Zaschke Lo Pro - Oak Cycles frame repair.

I have been meaning to start a thread on this but just haven't found the time to do so and since then I have manage to build it, ride it for a while, crashed it and repaired it again. So here goes....

The frame was bought of the forum about 2 years ago after wanting a Lo pro for a very long time. It was was in a very good condition when received and the finish was beautiful, especially with the pearlescent paint and lugs. I particularly like the Zues track ends.

This was from the original sales thread :

*"Mark Zaschke still races and works in ely city cycle centre, where this was built. The previous owner told me it was reynolds 653. It is very light has nice cutouts in the lugs and a Cinelli bottom bracket shell. There are a view scratches but nothing bad, no rust, dings or dents. Good straight frame. Would make a great project. nice wraparound fastback seatstays.

I suspect this has been used for timetrialing as the front forks are drilled and the forks have quite a bit of rake, no toe overlap."*

This is how it was when first built and was riding it like this for awhile. The setup wasn't really suited for longer rides as you can see with the 'much amazing' saddle to drop difference which then lead me to go for a setup thats more relaxed.

So after spotted a Cinelli Priest Bars on the sales thread, I thought it would be an nice handlebar to have on a Lo pro, so I went for it. I also found a nice 700/650 Campag pista hubs laced to Mavic 4 CD clincher wheelset which I thought would fit it.

I felt very happy with the build and went on a few rides. The position felt really comfortable. Annoyingly, I got involve in a crash which resulted in a crimped top and bottom tube.

I was gutted when I realised the damage but didn't want to give up on this so I asked around and contacted frame builders. I got in touch with Ryan at Oak Cycles and presented my problem. He was very helpful and clear about the process/cost and answered all the questions I had. I understood that it was a laborious job and that the whole front end of the frame needed to be rebuild, that means replacing the head, top and down tube. I also asked about getting the same bend on the top tube. He said that has never bend a tube but willing to have a go. After a few emails, I finally send it in for the rebuild.

Ryan contacted me when the frame was ready for painting at Armoutex. I wanted to get a close finish as the original so he sugested I went for BS 381C Number 111 (Pale Blue). Armourtex also manage to keep the chrome details on the chainstay and the track ends. I also like the finish of the polished head badge and fillet brazing on the tubes. So what I have here is basically an Oak and a Zaschke frame joined together so I'm thinking about getting an Zaschke vinyl cut to go on the seat tube. I will change parts but this is the setup I am happy to go for now.

That was a nice bit of history, I remember when this was up for sale, its quite a unique frame. Glad to read that you got it repaired too, it looks better now than ever.

Good stuff on not giving up on this beauty! reminds me of my build a little also had the top and down tube replaced. Done by Ted james but Oak cycles did a craking job! You wouldn't know. Do you feel any difference in the frame or dose it feel the same?

Oh yeah if you ever think of letting that corima go, i'd be very interested..:)

That is awesome! Good work on keeping the faith with it!

What tyre is on the back there btw?

Ryan has done a lovely job, those bilaminate lugs look perfect coupled with the tiny headtube.

Great project! And 2nd on Corima

seen this live and direct and its sharp, good to see those cranks getting some action!

perf.
Love the swept bars on this.

Beautiful! My only criticism is that seatpost being so scratched, this build deserves a perfect one!

When I saw it on flickr I thought you'd just got a new frame built exactly the same or something... figured it out after a minute tho.

What happened to the old saddle? I always thought it really suited this bike.

I sold this on here in march 2011 but I think to the guy you bought it from (actually it seems to have gone through hands on here). Good to see it again. I always liked it.

maybe I still do have pictures of how it was built up before the hhsb treatment in the first pic. Nice work on the repairs btw.

edit: Just checked...Yep I sold it to Dandy, remember shipping it to Leeds.

I had been wondering what had happened to this frame, so glad to see you rescued it after the crash! I remember when Dandy had this and used to deliver bread on it around the mean streets of Leeds... always admired it.

Oooo hello there! Good to see Dandy was delivering bread on it :) I love the way this frame feels…although not the stiffest but very very lightweight even after the repairs, it still feels great like before. Im not sure what tubing Ryan used for the replacement tho. Im really happy with the end result and good to know that its been around the forum.

Yeap definitely, the seatpost brings it down. Im gonna try to find s Campag seatpost in a better condition.

Hey PR, the cranks are great btw.

Nice spot Theo, the Giro d' Italia saddle compliments the frame nicely, especially the curves and gold trimming to match the Super toughness chain. Its so hard to find a replacement so Im keeping it safe for the time being. I just thought since I put on the Corima and bullhorns, I may as well put a modern looking saddle for now although the back tyre don't suit the build, maybe fit the good old Hardshells? Saying that, I might just leave it and and fit the normal spoked front wheel again and maybe get some risers instead? The Corima is somewhat sort after ey…..I may sellz it one of these days ;)

And heres the rear tyre dick, the thread pattern looks good imo.

Do you know if leaving it it unpainted after the repair was an option?

Im not sure, I guess that the frame had to be sent over to the finisher anyway to get it sand blasted and clear-coated? That would be a nice option :)

Repair on the njs Ollie? #replaceallthetubes

Possibly, would want to preserve as much of the paint as possible

From what I learned,you can be specific with Armourtex. I asked Ryan if they could preserve the chrome details and they manage to mask them. Im not sure how much this would be relevant to your frame? What needs replacing and what would you like to preserve? Sorry to hear your frame is fucked though.

Same as your situation, need front triangle replaced. The paint is an amazing red candy chrome with little sparkles, hence why I would want to preserve as much of it on the rear triangle as possible. Any idea if it is possible to clearcoat the frame (to prevent rust on the raw front triangle) without ruining the remaining paint?
Yours has turned out lovely though, how long did it take?

Cheers Ok, I felt the same way as I wanted keep the originality, well at least on the finish. In theory, you can clear-coat just the front triangle by masking the remaining paint, however the joints where the front and rear triangle meet would be damaged as these areas would be affected by welding? If that make any sense.....sorry. It took about 2 months to be done.

If you had clearcoated that it would have been so good...!

How did the forks survive un-damaged?