Graham Weigh 531c - Fixed gear conversion.

[jimo746]

This has just arrived in my shed, a Graham Weigh 531c frame & forks with Campagnolo headset, seat post & rear mech, Stronglight chainset, and Modolo America brakes.

Quite surprised at how light it is for "only" 531c, needs a good clean & polish, and some wheels. I'm actually thinking of turning it into a fixie/single speed.

I think it'll look ok once cleaned up, however the brake hoods have been taped up with blue leccy tape, which suggests to me that the rubber hoods are trashed a quick search hasn't turned up much in the way of replacements... any ideas??

As for dating the frame?? I'll have a look for a serial number, but us anyone able to guesstimate it's age by the decals or components? I'm not overly familiar with road bike bits & pieces.

Also, can someone identify the rear mech? It's Campagnolo, and seems to sit in a weird downwards position :?

 

[fiveSixteenths]

Re: Graham Weigh 531c

That's lovely! Same decals as mine, so likely late 80's / early 90's onwards.
531c's terrific, Reynolds decals from that era also. Have two bikes built from it.
Ashley at Graham Weigh will likely advise on the dates (was dead helpful when I was asking).
There are some Modolo levers f/s on here recently I recall.
Rear mech looks very early...

 

[Midlife]

Re: Graham Weigh 531c

Rear mech looks like Triumphe variant. nice Zeus 2000 fork crown

 

[jimo746]

Re: Graham Weigh 531c

Rear mech looks like Triumphe variant. nice Zeus 2000 fork crown

Yeah, it does look like a Triumphe/Victory mech. I don't see any other markings on it.
I noticed the Zeus 2000 on the fork this evening, had to Google it!

Stem must be a 26mm as I tried some 25.4 flat bars in there and no luck, maybe I'll buy myself a can of Coke tomorrow

And the Campag seatpost is stuck, sprayed some penetrating oil on it and will take it to work and put it in a bench vice tomorrow.

 

[gavr]

Re:

They were doing those colour fades from about '88 but this is newer I think

 

[Iwasgoodonce]

Re: Graham Weigh 531c

Nice. I have a 531 Weigh in Millenium tubing. This means no lugs. It rides really well. It did anyway. Right up to the point a Mercedes pulled out on me.

Good luck with the build.

 

[jimo746]

Re:

Hmm... flat bar fixie looks like a possibility. Chucked a few parts on it to check the fit and aesthetics.

Bench vise at work made short work of the stuck seatpost
Gave it a quick wipe down, looking better, needs some further work on the paint though, the camera makes it look better than it is in real life.

Still not sure about the frame size. Sat on the bike with the seat as per the photo seems fine, reach to the bars and pedals is good, it's just that when I've my feet on the ground the top tube is "danger close" to ones "undercarriage"
The guy I bought the frame from said he bought it new 20-odd years ago, and he was about the same height as me, certainly no taller.
Is this just how retro road bikes are? Maybe I'm just usrd to the more modern compact road frames :?

 

[MartinB123]

Re: Graham Weigh 531c

Looks lovely. I had a 531c LoPro extremely comfy considering the angles of the frame. It climbed well!

 

[daccordimark]

Re:

That saddle height looks about right to me. We didn't worry about standover height BITD!

Mark.

 

[jimo746]

Re:

Spent a bit of time touching up the paintwork this evening.
Also under the grime is a Campag bottom bracket, in need of a strip down, so I'll do that another day.
Tried my fixed gear wheels on it, I think I like it. It's not a true retro rebuild, more giving an old frame a new lease of life.