I started riding again about 2004. In 2005 I began riding with a large paceline group that rode along the Adelaide coastline from Glenelg to Outer Harbor and return. The group is split into various average speed groups depending on skill and fitness.
Because the group is so large and the staggered starts and longer gaps at the finish, it takes you a while before you get to know the riders in the other groups.
In the lower average speed groups the average age is a little higher. One of the riders rode a steel frame, with the name ‘Vinco’ on the downtube. The bike’s owner, Bob, was of mature age. Off the bike he is tallish, thin build and a stooped stance. The bike stood out from the other thick tubed aluminium, and as the years progressed, carbon frames replaced the aluminium. Not for Bob.
A few times, when riders numbers were down due to public holidays etc, we combined speed groups. I rode alongside Bob on some of those rides. On the bike he was Coppiesque. Bob and his bike belong together. His riding style was smooth and even paced. He knew how to ride. He didn’t stay silent if something needed to be said, but he was economical with his words out on ride.
There have been a few times where he has accepted my offer and sat on my wheel, mainly when the headwind was strong. Just a few times Bob had turned back early and as we went past I left the group I was with and offered to help give Bob a tow back. Sometimes he accepted. I knew I had to be smooth and steady, or be gently chided if I wasn’t.
As I was restoring Dad’s old Spearman, I searched out Bob with a few questions to try to keep Spearman authentic to the period. He scoffed at using shellac on the cloth bar tape. He said they just removed the dirty tape, gave it a wash and rewrapped the now cleaned tape. OK, I was given a simple and clear answer.
One time Bob asked if I knew where to get the ‘flint-catchers’ as he wanted a set for his bike. I said I had a NOS set I had bought and he could have them. I declined to accept payment, happy that they were being used.
Bob wasn’t prepared to accept my modest gift. Instead he presented me with a beautiful piece of scroll saw woodwork he had crafted- of Coppi. My standout rider from my favourite period.
A few times we were riding around McLaren Flat on a Sunday we saw Bob in his role as one of the officials at the Southern Vets Cycling Club. Those riders are serious. Sheep stations on every ride, including training rides.
So my respect continued to grow for Bob.
During the second half of 2105, I heard that Bob had been involved in a riding accident when on his mountain bike and had sustained serious injuries. News later came that he was on the mend.
Then I was told that the leader of Bob’s regular speed group has wanting to contact me.
Contact was made and I heard that Bob wanted me to be the custodian of his bike, the Vinco. Bob had decided to give up riding.
I met with Bob, and spent a few hours chatting. Yes, he did want me to look after his bike, as he knew I had a few and I respected the bikes and their heritage.
I have asked Bob to document the history of the bike and his riding. Briefly, the frame was designed by Bob and custom made in the early 1980s and painted. At his wife’s urging, Bob showed me a drawer full of medals just before I left. There is a lot of history there to be told.
As Bob last rode it by philip.knight, on FlickrI have had the bike a few months now. I wanted to return it to period equipment. So the brifters, rear derailleur and wheels will be replaced.
I have been collecting the parts, trying to match to the surviving original components. I had some Suntour Superbe Pro brake levers, and I bought a Suntour Superbe Pro rear derailleur and gear levers. Mavic MA2 rims and Suntour hubs. A friend laced them for me.
Modolo anatomic translucent brake lever hoods were a nice pickup as Suntour hoods are now unobtainium.
The brake calipers Bob had chosen were rare. They are the Dia-Compe AGC-300, Aero Gran Compe, primarily aimed for the time-trialist. They are a short reach and have an eccentric brake shoe adjustment needing a very specific brake shoe. This was a challenge to find replacement brake shoes as the existing ones were well worn. Some forum posts have a work around solution, but it looks too cheap and nasty for such beautiful calipers. Then there are reproductions from Japan at very expensive prices. And I got lucky, a NOS set were on ebay. Still very pricey, but half the price of the reproductions.
Last weekend I started the project. I removed the later components and cleaned and gently polished the frame and the remaining components. I have fitted the rear derailleur, gear and brake levers. I dropped the stem and the seat post, so they are within the safety zone. Safer given my size and enthusiastic riding style. I have bought a matching aero bottle so I can use the cap to replace the cap missing from Bob's.
I am planning on using some cloth tape, Newbaums. I need to check on the colour.
Then do I give it a coat of clear shellac to protect it, and incur Bob’s scorn, or leave it untreated?
No shellac. I hope to get an approving smile from Bob when I ride to his place to show him, and hopefully get a photo.
I know it will be right, no shellac on Bob's bike.
More to come.
when It is fully assembled I will detail all the components.
I justified it as I was doing it as this was needed to get the colour right. 
