Rewi Retro Rides

COLNAGO MASTER 1988 Campagnolo C Record Equipped

2010-08-14T14:29:00.000-07:00

FOR SALE US$3000.00

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=160468694285&ssPageName=STRK:MESELX:IT

SAD TO SAY THE TIME HAS COME TO SAY GOOD BYE TO MY MATE ERNESTO....

RIDE SAFE....G

Rowing.....who knew?

2009-10-27T20:02:00.000-07:00

Cycling will always ALWAYS be my true love of all things sporting but alas I have discovered a new love, one that holds no bars in terms of power, skill.....ROWING!

Two New Zealand LEGEND rowers pictured above going toe to toe! Unless you have tried it I just dont think you can really appriecate just how much strength and power and skill is involved in this sport, its incredible how much you have to concentrate and the amount of power you need to generate to go fast on the water.

Speaking from experience, you can pull the biggest numbers you want on an indoor rowing machine at the gym but until you hit the water the numbers count for nothing!

I have now been rowing for the past 3mths and it just keeps getting better and better! Apart from the sporting aspect of things the team building within the crews and club is amazing, the coaches are world class ex Olympic and World Champions dating from the 70's right through to only a couple of yrs ago!!! I have never been in the company of 1 Olympic champion let alone 3 in the same shed talking about how to row a boat, its unreal!!!

From 8's to 4's top quads, doubles and now the single scull's this sport is fantastic from start to finish!

If you have a river or lake near by and a rowing club get out there and do it, just try it, im sure you will be hooked!

Thanks to all those who keep reading, sorry for the lack of posts over the past 3mths, I will try to keep things updated a bit better in 2010!

On that note I hope you all had a great Xmas day and wish you all a very happy New Yrs and that 2010 brings you lots of fun and steel bike madness!

Ride safe....G

its ALIVE!!!

2009-10-02T16:49:00.001-07:00

This Frame was meant for other things but on arrival I discovered that she was in much MUCH better condition than first thought! NO way could I strip her back and redress her just for the sake of it, this is one beautiful original ol school Merckx!

I had just the answer for my latest addition to the stable, Shimano Dura Ace grouppo 7402 8spd with down tube shifters, that's wright campers...DOWN TUBE SHIFTERS! ah bless!!!

With a full Dura-Ace group including seat post I was (still am) at a bit of a loss to solve the problem of bars and stem for this ride. In the end I had to just throw on the only combo I had lying around which really doesn't do this bike any justice at all but will have to do for now.

Besides there are many beautiful aspects to this bike to distract one from pointing out the bars and stem! Take the number hanger for example, how many of these do you ever see these days? Who cares if they make the frame weigh 200grams more, number hangers on steel frames are functional pieces of artwork in my book!!!

I have always found it interesting yet disturbing that SLX frames just aren't as nice to ride and are heavier than their SL brothers, the last Merckx I actually rode was a SL and it was stunning to ride! This SLX is very Very niiiice don't get me wrong but just doesn't have the same rolling smoothness of an SL.

That said its one HOT bike, ridden today for the 1st time and on a sunny CHCH morning almost every cyclist I saw turned there heads to see what I was riding. I imagine some of the younger riders have never seen a bike without STI or Ergo power shifters before!

Ya just gotta love the lines of a classic geometry steel frame, the engraved lugs and brake bridges to the fork crown, simply magic!

To be fair I'm running out of things to say about this bike, its simply a joy to ride and I love it! the pictures say it all so here are a few more....

Just want to say a MASSIVE thank you to Jason Rico and Ski for getting this bike to me from the US, wouldn't have been possible without you guys helping out so big BIG UPS to you both, Cheers G

Ride safe....G

I have a dream.......

2009-09-13T23:37:00.000-07:00

Spin Spin

2009-09-11T20:38:00.000-07:00

not much happening today so played around witht the "movie maker" program on comp, check out the result below.....

Ride safe....G

Misson Accomplished

2009-09-09T20:56:00.000-07:00

Not much to say about this that hasn't already been said so below are the photo's of the completed "Campagnolo C Record 1st Gen Cranks" display project....enjoy

Ride safe....G

NEW MAGS!

2009-09-05T18:35:00.000-07:00

Well its taken a lot of bidding and disappointment over the past few yrs but finally I have "The" set of mags I have always wanted for my "Master".

Currently on there way from the US these BAD BOYS will be laced in 36 hole C Record low flange hubs polished to perfection and wrapped in Vittoria CX rubber (never to hit the pavement either) and will be the finishing touch to my Colnago Master built with 1st Generation C Record components!

Watch this space....

Ride safe....G

come to papa!.....UPDATED

2009-08-24T20:22:00.001-07:00

So far some careful research I have decided that this "Buy of the Year" will get the complete overhaul, Pimp my Ride retro styles and I will sacrifice the "Master" and strip it of its C Record group in order to build an exact replica of the Merckx pictured below.

Cant wait for this frame to arrive so I can start on the ultimate restoration project!

Ride safe....G

From the ground up......

2009-08-17T19:36:00.000-07:00

The FINAL PHASE of construction is due any day now!

Today I collected the base's for my "Project" discussed in previous postings.

Highly polished Maple Bases with Gold "Campagnolo" decals will be a fitting base for each of the displays with the polished Carbon and polished C Record parts!

What I didn't mention previously was the fact I am doing two(2) different displays! The 2nd display will remain "undercover brother" until it's completed.

Had a few heart stopping moments trying to make sure the decals went on straight and air bubble free but I think I did a pretty good job for a beginner!

Can't wait to get these displays together and finally be able to have them complete and in working order after so long, still Rome wasn't build in one day was it son!

Stay turned, same Bat channel, same Bat time....

Ride safe....G

Merckx Mania

2009-08-15T23:42:00.000-07:00

Ok...so here comes a really special Merckx project!

Just won this lil beauty on eBay this afternoon, currently sitting in Lexington, Kentucky, United States, and soon to be on its way to lil old NZ for a FULL make over, PIMP MY RIDE Merckx styles!

