[CR]Latest find

(Example: Framebuilding:Restoration)

Date: Sun, 28 Oct 2007 09:56:19 -0400
From: "Tim Fricker" <tymncycle@gmail.com>
To: "Classic Rendezvous" <classicrendezvous@bikelist.org>
Subject: [CR]Latest find

Well, temptation got the best of me again, gang... in the form of a 1975 Proteus! I saw the ad on Craig's List, thanks to the BOBish Bikes for Sale Yahoo group.... and went to look at it Wednesday evening. It's in need of some love, but it's a one-owner bike, and has been reasonably well cared for. Some sweat-induced surface rust on the top tube, and some other chips in the paint, and a total lack of decals, aside from the 531 decal, but it's straight and sound and has no dings in the tubes. The guy I bought it from said it was one of their more basic offerings... it was fit to him, but the finish work on the frame is pretty minimal. I'm not sure if that's more a reflection of it being an "early" Proteus, or just that it was more affordable. Anyway, yet another of my teenage longings finally fulfilled, decades later! Bike longings, that is!

Now the questions of what to do with it, in terms of set up, and restoration, etc. For the time being, I'm going to just treat the rust to stop it getting any worse, but one day I'll probably get it resprayed. The parts currently on it are good, but eclectic, and I'm not sure whether I want to change any of it or not. I am not totally up on the various period questions, so maybe folks here can help me identify what is appropriate and what is not. And maybe I'll just leave it as is for now, putting of any major changes until i get to the paint.

What it has:

Wheels are Campy Record Hi-flange, 120mm, 36 hole, 27" Rigida 1319 rims, some kind of thin, db spokes which I haven't looked closely at to identify brand. Wheels seem to be in good shape, no serious dings or anything. I'd rather they be 700, but in '75, clinchers, the 27s are "correct".

Stem is a SR, I think Royal, that has been milled and drilled, as so many parts were back then. Looks like a "local" job... it's not ugly, but it lacks finesse, if that makes sense. Lends a certain "funky 70s" look.

Bars are a mystery... they are a slightly odd shape, flared out with a tight radius to the hooks, if that makes sense. One side of the sleeve says "Japan" and "Champion", the other says "KB". Never heard of them.

Seat post is the SR copy of the Campy two bolt.

Crankset is the classic Mighty Compe with original rings, 42/52.

Brakes are old black Dura-Ace sidepulls, with silver Dura-Ace levers, with DiaCompe replacement hoods. I think these were not original, from what the seller said. I should check with him.

Derailleurs are a newish Dura Ace front (as in a couple of years old) and a black Crane rear. Not sure if the Crane is original or period correct, in black. Anyone?

SunTour Perfect 5 speed freewheel, 14-24.

Shifters are some clunky, cheap looking SunTours, not the powerratchet ones, and not likely to stay on the bike long. I'll probably put a set of SunTour barcons on instead.

Pedals are a Campy clone I'm not familiar with.. they say "Olympic 64" on the cages, black cage, silver body, quill style, with Christophe medium clips.

At some point I'll probably swap some things out, but I'm not sure how exactly I'd like to set it up. I'm contemplating going with Cyclone front and rear derailleurs, but were they around in '75 yet? Should I care? :-) Or stick with the Crane, and find the proper front... which would be what, exactly? Also toying with a) leaving the Mighty Compe on b) swapping it for a Mighty Tour with smaller inner ring c) swapping it with a '73 Dura Ace I have from a World Voyageur. Decisions, decisions.

I'm just happy to have found it, and in my size. Woo hoo! I grew up not that far from Proteus, back in their early days, and used to go there to dream a lot. Who knew that I would get one in my 40s? Kinda like that Paramount, and the Raleigh Pro, both of which I finally bought in the last couple of years.

Tim

-- Tim Fricker bikes@vienna, llc Vienna, VA, USA Recumbents, folders, tandems, commuters, etc.

http://spokesofawheel.blogspot.com/