FS: Fillet brazed Roberts frameset (unfinished project)

Picked this up off eBay. It was in a bit of a state when it came to me so I sent it off to August Cycles for repairs. Lacking the motivation to finish it at the moment so hoping someone else can get it up and running.

54cm square.
Fillet brazed Columbus tubing.
Frame and fork will clear 700x32c.

Extensive repairs carried out by Gav at August Cycles.

1. Head tube repaired with sleeves brazed inside and re-reamed to accept a headset. Rings added to the outside to beef everything up then reshaped to follow original profile.
   
2. Down tube bosses added with cable guides on the side of the head tube.
   
3. Cable-stop on the chainstay swapped.
   
4. Internal brake cable into top tube.
   
5. BB shell reamed and faced.
   
6. Fork dropouts swapped.
   
7. Alignment checked.
   
8. Dent in underside of the top tube filled and repaired.
   
   

I dated it to May 1984 from the frame number but resident Roberts expert @DrJohn reckons it's earlier than that.

Just needs paint (and maybe bottle cage bosses which I forgot to ask for 🤦‍♂️)

Full details and photos can be found in my CP
https://www.lfgss.com/conversations/328007/

£200 plus post.

Sad! Looks like you and the framebuilder have gone to a lot of trouble.

I know the feeling though.

Indeed. I'd love to finish it really but in reality it's just not going to happen.

What's the clearances like, looks tight?

I think it will clear 700x32 front and rear but I can check.

Edit: sellers pics from the eBay ad showing clearance with 32c tyres.

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What's the clearances like, looks tight?

Ha, ten years or more ago, around this parish those would have been considered generous clearances, and everyone wanted 'fag-paper' clearances. 32c tyres on a roadbike are, well, more than most would want.

GLWS.

Very nice work sorting it, I picked one up myself not too long ago... always nice to have a pair but I can’t spend the money at the moment 😬
GLWS
Matt

I'm open to offers... Perfect opportunity for matching paint jobs too ;)

Yours is lovely though.

Did you have pics of the bike after the restorative work?

Only this one. I can get some more tomorrow evening.

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I sort of like it like that, but it does deserve some nice paint.

I'm interested but still to rich for my blood...bump?

Where are you based? I could do a better price for cash and an easy transaction.

Agreed. I put a bid on a Mavic groupset a few weeks ago. If I'd won I wouldn't be selling.

à la

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I've got a rear mech, front mech, shifters, stem, bars, bb, hubsets- leaving you to pay a ridiculous amount for the brakeset and headset. Cranks aren't actually that hard to find at the mo. PM me if you are interested, I'd love to see this built up with Mavic.

Thanks for the offer. If I can't shift it by the end of the month I might take you up on that.

Price drop to £190

Bump £185

such a lovely frameset.

Only thing keeping me back is getting the bottle bosses (and probably mudguard eyes) put on up here as I don't know anyone that would do it local to Edinburgh and seems faff to do by correspondence. With those clearances it would make a great fast audaxey style ride though...

I'm on my jollies at the mo but happy to act as an intermediary if you wanted to approach someone re bottle and mudguard bosses. Mercian are just down the road from me but I seem to recall you having had issues with them in the past...?

Potentially lovely...any idea on tubing? TT length?

I have bought a Columbus XCr frame from Mark Reilly which is two months late + and no idea when it will be ready... steel polisher problem...Had this appeared earlier in the year...I would have bought this and got eyes attached for front and rear racks and still saved a fortune and have a Roberts! Even if I cancelled the order...I would lose my deposit (£500)...but would not have to pay a further £1500....oh well!

Yeah I don't think I would use them again- was looking for a similar frame geometry and style though. Will email Geoff Roberts and see if he's able to do it and get a price and could possibly arrange shipping to there if ever. Will keep you posted

Probably cheaper, even with shipping. Mercian charged me £50 to indent a chainstay.

@marxist_vulcan can't remember if it's 54 or 55. Tubing is Columbus. Frame weighs ~2kg so probably mid range. Stainless Reilly is a bit special though...

Yes...but... I missed using for a France tour in July and have a small trip planned for October...will it be ready in time...I chose a polished finish as I was led to believe it would have been quicker than getting it painted...should have gone with the paint! Very frustrating... especially the lack of communication.

Commiserations :(

I will refrain from reiterating my comparatively minor woes from the custom built providers.

There's a lot to be said for buying second hand/off the peg and getting a stainless frame for half an 853 one though!