67Carlton

This is a real step-up project for me. After really enjoying my first C&V build experiences last year, I decided to indulge my desire to invest in a nicer frame in my size.

The frame and fork: I’d been keeping my eye out for a frame/fork from late 60s/early 70s England. I’d loved learning a bit about the history of my Carlton, have family roots in the north of England and lived in the UK for a while in my earlier years, so felt a bit of a personal connection to these bikes despite not being around when they were new.

The winner was a 21.5” square Bob Jackson (photos below). Campagnolo 1010a(?) long dropouts; what I believe are Prugnat Long Point lugs; extended tangs on fork, down tube and seat tube; diamond reinforcements on rear bridge; lever stop on down tube; chainstay stop braze-on. I’ve had a look at stronglight ’s beautiful Jackson, which shows many similarities and helped me identify the model as an Olympus. The serial on mine is a bit lower than stronglight ’s, but the most notable differences are the absence of cable routing braze-ons on the BB (which means I’ll be using a clamp-on setup at the bottom of the downtube), and a different crown on the fork.

It has a few chips in the paint, particularly on the DS chainstay and where the clamp-on cable guide sits just above the BB on the down tube (I’m thinking of using some clear helicopter tape or something similar when I reinstall), but overall appears in good condition, with the BB and headtube prepped. The decals/transfers are largely in excellent shape (with the exception of the 531 one on the seat tube that is a bit the worse for wear).

The build vision: Speaking to the previous owner of the frame/fork, the original build was Nuovo Record, so I have been aiming for that. So far, I’ve had some fair luck over the last year or so pulling together parts, but with some concessions to affordability/availability from my local co-ops and some kind BF members. This means there is a bit of Gran Sport (headset, brake levers) and I think Super Record (chainrings), and some variation in the year of production of various parts. I will also be making a few concessions to safety/comfort, including new (C&V styled) rims, cables/housing, brake pads, and bar tape. In short, my goal is to ride the bike and to enjoy riding it, not to restore it to original.

I’m still working on finding a few final parts and waiting for availability on the rims I want, but I’m excited to get started and I’ll try to post updates here as I proceed with the build.

Velo Mule

Dat nise! Pretty lug lining in both color and detail Good looking frame and fork. I like square shouldered fork crowns.

I would sand and paint the rusty spots. A nail file or sandpaper wrapped around a stick would work well to get in close to the lug.

Keep the pictures coming as this progresses.

Bobjackson

Very nice. Almost purchased that frame, ebay. Glad it found a good home! Added it to my watchlist than it was gone

Full campy sounds good!!

SurferRosa

Damn!

USAZorro

That's one sweet frame. You can't go wrong there (unless you try really hard to).

SwimmerMike 

Great looking frame. It looks like a similar year to my '71, which I love riding. I have it built up Campy also, but with a triple to tackle Eroica.

OldCoot

Nice! I haven't seen that that type of lug cut outs before, and especially on the rear brake bridge.

My Bob Jackson is in process as well, but the finish is not quite as nice as yours. Here's a photo before I got to scrubbing it clean...

Fredo76

Nice frame; good plan.

Congratulations!

niliraga 

so so pretty with the sky lug lining on brown! I really dig the stiffening extensions that the BB shell gets on these frames, although it's going to complicate life for your clamp-on cable guide...

67Carlton

Thanks Velo Mule , I love the lug lining as well. I must admit I'm a bit afraid to get involved with paint. For any rust spots I was thinking of applying a small amount of Evapo-Rust and then applying a wax. With the dry climate here in CO, I'm hoping that work.

Bobjackson Yep, that the one! I saw the number of watchers ticking upwards and figured I should probably get my offer in. Seller was an incredibly nice and knowledgeable guy and in the end, I'm quite glad the offer was accepted.

SwimmerMike , I think '71 is probably about right. I don't have much of a hope that I'll be able to find out an exact year directly from Bob Jackson given the troubles they've had. Do you have any photos to share? Would love to see your setup.

OldCoot That's a beautiful frame and I bet it cleaned up really nicely. How's the build coming along?

niliraga , The coloring on the photos I saw before purchasing looked a bit more red, but seeing it in person it is a lovely rich brown and the sky lining gives it a great contrast. I think you're right about the complications for the clamp-on guide. I'll have to see how it all lines up when I get derailleurs and cables on the frame, but perhaps I'll need to trim the corners of the guide or consider clamping over the top (with a longer bolt).

SwimmerMike 

@67Carlton. I have a S/N list I cobbled together, this may help you in identifying the year. It's been over a year, and I didn't note where I got any of the numbers and which were confirmed by the factory.

S/N. Year
1894. 1956
4854. 1964
4896. 1964
7199. 1970
8526. 1972
9359. 1973
10812 1975
12470 1972
15825 1977
16052 1982-83

Mine is 8229. I think it's a '71 based on the window (at the earliest a '70 and the latest a '72). The reason I lean toward '71 is the fork rake. In the catalogs the off the shelf bikes (at least on some models) switched from a 2" rake in '71 to a 1.5" rake in '72. Then I also checked date stamps and I have '70's hub and a '71 RD. Again not conclusive, it could have been a special order in 72 and the parts could have been sitting around or switched from a different bike. The first photo is close to "as bought" except I chose the sew-ups the guy had. The second photo is the Eroica build.

It was originally a "race set-up" with Sheeren rims and a 46-50 up front. It also had the shifters at the brake lever. Besides a lot of cleaning the only major changes I made were moving the shifters to the down tube. Adding the NR Triple (with a custom 32 for the granny) changed the RD to first gen Rally. I also use different wheels for the Eroica build since the Sheeren's are pretty light.

