Hi Nigel,
I agree with your Renovation, not Restoration position - The title of this post was written somewhat in error when compared to my plans!
Don't worry about responding here - The original plan was to post in may forums and then hopefully get some comments, all in one place on the blog. As it happens, the whole thing has been much more popular than I imagined, and so I'm glad the replies are all split up into little communities!
So, here are my responses to your responses:
1. We'll be sticking with drops, but certainly going for wider ones than the current set (narrower than my 1980's solo) I'm assuming wider will make the handling a bit more immediate?
2. We're hoping that a dismantle and thorough clean will sort these, but if not the plan is to substitute in a UK threaded eccentric at the front, and a VO french at the back. (This is definitely the threading, I have checked this now)
3. The current plan (always subject to change!) is to keep all the existing cranks, but to change over to cassette at the back, meaning I can pick and choose my gear ratios as I like. This will either be via one of
THESE or, the Shimano hub mentioned on the blog, with the Karasawa. I would prefer this, as I think it will be more future-proof. Again, depends on the money.
4. Due to the spacing of the braze-ons, it seems that I'll be sticking with the Mafac Canti's, but, hopefully with new rims, this won't be a problem. We'll be getting bar-end shifters, so hopefully some budget brake levers won't be a problem!
5. I mentioned this in 3.
6. The OLD is 135, so I'll be widening the frame in any case. Do you think it'd be best to widen only by 5mm, and then shrink the hub to fit, (to minimise change to the frame) or is this more trouble than it's worth? Again, in terms of future-proofing, it would be desirable to be 145 OLD. Wheels are likely to be purpose built, so don't worry about that.
Rims: - Thanks for this recommendation - They seem to be reasonably priced, too?
Thanks for your detailed response!!!
Will
(09-02-2012, 06:46 AM)painkiller Wrote: are we a golfer?
Certainly not that I'm aware of!? What gave you the impression that I might be?
Quote:I would say if it ain't broke don't fix it.
Well, it is broke! (albeit not horrendously)
Quote:start by taking the whole bike apart, inspecting and polishing every part piece by piece.
I plan to do this in the near future, when I've cleared enough space in the garage!
Thanks for your support, I'll keep you posted here, and via the blog as and when things start to happen...
Will