90's Chas Roberts Fillet Brazed Light Touring Project

Some of you may have fleetingly passed me in transactions or whatnot here so far, but mostly I've lurked, and admired etc etc.

However, I thought this most recent project was worth sharing, partly because of the frame's UK origins, which is (comparatively) rare here down under. I picked this up from the PO this morning - a half fillet/half lugged mid-90's(?) CR tourer, which is in minutely small proportions (46x49 IIRC, with a 7.3cm headtube!!!!), to be built for the missus. The backstory is comparatively simple: after putting her Nature Boy SS rig through the works she has decided she needs gears. This was my (bargainous actually) solution to that.

Beware: this is a long long long (long) term project. Impatient observers need not apply, unless of course you want to donate to the build to speed things up ;)

As can be seen, paint is a bittttt tired, and the seller had rubbed some of the paint of the top tube to check the integrity of the steel underneath. Otherwise the frame is in good condition, though the BB may need some de-rustifying. I'm privileged to work with a painter, so this will be getting a proper paint job back to original glory (more on that soon). I must say, the fillets are proper wonderful, and what gets me more than anything is the half-fillet-half-lug seat bracket assembly. As can be seen in the pictures, it is currently sporting the two-tone, metallic fade I've seen on more than one Robert's frame, from a darker blue to almost silver.

Thoughts on the repaint are mixed. I would like to update it, with the 'newer' Robert's font, as I far prefer that aesthetically (ducks for cover). But, knowing how much she likes the paint scheme on the Nature boy, I toyed with maybe taking the 'silver' from the Robert's fade, and using that to do A) the roberts logo and B) matching panels on the lower chainstays/seatstays and forks, like the white is on the All City (though without the white behind the logo). Thoughts appreciated/desired.

Oh, and pictures of both her current rig and my current rig (non-drive photo of mine is massive newbie points, forgive me) are included for backstory/perousal/general showing off. That's what this subforum is for anyway right?

The idea is to initially build this as a v.light touring/road bike option for her to cruise on, but have capabilities to do proper racking-up and touring towards the end of next year.

Build list is currently as follows...
What I have:

• NOS Alloy Record (inverse logo) triple from early 2000's (10spd) (thanks goes to Hilly Ben) (need chainrings!)
  
• Early 2000's Alloy Chorus lonngggg cage RD (10spd)
  Uhhhh nothing else.
  
  

FYI I am aware the frame was probably a 90's nuovo record or whatever build, but (partly) modernising it appeals to both my sensible side and my aesthetic side. Also, I think the early 2000's Campag alloy 10spd groups are awesome.

What will be going on there;

• Suitable 10spd triple front derailleur, preferably Record/Chorus with 28.6 band on or braze on alternatively
  
• Alloy 10spd ergos (have a line on some fairly rare Record alloy levers, which AFAIK they only made for approx 6months to a year?)
  
• Haven't decided whether I will do a set of Paul racer brakes or something to that end for sake of clearance, or whether I will do matching Chorus/Record brakes. Probably the latter to start anyway.
  
• Cockpit will be short, shiny and silver, but not astronomically expensive. Same goes for seatpost. Though I would imagine Hwy-1's or an equivalent will feature for the sake of short/shallow.
  
• Wheels, are posing the biggest problem... Royce is ideal (the ano matches the campy stuff, they look damn nice and are damn nice but $$$$), white industries is what i've used in the past (tooooo shiny maybe?), and Record/Chorus 10spd appeals to me for sake of continuity, but not much otherwise. Rims will either be silver TB14s, A23s, or possibly hard ano TB14s (which I think would look the best).
  
• HS either record or chris king. Probably Chris king.
  
  
  

So yeah, good times, keen to get this one running (excuse shiten iphone pictures);

The current set-ups:

Oh and let me add, if anyone happens to be going by Roberts soon, would I buy able to buy you a sixer of beer to hassle them to sell me one of their new stainless headtube badges in 1-inch? Because they won't even reply to my emails.

Try giving them a call... they can be old fashioned like that.
I have a 10 spd Veloce triple FD, 26.8 if you're interested, btw.

gaz, I will hold out hope for a matching record or chorus one for the time being (partially because I've spent all my $$$$ buying parts), but I may come crawling back for it in the near future.

But... but... the decals won't match that lovely R in the fork crown! Aaarrgh, this is like when they changed the theme tune to Grange Hill!

;-)

Good luck with the build, lovely machine.

Oh and let me add, if anyone happens to be going by Roberts soon, would I buy able to buy you a sixer of beer to hassle them to sell me one of their new stainless headtube badges in 1-inch? Because they won't even reply to my emails.

I don't live too far from his workshop, and I guess it would give me an excuse to visit. So let me know if you can't reach them.

Lolo, I will try giving them a call first, but if that is to no avail I will get in touch, thankyou for the offer!

Nice. Cycliste has a similarly-sized Roberts but all lugged rather than fillet brazed. I don't think I've got a decent photo of it, but it's the one in the background in this photo.

I never said this would be fast, did I;

](http://www.flickr.com/photos/91049853@N04/11099220885/)
Chorus Long Cage RD and Record Triple Cranks by Snicks94Nic, on Flickr[/IMG]

Also, is there anyone in the US who can facilitate on a FD for me? I have my eyes on a NOS record triple one, but the seller won't ship to me down under.

There are normally a few Campag triple FD on ebay, most being braze on but still some clip ons. I think its possible to swap the mech from clip on to braze on if needed. Nigel @ http://www.campyoldy.co.uk should be able to help swap it if you get a triple FD, I dont think he has any triple mechs at the moment though.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Campagnolo-Daytona-triple-front-derailleur-mech-VGC-WW-Centaur-Chorus-Record-/171183373990?pt=UK_sportsleisure_cycling_bikeparts_SR&hash=item27db52fea6

^^ also have a look for 3rd party sites who will ship products from the US. I looked into that when Enve had their forks going cheap for US customers only. I don't remember it being too much.

http://i.ebayimg.com/t/Campagnolo-Braze-On-Front-Mech-32mm-Adaptor-Silver-/00/s/MjYwWDM5NQ==/$T2eC16V,!y0E9s2S65r0BQZ1%29tSq!g~~60_35.JPG

@hugo7, I think that's what I'll be doing. Though there is now one in the UK who will ship to me. So I'll have to see how I go in that bidding war...

http://i.ebayimg.com/t/Campagnolo-Braze-On-Front-Mech-32mm-Adaptor-Silver-/00/s/MjYwWDM5NQ==/$T2eC16V,!y0E9s2S65r0BQZ1%29tSq!g~~60_35.JPGhttp://rover.ebay.com/roverimp/1/710-53481-19255-0/1?ff3=2&pub=5574889051&toolid=10001&campid=5336525415&item=220526958771&mpt=3182371

Handy, but they accidentally added an extra 1 on the price