The plan here is to get a full strip back to the bare metal, treatment against the evils of the "R" word (rust for all those not in the know) then a full custom paint job so its a "one of a kind Merckx", new decals (some custom treats there too) and a couple of clear coats to make her shine baby shine!

Dress her up in full Shimano Dura Ace 7403 8spd STI.

Watch this space for further developments as they come to hand, until then a few more photos for the "before phase" of the project.

As you can see she ain't in the best nick but give us some time to work a little magic and this frame will look brand spanking new again hopefully in time for Xmas!
What a mean Xmas gift it will make as well.

Ride safe....G

Just cos.....

2009-08-08T15:46:00.001-07:00

Ride safe....G

Campag - Cool

2009-08-07T21:29:00.001-07:00

Take 1 x Canvas blocked frame, add the COOLEST Campagnolo poster ya ever seen and stir gently....

....and hang on ones wall!

Ride safe....G

17 yrs in the making!

2009-08-07T19:27:00.000-07:00

The newest edition to my humble lil Steel Stable.....1993 TSX Motorola Eddy Merckx

To all the "Purists" out there, yes I know the Motorola Team didn't use Rolls saddles and I know that they didn't use Campagnolo rims or Mitchelin tyres, but please bare with me, I am only temporarily using this bike until summer when I will then strip her down and do a 150% overhaul of this master piece.

I have in waiting a set of Wolber Rims, Avocet Saddle, Cineli engraved E.Merckx stem (too short for me to ride with).

Fully loaded with Shimano Dura-Ace 7403 components this little baby is a very close working ride able example of a 1993 Team bike that I have seen in yrs. Number hanger and bolt are at the ready for the TdF replica number of the most winning rider Le Tour has ever seen, one Mr L.Armstong, 1993 TdF no#34!

The next series of photo's are simple....only thing better than 1 Eddy Merckx is...well 2 Eddy Merckx!!!

I haven't yet had the chance to ride Eddy yet, as always something to do with work takes over, but I am praying to the weather God's for another fine day tomorrow to test run my new toy!

Ride safe ....G

You be the Judge......

2009-08-06T15:58:00.000-07:00

Soooooo......

2009-08-03T14:14:00.000-07:00

So whats been happening out there this week Glenn?.....

....Well to be fair everything & nothing.

On the "Project" front things are in a holding pattern whilst I wait for the finishing touches to be made to the wooden base block, sanding and clear coasting etc, much the same for the carbon brackets which will shine up a treat.

Once the polishing is complete its the simple task of fitting it altogether, (I have had it altogether and built up before the polishing phase and believe me it looks awesome!), then its done and onto the next "project".

Bike wise I have sold my "racing bike" (not that I was doing any racing on it hahaha,the 09 Giant previously listed)and so now need another steed to roam the streets of CHCH on and terrorise the locals with....hmmmm what to buy? Well I have decided to go total Retro for the next 6mths or so.......

....After all the blog title is Rewiretrorides!

1993 Motorola Eddy Merckx kitted out full Dura Ace 8spd STI, niiiiiiiice!!!

Pretty much the only components not Team issue will br the Saddle (rocking a white Rolls - cant have white handle bar tape and black saddle, I'm sorry that's just NOT OK....EVER!!!) and the Mavic rims, Wolber clincher rims are pretty hard to come by these days and I'm not keen on rolling tubs at $50+ a flat ya no!

So the Boys at the shop are cleaning up the grouppo for me and will put Eddy together for me this wk (would love to do it myself but working far too much this wk) and will probably place it next to my other (fav Eddy) Merckx in their shop window for a few days before I collect it.

Cant wait to ride this bike, I have always wanted a Motorola Merckx, and I never got to race on a top steal bike, carbon and alloy were the order of the day when I started racing, so riding a TSX frame will be a treat for sure, SL & SLX are nice and smooth so I'm hoping the TSX will be a treat also. My last Eddy I rode (set up as a single speed) was SL and man it was nice to ride, a touch too big but still so so smooth!

So the Merckx will see me right until the other side of Xmas and the track season at Denton speed dome. Ha road riding on a '93 steely and track racing on a 06 BT full carbon with Zipps, cant get much further apart than that now can ya!?!

Watch this space in the coming days as I post photos of the Merckx build and also HOPEFULLY by Friday the "project" in its finished glory!

Ride safe....G

LUBRIFICANTE???

2009-07-29T21:32:00.000-07:00

Cant wait for all the jokes to start rolling in on this one but hey, anything 80's Campagnolo is COOL!!!

Campagnolo Icons

2009-07-25T14:14:00.000-07:00

These old Icons are pretty cool I reckon!!! Used in the 80's & 90's you can find them on any box for any group set.

The chart below tells you exactly which Icon means what if you don't have any of the boxes for your beloved Campagnolo parts anymore (shame on you).

Got me thinking that maybe these Icons should be used more often....watch this space

Ride safe, G

Update no#.......

2009-07-21T15:41:00.000-07:00

So after some careful consultation with the joiner and a well thought out plan for the wooden base for this display unit I have now decided against Rimu but will now use another lighter wood to bring out the carbon and gold of the project!

Its hard to see the full impact of the carbon from the photo's below due to my A)very poor skills with a camera and B)the light was pretty average and C)using the flash with cranks this shinny is like looking into the sun! I think you will get the idea however of what I am trying to achieve with the mix of old and new.

The carbon brackets still need to be polished and clear coated to really make them shine like the rest of the project and this will be the final phase of the construction, hopefully it wont take too long, yeah right!

more updates to come, watch this space...ride safe, G

Photo update.....

2009-07-15T02:17:00.000-07:00

Crystal Cool

2009-07-14T22:23:00.000-07:00

The next step in the display project is complete!

After much humming and haaing I got talking to a mate of mine about how best to thread the clear BB shell for my project, we decided to try a tapping tool first....hmmmm that's just not going to work Glenn, too blunt, too hard!!!

