'88 Kelloggs build

A little weekend distraction I thought I'd share. A chap at work asked me to build him a budget bike and I had a few bits left over from machine gun-fire purchases I made when I first got into all this (eBay was like crack back then).

So, what started as a dirt-cheap 501 Raleigh frame and forks - a very-1980s Kelloggs Pro Tour...

...has taken on a new life with an Armourtex matt-black powdercoat and assortment of matching bits:

Still a bit of work to do. The Shimano 105 brakes I had set aside are recessed-fitting, so I'm debating getting the drill out. The fork will be no problem but I worry about the chainstay, which has a collar inserted into it to give a flat face to bolt the caliper to. Ideally I'd drill out just enough to get the collar of the nut in, but obviously can't get a drill to it from that side because of the seat tube. Will head-scratch some more, but might well end up looking for some nut-fitting calipers instead (which rather defeats the object of this being a cost-neutral project).

Other parts are a Lasco chainset, Token bottom bracket, a BLB saddle (like I said, machine gun), a pair of Dirt Harry's, a cheap Omega wheelset and a Laprade-style fluted seatpost that needs a bit of paint and a polish. Lots of the bits came off off my earlier Falcon beater build, which has been dismantled in favour of something more vintage-y for daily use. More on that soon...

Can you not get a second recessed nut, drill the seatstay bridge all the way through, then thread the extra nut backwards onto the spindle to shim it out?

That could work, yes. I'll check whether there is enough meat on the chainstay collar to put the drill through without taking the whole thing out - and there will have to be enough length on the caliper bolt I suppose. Good idea, thanks...

I've done this before and it worked OK, but I think the thickness left on the bridge is probably the only possible concern: others may well have ideas on this. I'd have thought there probably won't be enough length on the bolt for 2 nuts unless you cut the shim one down, but that's a quick job with a hacksaw. Hope you get on OK!

You should be ok drilling the brake bridge. Drill at two angles from either side of the seat tube. Use a short recessed nut.

That's an amazing transition and gives me hope. I had a bike pinched recently so have decided to try and build my own. So far I just have the frame (an ebay purchase). Any tips?

Ben

I'm sure there are many more qualified than me to offer advice, but I'll say one thing - don't be tempted to spend too much on your first build. Get secondhand bits off here and be roadworthy asap, you can soon upgrade...

Wise advice. It's much better to learn the inevitable mistakes of a first build with cheap components.

Got a bit further this weekend. Drilled out the back of the forks for the recessed brakes (Shimano 105s that polished up rather well) and the rear chainstay bridge was easy in the end - ran the drill through it and made up a little extra bit of collar to fill out the hole a bit. Also sanded and painted the fluted seatpost (paint not quite dry in pic so those brush marks have since disappeared):

This little brake tool is one of the best things I have ever bought:

So, almost there. Couple more pics of the finished article to come tonight...

I've got an old Raleigh, what have you done about the bb? Is the token one Raleigh thread?
And the rear wheel, is it a standard 120mm track hub just tightened up in the frame? How's the chain line?

Oh most importantly - why did you get rid of the kellogs paint scheme????

I'm really not keen on covering up original paint but the photo at the top of the thread is quite flattering and doesn't show how bad the condition was. The frame was in good shape but there was loads of surface rust and most of the stickers were badly damaged. And let's face it, these frames are not that rare - and decal sets are available to revert in the future if someone really wanted to.

As for the bottom bracket, it's a standard English threaded 68mm shell so easy to find. The 108mm (if I remember correctly) Token was recommended for the Lasco crankset so chainline is spot on. The rear hub is 120mm versus the 126mm dropout so I did just pinch the chainstays a bit as I wound in the axle nuts, but that is fine.

Thats coming together nicely. Done a good job of the seatpost.

Shame about the original paint as I like the old Kellogs Pro but as you say it's not as if you slayed puppy....

Ladies bike is lush, really liking that!

Thanks Tel. That's an old BSA frame which also went to Armourtex. Built it for the missus for the summer - singlespeed 26in wheelset with Velo Orange Porteur bars and a little bit of Brooks tape. There's a Brooks saddle ready to go on it soon too. And the inevitable basket of course... I'll see if I can dig out some more pics.

Okay WHERE did you get that brake tool? That's awesome.

It is super helpful - I have an old Peugeot with centre-pull brakes and adjusting them without four pairs of hands is a total ball ache. Got it on eBay for about a fiver - find it here.

Ok, all finished, final set of pics below. Rode it into town today to hand it over to its new owner. Next project is to finish a 531c Raleigh with Sturmey 2-speed kickshift, which arrived in the post this morning...

Kitchen way too clean! Nice refurb on the bike though, your mate must be well pleased.

It is super helpful - I have an old Peugeot with centre-pull brakes and adjusting them without four pairs of hands is a total ball ache. Got it on eBay for about a fiver - find it here.

Cheers.

Lovely build, but it did look 10x in the original colours, even if it was battered.

looks good, I disagree. think it needed some fresh paint. Wouldnt want to make a new bike for someone and give them dodgy paint either.. only thing I would change are the brake levers. I think cheaper cross tops are better looking. Or even drop levers?

Thanks Tel. That's an old BSA frame which also went to Armourtex. Built it for the missus for the summer - singlespeed 26in wheelset with Velo Orange Porteur bars and a little bit of Brooks tape. There's a Brooks saddle ready to go on it soon too. And the inevitable basket of course... I'll see if I can dig out some more pics.

Yes please do!

Thanks for the comments. Don't think he would have understood the battered look - and it's going to get used rain or shine and a layer if powdercoat will at least protect the frame. Maybe I'll take it back off him in a few years and make it Kellogg's again!

apc - you are right about the cross-tops but I had the Dia Compes laying around. Bulky as hell, granted, but they are comfy to use.

Tel - will take some pics this weekend...