feature and felt I lowballed em ....they said yes. I feel a bit cramped on a 58 cm horizontal top tube bike so hopefully 60 will be prime.
https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...f4eee45c58.jpg

I started with some red scotchbrite and it buffs out perfectly. The only real scratches are on the chainstay where there was some chain dropping.
https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...d3e6c38df4.jpg

The welds ..... pretty cool : )

https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...4ae6736636.jpg

Chris King goodness

https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...281c6006e3.jpg

I built this tool to install other headsets ..... added the rubber grommets to avoid scratching the headset.

https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...6411027c50.jpg

The install was super easy compared to some others I have done.

https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...3036f1d53f.jpg

One of the few forks I could get sized for the "vintage" straight 1inch head tube .... good price and good rep ....also the right rake/offset
https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...a293eb9662.jpg

Sticker kit has taught me that I am not good at putting on stickers

https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...70c988fffb.jpg

Still ....super cool to make it look factory

https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...b1f57a2413.jpg

A sexy AF Chris King BB and a really nice (and affordable) park BB tool

https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...396c05aef4.jpg

Sweet welds

https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...7b50a15b9c.jpg

Shims and spacers installed

https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...6c3d263e34.jpg

I love quality tools ....had to buy a 1 1/4 inch top cap to fit with the stem/shim

https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...3f353e7680.jpg

Mmmm- Mmmmmm the Chris King product is very nice

https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...632808fa9a.jpg

I spent money on jewelry and coach leather for my wife for Christmas...and Dura Ace 9100 for me
https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...e6b0d31dfe.jpg

The handlebar is a Bontrager Isocore I got a good deal on ....stem is a Bonnie Blendr ...like the one on my SLR 6

https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...ae70f6d78c.jpg

Dura Ace C24 ....fits better with the old school vibe than the C40s.....and lighter

https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...771e2f93ea.jpg
Got these bad boys for a steal .... the pair for 60 bux. I have a Lynskey Ti seatpost on the way. Will order a Selle Italia Superflow Endurance saddle and a set of Look Ti/Ceramic pedals. Also lights and a computer when I get it dialed in. A shout out to Dom at Eurobike parts. Great to do business with.

Very nice! I also ride a 60cm and barely missed out on a local sale of a late 90's Dean Titanium, fully built, for $600 just a couple of weeks ago. Still kicking myself for not jumping on that.

By the way, nice Ducati's. I currently own one, a very well kept 1993 900SS. Ducati's sure are a treat to ride and sound like nothing else.

Thanks !!! Had several Ducati's over the years. A real experience for sure. The monster at full song is insane !!

That bike is in great shape considering its age. Love me some titanium.

Beautiful frame and will likely last forever. I bought my 2000 Vortex frameset used in 2003 and even after >70,000 all-weather miles, with a new set of decals, it still looks like it just came from the factory.
BTW if your Classic has a 1" steerer, it's likely an MY2000 - MY2001 was the first year the Classic included a 1 1/8" steerer.

Will it fit a 28mm tire? Been looking at one a local guy has, but he is unsure if it will fit a 28.

What a great set up you have at home. :love:

Looking forward to more updates on your bike, especially on how it rides.

Beautiful! I've been going through something very similar. I picked up a 1995 Ultimate on Ebay for $750 but it was a complete bike. Mind you, MOST of the parts had to go! (seller's pic)
https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...132714a14e.jpg


Cracked NDS crank, mismatched wheels, corroded seatpost, and that weird riser stem rig. Also the original Chorus brifters had ripped hoods. The decals were incorrect for 1995, and scratched all to hell anyway. BUT, the fork, headset, and bottom bracket are fine, as well as the brakes and FD.

I stripped it down and, like you, buffed it up with red Scotchbrite.

https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...55fb80a2bd.jpg

I applied the decal set from Litespeed, and I gotta tell you - that signature decal for the chainstay is a pure PITA.

I replaced the cracked Racing T 170 crankset with a 175 Racing T I had from a previous build, and the Chorus Ergos and RD with a Sachs New Success set, also from that previous build. Put together a wheelset that's actually mismatched but looks matched, new seatpost, new stem, new bars and saddle. Here it is after its first Shakedown Cruise:

https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...cb16d25089.jpg

But I decided I don't like the triple and I'm going to rebuild it with 7410 Dura Ace, which I had half a kit of and scrounged the rest off Ebay.