So I thought now what? This clear BB shell really IS the centre piece of the whole display, it needs to be done just right! I got talking to another mate who races (very well indeed I might add) and also has an Engineering degree, and also happens to work with/for a very special bike manufacturing company here in Chch (Dynamic Composits), dude take the clear shell to the guys that thread out BB's for the frames we build, easy, done!

So I thought right I'm going to be dealing with an engineer who deals in exact measurements and so on....I need a picture with the measurements and shows EXACTLY what i want.......

The guys @ Goodman Engineering were so helpful and quick to get the job done I just have to give them a shout out, awesome work guys, thanks heaps!

I didn't even get around the block before I had to pull over and put my new toy together int he car.....

The BB has come out so much cooler and nicer than I ever thought it would have....very very very cool!!!

More photos to be posted shortly once I have finished work for the day....Ride safe G

one step at a time Glenn...one step at a time!

2009-07-12T18:15:00.000-07:00

....and so it continues, the display project is slowly but surely making progress and I feel I am now at a stage where I can see the light at the end of the tunnel, or is that the sparkling cranks at the end of the tunnel?(and oh how they sparkle!)

Just got the gold chain rings back from the polisher and they have come up much better than I first expected they would (Escort Metal Polishers in Christchurch are a fantastic little family company that do an awesome job, highly recommend them for any fine and fiddly jobs big or small, thanks guys!)

Dont ya just love the contrast between the mirror polished cranks and the gold chain rings, cant wait to throw in the carbon fibre brackets with polished finish to really finish off the mix of modern/retro.....

Just cos I can I have added these couple of shots with a white back ground to bring out the Gold of the project.....you be the judge....

keep watching for the next installment of the project......Ride safe, G

75 Years of Campagnolo

2009-07-03T01:49:00.000-07:00

I know this book has been out for some time now but I only just brought a copy today and its still sealed in the plastic wrap. Not sure I want to open it either, maybe I'll go read it at the library or check out a mates copy and leave this one sealed for future generations to admire.

Either way this book will take pride of place on the book shelf next to the previously mentioned Campagnolo catalogues.

Ride Safe, G

Update time......

2009-07-03T00:41:00.000-07:00

Just when ya thought your Friday was a complete write off and nothing could make a brother smile he remembered the polished 1st generation C Record cranks were due for collection!

It's been a dull grey week with lots of rain here in Christchurch, the sun was out briefly this morning but the southerly was starting to roll in again this afternoon. The sun has shone as bright as these cranks since January 1987!!!

(photo taken from cell ph, believe me these cranks shine 10 x more than the photo suggests)

Really looking forward to getting hold of the polished carbon brackets to match the shine on these bad boys!

Next job on the list is the BB shell....threading problem has been solved and should have another update next week with a completed BB shell, attached, cranks locked and loaded along with Gold chain rings....aahhh yes!

Till then...ride safe, G

--- Campagnolo Special Gease ---

2009-07-01T15:13:00.000-07:00

Its often said its the simple things in life that mean so much....never a truer word spoken when last night at my friends parents house I discovered this wee treat sitting on the shelf of the "bike room".

Go ahead mate, open it up and have a look, there's still plenty in there! You should have seen the smile on my face!(yes I need to get out more I know this!)with screw driver in hand and trying not to mark the can in anyway I popped the lid off to find the smoothest, sweetest smelling grease the world has ever known!!!

One of the biggest regrets I have had with my Colnago Master project was when taking the bike apart it was apparent that it still had the original Campagnolo grease used when it was assembled in 1988!!!

I'm thinking now, if I sweet talk my friends Dad into letting me use some of the "special grease" when I put the "Master" back together I can ride and gaze at her lovingly guilt free in the knowledge she has been rebuild just as she was all those yrs ago, what a 21st present a....some Campagnolo Special Grease, what a lucky girl!!!

Ride safe, G

Giants FOR SALE

2009-06-28T21:09:00.000-07:00

Two different Giant TCR Advanced bikes for sale both in excellent condition any questions please contact me, cheers G

2003 model Giant with Dura Ace 9spd groupset. NZ$1500.00

Brand new rear cassette,chain, and chainrings and all cables replaced, rides as new.

Groupset is in excellent condition as are the frame and forks. This would be an excellent bike for the coast to coast or as an entry level racing bike.

Frame size is Med compact, I am just under 6ft(184cm) and is a great fit for me.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

2009 Model Giant TCR ADVANCED. NZ$4250.00

3mths old and not a great amount of use this bike is for sale as a frame & fork combo OR as a full bike as you see it in the pictures.

Frame size is 53.5-M/L (compact) for more details on frame size check out Giant website on the following link.

http://www.giant-bicycles.com/en-AU/bikes/road/232 8/32039/

Reason for selling is due to serious business committments and serious lack of time for training plus other more important cycling projects this awesome bike is collecting dust instead of kms.

This is without a doubt the stiffest lightest and smoothest ride I have owned and would recommend this bike to anyone for a complete training/race bike package.

Bike is equipped with Shimano Dura Ace 10spd (7800 older version) sti levers front mech cranks, rear mech is Ultegra 10spd, brakes are Dura Ace 9spd model, Easton wheels and Race Face Bars & stem. The bike will come with a brand new Fiziki saddle (white with green stripe-factory issue model)

Ride safe G

Beautiful little 2 bdroom house For Rent $250wk

2009-06-24T02:19:00.000-07:00

http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/Listing.aspx?id=221015872

2 bedroom house with 1 bathroom.

Realy tidy little place which is North facing and gets loads of sun even in the winter. Heat pump keeps you warm all yr round and the house is 2 blocks from the beach and 3 blocks from the shops, heaps of off street parking and a garage its a really nice place for the price.

An immaculate two bedroom townhouse, Heatpump, DVS, Bath and Shower, Great outdoor entertaining and fully fenced, single garage with plenty of off street parking..A must see property..Close to cafes, beach and the mall...NO LETTING FEES... Air Conditioning, Pets Allowed, Close to Beach, Close to Shops, Close to Transport
Pets OK, no smokers.

