Flandria 1975 renovation

Just wanted to share this project that I'm working on. I should have started this topic here a longer time ago, because it's nearly finished now, but still it might be intresting for some people over here!

A shameless copy of the topic I kept on RetroBike:

***For those who don't want to click all the links to watch the pictures: do tell me how i can fix images in this topic, of check this Flickr set to watch them all at once: ***http://www.flickr.com/photos/94691882@N03/sets/72157635752620976/

Some time ago I acquired this little Flandria frame, with a full NR group (patent '75). After closer inspection, I discovered that the frame had suffered from a frontal collision. I made a topic about what to do with the frame, which you can find here: http://www.retrobike.co.uk/forum/viewtopic.php?f=12&t=261136

Conclusion of the topic and my LBS/framebuilder: or a full restauration including replacing the top- and downtube, or just leaving the frame as it is. My LBS had the frame in his hands and told me there's no risk at all riding the frame in this condition.

Now, a couple of months later, I decided to clean up all the parts and give the frame a cheap powdercoat. Colour will be the original Flandria-red with new decals. In that way, the frame will be smaller copy of my other Flandria (link: http://www.flickr.com/photos/94691882@N03/sets/72157634213856360/). I know there's a lot of discussion about powdercoating/lacquering, but with the frame damage in mind I couldn't justify a more expensive respray.

The bike as I bought it:

http://i44.tinypic.com/99ovhi.jpg

http://i40.tinypic.com/30wqsmt.jpg

http://i41.tinypic.com/2q3dkw9.jpg

http://i39.tinypic.com/koyeo.jpg

http://i43.tinypic.com/154dsf5.jpg

http://i39.tinypic.com/34e6rz9.jpg

As said, the group is NR: hubs, front- and rearderailleur, shifters, brake handles and calipers, seatpost, pedals and cranks. The bottom bracket has Campagnolo bolts but is from an unknown brand. Headset is Hattaswan, stem and bars are Cinelli. Saddle is a brown Cinelli Unicanitor. Some of the parts before cleaning:

http://i40.tinypic.com/14lpz7s.jpg

http://i43.tinypic.com/2edut81.jpg

http://i43.tinypic.com/20g1imu.jpg

http://i44.tinypic.com/2r5agxv.jpg

I wanted to overhaul all the parts completely, so made a point of it to disassemble every little screw and nut of this bike. It was the first time I revised hubs and pedals. I applied a special kind of saddle lotion on the Cinelli and it turned out well. A lot of hours later, this was the result:

http://i43.tinypic.com/2jazqtx.jpg

http://i39.tinypic.com/rldd9d.jpg

http://i39.tinypic.com/rldd9d.jpg

http://i42.tinypic.com/1y4ack.jpg

http://i39.tinypic.com/2emejok.jpg

http://i44.tinypic.com/1znym8i.jpg

http://i44.tinypic.com/euoew6.jpg

http://i43.tinypic.com/2nlwbhv.jpg

Than: the frame. Size is 54 ctc, this means the frame is way to small for me. But hey, can't ride everything, so ... http://www.retrobike.co.uk/forum/images/smilies/icon_smile.gif. Tubing is Ishiwata 022 and the dropouts are campagnolo. This is a full-on Flandria racing frame, so definitely worth giving it at second life. Strange enough, it was painted and branded by a bike store in Oostende, Belgium, and has never seen the real Flandria red colours and decals. But the serial number on the left dropout, the '73' stamp on the seat lug, the distinctive lugs and geometry all make sure it's a real Flandria.

http://i39.tinypic.com/11i360z.jpg

http://i44.tinypic.com/235s21.jpg

http://i41.tinypic.com/2i6gqb6.jpg

http://i41.tinypic.com/2cshv69.jpg

As you can see in the pictures, I'm preparing the frame to bring it to the powdercoater. I found a cheap one, not far from where I live: £30 for blasting and a fresh colour.

To start with, I've degreased and cleaned the frame. Afterwards, I've put screws in the shifter- and bottlecage threads to protect them. Someone gave me a great tip on how to protect the bottom bracket shell when you don't have any spare cups: a simple piece of wood will do the trick!

Afterwards, I've refurbed the chrome on the rear fork. It was a dull and had some speckles of light rust on it. First step was cleaning the chrome with degreaser. After that I gave it a good rub with tinfoil to make it shine again. Finishing touch was applying autosol. Although the chrome isn't perfect (you can still see some very small scratches and some chain damage), I'm pleased with the result.

