Alan Richards (Tower Cycles Birmingham) 1983 build (Finished, pg3)

[Theoldfm]

Once again, I spoke too soon, and to continue the theme of going back on my previous plans, I've found someone fairly local to chrome the forks for a decent price (£60 plus VAT) - so I'm going to do that after-all. I had originally aimed to have chrome forks, and obviously that will look a lot better with the frame.

Of course, they have a 3 month waiting list, so it's going to be well into the new year until this FINALLY becomes an actual bike instead of a collection of parts. But one day, one day...in 2021...

I am looking to have a pair of forks rechromed - where is the place you found?

 

[sjcprojects]

Once again, I spoke too soon, and to continue the theme of going back on my previous plans, I've found someone fairly local to chrome the forks for a decent price (£60 plus VAT) - so I'm going to do that after-all. I had originally aimed to have chrome forks, and obviously that will look a lot better with the frame.

Of course, they have a 3 month waiting list, so it's going to be well into the new year until this FINALLY becomes an actual bike instead of a collection of parts. But one day, one day...in 2021...

I am looking to have a pair of forks rechromed - where is the place you found?

It's a place in Mexborough (near Rotherham) called Prestige Electro-Plating. They do loads of that sort of work, and seem to have a good reputation, but are a bit under the radar compared to some other places. As I said, there is a long waiting list, but that seems to be true for everywhere...

 

[Old Ned]

Prestige are well known locally for their bike work. They can replate the centres of Airlite hubs for instance - and they don't polish away the writing!

I was told that some of the team are mountain bikers sp appreciate the bike work.

 

[sjcprojects]

Only 8 months later...well, I did say it would be some time in 2021 that I finally got back to this build.

Anyway, forks chromed and finally installed with a Stronglight A9 headset (which was pleasingly easy to install compared to others I've done in the past).

Gipiemme Crono Special chainset installed, with a modern BB and pedals, and I've re-greased the Gipiemme Sprint hubs.

I do need to get another front derailleur, as I have a Campagnolo Gran Sport I was going to use, but despite being the right size, I don't think I can install it without damaging the paint more than I'd like.

Most importantly, I used genuine vintage grease...

 

[sjcprojects]

FINALLY FINISHED. I'll be taking it for a shake-down ride in The Peaks soon. All in it weighs 10.13kg, which is pretty much exactly what my current most regularly used steel bike weighs, though that has a smaller frame. It could easily go under 10kg with a few component changes, but I'm happy with it as it is for now. I'm glad I went for the chromed forks, even though it made this build a lot more expensive.



Brake cables routed through the bars which have custom-drilled (not by me) holes. A bit fiddly to do, but some paper-clips came in handy...



Even with a 20c tyre, there's still very little clearance for the rear brake.




Nice and shiny...



Partial spec:

Frame: Columbus (unspecified, but light), Campagnolo dropouts.
Fork: Tange with Campagnolo dropouts.

Headset: Stronglight A9
Handlebar: Zeus (cut down and with drilled cable holes)

Brake Levers: Shimano Exage
Brake Calipers: Shimano BR-1050, 105

Shifters: Campagnolo
Front Derailleur: Suntour ARX
Rear Derailleur: Suntour Cyclone GT
Crankset: Gipiemme Crono Special (Drilled)

Rims: Mavic MA2
Hubs: Gipiemme Sprint

Saddle: Selle Bassano Vuelta

 

[sjcprojects]

Luckily I found time to get a ride in while the sun was shining. It feels maybe a bit more 'springy' than my usual steel ride, if that makes any sense at all. Certainly an enjoyable ride, and it fits me perfectly, so it's definitely a keeper...



Looking across to Higger Tor from Padley Gorge:

 

[TreaderSteve]

Lovely bike, photos and scenery!

 

[sjcprojects]

 

[zerogravitas]

I missed the finished result on this one, great job, looking very smart. Your scenic rides are pretty enviable too.

 

[sjcprojects]

I missed the finished result on this one, great job, looking very smart. Your scenic rides are pretty enviable too.

Thanks! Yeah, I'm lucky to have lots of great country roads more or less on my doorstep – some are pretty challenging, hence the low gearing on this bike (though in this particular case I didn't come up the side of the hill pictured, but going down it was interesting enough with non-modern brakes...).