Agency reference #: 60

How cool is this.......

2009-06-21T03:48:00.000-07:00

Just won me a copy of this poster on eBay, O for orsome that is!!!

Display update.......

2009-06-21T02:37:00.000-07:00

So after a few days planning and some serious discussion with several people dotted around the world about the best polishing technique's for all things Campy I have well and truly made one small step for man one giant step for my display.

Cranks @ the polishers, templates cut and ready for delivery to dynamic composites tomorrow morning, Rimu secured and routed ready to go, clear bottom bracket shell being threaded and ready to be assembled.

(wooden templates soon to be replaced with polished carbon fibre brackets)

A few minor details to be ironed out with a joiner for attaching the carbon brackets into the Rimu without destroying the natural finish and then its build time!

I can't wait to be able to sit down and put this beauty together, I hope to be able to use a Campagnolo Tool Kit (see below)for this job, I know one or two people who have them and would just love to be able to use the original tools for this job, after all its a Campagnolo miniature shrine were talking about here!

One of the 2 most wanted items on the Campagnolo Hall of Fame for me, Campagnolo Tool Box to go with a Campagnolo 50th grouppo.....there is a God, and his name is Tullio Campagnolo!

Ride Safe...G

1st Generation C Record Parts......WANTED

2009-06-19T20:59:00.000-07:00

As you can see this fine piece of equipment is missing the most important part....the hanger bolt that attaches it to the frame.

I have done my research from the Campagnolo Catalogue n. 18 bis and need the following parts to restore this beauty back into working order for one of my many projects.

If anyone can please help with the listed part numbers below I would be very very grateful.

Parts required are

#7350142 Bolt
#7260078 Spring
#7116064 Backing plate

I realise these parts are more than likely like trying to find a needle in a hay stack but ya never know until ya ask a!

thanks for reading....

Ride Safe.... G

Campagnolo Coffee Table

2009-06-17T14:48:00.000-07:00

By my powers combined I will very shortly be presenting one of my most treasured pieces of Campagnolo Bling for your viewing pleasure!

Standing at the Espresso machine last Sunday making what felt like a million coffee's at once (love a busy Sunday at the shop - Coffee Culture Sumner) I had what can only be described as "a vision"!

I have some 1st Generation C Record parts at home lying around and no bike to put them on, so what better than highly (and I truely mean this when I say it - MIRROR FINISH) polished C Record Cranks mixed with a little carbon fibre (again highly polished finish) and some recycled Rimu (NZ natural of course).

Well I dont want to give too much away at this stage, but I will give a small preview (see photo below) of what two of the main ingredients will look like together. Bare in mind the cranks are yet to be polished and the table they are sitting on is just that, a table, but it still gives a we tease of what this project will end up looking like very shortly.

Watch this space......

aaaaaaaaahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!!!!

2009-05-25T16:54:00.000-07:00

TSX Motorola Eddy Merckx

A boy hood dream is almost a reality!

I remember back in maybe 1991 I had a dirty old steel bike that I wanted to get painted up like the above mentioned Merckx. Dad and I took it to the local panel beaters and with my copy of Winning magazine under my arm I showed the guy the photos and asked "can you paint it like this please?" "sure kid no problem".....3 wks later I was jumping out of my skin when he rang and said it was ready, what a F#@KN mess they had made of it!

So.....how some 18yrs later I finally get my Motorola Eddy Merckx team issue bike, and whats more its the real deal made of steel, Columbus TSX to be exact!

Who can forget Lance winning the Worlds @ 21 yrs old in Oslo on a Motorola team bike (yes i know it was a Litespeed painted in Merckx colours) or Andy Hampsten racing in the Tour and winning a stage in 94.

These frames are probably the last of the "Classic" Merckx paint jobs and also the last of the "Classic" merckx frames ridden by the pro's, I think it was the mid 90's they all started riding Ti this carbon that..... ya just cant beat steel though can ya!

This frame comes complete with a braze on number hanger (sign of a real team issue frame) I will have to do some research and get a proper race number of either Lance or Andy's Tour bikes made up and attached to make it look the part, no messy cable ties on this beauty.

I will be building this frame up as close to Team spec as possible, I already have the engraved Cinelli stem and the Dura Ace 7410 groupset, and avocet saddle ready and waiting, I will "borrow" my best mates old DA seat post for a few, well...decades i guess (cheers Harty), only thing I will need to make her a full team spec bike is some Wolber Rims, which chance may have it I found today in a local 2nd bike shop in town, 32 hole profile 18's, beautiful and new looking laced up with Shimano 600 hubs, I will of course have the rims re laced with DA hubs in keeping with the groupset.

So hopefully within the next 2-3mths I will have my 2nd Merckx complete and ready to roll for the summer mths, this Eddy will definitely see a few laps of the beloved Short Bays ride come summer time! A friend of mine has a Merckx MXL in team telekom colours Shamals and full Campagnolo so we will have to search for full team kit and have a battle royal in the mountains! Bring it!

So 2 Eddy's down, 2 to go, the Holy Grail's of Eddy Merckx frames, Team 7eleven & the 10th anniversary frame set, anyone out there that has either in 55-56 ctc please let me know.

till next time....Ride Safe, G

Eddy - SOLD!!!

2009-05-22T20:59:00.000-07:00

Hi all, this Columbus SL Hitachi Merckx (57 ctc) is up for sale as either a frame set or complete bike. The complete bike will be finished in Shimano Dura Ace Sti 8 speed (condition on grouppo is not that flash)....for the purest out there, yes I know this bike was equipped with a Mavic groupset but try finding one of those these days!

The frame is in average condition but rides like a dream, SL tubing is/was one of Colubus's best offerings, smooth and not as heavy as SLX still a bloody nice ride after 22yrs!!!
Get this baby resprayed and you have yourself a mint ride just waiting for a nice new retro grouppo.

Contact me by leaving a comment below and leave your email address and I will be in touch. Frame & forks NZ$500 complete bike as mentioned above NZ$1000 shipping costs for international is very expensive from NZ please take that into consideration.

