bear_a_bug 

Curious, what is the thought behind mounting the handlebar bag backwards?

DQRider 

I mounted it with the decaleur, and it seemed to fit better that way. Besides, there was nothing on, nor with the bag that said which was front or back.

I don't ride nearly fast enough to worry about the cover flap blowing open...

tyler_fred

I really like what you did to this Raleigh and your Peugeot.

DQRider 

Well, thank you, tyler_fred!

It was the rescue/restoration of a Raleigh DL1 that stoked my interest in Classic and Vintage bikes. The people I met and the things they taught me along the way built the foundation for what has become quite an obsession.

But I guess the fact that I came into this without any preconceived notions of what was acceptable practice for a proper bicycle build freed me to take a look at available options and use whatever made sense. And that's why I limit my attentions to the second and third-tier bikes; still quality frames, but none of the unobtainium components. So I can improve whatever I choose, and it won't anger the purists too much. (... or break the bank.)

About the upside-down "Action Porteur" handlebars: I am 5'9" tall with a 32-inch inseam, which would normally mean that a 59-60cm frame is too large for me. But the saddle-to-handlebar geometry of this setup fits me perfectly. The ride feels more comfortable than on my 55-56cm bikes, which now feel rather cramped by comparison.

But I do have to remember to stand on tiptoe when I come to a stop... Builds up the calves, don'tcha know?

texaspandj

Just cause I don't have much to do on this rainy day, I'll post my last summer acquisition. Bid and won this on the goodwill website. Thanks to BF friend rjhammett for letting me know about it. It had been sitting for about 25 years. Bike and components cleaned up surprisingly well.

bassogap

Installing tourist handlebars is extremely popular on this site. Besides looking extremely ungainly, they also look very uncomfortable. I know it was a standard for racers in the 1930s........But I still don't quite get it.

DQRider 

In my case it's quite simple: I've never found a drop-bar setup that I was comfortable with. I rode motorcycles for a lot longer than bicycles, and before that it was mountain bikes. Both of those basically offer one hand position - or two with MTB climbing handles.

With drops, the over-the-hoods grip feels unnatural to me, the top-bar grip is too narrow, and the drops themselves are way too low.

The setup I have on these bikes with the upside-down touring bar gives me the fixed position that is most comfortable, with an alternate forward/narrow grip for stretching out occasionally or long descents where aero becomes a factor. The fact that it looks pretty darned cool, at least to some of us, is a nice bonus.

I don't wear lycra or a plastic bowl on my head either. Essentially, I ride like I did when I was 8 years old, with the same sense of wonder and adventure*. No pressure / all pleasure. See? Simple.

*See the book, "Just Ride", by Grant Petersen, founder of Rivendell Bicycle Works.

tyler_fred

@DQRider When I saw your bikes, I was reminded of a setup I once had on a Wheeler.

Wheeler beater101.jpg

DQRider 

That's a very athletic-looking utility bike. Built to arrive at the farmer's market first, every time, right?

RiddleOfSteel

Thank you so much! I had the frame powder coated a "pearlized" darker grey. It basically looks like fine metallic flake when you get real close. Picks up a tint of blue or green depending on the light. I really really like it. I chose light gold for the decal lettering, and am very pleased with how attractively demure it is against the grey.

I have a build thread (Monty Python references in the title) on it, but the long and short of it is: GREAT! All around excellent manners, no quirks, without fault (in my book), reassuring and solid underneath in all riding scenarios (slow, medium, fast, coasting, climbing, sprinting), smooth, all about going straight forward and not needlessly darting around, very trustworthy, and more or less instantly so. Other steel frames may out do it in this area or that with their extra bit of flare, but that's because the Paramount trades that flare for all around excellence in all areas. It's worth the money, IMO. I love looking at it!

tiredhands 

It's admittedly not very impressive, but I find these rehabilitation projects pretty rewarding. A huge set of Wald bars makes any basic MTB a chill ride.

As found:


After the total spa experience:

velomateo

Nice find. I doesn't look like much training happened on that one. Usually the heavily used bikes will have matching heavy corrosion.

Fahrenheit531 

'77 Schwinn Volare. I've wanted to try SS since getting into bikes several years back and this seemed an ideal candidate. Originally intended as a temporary build, it may stay in this form a while because it's an absolute blast to ride.

Road Fan

What is it? Something 40s/ 50s, and British I guess

DQRider 

Okay, finally finished it and went for a ride down by the river. To review, here it is before, in the CL ad:


Just another lower-end bike boom ten-speed with some quirky features.

And her it was on the trail today:





Only the frame and fork remain original. Everything else from the BB to the steering head and all cockpit components was upgraded.

Stevensb 

I was given this frame last fall and with parts on hand have returned it to bicycle status.

As found:

Araya road bike 823 by BJ Stevens, on Flickr

Araya road bike by BJ Stevens, on Flickr

Bike shop sticker is from Kelowna BC.

Specs:

Based on the serial number data base maintained by @tmar this is a 1982 build.
Frame is 57 cm square with 126mm rear spacing.
Tubing sticker says Chrome Molybdenum Butted Tubing. There is a Tange2.J stamp on the steerer tube so perhaps the rest of the frame is the same tubing. Seat post size is 26.8mm and BB shell is 68mm wide.
27" wheels and tires were reused.

Untitled by BJ Stevens, on Flickr

As it is now:

Araya Road 823 by BJ Stevens, on Flickr

Crappy pic but it's cold and windy today.

I converted the DiaCompe brake calipers from recessed to nutted by changing out the centre bolts.

The Brooks saddle is worth more than the rest of the bike combined.

More pictures are here: https://www.flickr.com/photos/116749...h/36340716253/

Cheers.

Brad

royleroy

I'm not exactly sure why I took on this project. I think winter boredom had set in and i had $50 burning a hole in my

pocket. Someone at some point decided to paint this pretty, rose colored Gran Rally into Broncos colors, Nitto stem,

crank and all. After trying a variety of chemicals to remove the orange paint, I finally just sanded the paint off, put

some new parts on and called it a day. It rides quite nice.

Piff 

Your pics aren't showing up.

eeuuugh

Very nice! Is that a SRAM automatix hub? I did a similar rebuild last year with a pretty red Fuji Sports 10 and an automatix with a coaster brake.

DQRider 

Note the shift cable...

That is a Shimano Nexus 8-speed IGH. Funny you should mention the SRAM Automatix though; I actually have one sitting in a box until I come up with a suitable build for it.

CampioneDItalia

Trek 420, the poorer cousin to the Trek 520 tourer. Picked it up last Sept. Thought it had the potential to be a good commuter. I ended up buying 3 other donor bikes with vintage 105 to get the full matching parts needed for the "after" pic.

Before: Exage Sport LX triple group
After: Shimano 105 (1055) 8s STI

IranianOyibo

I can't seem to see a lot of the posted photos....

SB_Greg

1973 Peugeot PX10 purchased off Craigslist
Before:


After

texaspandj

Complete component change but still tricolor. '89 Centurion Ironman "Summertime Blues" color scheme.

drtyrrel

DQ Rider what brand are the racks on that Raleigh? They look really sharp on that bike.