Orbit Cambridge

[mynchiboy]

Your wish is my command! I am tall so I went and got it...5 hours and 250miles! Well worth it though, it looks a really rare and beautiful thing (well maybe once I sort the paintwork out, it's a bit shocking atm)

You seem to know something about the Lee Cooper filiet brazing, did he never file it down? It definitely seems to show a few ripples but perhaps he considered it cheating to try to hide one's work. I hope it is his work since I already have a Dave Yates frame I feel like I now have a couple of real UK legends handiworks.

Nice one, it is a great addition to the fleet no doubt.

There aren't that many about, especially in 653. It's the first biggun that I have also seen!

It is a shame that the paint is ratty, but think of it as a blank canvas. You can get the exact replacement decals from H Lloyd if you need them, either in black or white.

The unfiled brazing was indeed a bit of signature on these Lee Cooper frames. I am currently sitting on a similar 531 frameset and also a Sirius branded version with a couple of other details added in, such as a pump peg on the seat tube. Must get something done with those...

And here is an image of my own 'Ecstasy' that I owned a few years back for inspiration. Have fun with it

 

[winjohn]

Thanks, that's a really useful photo of your Ecstasy that I can use as a reference for the restore. The groupset is pretty straightforward, I just need to source some XT shifters and brakes and we are back to the original spec.
The forks are more problematical, did yours have the original ones and are they 531? They look like a tapered straight blade that is probably not going to be easy find, especially with the long steerer tube I am going to need. Mine has a Tioga T-one stem that I guess is original and I have a black Turbo saddle to put on. So not to much to do on the equipment side.
The main decision is around the frame, I'd love to keep the patina and the decals look in remarkably good shape considering the state of the paintwork. It's not so much scratched as just a bit crusty and faded. I will probably try flatting it all down with some wet and dry, rust treating it and polishing and I'll see what it looks like. Blasting the old finish off and powder coating or painting seems drastic and while getting it back to a "new" fresh look it will be destroying the history of what might be quite a rare bike.
Anyway I'm off on holiday for a week from Weds so I may just strip the bike down today and have a good think about what to do with it on my holiday.

 

[mynchiboy]

No problem at all, pleased to help! It was a very handsome looking bike, I must say...

The forks are more problematical, did yours have the original ones and are they 531? They look like a tapered straight blade that is probably not going to be easy find, especially with the long steerer tube I am going to need

The forks were indeed a tapered straight blade and also 653, just to add to the headache!

You may have more luck sourcing 531 forks. The Dawes Geo Max and Raleigh dyna tech versions were very similar, but not necessarily any easier to find. Those will also more than likely have an oversized steerer - I am assuming yours will need to be 1"?

Fair enough if you wish to keep the paint, I also like a bit of patina so totally understand. Orbits of the time did however appear in various paint finishes (both lairy and understated) should you consider a repaint later on down the line.

All food for thought I guess - enjoy the holiday

 

[winjohn]

Just started t strip it down outside then the heavens opened!

Here's a few photos showing both the Lee Cooperesque fillet brazing and the crusty paint finish.

 

[kingoffootball]

You may have more luck sourcing 531 forks. The Dawes Geo Max and Raleigh dyna tech versions were very similar, but not necessarily any easier to find. Those will also more than likely have an oversized steerer - I am assuming yours will need to be 1"?

The later Geo Max are 653, but they are still 1 1/8" so no help if this is 1".

 

[pwebb]

try autoglym paint restorer before getting drastic with wet n dry https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0CK4HWFH3 bigger bottle on offer atm.

I usually get good results with this and a lot of buffing afterwards followed by good car polish.
go easy on the decals in one vertical direction when using this stuff and it will just lift the dirt off without damaging the decals, scrub all you like on paint

 

[winjohn]

Thanks, I will try that before going to Defcon 1

I will be trying not to rush this one.

 

[winjohn]

The later Geo Max are 653, but they are still 1 1/8" so no help if this is 1".

Thanks for the heads up, unfortunately I do need a 1 inch steerer. The original is threaded but I have located a NOS threadless 1 inch Tange fork with a long enough uncut steerer at a very reasonable price so I will probably fit that in the first instance and then bide my time to wait for a 531 fork. My understanding is that the 653 tube sets use a mixed set and the fork blades can be 531 with that mix.

There is a slight issue with the Tange fork in that the crown race is JIS rather than ISO but that can be fixed.

 

[winjohn]

Now I have stripped the frame I am thinking that it has already been repainted at least once before....very badly. The lumps and bumps under the paint don't look like anything that will buff out to me. The decals look in good condition because they are relatively new. I'm not liking the red anyway and I think I woud like something more subtle with a metallic finish.

Loving the rest of the bike though and I think I have found a good solution for the forks. I also didn't mention the wheels are rather nice too, Campag Contax rims on XT hubs so I think I got a good deal overall.

 

[Guinessisgoodforyou]

Now I have stripped the frame I am thinking that it has already been repainted at least once before....very badly. The lumps and bumps under the paint don't look like anything that will buff out to me. The decals look in good condition because they are relatively new. I'm not liking the red anyway and I think I woud like something more subtle with a metallic finish.

Loving the rest of the bike though and I think I have found a good solution for the forks. I also didn't mention the wheels are rather nice too, Campag Contax rims on XT hubs so I think I got a good deal overall.

Paint it yourself John, always nice and therapeutic.