Ride safe G

2009-05-20T18:46:00.000-07:00

"Just another day" # 3

2009-05-17T19:05:00.000-07:00

Who shot the sheriff!

2009-05-17T18:46:00.000-07:00

Dont know a great deal about these beauty's, dont really need to!

They are, in my opinion, the hottest hubs ever made, period!

Track or Road the are the smartest and meanest looking hubs around! Some might say they are not that great due to their weight or the fact they seemed to crack from time to time but come on when it comes to retro porn its hard to top these bad boys!

I have a rear track verison in my collection and I'm also trying very desperately to talk a friend into selling me a set of track wheels she uses for training that has a set of these hubs in them.

The road verison of the "Sheriff's" are even harder to find, esp as a set like the ones pictured (not from my collection sad to say). But I do have a front road Sheriff and thanks to this here little blog of BS I have made contact with one very very generous fellow in the UK who is selling me a rear Sheriff to complete the set :) .....so now I can build up a set of wheels with Campagnolo C-Record Sheriff Star Road Hubs to complete my Colnago Master with full C-Record group set including the belovered DELTA's.....aaaaahhhhhh lovely!!

SOLD!

2009-05-16T22:38:00.000-07:00

For Sale Rossin SLX Frame and forks 53cm ctc

any offers welcome.....

Kaikoura Road Trip

2009-05-16T02:44:00.000-07:00

A few mths back I had just had a guts full of Chch and work so decided "fuk it max" threw the bike in the car and hit the road!

Kaikoura look out is a pretty cool place to chill out and collect ones thoughts.

Drove around the bay from the township to find a pretty cool pub and shoreline.....

......and a fire place???

Was a pretty interesting trip, great waste of time and gas, amazing ride in beautiful NZ!

Ride Safe...G

"Just another day" # 2

2009-05-16T02:30:00.000-07:00

Perfect Vision

2009-05-16T02:20:00.000-07:00

"Just another day".....a view from above.

Burn Baby Burn

2009-05-13T23:56:00.000-07:00

Photos say it all!

Retro yes....ride NO!

2009-05-13T16:39:00.000-07:00

Ok.....so here is my other retro collection, some of you might think its cheaper to collect than bikes but I can assure you its probably twice as expensive!

Still its all in the chase as they say, nothing like surfing the junk shops, trademe, ebay and the weekend markets and finding that one off piece you been looking for for ages.

Below are some pic's of approx 1/2 the collection that started only a yr ago, not here to muck around and do things by halfs!!!

It all started with a simple question..."Mum what do ya reckon I should get Grant for Xmas?"...."oh a Crown Lynn Swan"..."WTF are they?"....I now have 3 myself and a raft of other Crown Lynn treats including the age old NZ Railways cups. Rumour has it the kids use to have competitions to see how many times they would bounce before breaking, they are that strong! Half the time the handles would break but the cups were sweet, that is until they got thrown out the train window after losing the bet...hahaha, so im told, far to young to know if this is true or not!

Other treasures are the Air NZ Koru in flight dinner ware from the 60's, just need a few more bits and will have the full set of that range.

The whole collection is currently in storage as I have a 20mth old house guest at the moment who well, sorry Neila you just cant be trusted, cute as you are you break shit!

cheers G

Giant Killer

2009-05-13T16:13:00.001-07:00

Ok so she's hardly retro but hey what ya gonna do when ya get the chance to ride something new and cool and it doesn't cost ya fuk all???

This bike would have to be the 2nd best bike I have ever ridden, Colnago Master(previous posting), is still the one and only! Having said that I still haven't, and more than likely never will, ridden my SL Eddy Merckx NOS!

From the first ride this Giant (TCR 1 - 2nd top frame in 09 series)just wanted to GO GO GO!!! pedals down power straight ahead with not an once of flex, incredible how responsive this bike is and STRONG yet so so light!

I love the shape and design of this frame. The MASSIVE carbon tubes are so angry looking and it screams "let me race"! The head tube and top tube are so over sized its ridiculous, but shit they look cool, and again stiffer than a school boy with a stick mag!

The huge over sized bottom bracket with the pressed bearings is unreal, the boys @ Giant have spared no horses on this one, its just power down and hold on tight as the bike ALMOSTS rides itself! Climbing, sprinting, cornering this bike does it all with ease and just begs you to give it more power!

Having said all of that, its amazing how comfortable it is on long easy rides as well, normally you'd expect something so responsive and race ready to be a bit harsh on the longer rides, not so, this bike really does it all.

Bang for buck ya just cant go past this bike for a race/training bike! Sure there's some nicer smoother bikes out there, if you are prepared to pay $15k plus, but for $5-7K (depending on the groupset) you just cant go past one of these bad boys!

Like I said, she's not retro but my word it rides so good I cant see me riding anything else for sometime yet, good enough to keep as a future retro ride!

cheers......ride safe, G

Apologizes

2009-02-26T01:00:00.000-08:00

Well......

Fair to say the past few mths have been a full on roller coaster ride with work, Xmas, new yrs, more new bikes, more old bikes, and I'm happy to say more time back on the roads of Christchurch and my beloved Short Bays ride.

In the coming weeks I will be posting some new treats and some old ones, some FOR SALE, some just to gaze lovingly at.

I have been thinking that its probably about time I adapted my blog to be more of a all encompassing cycling/espresso/me blog (part of the reason for lack of posts - retro rides are bloody expensive and few and far between at the moment)....never stress I still have 2-3 projects in the pipe line.

Well keep watching posts are on there way....thanks for watchin.

Ride Safe

G

Latest stash

2008-09-15T02:41:00.000-07:00

A few shots of the latest stash that just landed.

2 sets Croce D'aune hubs, 1 x set C Record hubs, 1 x 3T record 84 stem, Suntour S Pro front and rear derailluers, 3 x Regina cassettes, and a BIG smile on my face!

