Klein Team Super - A little help needed

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Retro Newbie
I picked up a vintage (1981) custom built Klein Team Super bike. I have the original build sheet and a post card from Gary Klein's office giving some brief information on the bike. According to the post card, this was one of Gary Klein's first frames he built for sale and was either in 1981 or earlier.

I have uploaded several photos on my flickr account for details. Many of the parts are as listed on the original builder's checklist, but several have been replaced, probably in the 1990's, i.e. front hub, wheels, seat, etc.

The bike is extremely light by 1980's standards and is not painted, but polished Aluminum Magnesium alloy. Apparently the frame has Boron fiber reinforcements as well. I have lots of original paperwork that came with the bike, including period advertising, original catalog and brochure.

I cannot find any information on this exact frame on the internet and am wondering if any bike aficionados might have more information on this. From what I can gather it is extremely rare.

I purchased it as a beautiful piece of art to hang, but am curious about more details.

Check out all the images here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/dbphotogra ... 656324301/

And, here are a couple of photos:

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errol":1gumnft8 said:
Hey mate,

Nice find, they are pretty rare and not much info around. My Team Super is a decade younger.

Here's an old test ride from around 1978 ... http://www.velo-pages.com/main.php?g2_itemId=617

And an early article on Klein bikes ... http://www.velo-pages.com/main.php?g2_itemId=14470&g2_imageViewsIndex=1

There's also a bit of info on Diablo Scotts blog ... http://diabloscott.blogspot.com/2000_05_01_archive.html

Enjoy.

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Thanks Errol. I have seen those sites and a few other old Kelin blogs. I appreciate it!
 
oldmuthariley":1g8r4u7b said:
Beautiful - apart from that HUGE mirror!
I tend to look over my shoulder from time to time... ;)

Yes, the mirror is a little out of place, but it is just as I purchased it. :)
 
Here is some of the documentation that came with the bike:
 

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And 1 more and a period advertisemetn or article in Bicycling Magazine.
 

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Thanks for sharing all this information, I can never get enough of old Klein literature on the road bikes. You have a rare bike there and possibly one of the oldest Klein's left in existence. Certainly something to treasure, but still ride!

I think I'd want a bit more seat post in the tube though ... there's plenty of Klein MTB's with cracks because the seat posts were not in far enough ... Leaves a bit of a problem though with the cable running through, I think I'd start with another seat post and drill it once you were happy with the height to run the cable through.

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I have been able to briefly speak with Gary Klein and this is a very early model Team Super. It did not come stripped and polished, that was done at some point by the owner. As I had figured several of the parts have been replaced from the original builders checklist.

I guess I have a pretty rare frame, so if I ever need money for another toy... :)

Thanks for the feedback and comments.
 
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