Cobra project

[pwebb]

documenting this for those that like to see some retro steel - acquired this ugly duckling from ebay in late 2024...



appeared to be a Paul Riley frameset from Preston with the all important canti stops and in 531C

...unfortunately, despite a heroic battle involving all kinds of tools, chemicals and brute force, the steerer was permanently fused with the alu stem adjustable ghastly thing and had to be cut to release the frame...





new fork acquired and off to be powder coated



its a big frame, perhaps too big for me





destined to stay in the cellar for the winter...

 

[pwebb]

...dug out of hibernation recently when I was rummaging for cardboard boxes

parts bin build up ensued in a sort of tracklocross inspired style - aiming to create something that was light and able to go off piste if needed

 

[pwebb]

...shakedown ride today to see if I can reach the ground and to check nothing falls off:



if you are wondering where the front mech is, there isnt one and I am not going to fit one either - the extra chainring is there to just look menacing - works aok as a 1x8 and I can always move the chain by hand if I ever go anywhere where its downhill long enough to use the larger ring . Sunrace indexed shifter is excellent btw - I have never tried before - comes with handlebar mount but also affixes to downtube bosses - very 'clicky' like microshift but strictly 8s (where microshift goes up to 11s)

 

[pwebb]

Decals on order from Gil - will post some pics when all finished - still have some things I may change here like the vintage BR50 brakes, which look fine but dont stop well

 

[grantoury]

Pretty bike, nice colour!

@Guinessisgoodforyou

 

[Imlach]

Cool build

 

[LondonClassic]

I'm always heading to my local graveyard for that post build shakedown ride.

 

[foz]

Decals on order from Gil - will post some pics when all finished - still have some things I may change here like the vintage BR50 brakes, which look fine but dont stop well

View attachment 966301

Looks good! The brakes don't stop well because they need adjusting - there is way too much slack on the straddle cables!

 

[pwebb]

Brakes fixed - replaced all 4 springs and dust caps with nice new ones , new 70mm pads and shoes and some judicious adjustment - pretty sharp stopping now Gil turned up trumps with the decals again and so this one is finished for now, a nice upright and comfortable ride, but fast and responsive when you need it to be - straighter forks than the original (very relaxed) ones make a huge difference.