Now I'm wondering how I can incorporate these into my girlfriends 21st presents so I dont get in the shit for not having 21 presents, ops ah sorry I mean what do you mean you dont like the hubs I got for you,us,me :)

We never learn do we hahaha, wish me luck, think I might need it.

Something completely different

2008-09-15T02:34:00.000-07:00

As if waking up each day knowing that Eddy and Ernesto are waiting for you to take them for a ride wasnt enough check out the morning view from today!!!

Dam shame I had to get to work and didnt get better shot of sun coming up. Just another magic spring day in sunny (hahahahahhahaaaahhahaa) Christchurch, New Zealand.

Another Rossin in the Family

2008-09-08T01:49:00.000-07:00

No sooner has the new owner of my last Rossin emailed me to say thanks for a great buy, i find myself having brought another one.

this bad boy will be parted out for the groupset (Campagnolo C Record) and the frame and forks will go under the hammer on eBay.

Watch this space for updates on the grouppo and more photos when she turns up on the door step.

FOR SALE

2008-08-13T13:51:00.001-07:00

Well I know this is not "Retro" and that is the main reason for selling it, I need to fund my new addiction and I just don't have time to ride this bike anymore so under the hammer it must go!!

Ridley Excalibur (team issue BenchmarkHomes) Med semi compact.

Full Dura Ace 10 spd this bike is only 12mths old and has hardly been ridden in the past 6mths (mainly due to work commitments, partly due to CBF) Comes with Ritchey Carbon seat post and Ritchey WCS alloy bars and stem (almost as light as carbon version) Reynolds Carbon bottle cages and a brand new set (still in box) of Reynolds Solitude Wheels (Shimano wheels pictured not mine, or as good as the Reynolds).

This bike has treated me extremely well over the past yr and I highly recommend Ridley's to anyone who wants a great value for money race/training bike.

That said this bike is probably the best value for money deal your likely to come across anytime soon!!!

$3000.00 for the complete bike and I'll ship for free within NZ.

for more photos and or info on this deal email me at sumner@coffeeculture.co.nz or leave a comment with your return email address.

happy riding, G

Bed Time Reading

2008-08-04T22:40:00.000-07:00

Latest addition to the Campagnolo Collection 2 rare and generally very expensive Catalogues for the mid 80's.

The first is "catalogue n. 18" (super record etc 1985?) and the second is "catalogue n. 18bis" (1st generation C Record 1986?)

These catalogues have some glorious photos in them and detailed exploded diagrams of all the components in each of the group sets listed.

These catalogues are just so mint and have so much detail in them I cant believe they were/are ever for sale!

Below is one of the coolest pic's I ever seen of the legendary Delta's, 1st generation Delta's exploded to show ever part and order of assembly, magic stuff

Almost makes me want to have a go at playing mechanic and rebuilding my set of Delta's but thankfully I haven't been smoking crack today and will leave them in peace.

For me the C Record group set is the most classic, beautiful group set of them all, the lines are clean and simple the components scream durability and its easy to see why even now some 22yrs later that its possibly "the" most sort after of all the Campagnolo group sets by classic bike collectors and restorers the world over.

For those who like something a little older, been known to par take myself on occasion, the Campagnolo Super Record road group is also a very classic group set, I guess you might describe it as the last of the true classic groups!

Quote ....."It is the jewel Group of Campagnolo line, for professionals, balanced to obtain the best results during races." Not really too much more to be added to that really!!!

Two very cool photo's from the catalogue (below) are of the factory and also a worker putting the crank sets together, wonder how many sets he ending up doing? and in fact if any of the sets I own were done on his watch???

Campagnolo Gold

2008-07-30T01:01:00.001-07:00

photo's courtesy Greg @ Cyclomondo.

Words cant to these photo's justice!

Inspiration

2008-07-30T00:03:00.000-07:00

After some discussion with a fellow Colnago lover across the ditch I was introduced to his private collection of Colnago's and all thinks Campagnolo.

Amongst his stable of beauty's I came across this "Master" a NOS Colnago Master dressed in Campagnolo C Record, almost the same as "My Master" from an earlier posting. As you can see this is an amazing example of 1980's steel craftsmanship.

How hot is this black Stallone!!! The Colnago Delta's just finish this bike off a treat, Colnago Saddle, toe straps and engraved 3TTT bars & Stem this bike is 100% Italian from top to bottom!

For those with an eye for detail you will notice the hubs are C Record Sheriff Star high flange road hubs, extremely rare to find these days for track hubs let alone the road version, needle in a hay stack comes to mind.

And it comes as no surprise given their beauty and style, I have come across a front road Sheriff hub but the search continues for the rear road model. The driven train on this bad boy is also Campagnolo, an alloy Campagnolo 7 spd cassette, extremely hard to find and twice as expensive!

The detail in the paint scheme is just unreal, how many bikes do you ever see these days with so much detail and passion put into them, I mean hands on craftsmanship, not just some computer geek play with a CAD program 24/7 in Taiwan to produce the next wonder bike I mean hand painted chromed lugged steel bliss!!!

The only view that other bikes should see off a Colnago, the ass end of it as it rides away from the peleton, as the decal says 10 x world champion, and that was back in 1988, add at least 3 more by Oscar and I'm sure there will be more to come.........

Until then lets just remember the days when steel was real!!!

All photos courtesy of Greg @ Cyclomondo

Almost retro

2008-07-27T00:57:00.000-07:00

I know....I know, this rig hardly looks retro and is at least 15 yrs younger than anything else I've posted to date but its retro in terms of BT's these days, especially with the aussies about to saddle up on the next generation BT in Beijing.

This bad boy has carried me to many a victory at dirty ol Denton Park in Christchurch and many hours of fun in sunny Invercargill on the new boards of the deep south, and in the photo below at the Oceania Games in Melbourne,Australia in 2006.

Sold earlier this year as I have since retired from racing due to business commitments I still love this bike even though it weighted a ton, the lines are so smooth and fast, its not surprising that BT track bikes have been the benchmark(homes.co.nz) for so long now.

