1984 Saracen 501

Slowed down by the headset replacement task, but cheered by support and info on here and with a few options (mainly Shimano road headsets) I've been going through a few rebuild threads I've enjoyed so much, in particular WD Pro and clockworkgaz's builds... inspirational stuff! The Race Rat is taking shape Gaz!

Armed with a bag of fresh stainless fittings, I've been replacing a few nuts, bolts & washers here & there... front mech clamp bolt nut, brake levers clamp bolts, all four shifter clamp bolts etc. I'll keep all the originals for posterity, but there's not really any place for naughty bits of rust or crappy zinc plating if replacements are so cheap & easy to fit is there?

I've fitted wider washers onto the homemade shoulder strap to preserve the leather and hopefully prevent tears (and tears!) and turned it round as instructed by my stylish lady friend, so that the brown faces up and the black faces down.

The BL-AT50 brake levers have a nice feature I noticed during a general fondle. If you remove the pivot bolt, there is a special washer, like a cam in reverse, that allows you a choice of two reach positions, which is er, handy

As said previously that stem is fab. Nice build and great read.

more updates for anyone interested...

the bike is pretty much built now - I'm just finishing off the rather fiddly brakes, fitting decals and faffing around. Hopefully I'll be able to get out to the park (and get some photos) for a test ride today

TEST RIDE #1 SPEC SHEET:

Frame: 21" Saracen (Reynolds 501 All-Terrain Butted Cromalloy-M)
Forks: Saracen (Reynolds 501 Cromalloy-M)

Headset: Tange 1" threaded cartridge (new)
Stem: Tioga 22.2mm
Handlebar: Renthal 720mm x 22.2mm gold anodized (new)
Grips: Plastiche Cassano

Brakes: Dia-Compe 981
Brake Pads: unknown but look the part innit!?
Brake Cables: Shimano + gold anodized cable crimps
Cantilever cable hangers: Dia-Compe
Brake Levers: Shimano BL-AT50 (NOS)

Shifters: Shimano MT62
Front Derailleur: Shimano M452
Rear Derailleur: Shimano M452
Gear Cables: Shimano SIS (new) + gold anodized crimps
Cassette: SRAM 7 speed (new)
Chain: KMC (new)
Cranks: Shimano M452 170mm
Crank Bolts: Shimano hex head
Dust Caps: Shimano M452
Chainrings: Shimano SG-C (46/36/26)
Chainring bolts: Middleburn gold anodized (new)
Bottom Bracket: Shimano UN54 (new)
Pedals: VP cage (to be replaced by VP beartraps)

Hub Skewers: Shimano Exage
Rims: Rigida Rally 30
Hubs: Shimano Exage HB50
Nipples: unknown
Spokes: stainless steel
Tyres: Schwalbe Fat Frank 26 x 2.35" cream (new)
Tubes: Continental Schraeder (new)
Valve Caps: Schraeder gold anodized (new)

Saddle: Brooks B17 Narrow
Seatpost: alloy 27.2mm
Seatpost Binder: Kalloy replica

Weight: 31.5lbs (14.3kg)

Notes:
gloss black powdercoating by Paul Green
new Saracen decals on downtubes by Gil Montague
NOS Reynolds 501 frame & fork decals
homemade leather shoulder strap and 'helicopter tape' chainstay protector
new stainless frame bolts
fork mounted brake cable stop

Acknowledgments & thanks:
Mr Kawasaki
drystonepaul
elpedro666
legrandfromage
hamster
lewis1641
Gil_M
passiflora
Madstick

... and anyone else I forgot

Just back from first 2 hour blast on the Conquest, most fun I've had in ages! I was getting ready when a mate knocked on to show me his brand spanking new Rockhopper and off we went, just a local ride - pretty gentle - with a nice pint as the sun set afterwards. Wish I'd taken my phone as they made an odd couple the two bikes!

The tyres work better than I'd expected (apart from in thick mud - fun tho), and - aside from needing to move the brake levers inwards by an inch - so did the rest of the bike. Ok so the brakes are pretty weak, but they work well well you really yank them and I think I will be able to tinker a bit more power out of them. As lgf commented, you really gotta give a bike like this some welly to get moving, but the handling is excellent, and it's ideal cruising and chatting away. Not used Deore thumbies for a while too - forgot how nice they are.

I'm really happy now... the bike is lightly flecked in mud and just needs it's rear wheel cones nipping up before it's next adventure!

I love it!! Proper cruising machine that one
Gotta say mate, this build was what gave me the kick up the arse needed to build my latest Jamis up, so for that alone I'm going to approve

Did you cut the bars down in the end? I love mine full width!!

makster":3vv1r51q said:

I love it!! Proper cruising machine that one
Gotta say mate, this build was what gave me the kick up the arse needed to build my latest Jamis up, so for that alone I'm going to approve

Did you cut the bars down in the end? I love mine full width!!

Click to expand...

Nice one!

No chopping man! Before I rode it for first time today, half of me thought they looked silly, but since riding it the other half is winning. I have ridiculously long arms so anyway they're fine for me - even though they are 40mm wider than my modern-ish full sus. Moving the brake levers inwards an inch since the photos were taken has helped aesthetically (and the levers feel nicer 'in' a bit!)

Separated at birth?

Pad material and angles helps with the brakes BTW.

yeah man, been having a fiddle with the 'mechanical advantage' variables and getting much better results now... your bike was the one that kick-started my project, 'tis indeed awesome