Winter Projects - (seeking local brazer)

So, last summer, I was lucky enough to get my hands on a bike I had long lusted after—my uncle's custom 531 MTB, which was featured in issue 4 of MBUK over 34 years ago.

I rode the bike in its un-restored state (most of the way) back from Lands End on the Sustrans network and set to transforming it into a usable commuter/bikepacking/touring machine.

As much as I wanted to preserve all the features that made this bike unique in its time, the cup and cone hubs are badly pitted, the drivechain in beyond tired, Uniglide doesn't play nice with anything modern, and it didn't take long for me to realize why chainstay-mounted cantilever brakes didn't catch on.

Anyway, to cut a long story short, the frame holds sentimental value for me, and I'd prefer the sympathetic resto-mod approach over the expensive, NOS anorak one. This means I'm considering swapping the fork for something like a Pace RC31, getting a new disc wheelset, a 1x groupset, and using some parts bin Hope minis.

Could anyone on the forum point me in the direction of a local frame builder/brazer who might be able to add a disc mount to the frame?

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I’d start by trying Gav at August Cycles in Bawburgh or Duncan from Crossley Metal in Aylsham.

Get in touch with Duncan, lovely chap! http://crossleymetal.com or try his instagram https://instagram.com/crossley_metal_bikes?igshid=NzZlODBkYWE4Ng==

Cheers James. @v12 happy to take a look for you!

@RunRabbitRun, I'd blame it on Christmas but I've just been slack with this project, sorry.

It's been kick-started again after the rattle-can lacquer gave up against winter commute and the frame is now stripped and looking sorry for itself on the workbench.

If you're still interested in helping me out with a disc mount and some direction for a proper paint job it'd be much appreciated!

Thanks

(Warning: Rust gore).

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Sent you a DM.

Just clicked the crossley metal website and how nice it is to see some italienate seat stay clusters

This looks like a very very cool project.

Following in the hope that this happens and ends up being 👍

We had the pleasure of having @v12's frame in the workshop for a couple of days.

It was a really nice frame that obviously has some great history too, the story of the return journey to Norfolk was great to hear too!

While in the workshop we added an IS disc mount to the seat stay of the frame along with a brace between the stays and the necessary cable guides.

The original Suntour dropouts look to have been modified by the original builder, the rack/mudguard eyes seem to be brazed on rather than part of the initial forging. I didn't know whether these were attached with Silver or Brass, so I was super careful with the heat when attaching the disc tab to the dropout. It was a fun little mitre to get the tab to fit around the eyelets.

Can't wait to see this frame repainted and up and running again!

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Yeeeee

Love to see it!

Stridsland fork with 1" steerer might be a good fit for this - he's got 1" threadless headsets as well.

@MisterMikkel, Yes! I've been eyeing these up for a while. Sadly out not due for a restock for another few months.

Thanks to @RunRabbitRun for the sterling work, the frame looks even better in the flesh.

I've had a bit of luck with a cheap 26" Chris King/Mavic X819 wheelset so the next step is to play around with a dry build and then get the frame off to Argos Cycles for paint.

I know a few shops in the UK ordered forks from him, so it might be worth asking somewhere like Woods Cyclery, if they've got a 1" spare still

@MisterMikkel, Thanks, I've contacted Woods and they've said it's not something they stock.

Was this the right shop? (https://www.thewoodscyclery.co.uk/)

Long shot, but do you know of anyone else that has imported them? Google is coming up dry.

Yeah they were the ones.. I'm sorry, but I just know from glancing at his stories on IG
You're probably better off reaching out to @t0-ster himself on Instagram, Facebook or via email

Fresh out of the paint shop.

@RunRabbitRun kindly recommended Adam at Aeromax Coatings in Raveningham. After some deliberation over colours I discussed a clear powder coat, reminiscent of the Cinelli Mash Work that I had initially tried with U-Pol clear coat aerosol. Adam seemed confident of the durability and for £30 I thought it was worth another roll of the dice. The clear powder has meant that the frame has kept a lot of character and I'm very impressed with the finish so far.

I'm hoping to complete the build tomorrow with a temporary, rear-only brake setup until I can get hold of a Stridsland Barnacle fork.

More pics to follow!

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Photos

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Nice work! And £30?!?!? Wow! You must have spent more on fuel picking it up. Especially filling up at the most expensive garage in the east :)
I’ll be keeping an eye on how this holds up.

Incredible, eh? I'm thinking of stripping the aging red paint off my Steamroller and doing the same if it holds up.

👌

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So far, so good.

I've found the rear brake hose from my donor bike wasn't long enough so there are a fresh pair of hoses in the post, along with a wider square taper BB, and I'm off to hunt through the spares box in the attic for a 9spd shifter.

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So, updates.

I mistakenly bought 5 mm brake hoses before discovering Hope used 6 mm lines for their early brakes. A little while later and I've got the rear plumbed in, just waiting on the Stridsland fork (and available mounting point) for the front brake.

I found the accompanying XT shifter for the rear mech and also got a bit medieval on the 2.35 rear tyre in the name of clearance. They're part worn and came with the wheelset, so I'll go for a 2.1 when the time comes to replace them.

Tomorrow's weather looks good for a little shakedown and maybe some bike tag.

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Holy shit that looks good

Just ridiculous. Looks like a lot of fun.