Stan Pike TT.

Damn, just got out of the shop, but probably got something NOS in that size, 40 c-c you mean?

Hey dude yeah 40 c-c sound cool, I've got a friend bringing me something to look at next week but I prefer a smaller bar so once I find out what size it is I'll be in touch!

So summer arrived early this year and I have spend most weekends out cycling, however the girlfriend is away this weekend which has given me the impetus to get back on sorting this bike out.

The first issue to attend to was getting a suitable stem which the forum's own NorthLondonLight kindly provided me.

I thought I would need a 130mm stem, I arrived at this by first going to my other bikes and, starting vertically above the bb, measuring the distance horizontally across the top tube, through the center of the head tube to the middle of the bars in the stem.
This gave me my reach. ( roughly )

The 130mm 3ttt 26.0 meant it was a squeeze getting the cinelli 26.2 bars in.

After doing a quick test on the drops the length feels good so I'm happy so far.

However, it's a bit too far away from being period correct, so I will be looking for a cinelli 1a.

Getting the brake levers on to really assess my position on the frame has been a bit more troublesome.

The clasp ( I'm not sure what the correct word is) for the brake levers ( see pic ) dont't fit on to the bars.

The diameter is 1mm too small.
As the thickness of the clasp is only 1mm, I don't think shaving 0.5mm from each side is a wise thing to do.

So if any one has any brake levers with clasps with an interior diameter of 24mm please let me know. ( of course just some clasps without the levers would be just as handy)

The next thing I need to consider are the brakes.

Campagnolo Gran Sport or Super Record brakes from around late 70's to mid 80's are what I am after.
If any one has any experience with these feedback would be appreciated. I want to know how they compare to modern brakes, my experience with old brakes so far is generally that they are rubbish at stopping.

If this is the case for the above models, can anyone recommend any modern brakes that might look the part?

So in summary my Saturday afternoon as been a case of putting on a stem that might be the right length but as I can't get the brakes levers on I can't confirm this.

What I do know is once I do get the levers on I will be changing the stem to a Cinelli 1a.

Hopefully messing about with the clasps won't be a waste of time as eventually I will also be swapping the bars for an early model that have a polished rather than matt finish..

Stan pike was a great frame builder great looking frame

AFAIK the lever clamps are one, standard size.

Unhook the top part of the clamp from the boss which holds the two ends together. This will open it up and allow you to slide it on, before hooking the ends up again.

The last bit can be fiddly, but it's what I've done in the past.

Either way, if you value your teeth I'd think twice about using 26.4mm bars in a 26.0mm stem. No doubt someone will be along to tell you that they've been doing it for years.

Single pivot brakes offer plenty of stopping power (unless you're in the habit of drafting lorries). I suspect the main reason people have had a poor experience, is because they are using thirty year old blocks and cables (and may be steel rims).

PS Get on with it! :)

dat frame

Scilly - you are totally right there has been a lot of procrastinating on this build.

So I have been rummaging around in the shed to see what I might have that is appropriate and in doing so expand my horizons a bit. It's easy to get fixated on doing things a certain way and in doing so do nothing!

Firstly I need wanted to confirm the reach.
Old levers with clasps that actually go over the handlebars were found and hey presto the reach felt good. 130mm confirmed!

OK so on to the brakes, silence the inner voice that says " you can find a dual pivot that will work on this frame! " ( it clearly won't ) I found a box of levers and brakes that had been destined for a build a while back.

The finish on the units worked really well with the frame and as the clasps on the brake levers also worked on the bars it looked like I was quids in until...

Balls.. the reach on the back caliper is too long...

Amusingly Hilary Stone is selling just the brakes for £80! Crazy..
... Any one want these you can have for 80 and I'll throw in the levers.. ;-)

I did like the look if the CLBs though so think I will try and find some Campag Victory caliper with a short reach to achieve a similar look and feel.

Oh too bad, because they are gorgeous!

I couldn't remember when I last posted, but it's come to me now: Scott Mathauser brake pads.

Scroll down to the bottom of this page; can still be had off eBay for a similar price to what you'll pay for modern cartridge inserts: period and performance!

PS I don't have the £80 spare ATM, but I'd be obliged if you'd give me a shout before you stick the CLB on eBay/Retrobike etc (if you've nothing better to do, could you measure the drop please).

I'll put them to one side and measure the drop, just make me an offer when you can, you don't have to give me 80 for them.
Thanks for the heads up on the brake pads btw.

Ok so it's cold outside so I've picked this project up again.

Following the purchase of some campag brakes and a cinelli 1a stem things were starting to look good.

I still needed to correct the chain ring, and in the months previous
I'd given away my chain to a mate in need but basically I have almost all parts.

Following a bit of cabling ( with ferrules curtesy of scilly ) the bike now looks so.

1 Attachment

Issues to solve:

Seat pin - the campag one I have doesn't fit

New tyres - 28's are too large

New chain

Appropriate pedals

Bar tape ( white )

The seat pin issue is really
annoying me, although I have been told I can get a bigger one, there is a raised lip on one side so I will need a pin to match..

Hi Clubman,

I was interested that you mention that Clive Bonavia only built with Reynolds 753 as I have 4 of his bikes and thought all but one were 531 or 531c tubing. As you painted some of his frames, I would be keen to know more.

Hi Young
Just been searching on Clive Bonavia as have one of his frames. Fantastic, 753, microcast lugs, Reynolds dropouts. I know of other of his frames that are 531 so definitely not exclusively 753. I would like to have it refurbished so maybe clubman will be the man as he enamelled for Clive. Is the an appreciation society group for Bonavia¿
J

Hi Clubman,
I have a Bonavia frame that I was thinking about having repainted. Are you still in that line of work¿. Would be great to have that kind of history attached to the bike as you did work for Clive.

Nice build :) Are the forks slightly bent?

Not bent but slight bend, along the lines of those on the featured Stan Pike frame that looks to have a very similar geometrey. Mine has 59 c-c seat tube and 55 c-c tt and huge toe overlap. Very lively but incredibly stable and a joy to ride.