Bottom bracket protection:

http://i44.tinypic.com/29xyog8.jpg

Chrome before:

http://i40.tinypic.com/nn8ld5.jpg

http://i39.tinypic.com/2mqq2a9.jpg

Chrome during the clean-up:

http://i39.tinypic.com/301isdv.jpg

Bling bling result:

http://i40.tinypic.com/292o4z4.jpg

Not perfect though:

http://i40.tinypic.com/35jwmeb.jpg

I've also sourced some parts: white bar tape, bar plugs, and period correct decals. Not sure if I'll go for red or white cable outers. Both were used by the Flandria team back in the day. Red looks nicer to me, but white would match the other Flandria better...

http://i43.tinypic.com/29opkx3.jpg

Cleaned and polished the hubs/rims and put some new Vittoria tanwalls on the wheels. I've also cleaned and greased the Dura Ace 6sp freewheel. A friendly lad on RetroBike helped me out with a spare axle for the rear hub. Big thanks!

http://i39.tinypic.com/5d4eoj.jpg

Sourced a REG bottle cage that cleaned up nicely:

http://i39.tinypic.com/6g97o9.jpg

Small Campagnolo sticker to put between the downtube shifters:

http://i42.tinypic.com/2wmnt3t.jpg

The original Alfredo Binda straps were completely worn out. I've cleaned up the buckles (damn what a shitty job) and fixed some new leather straps for them. Nice detail to keep the old spirit and stories a bit on the bike imo http://www.retrobike.co.uk/forum/images/smilies/icon_smile.gif

http://i44.tinypic.com/2m60thy.jpg

On thursday, an enveloppe arrived from the UK an axle inside! At first, it looked like this:

http://i43.tinypic.com/rkvwif.jpg

One hour, loads of grease and finetuning later, it looked like this (freewheel is Dura Ace):

http://i41.tinypic.com/2i8ul8y.jpg

On Friday, I got even better news. The frame was ready for pickup. This is how I got it home:

http://i39.tinypic.com/98zrpx.jpg

http://i40.tinypic.com/scry4p.jpg

I'm pretty pleased with the result, considering that it only costed me more or less 30 pounds. I asked if it was possible to apply a thin layer, to keep the edges of the lugs sharp. There are some small flaws and it isn't the perfect quality of a wetpainted frame, but still I'm very happy with the result. The lugs are sharp, and the serial number on the non-ds dropout is still visible. Even the 'Campagnolo' letters on the dropout are still visible.

Yesterday and today I've done some work on the frame:
-removed the duct-tape that protected the chrome and cleaned this mess up
-applied the decals

• installed the BB
  
• installed the headset
  
• installed the shifters
  
• did the luglining with black and gold enamel paint, a good paintbrush and a lining pen
  
  

The result:

http://i44.tinypic.com/ojkqrr.jpg

http://i39.tinypic.com/34fk41u.jpg

http://i42.tinypic.com/280tctj.jpg

http://i42.tinypic.com/2vjsb5g.jpg

Hope you enjoy the pictures as much as I do with the rebuilding of this bike http://www.retrobike.co.uk/forum/images/smilies/icon_smile.gif.

I'll keep you updated when I find time to work further on the bike!

Beautiful
http://oi44.tinypic.com/ojkqrr.jpg

Lovely project...

Subscribed!
Klaas, if you would use the red cables, I would be happy to take the whites of your hands!

Looking absolutely gorgeous

This'll will turn out pretty! Is that Cinelli 67 bar? Let me help you show your Flandria (click to enlarge):

This'll will turn out pretty! Is that Cinelli 67 bar? Let me help you show your Flandria (click to enlarge):

Thanks for the nice comments and for helping me out with the picture! How do I embed a picture like this? Is it not working because I use tinypic?

I've checked Velobase concerning the bars: it's a Cinelli 67 pista bar, with the old logo. Are these rare? Either way, I love the bars, they look gorgeous. I've fitted most of the parts on the frame now, will update some pictures next weekend!

Not rare at all. Just sell it to me please ; )

I usually use photobucket and they have all sorts of links that you can use for forums. But I've been using Dropbox lately because it's easier.

Marc Demeyer's Flandria that won him Paris-Roubaix 1976

Marc Demeyer's Flandria that won him Paris-Roubaix 1976

As you can see in "A Sunday In Hell"!

Here's the real bicycle, from the Cycling Museum in Roeselare. Full Campagnolo NR, Cinelli Unicator saddle and Cinelli handlebars:

Wow! Is that a price tag behind the saddle? how much is it? : )

Nice pictures gentlemen :). Got the same cinelli unicanitor on this bike...

Found some time to work on the bike and made some pictures. Things that are still on the to do list:

• adjusting + finetuning the gears
  
• cutting the cables to the correct lengths
  
• finding caps for the dropout adjusters
  
• fit the tubulars
  
• find a Ishiwata 022 tubing decal
  
• make decent pictures
  
• ...
  
  

Both bikes together acting as some great house decoration:
Note that the smaller on has a pre CPSC group with straight brake QR's, no lip on the FD,... The big one has a post CPSC group with domed brake QR's, lip on the FD, curved skewers,...

Also: the BB axle is way too long. There's too much clearance between the DS chainstay and the chainwheels. This makes that the front derailleur has to be in his most extreme position to keep the chain on the outer chainwheel. It worked, but doesn't look nice. So I'll have to find a shorter axle, I think!