Mike

67Carlton

That's a lovely ride. The detail on the top of the seat stays is beautiful. Similar I think to this Olympus from c.1974 (s/n 10109) https://www.flickr.com/photos/strong...th/2765739135/. I'm also a bit jealous of you bottle cage braze-ons. Of course to each his own, but I think I prefer your Eroica set-up. Mine will be 53/42 in front and I was considering either trying to find a 26t five speed freewheel in the rear or even using those Soma RD cages to go even larger. The tire clearance on these is surprisingly nice as well.

On the basis of those serials, I expect I might end up being a late '73. 9889 (I think it is not 6886, but not 100% sure), and my fork rake is 1.5ish (thanks for the pointer on that). In the end, I feel like its hard to judge much from the features as lots of these Jacksons seem to vary in ways little and big (e.g. braze-ons, fork, paint, etc.) from the catalogs I've found. Possibly special requests from buyers, though I have no idea how much of Bob Jackson's business was catalog vs. special order?

SwimmerMike 

Thanks. I really enjoy it. Yes, the features could be really different. I believe you could call out a number of different braze-on option. I am currently running 30's on it. I might be able to squeeze 32's on it but I wasn't sure, so I went with he 30's. When I ride it with a more racing set-up I use the 46-50 and anything from straight block (yes, I'm crazy) to a 14-28 and that is with the NR RD. I know there are mixed reports of running a 28 on a NR, but both bikes I tried it on I was successful (I didn't even know there was a debate as to the ability to do this until well after I was doing it) so you may want to try the NR before spring for the SOMA cage.

Bad Lag

Is this now a "post pics of your BOB JACKSON thread?

If so, I'll be right back. Mine is a '74 or '75. I'm the original owner but that was so long ago, and I was busy with school, I just cannot remember. I do remember being in summer school when it arrived. I can probably check my transcript to lock down the year.

bironi

Very nice looking classic.
I like the speedplay pedals.
Gotta go with what works for your body.

OldCoot

Sort of seems that way. I am to blame for posting photos of my BJ.

My build has progressed from the state in the photos. I had the rear re-spaced to 130mm from 120mm. While I have done that procedure, I decided to have a local builder ( Rock Lobster) do it for me. His comment was that this frame was a good one, as he has seen many from the late 70's that were shoddily assembled. That was nice to hear.
Not completely sure of the year I have, the serial number doesn't fit the list with what I think it is. #1248 . That # according to the list provided, would suggest a very early model. I got this frame from a high school friend, who had it since 1976, and was 2nd hand at that time. Any thoughts?

bamboobike4

I refused to read this thread due to abject envy.

Wait…..

SwimmerMike 

I try to keep all my bikes with the same pedal system. Last time I swapped, it was coming back to Speedplays from toe-clips and straps. Even though I've ridden speed plays for 20 years, I pulled up to a light and...... Well I didn't fall, but it was really close, I tried to extricate my feel like I was in straps. Didn't quite work.

I'll swap exclusively to clips and straps a month before Eroica.

3alarmer 

.
...these are nice riding frames, IME. Here's the orange crit frame I have here, from sometime in the 1970's. It's equipped with NR, for the most part.

67Carlton

Wonderful to see so many great bikes here. This is better content that my build thread would have been, let's keep it up! 3alarmer that's a great color and build, and it's also nice to see the different seat stay/seat tube junction.

A quick question for the assembled Jackson braintrust: For those with the chainstay cable stop braze on, what sort of ferrule gives you the best fit? I'm looking into what I'll need for that last bit of housing before a NR rear derailleur and even just searching for the Campy 617 steel housing has brought up all sorts of different looking ferrule ends, some more bulbous, some smooth, some with indentations, some step-downs, and I don't have an equally great assortment in backstock to try.

Bad Lag

67Carlton

A brief Mothers’ Day Sunday update on my project for those that are interested. I've made some good progress on the build, with what I consider to be justifiable delays owing to the birth of our first child :-). While sourcing the final components I benefitted greatly from trades and transactions with other forum members, including the BB spindle and cups (@jeirvine), the seatpost (@SJX426) and caliper barrel adjuster o-rings (@FBOATSB). Those interactions were uniformly positive. The co-op bins filled a few more gaps and I bit the bullet and paid retail for the remaining, mostly new consumables.

I've also built my first set of wheels with Record hubs, Pacenti Brevet rims and 3x DT Swiss spokes and nips. I cross checked a number of different online spoke length calculators, but for extra C&V points borrowed a real paper copy of Jobst Brandt's book from my local library and did math with formulas to confirm my lengths. Then I had my wife correct my math. Slow and steady on the wheel build process with some over-the-phone guidance from a pair of more experienced hands and I’ve got something that was not efficiently produced, but looks the part and I hope they ride well.

I’m now sorting out the cockpit and my last couple of ISO items. Very much looking forward to getting out on the road!

Gear cable installation interrupted.

BFisher

@67Carlton, congratulations and Happy Mother's Day to the new momma.

The build looks great so far!

OldCoot

Looks great!

I have found building wheels to be very gratifying along with a bit terrifying experience too. Terrifying since I know I will be descending down hills at break neck speeds and my life depends on the very wheels I am building. Gratifying in that every set of wheels I have ever built have been better than any thing that ever came stock on every bike I ever owned. Hand built wheels are the best! Yes Jobst Brandt' s book is wonderful!

microcord

A very handsome Bob Jackson. Though . . . perhaps it's just the camera angle, but that saddle rather scares me.

Bob Jackson's website has been promising that "A new beginning is coming soon ..." for what seems like a very long time.