DanseMacabre

The last few weeks this Liberia was built up here. It is most probably a Liberia C 15 from the 1970s.
The Reynolds sticker is listed as from 1977 to 1982, though I have no clue if that has any merit.

Seattube: 54 CC
Toptube: 55 CC
Serial: 39341
Handlebar / stem: Ava set.
Brake levers, Dia Compe Ene (guidonnet, and they hang quite low compared to Mafac or CLB).
Crankset: Shimano 105 Golden Arrow.
Derailers and shifters: Shimano Z series.
Brakes: Tektro 539 nutted.
Hubs: Shimano Exage 7-speed.
Rims: Super Champion / Wolber Modele 58, silver anodized.
Seatpost: Ergotec, maybe made by Kalloy? 26,4 mm.

I still have 2 issues that I cannot seem to resolve myself.

1. The tires, Panaracer Pasela 28mm, don't go even on the rims. I tried multiple times, but I cannot get it to work. The inside of the rim has a sort of deeper bed. I used rimtape of 16mm which doesn't go even, but that is sideways uneven. Do I need a different size for the Modele 58, is that it? And go wider or smaller?

2. The inner tubes don't hold air. I have used different brands already. Is it that if spokes come out of the nipple, they are too long? I already spotted one that seems to be too long. This feels like a somewhat silly question

There is a similar Liberia here, in white. I has different rear dropouts and different cabling around the bottom-bracket.
https://www.bikeforums.net/classic-v...y-liberia.html


1970s Liberia (C 15 maybe) Reynolds 531 tretubi

1970s Liberia (C 15 maybe) Reynolds 531 tretubi

1970s Liberia (C 15 maybe) Reynolds 531 tretubi

1970s Liberia (C 15 maybe) Reynolds 531 tretubi

1970s Liberia (C 15 maybe) Reynolds 531 tretubi

1970s Liberia (C 15 maybe) Reynolds 531 tretubi

By the way, I put a slightly wrong Reynolds decal on it. The one below was originally on it.



1970s Liberia (C 15 maybe) Reynolds 531 tretubi

31-ag77-82-french-with-r

juvela

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lug pattern BOCAMA Competition 78 with cutout Nr. R1



crown marking imperfectly struck; are you able to make it out? crown? sailing ship? other?


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DanseMacabre

Thank you, as always

Does Bocama 78 mean it was made in 1978 or later?
(edit: aha, novelty in October 1977).

And not sure what you mean with crown marking. There is an "L" in a circle on both sides. The top of the circle is not struck in completely. Left and right are similar in this regard, though the wear seems different.

juvela

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one frequently seen Liberia "L" marking is "Li" as here -




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DanseMacabre

Aha, that is a nice panto.
It is a different type of crown, so I can understand they changed it when changing crowns.
The white one, in another topic, does have the same crown as mine but no panto there. It might be an earlier model.

The rear dropout does have panto as well. I can see an "L", similar to the Liberia "L". The rest is unclear and faded, but I assume it says Liberia.

Wildwood 

Thank you for sharing the Liberia. What a tasteful build! One of my favorite colors. I need to find another bike with metric 531.

juvela

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yes, would estimate your fellow two to three years later than the white example
(the recessed brake mount accomplished via alteration)

suspect either 1978 or 1979

you could check respective serials for reference - do not know if they actually run sequentially


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forgot to menton above:

crown appears NERVEX Professionnel -



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robobike316 

Regarding the rims, I just built up a pair of the silver ano model 58 in 700c for my daughters bike. I've had a few different tires on those rims with no problems. Are you trying to jam a 700c tire on a 27" rim, that won't be happening.
Also, this is not a box section rim, so make sure to file all the spokes that are coming through the nipples, it's quick work with a sharp file or even quicker with a dremel but easy to cut into the nipple. Protruding spokes will give you flats especially with a poor quality rimstrip.

DanseMacabre

Thank you
I tried to keep it all silver parts, mostly that succeeded.

DanseMacabre

I was told it is 700c, not 27". The outside diameter is a few mm larger than my Grand Bois rims, but I was told it's no issue because you don't measure rims there. It would be an adequate answer though, if it is 27"
The decal is red, most 27" should be blue. But I also read that Wolber made a mess of the decals, so thruth cannot be found there.

And thank you, I will file the spoke ends away and see how far I get. I think I destroyed three inner tubes already.

DanseMacabre

So I exchanged front wheels with a 700c bike. Looking at the position of the brake pads I can guesstimate 2mm difference (not 4mm).
Together with the wobbly tires I decided to order two 630mm tires.

Bad Lag

Flats -

It could be spoke heads but...

It could also be cut when struggling to mount the tires - cut by rim and bead of tire.

It could also be an object that has remained imbedded in the tire - pucturing each tube as it is inflated.

The puncture will tell you which it is based upon its appearance (circular rub mark, slice, pin hole) and location on the tube (inner diameter, edge, outer diameter).

I hate flats!

juvela

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wrt difficulty in mounting -

have had Super Champion/Wolber model Nr. 58 and Gentleman rims which were a whisker oversize where mounting was a challenge

could take same tyre and mount to a different brand of rim and things would go smoothly

blameth notteth thineself


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DanseMacabre

It did turn out to have 622 wheels. With some soap and high pressure it is now much better. Making the rims a bit more round also helped

The bike handles well. It is really stable while I do prefer nervous bikes But for bikepacking stability will be good.
I did expect a bit more comfort and souplesse (planing). I do still get a buzz in my bottom legs, as I always get from souplesse
For some reason, after building up a bike, I need to build up some faith in the bike. Yesterday I did a 80km trip which went fine and without any issues.

Some pictures of the panto in the fork crown:


1970s Liberia (C 15 maybe) Reynolds 531 tretubi with panto L

1970s Liberia (C 15 maybe) Reynolds 531 tretubi with panto L