Compact True Temper Track

This has been on the go for a long while; I finished the brazing in November but have only been able to get into the workshop on the odd weekend to work on smoothing the fillets.

I wanted to build a true track frame, both modern and old-school, usable and beautiful. I designed the geometry, long and low at the front whilst allowing for a decent range of adjustment. Fairly steep angles, low rake fork and short chainstays should give it a nice nimble feel. I've given it a low slung compact toptube, saving a lot of tubing, weight and hopefully making it a bit stiffer.

It's made from a custom drawn True Temper tube set, designed by Koichi Yamaguchi for the USA track team bikes.

Some pics from the build process:




Seeing as they have my name engraved on them and I've always liked the way they looked, it had to be Paul track dropouts

Finally this weekend I finished all metal work and popped some wheels on. It was a pretty exciting moment to see a project transform into something that resembles a bike.

reminds me a bit of dolan seta geo, looks good

Awesome! subbed

Really nice!

... a custom drawn True Temper tube set, designed by Koichi Yamaguchi for the USA track team bikes.

Time to start a "tubeset prawn" thread.

Great job so far!

Thanks for the kind words guys, it's been a labour of love but a labour no less and I'm stoked it's finally coming together I did a dry fit today after tapping, reaming and facing it and all's good, now I need to get the paint sorted.

I know pretty much how I want it but not yet decided on how to go about it. I always wanted a yellow bike and love the primary colours on these old Look KG233's

I want the bike to have an American/Colorado feel and after toying with names and graphics for a while I'm settled on something like this for the downtube

And this for the headtube

I also want this True Temper logo for the toptube but can't find a decal supplier or even a quality image online, if anyone has a source it would be much appreciated

I'm thinking to get the frame powder coated bright yellow, then getting a set of vinyl decals and stencils cut for the graphics. Using the decals first to check how it all looks then using the stencils to spray the graphics on myself. I have no idea what weight vinyl to use or who to get to do the work, any ideas/thoughts are most welcome

As for components, it's going to be built with all the bits I used on my Orlowski when I had it built for track last year

With the exception of the seat post, I think a silver one will look better. What's good, cheap and silver? Ritchey Classic, anything else?

Also this bike is 1" ahead so I need a new headset, probably gonna go Cane Creek then shim and stick with the Zipp stem

Kalloy SP248 (often rebranded) fulfills all those criteria.

I have a lightly used Cane Creek 40, 1" threadless HS going spare.

Good shout, it does indeed, I have one on another bike but the condition is too bad for a nice new build. It used to be black but I stripped and polished it, might see about doing the same to the Pro post above…

How much do you want for the headset? That's the one I was thinking of getting

Whats the post on your 'lowski there? Decent looking (imo) layback alu posts seem to be fairly rare

It's a Pro Vibe 7s, nice post just a bit tatty in its current state

Best price I can find is £30 posted, so £20 posted from me.

I don't think it had a year's use and I didn't fit the topcap or star-fangled nut.

@TM was interested and has first dibs though.

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Perfect, well if @TM doesn't want it I'll take it off your hands

The true temper logo is my favourite

It's all about painted decals these days, so why not splash the cash, and you get your true temper on the top tube - in a fresh custom style too!

BTW yellow bikes rule.

OK: I've sent him a PM.

@Scilly.Suffolk thanks for he consideration I've decided to use one of the threaded headsets in the parts bin.

Most welcome!

I'll send you a PM.

this looks awesome!

Mine too, I think it adds a certain something to any bike that bears the mark and seeing as this is made from True Temper of that era it has to have it

I agree, painted decals is the way to go but I want to do at least part of the paint job myself. I don't have the facilities/skills to do a nice, long lasting full spray job but figure I can probably manage spraying on the decals using stencils (or am I deluded and this is harder than it seems?) then perhaps taking it to professional for a final clearcoat

I just got this back from the powdercoaters, really happy with the colour and finish. It's too bright for my phone to deal with but in person it's really nice, very bright but not quite fluro

Just gotta press the headset and cut down steerer then it's ready to roll. So stoked on this!

Headset received from @Scilly.Suffolk, thanks by the way