Joe's Mixed Bag: Ridley / Kona Honky Tonk / Merckx Strada/Tecnos

More CAAD progress. Prime 50mm wheels bought and de-stickered. Silver Deda bars to be rattle canned gloss black to match. Black Tange sealed bearing headset incoming. Strap wrench to remove Stronglight headset bought but yet to deploy it in anger, here's hoping I can get it off without damaging it!

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Rad! Yellow cables on this pls

Looks great - I’m envious of the yellow Flite. If you decide to go black I would swap any day plus cash

This is shaping up really great!

Will be tough not damaging that HS without the right tool but if you put a layer of clothe between tool and HS, you could avoid it.
I once had a bike with this HS and I did damage it while removing. Because no clothe and tool ripped.

@Chirac Thanks, good advice. Aiming to remove it cleanly so I can sell it on and someone else can run it, interesting looking headset just not in keeping with how i want the bike to look. Due to needing it's own spanner I don't think they're very desirable! The strap wrenches I bought should give me the best shot, job for the New Year.
@kjlem Bold shout! I have black in the box of groupset bits so will use them. Bar tape coming is Viper Yellow Lizard Skinz, I hope that and the saddle will be a similar Yellow and make the frame stand out.
@lotsirb, noted. The saddle seems unusual as most seem to have black kevlar tabs.
@Tijs Thanks! The more black parts I fit the better it looks to my mind, wheels really bring it together.

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Well, strap wrench did the business to remove the Stronglight headset without the proprietary spanner and without damaging the top cup or the frame which was a relief. Needle bearings were in surprisingly good condition too. However, I didn't appreciate the Cannondale head tube is turned down internally to accept the headset cups. Assuming this is normal for the frame, but makes knocking out the headset more tricky...

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The Cannondale lives in a cupboard at work along with the Merckx to keep things D-1 as per this thread:

https://www.lfgss.com/conversations/383374/?offset=25#comment16847959

Stronglight headset knocked out, Tange Falcon pressed in. Steerer cut to keep the stack low. Shit pic in situ but the black headset tidies the front up nicely. Bars and levers undergoing strenuous BDHU analysis, R7000 and traditional drop bars is a bit of a challenge...

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Also fitted black Friday LB R25s on Bitex hubs to my Kona because I'm weirdly attached to it and enjoy riding it. And because I've made it totally unsuitable for touring/using in gross conditions (Argos paint is beautiful but soft), I stripped the Moser frame and built up a 531 Joe Waugh with the parts and SKS Bluemels. One ride so far, very comfy.

Apologies for the shit photo compositions and quality, only have a phone and ability to work on bikes in the evening. Proper camera and lighting come springtime!

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Some lovely builds in here. The golf Mk2 though takes the biscuit!

Yeah wish progress on the car was as rapid/straightforward as the bikes... sadly been languishing in my garage for 5+ years part-stripped for floorpan repairs and repaint. One day!

Finally finished building the CAAD3 Saeco up. Key points:
Frame is in remarkable shape for the age - one little dint in the TT but otherwise no bubbling or paint loss
The original CODA stem is a bit gross but the right length and came with the frameset so it's staying for the foreseeable.
Yellow Flite had faded to almost match the frame decals. Brand new Lizard Skinz tape not so much - I gambled and missed there. But it's on and not too disgraceful so I'll keep it till it wears out.
Painted the fork dropouts black - looks better.
Crossed the gear cables and running left-front brake to avoid cable rub.
Rode it round the block to check size/indexing - fits nicely and I like the Shimano hoods - first bike I've had with them. Looking forward to a proper ride soon.

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And a nice addition to my Merckx Strada - a Garmin Edge 25 from the Classifieds on here. Works a treat and suits the bike - I'm in the minority but I like a small square computer, this does it all without a magnet and speed sensor on the fork too.

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Yes!

I love it

So, updates and hopefully the start of a thread rather than bulletins. Sold the Cannondale as a complete build as it was one bike too many sadly. Merckx Strada lives at work for Friday lunchtime rides and has been used plenty.

Was perusing other threads and saw @retrodicorsa was selling a Colnago Tecnos which I'd liked the look of when it was up for sale first time, but slept on and was quite jealous of @getoutofbed's build. Has all the features I wanted: Art Decor paint with the cyclist on the top tube, in good nick but not mint, plenty of chrome

So did a buy

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Plan of attack is to tidy up the frame over the winter: touching up the chips and scuffs, painting over the worn pantographing (gold Tamiya paint incoming) and generally helping it look its best before building up

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The build will probably be predictable and a swap of parts from the Merckx: 10 speed Record, 25mm LB tubs on shiny hubs and spokes, silver finishing kit etc

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