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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LOVE this thread! :LOL: Great method used to rescue the American Classic seat post. Appreciate the efforts capturing the various steps :D
 
Re:

Just steered towards this one again by Dan's comment on my own pace restoration thread.

I'm thinking of purple as one of the options. how has it all come up in the end, much evidence of the repairs?
 
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The pictures don’t do justice to the level of craftsmanship of Dan and then Acorn plating

It is not as it would have come off the production line because that wouldn’t have been authentic as to represent the journey this Pace has had

I’m so pleased that it both looks amazing but has retained a look that does reflect that this has been raced and ridden

I’ll hopefully be in a position to show you more when restrictions are lifted

I’m within sight of the finish line as the legend that is Gil Montague has made a custom set of decals to match those Richard rode on this bike during his heyday. They look amazing and will really finish the restoration fantastically. He is also rebuilding the wheels which is again really appreciated

As well as being the go to for all your decal requirements, Gil is a huge authority on Pace’s. Having the ability to get advice and support from the likes of Dan, Gil, Tim Price, Rich Matthews, Alec Ruston and many more who know their Paces is a great position to be in when thinking of repairing, restoring, refurbishing or freshening up your Pace

Hopefully not too long now before it’s built and ready to be unveiled
 
Really looking forward to this...
 
There is a date in the diary for completion thanks to the roadmap. Fingers crossed that all goes to plan and that I’ll be showing you completed pics of this beauty in the not too distant future

Another Pace guru is helping me across the finishing post and I’ll try with his permission to get some pics of the process
 

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I forgot to add the straightened American Classic seatpost as well as the two custom made water bottle brackets went off to Steve at Acorn plating

I seriously can’t recommend him enough. Anyone who’s following the thread will see the amazing re-anodising of my frame, skewers and bar ends all colour matched correctly to the original fork crown

Absolutely first class work and service
 

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Have really, really enjoyed reading though this restoration thread today. I have a F4 in the shed that I’d had repaired and powder coated years ago (I know, I know!)
and this has really made me want to try and get it back underway again as soon as I can!
Hopefully one day I’ll manage to pick up another F2 like the one I sold on in 97, and have regretted ever since.
 
thegrouch":ao57nabf said:
Have really, really enjoyed reading though this restoration thread today. I have a F4 in the shed that I’d had repaired and powder coated years ago (I know, I know!)
and this has really made me want to try and get it back underway again as soon as I can!
Hopefully one day I’ll manage to pick up another F2 like the one I sold on in 97, and have regretted ever since.


Glad you’ve enjoyed it and hopefully in the near future I’ll be able to show it finished and built

Nothing wrong with having your frame Powdercoated. My F2 is done in a really great pearlescent white. You should definitely get your F4 back into a rideable condition and as the weather gets better, get out and enjoy it
 
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This is one of those threads that make me hate myself for being so envious. Envious that I don’t have a project like this. Envious that I don’t have the skills on show. For me it’s one of the most anticipated reveals on Retrobike. Really inspiring!
 
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