Blog List ------------------->

2008-07-27T00:50:00.000-07:00

For those that have the time and the $$$ to visit the sites listed to the Right its Happy Days!

There are some gorgeous parts and frames for sale on some of these sites, mouth watering stuff, some of the other sites are just to window shop and appreciate the craftsmanship of some very clever people out there (yes mum that does include you)!

Anyway go forward and surf, you wont be disappointed, just make sure you clear the history on your computers so the wife doesnt know you just spent the family trust fund on vintage bike porn!

Pinarello Montello

2008-07-18T19:31:00.000-07:00

Purchased today a Pinarello Montello, Campagnolo Super Record groupset and Mavic GP4 rims.

It has clearly been resprayed by the previous owner however it is also clearly a Montello from the engraved lugs and the internal rear brake cable guide.

The Campy SR engraved set post is a real treat as well, still in surprisingly great condition and will only need a hand polish to make it shine like new again.

This bike has been looked after pretty dam well from what i can tell, the chrome work has no rust what so ever and the engraving seems to be pretty sweet as well.

The only thing that might be hard to restore back to original condition is the head badge, this is itself in great nick but it has been drilled out and now trying to pot rivet it back on might be tricky

I really cant wait to get to work on this bike, I have been do some research on the internet and some of the Montello's out there are very sweet looking bikes. The example below is currently for sale on eBay and is a very very nice example, one that I hope to replicate with my one.

I believe my frame is the same or very similar model but i have yet to research the serial number on the BB shell, if anyone out there knows of a good website that has that sort of info on it please let me know.

Also if anyone has or can help find a SR chain ring like this one I would be very VERY grateful, its a beautiful addition to an already extremely HOT retro ride.

I just love the amount of detailing these older retro steel bikes have in them, I mean show me a bike now days that has anything as cool as this stem !!!! Its just all massed produced in Taiwan by kids on 50c per ann, not right!

As for the engraved lugs on the BB shell and then to my surprise on the braze on derailleur hanger as well, I mean come on, that's just bike porn right there! I cant wait to have the frame painted a beautiful bright candy apple red and then get the engravings paint filled with white get the turtle wax out and spend a couple of days shining this baby up a treat before assembly!!!!

Depending on the yr this frame was built I may build it up with a Campagnolo C-Record groupset with Deltas as per the Team Reynolds bikes from 88-89 before Banesto took over the team. A small unknown rider (later to become known as BIG MIG) won a stage in the 89 Tour on a Team Reynolds Montello!!!

Either way this bike will be one sweet ride and will look very nice next to Eddy in the office, keep watching for further updates as they come to hand, cheers and keep living the dream!

Xmas comes early!

2008-07-17T01:03:00.001-07:00

Dont start something you cant finish Glenn :)

2008-07-12T02:28:00.000-07:00

Colnago Master 1988

This is where it all started, approx 3 yrs ago I was talking with a mate about a box of 2 bikes he had bid on on trademe, no photo's no questions answered he bid on it blind for a stupid amount of money (stuff all I suspect) anyway 2mths later a box arrives and he opens it up to find this....

...a 1988 Colnago Master full C-Record group set with Deltas and Omega wheel set....only problem is...wrong frame size, mate put it on eBay you will make truck loads out of it, no Glenn i want you to buy it....and so a monster was born, one trip to eBay lead to another and another then to google to find more treats for my new family member.....and now well you have seen the blog and if you know anything about retro steel and Campagnolo you know it don't come cheap!!!

So I started to collect everything i needed to rebuild this beauty to NOS standard, I even got Mystery to strip the bike down to the frame (he almost rang to say he couldn't do it as it still had all the original Campagnolo grease in the headset and bottom bracket) i wish he had, i would have said stop, how I am in too minds what to do with her, the paint needs work on the left hand side as she was mistreated by the original owner, we all know you cant paint one side and not the other so its off to the paint shop for a new dress and some new decals clear coat and a rebuild by the master....Mystery Morrison.

I still think this is "the" nicest bike I have ever ridden, smooth, comfortable, and solid, heavy as hell but what a ride!!!

I know she will look amazing once finished but I am almost scared to send her to the paint shop for fear of a low grade finish, i guess its like sending your children to school on there first day, glad to see them go but you miss em all the same... I say I guess cos I haven't had to do it yet!

So I have a box of gold (C-Record grouppo) setting under the bed and the frame in the office against the wall waiting and wondering when is the right time to do this, always something else comes up, the NOS Merckx, the Rossin, the Hiatchi Merckx, now the Montello, all of which are the same sort of projects, strip down rebuild/paint, still none of them are "the first" and we all know you never forget your first :)

I know that one day soon I will just have to do it and get it done, its a crime to have such a Master piece lying around in parts and not getting the full pampering its deserves but at the same time you cant be too careful can you...its a bad world out there........

MOLTENI MAGIC

2008-07-07T22:57:00.000-07:00

COOL!

Freshly Roasted

2008-07-07T13:33:00.000-07:00

Coffee Culture Sumner

http://www.coffeeculture.co.nz/
(stole this photo off my mum's blog site fair and square, cheers Ma :) )

http://adriennerewiimagines.blogspot.com/

The Holy Grail

2008-07-07T13:16:00.000-07:00

If anyone out there can help me with finding one of these baby's let me know i would be very grateful, the holy grail of late 80's retro!

2008-07-07T01:49:00.000-07:00

New NOS/NIB toys

2008-07-07T01:40:00.000-07:00

After wondering were all my other NOS/NIB treats were I had a dig around in the shed to find some more treats to share with you all. Below are some more 80's treats just waiting for the right ride, or maybe just to be put back in the box for another 20yrs and then admired again for their lasting, timeless beauty.

More cool NOSbits and bobs to follow in coming days, camera just threw its toys, i just threw camera!!!

Campagnolo Delta Brakes

2008-07-07T00:54:00.001-07:00

Ever since i started riding in 1988 I always wanted a set of these beauties, until my coach and sponsor, Brain Lambert of Lambert Cycles in Masterton told me how much they cost, like all good bike shop owners they came at a price hahaha. Being all of 14 and at school I didn't even dream of asking the old man to cough up for something that would slow me down!!! eating pies from the bakery he managed would do that at a fraction of the price.

