Feature Bike Richard Thackray Original Team Pace F1 - Restoration Thread - Completed

R0012394-1.jpg Completed May 2021

Setting The Scene
: Its fair to say I'm a huge Pace fan taking inspiration from Jerky, Gil M ,Rich Matthews, Bollox64 as well as many others

Through the years I've seen some epic Pace builds. DR s (pretty sure he sprayed his RC100 six times until he was happy with the colour) , Neil Millard's, Rich's Pink Pace (Mavic Groupset) and the perfection that Bollox64 goes to with his builds. I can't write about amazing Paces and not mention Bibbsey's original RC100 with a Campy groupset which is outstanding

In the late 90's a friend turned up on a Red F7 to go for a bike ride and id honestly never seen anything as stunning. I made him give me first refusal and when he later wanted to buy an Orange I jumped at the chance of owning it.

At the time of buying my F7 I genuinely wasn't aware that there were 6 previous iterations of this model, let alone that the RC100 existed. I made obtaining a RC100 and then an RC300 a goal and thanks to Jerky and the Caramba kid I got one of each. Since then I've added a stunning F1 finished in Champagne from Bollox64 and an F2 to my collection

I have previously mentioned there being 4 Pace's around that I would love to add to my collection, but that in reality I only stood a slim chance of buying one of them .

The Bike:

After a few ups and downs but definitely finishing on an up I've managed to buy Richard Thackray’s iconic ex team Pace F1 from around the 92 era (It definitely was the era of Purple or 3DV) . Although this bike was one of the four id love to own, I didn't think I stood a chance of buying it

The bad news however is that its been ridden over the years. Not normally a bad point but regrettably its been ridden to a point where damage has occurred. Its my aim with the help of some very talented people to restore this to as original a condition as I can. Thanks to Adam Bentham and Rich Matthews I have an idea of how the bike looked in its heyday and the component spec and what I aspire to return it to

For me its about keeping this as original as possible and showcasing the work of the talented people who without their help it would not be possible to see this return to becoming a rider.

This actually featured on an episode of the GMBN tech show. If interested follow the link at its at 7mins in (Thanks John Paddock aka Spud):

The talented people I will be engaging will hopefully add to this thread to showcase their specialisms as they undertake the work. This thread may go quiet given the current climate but will be added to as and when I can

The first order of business is to get it stripped down. The frame will be going off to the Leg End that is Dan Chambers, the Forks to Tim at Fork English. GIL M is kindly going to build the wheels and Retrodecals are working on producing a set of decals to match the bike in its sponsored race livery

I do need the following parts to help with this special build:

1) Rear 32H Pace Alloy Hub
2) Early Renthal (Shimmed Bars) sorted
3) M735 Shortcage Rear Mech (must be v.good + condition)
4) Silver or Purple X-Lite Crank Caps
5) X-Lite Cam Lock Seatpost Pin
6) Purple American Classic Bottle Cage (Fingers crossed that is in hand) Now sorted

Thanks already to SI33 for the pedals, its really appreciated and I will hopefully be receiving some special parts to make this build truly authentic. More on that as it happens

Pics:

Pic 1 - Damage to downtube
Pic 2 - Crack to Headtube Weld
Pic 3 - Miss-matched brake levers
Pic 4- In my kitchen strip down commenced
Pic 5 - Ready for collection
Pic 6 - Parked up looking good
Pic 7 - The Bike in its heyday being ridden by Rich
 

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Re: Restoration Thread: Richard Thackeray Team Pace

Lovely job, looking great :cool:

Side note....... The Champagne F1 you have is my old bike, Bollox64 bought it from me a few years ago before selling on again.... I'm glad it stayed in the community, but in all honesty wish I never sold it now...... Ah well :cry:
 
Re: Richard Thackray Team Pace - Restoration Thread

It’s fair to say I’m totally over the moon with Dan’s craftsmanship and expertise. There was no way I was going to take this restoration on without Dan’s opinion that it could be repaired and then him agreeing to take on the frame repairs.

I’ve stated from outset that a successful outcome for this restoration could only be achieved with the help of some truly talented people. Hopefully in the pictures and descriptions Dan has posted you can see the quality of his work and why he is held in such high regard

Many thanks also to Steve at Acorn plating for a fantastic colour and finish. I’m certainly very happy with the finish considering what had to be done to repair the frame

It terms of Dan’s work there is another component that forms part of the restoration that is requiring his expertise and he may yet post the story of that

Thanks for all the great comments and I’ll post more myself in the near future
 
Re: Richard Thackray Team Pace - Restoration Thread

Great to see this insight into Dans work..
 
Re: Restoration Thread: Richard Thackeray Team Pace

Kult Friction":1ehysxby said:
Lovely job, looking great :cool:

Side note....... The Champagne F1 you have is my old bike, Bollox64 bought it from me a few years ago before selling on again.... I'm glad it stayed in the community, but in all honesty wish I never sold it now...... Ah well :cry:

It really is a great bike and I'm chuffed to have it in my collection. Bollox64 had his eye on building an F1 of his own and it has turned out stunning. Went to pick it up in person which was awesome.
 
Re: Richard Thackray Team Pace - Restoration Thread

I’m really looking forward to receiving the frame and other components back from Dan Chambers (danson67) and I will of course update this thread when I do.

I’ve got a hugely talented engineer friend who has previously made a component for my RC100 to provide horizontal thrust to the Bullseye cranks. I mentioned that to a few people and he has since sent them around the world as they have been really well received by the Yeti community as well as Pace

I’ve digressed a bit so back to the point, I mentioned to my engineer friend I was missing a retaining bracket for the Purple American Classic water bottle Richard had on this F1 and that I have sourced for mine. He just said to pop round his and while catching up he made two brand new ones with such ease. He’s switched making parts for the four wheeled F1’s to the two wheeled variety

He has made his talent look so effortless but I think people like this do that

The restoration is progressing brilliantly so hopefully more to come v.soon including the return of the original Royce BB from its factory service
 

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Re: Richard Thackray Team Pace - Restoration Thread

More, more, more. Loving this
 
Re: Richard Thackray Team Pace - Restoration Thread

The bottom bracket is back from Royce after having had a factory service and a few of the components replaced. Cliff rang me and it was great to chat to him. Through the course of the conversation he recommended replacing the cups and lock rings in addition to the service and also mentioned that supplying it with titanium end bolts would really finish it off well

The turnaround was brilliant as was the service received. As you can see it’s come well packed with fitting instructions and decals for the frame. Cliff recommended using Loctite 222 when I come to reinstall the BB

Thanks again so much to Adam Bentham who sent this over to me from Canada at his own expense, I am truly grateful and hopefully the next un-boxing will be the frame and other components from Dan
 

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Re: Richard Thackray Team Pace - Restoration Thread

Really enjoy seeing and reading all the details put into a passionate restoration.
 
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