Ross' Projects - Olmo, Vitus Track Conversion

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  • I decided I would start documenting my projects -
    Currently I am collecting the parts for an Olmo Sintex I am building as a present for a friend - (thanks to @lmananimal for the frame)
    The forks are in incredible condition - no rust at all on the chroming and they look as though they have been barely ridden on. The frame is not in the same state, but we can look past that because it has signatures all over it.
    The idea is a mostly Italian build with a mixture of parts from different manufacturers, 1-by with a flat bar.
    So far I have:
    F&F Olmo Sintex
    Stem ITM Eclypse
    Bars ITM Flat Steel
    Ofmega Crankset 52/42
    Campagnolo Record Single Pivot Calipers
    Campagnolo Record 8Spd Rear Derailleur

    As it will be 1-by with a non NW chainring I am probably going to make it a maximum of 7spd.

    My main issue is the wheelset, I was thinking dark grey/black rims to offset the chrome parts. I have an Campag Omega Strada Hardox rear wheel but have been struggling for a couple of months to find a matching front. Any suggestions?


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  • You are correct fork has barely been ridden - I purchased this from original owner who had swapped it out for an aluminium aftermarket fork at time of purchase. I had set up on SS shop/pub duties so they've not done more then a few hundred miles.

    What are you planning to use for shifter? Paul thumbie w/friction?

  • Sweet as
    Hadn't thought of using the Paul adapter - that's a really good shout actually. I am still undecided on that front.

  • Wanted to buy this frame from Imananimal as a fourth addition to my 80s-90s Olmo fleet.

  • Sorry to ruin that for you dude!
    I bought the rest of the parts for it, record hubs laced to omega rims, miche headset, campag track pedals - should be done soon.

  • Flatbars on a Sintex frame? :/

  • Yeah I reckon it turned out sweet, the frame wasn't in amazing condition so I didn't feel obliged to build it 'correctly'.


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  • So I bought another Vitus 979 (thanks @VintageJon).
    I am going to replace the dropouts with custom made track dropouts, it seems like a fun project and I manage to find a frame with an already broken dropout. The frame came with a smooth FAG bb and a pretty esoteric Mavic 310 headset. Gonna heat up the dropouts with a heat gun and yank em out - have a model made of them in track mode and then hopefully a friend will machine me some :)
    Pic attached


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  • Great project. What could go wrong?!
    Please document the process / aftermath for us!

  • The dropouts are out
    Now to have some new ones made


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  • What’s your bb drop gonna be like? I’d worry a little about pedal strike. Otherwise cool project, you gonna bond the track ends in?

  • Nice project! How will you fit the new dropouts?

  • Yeah I guess it's gonna be a bit of an issue - I don't know if there's much I can do to remedy it though. It's the same sitch as riding a fixed conversion really.
    Yeah with some scotch weld.

  • Cheers! Gonna bond them in with scotch weld 9323 (thanks @Jonny69 for the suggestion)

  • Well if you’re creating the track ends from scratch you could design them so the dropout is a low as possible, and run short cranks.

  • Yep I think that's what I'll do

  • Not much progress made on this really, I have started modelling the new dropout shape on top the previous ones with 'Quiksteel', need to borrow the vernier callipers from work to sort out getting the thicknesses even etc. It has driven me to buy some nice old metal files from Deptford market though, which promises to draw out this stage even further.
    In the mean time I bought an almost complete Mavic SSC groupset (from around 1980) to put on my other 979.
    The replacement bearings for the 610 BB are very scarce (and 75 quid) so I popped the seals off of the offending sealed unit, flushed all the dirt out and regreased. Smooth as butter now - anyone with a 610 BB who needs bearings replaced - it is possible to service them to prolong their life.

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Ross' Projects - Olmo, Vitus Track Conversion

Posted by Avatar for wintyDono @wintyDono

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