Some 20yrs later and I have had 3 sets and still hold onto the best set of all, Campagnolo C-Record Delta's attached to my Master piece, 1988 Colnago Master full C-Record groupset.

The first set I managed to acquire off trademe for a few hundred bucks a couple yrs back NOS Croce d Aune, levers cables the works the only thing missing was the box, DAM IT!!! If the box had of come with them i would never have sold them (for a tidy profit I might add), i no i no i should never have sold them but I was` racing at the time and needed the cash to buy my BT track bike, hey they are almost retro now, my one weighed as much as the Colnago so it almost counts.

Anyway the Colnago had the next set as mentioned above and then when i found another set of CdA's on eBay for a bargain I just had to have them for the Rossin Ghibli in the post below. The Delta's on the Rossin came from the South of France, the Record on the Colnago are from Wellington NZ, god knows where the NOS CdA's came from but they ended up in the States which is where the Rossin is heading.

They may not have ever been the best stopping brakes and they were always considered pretty heavy but mate aren't they just the best looking bicycle component ever made!!!! I will NEVER sell the Colnago so the Record Deltas are here to stay.

I live in hope that one day sometime in a far off world that Campagnolo will re release the C-Record groupset for an anniversary, the house will be mortgaged in a second!!!

WANTED!!! REWARD OFFERED!!

2008-07-04T22:05:00.001-07:00

A must have in any Retro restorers collection is some NOS/NIB Campagnolo parts, any component and any aera below are some of my latest additions to the collection. Try not to dribble on the key board.........

Super Record NIB Hubset

Athena NIB Bottom Bracket

NIB C-Record Pedal Set (pedals,clips & straps)

NIB C-Record Track Headset

Team Hitachi Merckx

2008-07-04T21:38:00.000-07:00

Just arrived today, team hitachi Merckx, 88/89 team hitachi was originally a Mavic sponsored team but this bike will be built up with Dura Ace STI 8spd as its the earliest groupset I have that isnt Campagnolo.

Brought off trademe recently (off one of the best traders I've ever dealt with by the way) it is due to be built up and ridden a few times before making its way onto ebay for a new home.

As it is not really in a collectable state and given the incorrect groupset it simply cannot be placed in the collection stable.

I was watching the 89 Tour on dvd the other day and watching these frames on the roads of France was pretty cool, I think Mr Merckx was sponsoring at least 3 teams that yr, Hitachi, Kelme, Winiemen (spelling?) oh and how could I forget, the most wanted of all Eddy Merckx frames.....Team 7 eleven!!!

even though this example is not in such a great shape you still have to admire the classic lines and details of the Merckx brand, I only wish they had of keep the same design on there frames these days, today's Merckx frames are a mere shadow of their former selves.

Once i have built her up and taken her out for a roll I'll post some more photo's of the complete ride and how it goes. If anyone out there is interested in buying this bike leave a comment with your email and I'll get back to you. cheers

Rossin Ghibli SLX 1988

2008-07-04T18:37:00.001-07:00

Rossin Ghibli with Cmpagnolo Croce d Aune.

this bike is now winging its way to the US to a new owner, after picking this bike up on trademe with a mixture of Campagnolo CdA and SR components I spent some time (and $$$) on kitting her out with a CdA grouppo (minus the headset). Delta's came from the south of France, Cranks from the US, rear mech from dirty ol Inver's (Invercargill,NZ), Rolls saddle from Denton Park,Christchurch (what a find that was!) Just found out from the perivous owner the frame was purchased in DENMARK in 1988 when on his Euro holiday, this is one well travelled bike and now heading to the US.

This is a sweet bike to ride, smooth and comfy, weighs a ton but find me a 80's steel bike that doesn't!

As you can see this bike would go well with any 80's fluoro cycling outfit, bright green, yellow and a dash of pink (italian styling must have had the day off when they did this colour scheme).

I didnt bother with touching up the frame, adds character and all that, turns out this bike was raced in the 1988 Tour of Southland by the original owner. After riding this bike up a very small hill i feel very sorry for the guy, having done Southland a few times myself i know those climbs and how hard they are even on a bike that weighs in at 7kg let alone one that weighs in more than twice that!!!

I do feel a little sad to see the Croce d Aune walk out the door though, the rear mech really is a work of engnieering art!!! the bridge arm that is only found CdA is pretty cool as are the Deltas.

Still better to spread the love for steel the world over, plus letting this bike go has allowed me to take on other projects and complete some long over due ones ( the Merckx above included).

thanks for watching :)

NOS EDDY MERCKX TEAM PANASONIC

2008-07-04T18:14:00.001-07:00

ok so here goes, seems all and sundry are blogging these days, shit even my mother has one that she updates 3 x daily :) so i thought i might as well give it a shot. This blog is going to be about my retro ride projects, restorations and generally anything Campagnolo and steel.

Coming soon will be my first completed retro steed, Eddy Merckx NOS Columbus SL frame with Campagnolo Super Record, it has been 18mths in the making and it has been worth the wait and every cent, a HUGE thanks to John "Mystery" Morrison for doing most of (ok all) the work of building the bike up, this is not the kind of bike you experiment on, a piece of art such as this desevres an eye for detail such as Mystery's!!!

Below are the polished SR cranks that will take centre place on Eddy, i got the idea to polish the cranks after seeing some on one of Ray Dobbins bikes, "The Master" of retro bike rebuilds (check out http://www.raydobbins.com/ for some seriously hot rides), so i have had to polish most of the groupset now and it has come up a treat. Mystery has polished the hubs before building up the wheels and they shine like nothing ive ever seen before, fair to say i will need more than the old school Oakley factory pilot's to protect the eyes from these babys!!!

Hopefully i'll be able to upload photo's of the complete bike within a week or so, until then hope all you old school steel lovers are out there keeping it real on steel, cheers