Old Kid On The Block

[rustychisel]

it begins... more to come.

[cludence]

Looks nice so far. Dont leave it too long to post more pics because I have a meeting to go to shortly and dont want to be late...

[rustychisel]

fashionably heavy fork??

[MichaelB]

Pffft, mines better ....

It is, cos it's Italian ...

Nice blue BTW

[rustychisel]

meet Ray Stevens, still going strong since he was welded up - just a year and a few days after I was born.

[rustychisel]

before....

[MichaelB]

So far so good.

I'm sort of lookig for something from 1966, but hard to find in my size, let alone the year ....

[cludence]

I agree, it is a nice blue. Very striking.

[rustychisel]

build me up, Scotty... or how to pee off the purists.




all parts chosen for form and function, the blue and polished alloy 'colourway' being the only acceptable way to go. Obviously that means new bar tape and a polished alloy bottle cage, but

Reynolds 531db tubing, Nervex Pro lugs, 1964 for Ray Stevens. I'm the second owner.
Shimano 600 headset
Mavic OpenPro rims, 36 spoke 3x laced to Suntour Superbe Pro (rear) and Shimano 600 HF front. I have a matching SuperbePro front hub in 32 hole but wanted a maximum stiffness front wheel for the track. Veloflex Pave 22c tyres.
Shimano DuraAce 7402 cranks 167.5mm, Shimano UN72 bottom bracket, and Coda 48T 3/32 chainring x 18T cog. Sachs~Sedis 3/32 nickel chain
Gipiemme Crono sidepull brake, Tektro levers, 3T Paris Roubaix 42cm bars (thanks MichaelB), Cinelli Grammo Titanio stem 120mm
FiZik Arione saddle, Suntour Superbe Pro seat pillar, Keywin pedals

[cludence]

build me up, Scotty... or how to pee off the purists.

It being ridden and looked after so though I initially squirmed at the component choice, I'd much rather see a bike with mixed era parts being used than to see it lying in a backyard rusting away.

Nice bike. Enjoy it!

[rustychisel]

... though I initially squirmed at the component choice...

I hear ya, loud and clear, and you know, I think a further explanation might be in order.

I agonised for 2 1/2 years as to whether the right decision was to restore or update and whether the paintwork was salvageable. It wasn't, not if the bike was to be a good rideable bike for the years to come. Ray had no qualms about it, and told me several times to have it repainted with my name on the top tube, which I discounted because I wanted the heritage to be preserved at least.
Having ridden the bike through that time I knew it was a sublime bike, it feels wonderful on the road, the rear end has a whip unlike any other bike I've ever ridden and it's as comfortable as you might imagine. It fits me perfectly, too, so it's going to stay with me a long time.
That decision made, the rest was easy: the bike was to have the best functional componentry available, and I've chosen what I feel to be the best available in all respects, no corners cut. I built the wheels myself to fit this ideal; and they do, although this is unlikely to see any real track time - it's a proper path racer which I use for commuting and longer rides. With the possible exception of the saddle and perhaps the front wheel I've got the best of the best in componentry, according to the tuning I have decreed for the bike. And there you have it.

[jaseyjase]

clean, simple, beautiful lugs, most importantly functional. Cant ask for more.

Nice work

[bigfriendlyvegan]

meet Ray Stevens, still going strong since he was welded up - just a year and a few days after I was born.

Ray Stevens? You have to name this bike "The Streak". Nice frame, nice components AND a theme song.

David

[daacha]

What a stunner RC. If i saw that in the flesh i would be staring at the frame and not even notice the components. Great job !!