vqstaphbeard

Here's one of mine along with the two bags I made for it:

treal512

Nice shots and editing. That's a pretty bike. I had a teal single speed that was of a similar color not too long ago. I had planned on getting a light brown leather saddle and light brown leather bar tape for it, but ended up selling the bike before I could do anything like that. Good to see another similar color scheme like that out there!

vqstaphbeard

Thanks! I've had this for a year or so now, but at the time I had been looking for a "touring" frame (lugged steel, cantis, and a plethora of braze-ons) for a year or more. I didn't know about the frame color at first but I'm really happy with how the color scheme worked out.

The Golden Boy 

That is a great looking combination and some really cool looking bags!

gaucho777 

Recently restored/repainted '74 Nishiki Competition :






Required a bit of improvising to get the front fender to fit under the front Jim Blackburn rack (note the notch I made in the plastic fender):

gomango

Holy smokes, that turned out beautifully.

Tip o' the hat, for sure.

gaucho777 

^Thanks, Grady! It was a lot of work, but worth it in the end. Here's a before pic:

gomango

Yes, I think I remember seeing some pics along the line.

Such an incredible labor of love and a practical, desirable end product.

Do you have a link to additional "before" pics?

It was so rough.

The Golden Boy 

Are you really riding 30 year old tires?

I have a set of those on a bike right now, but I'm terrified they'll blow up and disintegrate with no notice.

thenomad

what sort of paint? automotive?

spacemanz

I guess a person "could" call my bike a touring bike, going by the geometry & fender mount tabs, but technically, it was an Italian racing bike. I just went for a test ride, with a fresh BB, plus an old but new-to-me Avocet Touring Wl (?) saddle. This is now my new favorite saddle, for fitment & comfort. I put 7 or 8 miles on the bike today, & never got uncomfortable, plus it gives me that scoche more room, adjusting the saddle back on the rails. It's only about an inch or 2, but it makes a HUGE difference.

gaucho777 

Just a few. HERE is the album link, though I didn't do a great job documenting the "before" condition and I'm a terrible photographer.

Yes, though it's not a long-term plan. (Wishing there were more options in 27".) The tires actually are holding up well--soft rubber, lots of tread, casings showing some threads but not too dry--but I am keeping an eye on them.

Yes, auto paint in a can.

vqstaphbeard

Thanks!

vqstaphbeard

I have some Specialized Touring tires on a 27" wheelset as well and they are in surprisingly good shape. The side walls are still supple and the rubber is soft.

The Golden Boy 

I've got a 1 1/4 Touring on the front and a 1 3/8 Expedition in the back on my Voyageur. They appear to be pretty much the same tire, with the exception of the width.

That bike is as plush as can be.

I am worried about those tires spontaneously exploding into a 30 year old dusty black hole- but they do ride nicely. It's kind of hard to really enjoy the ride, when every time you look down you see those glorious tires- and then you think... ... that 15 mile walk home is going to suck... I've had a set of 1 1/4" Paselas ready to put on there, but I really enjoy the ride so I kinda don't want to take the ancient Specialized tires off yet.



It's funny that there's been considerable discussion of 1 3/8" tires lately. I wonder how much of a money maker the 27" Paselas are for Panasonic. I wonder if they'd consider doing a 1 3/8" Pasela....

The Golden Boy 

Would you mind posting some other pics- some featuring the Voyageur and some featuring your bags?

vqstaphbeard

No problem. I went ahead and threw in some in-progress shots. I recently outlined the lugs and painted the seatpost flutes with a gold paint pen. I'm working on converting the 7400 RD into a long cage and wrapping the DS chainstay with the same tape/shellac as the bars. I plan on getting a T.A. or similar crankset and a dynamo hub/lights for it.



















Sorry to flood with pictures, I got a bit out of hand.

TimmyT 

Nice job!

I miss Berzerkley. I used to have an office in McCone Hall behind and to the left of your camera position, and I used to eat my lunch at the front of the library.

tarwheel 

I love the color scheme on your Schwinn Voyager. What brand/color bar tape are you using? I've got a forest green Waterford that I've thought about putting red bar tape on and like the dark red color of yours.

The Golden Boy 

No apologies accepted. I asked, you delivered. Generously.

First- the front bag is smashing! You did an adorable job of designing and putting that bag together. It looks so perfect on your bike. Are you trained/experienced at the designing/stitching stuff?

Second- your bike is fantastic. I have an 86 Voyageur- however, mine is not in the shape yours is to begin with. However, yours is definitely in the neighborhood of what my target is. Everything about your build looks seriously classy, yet "business." I love that about touring bikes. I did a twine wrap of the drive side chainstay on my Trek 620. Although I didn't shellac, I had to tape the ends because of the taper of the chainstay. Just judging from the chain goop on the twine, I assume the protection is a good idea- however, some have mentioned that the idea of wrapping something that may hold moisture right to the frame may not be a good idea.






I've considered getting my Voyageur powder coated- and seeing how your bike exudes 'awesome,' it leads me to really want to keep it the British Pine or whatever that color is officially called. If only the decal sets weren't so difficult to come by, thanks to Pacific Cycles...

vqstaphbeard

Thanks! It's just plain red cloth handlebar wrap. I use amber shellac to achieve the "dark" color. There is some dark red in the "Voyageur" logo and I was trying to match that.

vqstaphbeard

Thanks again! No sewing training other than altering my own clothes, I alter pretty much everything. I've always been pretty creative/hands on. Sewing and woodworking are my two biggest besides bicycles, which probably ranks supreme...and Linux. I'm planning on getting a Nitto canti rack for the Voyageur. I'm going to take the current rack and turn it into a porteur rack with walnut slats. It will be going on a bike without cantis.

I like the wrap on your Trek. You raise a valid point with harboring moisture. Maybe the shellac would help?

I love the green on your Voyageur. I'm a huge proponent for original paint so I'd leave it. Mine was actually pretty nicked up. I took the fork into CVS and found some nail polish that matched great.

otg 

I got my Holdsworth finished up this week and took it our for a shakedown.

rjhammett

Here is the '83 Trek 620 I picked up this fall for free. I made a few upgrades: Barcons, Rando Bars, 700c wheels with wider touring tires, Brooks saddle, aero brake levers. I kept all the original components in case I want to return it to it's stock condition.

mainstreetexile 

Mmmm, yes, nicely done.