The next big project - 1972 Dave Russell NOW ASSEMBLED

Well, our fellow member Toomski showing his latest project has inspired me to start a thread on my most recent acquisition which will probably be the next project on my list of things to do (only 2 or 3 to go after this) and which could be ready in the new year if my buying policy works!

It is another Dave Russell time trial jobbie, again built by Bill Grey and dating to 1972. I got it about a month ago after being tipped off that it was for sale. Resprayed by the last owner in 1979 and not used since. I think that he also had gear lever bosses, under bracket cable guides and bottle bosses added at the the time because I'm sure that they weren't there when it was first built.

How do I know that I hear you ask. I know because it was originally built for me and, owing to severe impecunity in 1973, I had to sell it (and a Woodrup) so that my family could eat! So, 37 years later, it has 'come home' so to speak. The Prodigal Bike. With it came a Campag 177.5 Pista crank set, 28 spoke wheels (not the ones in the photo), brakes and one or two other items that I recognised as being mine all that time ago.

It was built very short at the back as the photos show which is why vertical dropouts were used but even with these a small section tyre is needed. In deference to my aging legs it will be fitted with a double ring and the 59 tooth Williams ring that came with it will not be used!

The main items I need to be able to start assembly are a Cinelli 14cm 1A stem (short top tube) and a 44tooth 151BCD chainring (early Campag or Williams) and a period headset. If a Campag compatible bracket set with a 112-ish axle appeared this would be a help too.

I've a hankering to fit it out as a 'Drillium' style machine so could be spending a bit of time on the lathe milling and drilling. That should save a couple of ounces - or several grams!

Anyway, here are some shots of it as a starter.

I really like those campag wheels.

Nice frame too.

I really liked that other Dave Russell and this looks to be a great starting point for another great ride too

Wow, that is close clearance. I too liked the previous DR (I think I voted for it in RBoTM) and yeah this would be great with some drilled out bits. How about minimal handlebar tape, one of those unpadded plastic "10 mile" saddles and the Jubilee mech. Just a shame there's no PX Old Skool next year to ride it in.

It's a brave man that drills out old Campag rings nowadays though. Aren't they a bit pricey in 151BCD?

Looking forward to seeing this one take shape.

Mark.

daccordimark":35vqu95w said:

Wow, that is close clearance. I too liked the previous DR (I think I voted for it in RBoTM) and yeah this would be great with some drilled out bits. How about minimal handlebar tape, one of those unpadded plastic "10 mile" saddles and the Jubilee mech. Just a shame there's no PX Old Skool next year to ride it in.

It's a brave man that drills out old Campag rings nowadays though. Aren't they a bit pricey in 151BCD?

Looking forward to seeing this one take shape.

Mark.

Click to expand...

Thanks for the vote! It is close (15.5" chainstays!) but this is a fat tubular, I have some clincher tyres that are smaller. It'll be OK with light TT'ing tubs. I was thinking of having 'half' bar tape, drilled Weinmann levers and stirrups, white plastic saddle, milled-out grooved seat pin, cut-out Campag DT levers, maybe the Jubilee mech, old logo Cinelli 64 bars. It is a 120 rear end so I'm going to have to do a bit of 'fudging' between hubs and wheels to get a couple of pairs that will fit this and the other DR which is the same width. I've got a pair of NOS Miche SF 120 hubs and a pair of MA2 rims which will ultimately go together as 'general' riding wheels and assorted Campag hubs (Record and Gran Sport) from which I will hopefully be able to get a couple of pairs that can be built into some GP4's I have. Hours of endless fun ahead sorting out axles and cones!

I was also given a lovely pair of LF Suntour Superbe hubs over the weekend which are nominally 126 wide but I reckon I can turn some shorter spacers to reduce them to 120 which will be handy. They can also go with some GP4's.

I seem to be collecting an assortment of 5 and Compact 6 speed blocks in a variety of sprocket combinations from 12-17 to 14-28 so this will allow plenty of variety.

