1974 Raleigh International

     This time of year, business is slow and we have time to put together personal projects (on our time of course!). This is another bike that belongs to my co-worker Graham. He bought it as a frame and fork last spring and finally completed the build. It is a 1974 Raleigh International that he put together with a Campagnolo Nuovo Record group and Mafac Racer brakes. He also put fenders on it and a T.A. front rack that supports the Mel Pinto (made by T.A.)  handlebar bag. Very nice machine for day trips or longer excursions. He just has to add a lighting system and he is all set!  Enjoy the photos.

For sale: 57CM Condor complete bike

     Here is a nice bike that needs a good home. 57CM seat tube CTC Condor in great shape. Condor is a well established British company that was started in 1948 Condor history that built and still does build great bikes. Tom Simpson rode for them and W.B. (Bill) Hurlow headed up their shop for a while. W.B. Hurlow
     This bike is from the early to mid 1980's I believe. Nice lugged construction with long points on the lugs and almost fully wrapping seat stay caps. It also is built with Campagnolo vertical drop outs. I am not sure if it is a re-paint or not. Nice gloss black finish. The measurements are as follows:

• 57 CM CTC seat tube
• 57 CM CTC top tube.
• 33" stand over height (with air in the tires.
• 700C clincher Mavic MA2 rims laced to Smimano Sealed Mech. low flange hubs.
• Panaracer Pasela tour guard tires 700 X 23 size (new)
• 6 speed drivetrain (freewheel)
• 130mm rear spacing
• Campagnolo SR rear derailleur Pat.81 with suntour sealed bearing pulleys
• Campagnolo SR crank set 1982 date code 170mm arms
• Campagnolo chain rings 50 / 42 combo
• Campagnolo NR front derailleur
• T.A. bottom bracket
• Campagnolo SR clamp on shifters.
• Campagnolo NR brake calipers and Weinmann aero brake levers.
• Campagnolo NR head set
• Cinelli 1R stem 120mm extension (missing front logo button)
• Cinelli Giro D' Italia bars 42CM wide CTC
• SR Laprade 27.2 seat post and Specialized road saddle.
• Campagnolo top tube brake cable clamps
• No pedals.
• Black pleather padded bar tape

     Bike is pretty much ready to ride. Although I would suggest getting it tuned up as it is sold AS IS.
No stuck parts. You will not be disappointed with this machine. it is also extremely light weight.
                                         Contact me at: bikeville@gmail.com with any and all questions.
                                                     Cost is $750.00 plus S/H
                                                               Thanks!

Fred De Long's handle bar bag

     Some may not see the beauty in this item, but I think it is pretty awesome. This is one of Fred De Long's handle bar bags. For those who do not know who Mr. De Long is, I will give you a brief summary. He was the technical editor of American Bicyclist and Bicycling magazines and was vice- president of the American League of Wheelmen (LAW). He was a professional engineer who had a life long affair with the technical, as well as the recreational side of the sport. He was the technical consultant and project coordinator for the service and repair manual of the Bicycle Manufacturers of America. Mr. De Long lived in Hatboro, PA. Not far from Philadelphia. He wrote a well known guide called De Long's Guide to Bicycles and Bicycling which was published in 1974. He was a huge advocate of cylcle touring and I am grateful for his efforts.
     This bag  has seen thousands of miles and it shows. I like items such as this because they tell a story just by looking at them. The faded and torn canvas, the rusty staples, the sun worn patches, the dirt and grease stains. It all lets me know this bag has seen thousands of miles and was a trusted companion on the road. It reminds me that I need to ride my bike more and seek out adventures. It is easy to get lazy in our sofa king culture and it is good to be around inspirational items such as this. Enjoy! On a side note the last photo is of the bag next to a new old stock T.A.specialties bag to show the difference.

Cool shop bike: Early 1960's Helyett Speciale

       Sorry to have been slacking a bit on this series, but my other shop internet duties take precedence over the blog posts. So I am coming back to the topic with a good one! This bike is an early 1960's Helyett Speciale in fantastic original finish with period correct componentry. It  is a prime example of a bike that would have been ridden in the Tour De France in the 60's.
     It is built with Reynolds 531 tubing with the French decal, which I always liked. Jaques Anquetil's face graces the elaborate seat tube decal. He was one of the classic champions of the era and is regarded as one of the best ever. The typography of the down tube and top tube decals is amazing in my opinion, they remind me of Daniel Rebour's style of illustration. Nice head lugs with a lot of shore line and window cut outs, gold lug lining throughout. Original paint which at this point has aged to a nice warm cream color. One of my favorite head badges is affixed to the head tube. The serial number of 61270 is stamped on the rear non drive side of the Simplex drop out. a neat little detail is the rear pump peg, pretty unique.
     The componentry is also top French quality of the period. Rear derailleur is a Simplex JUY export 61. See the photo for the unique mechanism for adjustment in the parallelogram. Front derailleur is a Simplex LJ 23 (second version). The first version had a riveted badge where as this one has a decal.  Simplex Shifters with nice wingnuts, braze on style. Early Stronglight 49D cranks with T.A. adapter and professional criterium T.A. chain rings in half step gearing. Cool acorn nuts for attachment. The hubs are Exceltoo Super Competition model, which were a little known French company that made nice hubs.Simplex skewers with intact wingnuts and the very rare white boots in great shape. Early Mafac Duralforge brakes and Mafac levers with pristine half hoods. Pivo bar and stem combo with the T.A. cable guide, always a nice touch. Stronglight P3 headset and Ideale no.88 saddle round out the build. Also of note is the Ideale seat clamp which has the tabs for the toe strap to go through and attach a tubular tire under the seat. I have never seen this version before, any info?
     This bike is in the permanent collection and we are proud to be its care taker, enjoy!