Polished TA Specialties Crank pics. Revintage the Ritchey

[M-Power]

Re:

Love these very early fillet brazed Ritcheys

Two Qs though .... What 130mm presumably pressfit BB did you use ? and what Campagnolo seat clamp skewer did you fit or is it custom cut down ?



MP

 

[eshew]

Re:

I got lucky, this bike stock came with the proper 130mm spindle (assuming it handles it's maiden voyage without issues). The campy qr is stock as far as I know. I did hunt around for some spacers/washers... Not sure what to call them. Anyway they were found an a late 80's mtb. Helped to center the smaller qr rod in the larger frame hole. Originals were cracked, corroding and falling apart. Not sure if that's what your asking for, if you need measurements let me know.

The bike is an 83 so not sure how much modification they had to do to various parts to get things to work, prior to delivery I know they would cut down the front mafac brake pads to clear the fork, they may have cut down the seat qr as well. It was kind of the wild west back then from what I understand. The original cable housing had the ends soldered on/ dipped in lead. from what I've read also stock from the shop. Back then customizing was much more common. From then on things standardized rather quickly.

 

[Graham_hkr]

Hi, looking very nice indeed, can I ask where you sourced the decals for the cranks, I take it you put new ones on after polishing?
Cheers
G.

 

[eshew]

Re:

Found them on eBay. Looks like they are still making them. Do a search for "TA Specialites crank arm decal on chrome foil". When installing I screwed one up, got cocky after the first one. I'm thinking next time I'll hold either side of the decal with pins or plastic tooth picks, using fingers isn't recommended. Removed the old ones with a heat gun prior to polishing, any leftover goo comes off with the polishing compound.

 

[eshew]

And we're done!

 

[M-Power]

Re: Re:

I got lucky, this bike stock came with the proper 130mm spindle (assuming it handles it's maiden voyage without issues). The campy qr is stock as far as I know.

Humm been hunting for one for a long time. Others have made custom ones and thats likely what i will do to match the wheel skewers. I will keep an eye out for an early 80s 130mm Phil Wood BB then.


I did hunt around for some spacers/washers... Not sure what to call them. Anyway they were found an a late 80's mtb. Helped to center the smaller qr rod in the larger frame hole. Originals were cracked, corroding and falling apart. Not sure if that's what your asking for, if you need measurements let me know.


Im good for all that now thanks. The Campag version i did get hold of has too thick a bolt diameter :facepalm:



The bike is an 83 so not sure how much modification they had to do to various parts to get things to work, prior to delivery I know they would cut down the front mafac brake pads to clear the fork they may have cut down the seat qr as well.


It was kind of the wild west back then from what I understand. The original cable housing had the ends soldered on/ dipped in lead. from what I've read also stock from the shop. Back then customizing was much more common. From then on things standardized rather quickly.

Always interested to read and hear about all these early custom mods. Like you say, it was very much mix and match in the very early 80s, with a lot of BMX parts crossover. Alas vintage parts from this era still in great shape are mostly silly money.