Regarding rings, I have a Williams 46t and various Campag 151 rings (51, 52 53 etc.) but would like a 44 just to get the lowest gear I can in this size. Other than that I will have to look around for a 'newer' chainset that takes the 42 (144 bcd) ring. All my rings are 'getting on' a bit so I've no qualms about drilling them. I'll try doing it using the lathe/pillar drill so should be able to do it accurately.

Just a shame there's no PX Old Skool next year to ride it in.


Mark.[/quote]

Maybe we should have a one-off retro bike time trial.........I'd be up for the slowest time prize....

mavesyn":1e3gy9tk said:

Just a shame there's no PX Old Skool next year to ride it in.


Mark.

Click to expand...

Maybe we should have a one-off retro bike time trial.........I'd be up for the slowest time prize.... [/quote]

That's not a bad idea. I'm pretty sure I'd be in the running for the slowest time though!

The bike looks lovely, it must be a great feeling to get one back that you let go. The clearances really are minimal with those tyres on :shock:

I've been wondering about a drillium style bike, it's an interesting idea, I have an old frame that I might try drilling the dropouts on, it's in pretty poor condition anyway, so I've got little to lose.

The 151 cranks are getting in short supply it seems, I'm having a nightmare finding some for the Carlton at a reasonable price. I suspect the rings are no easier to find.

I've been wondering about a Retrobike Old Skool TT for a year or two now. It could be run under TLI rules as you don't have to go through all the CTT date fixing etc. palaver. I did query this with a top TLI official last year in case the PLanet X events didn't happen and was told there shouldn't be a problem provided an existing course was used with all the risk assesments etc. already in place. Publicity shouldn't be a problem as it can be publicised here, on the TT forum etc. and those who are really interested would be the ones who would enter. With TLI, entry on the line is permitted but riders would need to be TLI members which - I think - can be done on a 'day' basis for on-the-day entries.

A couple of timekeepers, RB marshalls, a tea urn and an HQ - sorted!

But who is going to organise it - if it happens at all?

Old Ned":2dv3vqj7 said:

I've been wondering about a Retrobike Old Skool TT for a year or two now. It could be run under TLI rules as you don't have to go through all the CTT date fixing etc. palaver. I did query this with a top TLI official last year in case the PLanet X events didn't happen and was told there shouldn't be a problem provided an existing course was used with all the risk assesments etc. already in place. Publicity shouldn't be a problem as it can be publicised here, on the TT forum etc. and those who are really interested would be the ones who would enter. With TLI, entry on the line is permitted but riders would need to be TLI members which - I think - can be done on a 'day' basis for on-the-day entries.

A couple of timekeepers, RB marshalls, a tea urn and an HQ - sorted!

But who is going to organise it - if it happens at all?

Click to expand...

Or could a retro biker, who is a active member of a cycling club, ask said -cycling club, wether they'd like a dozen old fools on old bikes, to come along to one of there TT's. And each person who entered could pay a fiver or tenner to the organizing club.......

mavesyn":18mgt62f said:

Old Ned":18mgt62f said:

I've been wondering about a Retrobike Old Skool TT for a year or two now. It could be run under TLI rules as you don't have to go through all the CTT date fixing etc. palaver. I did query this with a top TLI official last year in case the PLanet X events didn't happen and was told there shouldn't be a problem provided an existing course was used with all the risk assesments etc. already in place. Publicity shouldn't be a problem as it can be publicised here, on the TT forum etc. and those who are really interested would be the ones who would enter. With TLI, entry on the line is permitted but riders would need to be TLI members which - I think - can be done on a 'day' basis for on-the-day entries.

A couple of timekeepers, RB marshalls, a tea urn and an HQ - sorted!

But who is going to organise it - if it happens at all?

Click to expand...

Or could a retro biker, who is a active member of a cycling club, ask said -cycling club, wether they'd like a dozen old fools on old bikes, to come along to one of there TT's. And each person who entered could pay a fiver or tenner to the organizing club.......

Click to expand...

Sounds like a normal local evening 10 to me..............................