I don't know about whether it was common to shorten the LA84 bars, but I can give you some ideas on sizing.
The bike I'm currently working on was used for the TTT in the 84 games, and since they didn't know exactly who would make the team, the frames were a generic size.
The measurements they used were the triangle formed by the seat, bars, and BB on a bike the eventual riders particularly liked, along with that triangles relation to the ground. The bars were made special for each rider, with differing reach and height to get the right fit.
I've set up a couple of funny bikes I have by placing the bike next to my road bike, and building to the same contact points. Others I've just left as-is, since I'm not very picky about sizes.
Steve Birmingham Lowell, Ma USA
Date: Mon, 26 Nov 2007 23:56:50 -0500 From: devotion finesse <devotion_finesse@hotmail.com> To: <classicrendezvous@bikelist.org> Subject: [CR]"Funny Bike" Fit questions Message: 10
I just ran into a buddy of mine* who is building up an early 80's "funny" T T/pursuit track bike, with a 24" front wheel, etc. He asked me a couple of set-up questions for which I had no answer, as I ha ve never built, ridden or even stood above one... He plans to use Cinelli LA84 bullhorns. His question is, was it common pra ctice to shorten them? Or is it best to leave the forward extensions intac t? Also, how does stem length factor in, given that you potentially have the o ption of moving your hands forward or backward on the bullhorns to find opt imal positioning? Is there a general rule for this sort of thing (i.e. "us e a stem that's 1cm shorter/longer than that on your regular road/track bik e")? Thanks, gang.
Matthew Bowne
Brooklyn, New York