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@BrickMan
Finally finished my 1976 (ish) Dawes Flambeau, not a whole lot known about this model, but from what I worked out it was a very average quality 70's tourer, 56/56cm. Mechanically in fantastic condition, though obviously seen some serious usage over the years.
as was
Stripped it back to bare metal as what was left of the original paint weren't pretty and I wanted to end up with something that was half decent looking and nice to potter about on, I say potter as its geared fairly low as I don't live in london, I live in the lake district and we have mountains round here like ;)
Biggest change being paint and wheelset. The original chrome items rolled fine but the rims were becoming rotten. Picked up a pair of mavic tub rims on shimano 600's which had never seen a brake before from a bike charity/recycling place, for a couple of quid, front inner races were pretty pitted though so ended up going for a more modern more basic no name job (weighs a tonne though).
Other bits were a free saddle to replace the rotten leatherette, fresh balls in all the right places and some fresh tape.
Its taken months to get round to it thanks to no spare time available and round the clock working hours (for little pay), but finally I had a bit of motivation to just get out there and ride kicked in and I managed a few late ones dishing & truing up the wheels etc, to get it done(ignore black tape on top tube, need a pair of the little chrome cable widgets).
Ignore scruffy yard, insulation tape, old pedals (got 105's to go on), mismatched wheels (tub/clinch), brakes at reach limit, 700c wheels where there should be 27" and flexy but cool looking 3arm stronglights. (and for LFGSS purist crew.... light mount on fork and mech cable guides as in time it'll prob go back to geared when I can afford it).
**42:17t (remember the mountains) + 7spd mtb chain + 70's 3arm stronglights (no.6?) and my blue & grey colour scheme :p I'm expecting hatorz for all of this.... **
**The bars are my favourite bit, pretty narrow but perfect width, reach & drop for me.
**Got a hour on it this afternoon round local roads and enjoyed it, sure it ain't the prettiest, ain't gonna win any LFGSS purity points, but its cost me about £30-40 all in and about 15-20hours time wise, and it suits the amount & level of (road) riding that I do, so MEH. helpful crit welcome though.