Russian XB3 frame and forks

Good timing - I'm splitting above bike if anyone's interested?

g'day:)

thought i'd try and resurrect this thread and hopefully get some help.

i just picked up a nice rekord frame and i'm starting to put it all together. I have the original headset but its not in the best condition. i'll give it a clean out tomorrow and see if I can put it all back together nicely.

would it be possible to use the original cups and replace the rest?

also, does a normal stem fits in there ok?

thanks in advance

Normal quill fits fine but the threading is wacky raleigh standard so if you need to change the headset you'll do yourself a favor by changing the fork also and buying a regular 1" headset from your LBS or where ever..

The threaded parts are nearly irreplaceable but bearings of course are not.

that is how mine used to look... Used as the winter beater and really loved it. I squeezed a lot of life out the old headset by simply cleaning and re-greasing it.

I still think they are fairly pretty, and if I would have ever gotten around to building it up properly, not from spares, than I might have kept it...

have fun with yours...

fwaaaaaaah! I wasn't expecting such a quick reply. Thanks guys :)

@cbass: I came across your bike the other week on velospace when I was deciding on buying my frame. seeing your build helped me make my mind up. even as a beater... looks sharp!

how did you go with the wheel spacing? Did you bend your frame out or just squeeze your novatech hubs in?

I'm also having a hard time getting a stem in there. I've managed a bit... but its a really tight fit.

@fff: i'm reading everywhere that some shims would be needed to get a tighter fit. i'd rather keep the original forks... but if the head set doesn't come good, then i'll have look into this option.

i'm gonna try and spend a bit of time and try build the bike up as best I can. if anyone has any other pointers.. they'd be much appreciated :)

cheers :)

it is not much. 5mm at the most... so I just squeezed them in there. I asked my local bike guru, if that could be a problem and he said that would be finde. two winters of hard riding and it held up like a tank.

same with the stem. I don't remember it being a problem at all... some grease and you will be good to go!

I wish I had more pictures of it left, since it went through a couple of stages. slightly bigger tires and different stem/bar option.

ahhhh. I miss my Ms. Russia.

the rear drop outs on mine are 110mm! i'll see if i can get some smaller spacer nuts or stretch the frame a bit.

and the steerer on mine is ridiculously tight! to the point i chuffed up my stem and had a mini battle trying to get it out. I greased it up but it didn't help too much :/

apart from that, the frame is in really good condition. new in fact. well.. a few scuffs and little dings... but i'm happy as can be and really looking forward to building this bike up... and ofc riding it.

fun times :)

here's a quick update on my XB3. I managed to save the original headset. built up some nice wheels with some dia compe hubs. stem and bars from an old bike. Just working out which bb/cranks to put in. I've got a pair of sturmey archer's I might throw in there. or maybe something a bit more classic. But I reken i'll go with something a bit newer.

http://img27.imageshack.us/img27/92/3czk.jpg