Beautiful bike and it looks like you’re doing a tremendous build. When I got my Litespeed classic new in 2004 a friend who is a welder stopped by to see my new bike, he took one look at the welds and said “ those welds are spectacular”.

It's a 1 1/8. Had to use the shim to get it to 1 1/4. It has the machined L in the drop out which I believe is a 2001 feature. If I put 1 inch I meant 1 1/8 !!

I put 25s on it and they are pretty tight in the brake calipers. It looks like there is a little room in the chainstay's but I think 28s would be too tight. When I installed these I only had tubes for my endurance bike which are sized for 28s and up. They may have plumped up a bit bigger than 25s but I didn't Mic them to see. They don't look esp lightbulb shaped.

https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...a91ba7df9f.jpg
Titanium seatpost showed up today!,

Seatpost installed. As a classic styled horizontal top tube bike, the seatpost is pretty deep in the frame. Covers up that handsome Lynskey anodizing to some degree.

As a ball park I measured both my 58 cm Domane and 58 cm Trek 2.3 from the center of the BB axle to the center of the seat mount and came up with about 29 inches and set the mount on the new bike the same. Its a 60 cm. Once I get pedals and a seat I can dial it in. When I stand over the top tube it does not touch me but is pretty close. I'm interested to see how it fit. The Domane in 58 is about perfect I would say. The 2.3 has a more horizontal top tube but looks to me like it slopes a tad still and feels a touch cramped. I have no idea if it is considered a "compact" geometry but I'm hoping the Litespeed is a great in betweener. I would like the 2.3 to be my get around bike and the other two for more "serious" (a joke as I am old and slow) work.

I have both brake calipers set up so hopefully this weekend I can mount the Derailleurs and set them up and wrap the bars. I have gel pads to mount on the top of the Isocore bars like comes stock on my Dpmane. They are pretty awesome bars from a feel and comfort standpoint.

Its coming together pretty well.

I love the Classic. I rode an Arenburg for years.

That is nice looking. The setback curve makes me wonder if there is an extra benefit of added compliance (not just positioning the saddle a bit back to position the ball of your foot a wee bit behind the pedal axle?

Also, since this post has the extra length did you run into any clearance issues getting it to slide easily down the seat tube? Did you apply anti-seize compound?

I used some copper based anti seize but think I should have put more on. I plan to pull it and re-apply. In retrospect I should have went 300mm instead of 400 because there is alot of post in the seat tube. Still I was able to match the clamp heighth with my other posts. I removed the guts of the mounting system in order to put a wood dowel in there to twist the post to line it up properly. It twisted quite easily with just a tiny bit of leverage. I will pull it and liberally coat the whole length with anti seize. I also think that once the post was in there it opened up a tad as it became easier to push it down.

I ordered the curved model as all my other bikes have set back posts with the seats pretty well centered. I did use a slightly shorter reach bar as I got a good deal on it. This should give me options for positioning.

https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...cc5ace1fd3.jpg

These are Fizik gel pads similar to what is usually under Isocore bars. I trimmed them a bit and they willsnug down nicely when I wrap.

https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...96058d3ca9.jpg

All wrapped up ...I used a generic gel tape that was advertised as "extra long" .... It didn't have pieces for the hoods but one side I wrapped without no problem....the other I trimmed a piece for. Looks tight and symmetrical. Hoods are down flush and tight. The gel pads and tape feel cushioned and overall I'm pleased with the result.

Sweet. Litespeed frames and Chris King parts are a match made in heaven.

I've never owned a titanium bike. Maybe one day, maybe not, as an S-Works Epic is my next purchase. Great deal on your eBay offer, nonetheless

Very cool…..more pics a comin’?

I'll post some up tonight ! Been busy lol.

That subtle bend in the seat tube... noice

Nice build! I have a '96 Classic, and my buddy has a '99 Classic, they are sweet rides. Looking forward to seeing the complete bike. :)

Here's my '96 Classic.

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/...279f40ca_b.jpgIMG_20180830_180427226_HDR (1) by warren t., on Flickr