Harry Hall 753 (?)

I bought this from a nice man on Ebay:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/95307721@N08/9262211378

He says it's 28 yrs old (i.e. 1985) - does that mean it would have been built for old-fashioned wheels? I am going to run 700s, for convenience, but it would be good to know before I get some brakes.

I weighed it as best i could on the kitchen scales, which put it at around 2.8kg including bottom bracket and headset. I guesstimate they weigh 5-600 grams together - does that sound right, and if so and the f+f is 2.2-2.3kg, would that make it 753?

Also any tips for getting rid of surface rust / how worried should I be about this pitting?

http://www.flickr.com/photos/95307721@N08/9262212774

I have some ancient bottle of stuff called 'rust off' or some such, but it damages paint and I don't have the motor skills or patience to dab it on to the pits but not the surrounding paint.

and the bottom bracket is not as smooth as it might be, is there any way to grease it, or should I be thinking about replacing?

http://www.flickr.com/photos/95307721@N08/9262214092/

Some letters of the decals are peeling off. Not sure what kind of adhesive would keep them on without eating paint, or should I swap it so it's called Harry Hill, Harry Hell, Larry Hall, etc?

the plan is to build it up with my fairly fancy wheels, otherwise ugly and cheap parts, while keeping it fairly light, where possible (9speed at the back, one at the front) it is going to be kept outside by a pub so it can expect to be rained on, shaken by thieves, occasionally kicked by the local crack kids.

I will probably need to buy a mech for 9-speed campag, and use it with current ancient shifter for friction shifting.

As per usual the images have not worked - I'll just include them as regular links for the moment.

I saw this ont bay the other day and wasn't sure if it was a genuine HH or not, so didn't bid. I'm no expert though

Ha - well the peeling, slipping decals might suggest not, but the forks and top of rear stays are crimped with the name, and I didn't think it was prestigious enough for people to bother faking that sort of thing?

I forgot to say that I am going to need a new front chainring and possibly cranks. I have a black ring which would suit but the chain falls off all the time so I think it's buggered.

I had a harry hall with almost exact lugs and from same era it was 531c, at 2.8kg I dont think it will be 753, but cant say; here is a picture of mine:

does that mean it would have been built for old-fashioned wheels?

Not in 1985, especially if it's a middle to high end model

ok thanks both - glad it'll fit my wheels without too much bother, and i'm sure it'll still feel pretty light when built up even if it's 531c not 753

i'm not sure if one at the front and nine at the back would work.. it would require super accurate chainring positioning (with right bb spindle length) but the chain would be seriously bent at the two ends of the range. i think it'd be easier to install a front derailer and have a conventional 2x9

Ah, thanks - I'm not sure I understand why the angle at the two ends of the range should be worse with single chainring than with 2x9? Are people not supposed to use the cross-geared positions on 2 or 3 x 9 (or 5, 6, 7, 8)?

I guess I would be unlikely to be in the bottom or top gears much, so maybe it won't be too bad to occasionally put a little stretch in the chain.

Or maybe I could swap the 9 speed back wheel for a similar quality 6 speed - as long as the ratios are ok (fairly fast, narrow range) I don't mind too much, but I don't know if there are great wheels out there which will take 5 / 6 speed blocks / cassettes.

Should say I wanted 1 x something because I kind of hate front derailleurs, both because of the look and because I never seem to use them when I have them.

Hey ok so I've got new brakes, crankset and derailleur

hope to transfer stem, handlebars and pedals from old bike

would anyone like to come over and help me put them on some time next week in return for cash & beer?

My nice LBS has been a bit meh recently and I'm cash poor so I'd prefer to avoid paying more & carting the stuff further afield.. ps I have fuck all tools

conntribution to forum, too