Mixte Frame Univega Custom Ten Refurbish Project

   



A few months ago, I posted my 1984 Univega Specialissima on Craigslist, thinking I'd sell it and begin a new project.

Instead, a potential buyer commissioned me to refurbish a Mixte frame Univega Custom Ten she'd purchased, since my Specialissima was not the correct frame size for her.
   



The bike was pretty rough - the brazing for the rear brake support had cracked, most of the drivetrain was old, steel, and rusted.

In the end, the build went relatively quickly, I think because someone was actually waiting for it unlike my usual routine in which I slowly build a bike over several months.

I wish now I'd weighed it, as we ended up replacing almost everything except the frame with alloy parts, and I imagine the weight savings was substantial.
   

DIY 1" Threaded Headset Installation Tool

My 1971 Italvega Nuovo Record build is proceeding, and for headset installation I used a length of threaded rod, washers, and nuts to press the headset bearing races and cups into the head tube. 

The photo shows both regular nuts and wingnuts at each end, however this was just how I assembled the parts before purchase, figuring I could decide later which worked. In the end, the wingnuts look better, but functionally I think the regular nuts worked better, as the cups fit tightly and are difficult to insert simply using hand strength with the wingnuts.

The tool worked well, and allowed me to install my headset without damaging anything.

1971 Italvega Nuovo Record Components

This week I'll be starting the 1971 Italvega Nuovo Record Build. Most of the components have been cleaned, but I might polish a few of the showier alloy parts before final assembly.



I need to decide on a headset. I don't think I want to spend the money it would take to find a period correct Campagnolo Nuovo Record headset, but some of the Stronglight headsets from that time are also quite attractive, and a bit less expensive. This would match the very attractive Stronglight crank, and would be an upgrade for the bike as well.


   










The bike originally came with Campagnolo downtube shifters, but I'll be upgrading the bike to use Campagnolo bar end shifters instead.


   








These vintage Campy parts really are quite beautiful. I usually build 80's period Japanese bikes with Suntour parts, which I actually find quite nicely designed, but building this bike has really given me an appreciation for the jewelry-like beauty of some of the Italian hardware.


   

1971 Italvega Nuovo Record - New Powdercoat and Decals are Finished

On to the next project - the 1971 Italvega Nuovo Record has been waiting for about six months for it's rebirth, and it's time to get started.

I really like the Italvega/Univega story, and despite the fact that Ben Lawee was more of a designer/distributor than a bike builder himself, I find his frames to be some of the prettiest and most graceful of their time period. I suppose if you can't do it yourself, find someone to do a good job for you!

Anyways, after spending the past year or so working on the Specialissima, I thought it would be fun to work on an earlier Lawee product, one of the Columbus tubing/Campy equipped Italvegas. 

Although I didn't keep the original color, I did select a color that Italvega used during this time period for my powdercoating. Like the other bikes I've refurbished, I went with Triple A Powdercoating in El Monte, CA because of their excellent work and fair prices. Once again, they did a great job. Up close, this  frame looks like it's been nicely sprayed with quality paint, despite the fact that the coating is an industrial strength protective coating. The attention to detail they give is really exceptional. In the end, this bike has a beautiful, almost unscratchable period correct finish that I'm very happy with.

The decals are also new - purchased on ebay, they went on easy and have a UV guarantee.

   

Cleaning House .... Shimano Nexus 8 Speed Red Band Wheelset

I'm clearing my garage space for more projects. One project I just never got around too was making an internally geared bike. Oh well.

If anyone is interested, this wheelset is quite nice. The rims are double walled, 700c, 36h, stainless spokes with indicator stripe. The hub works great, and I believe the spacing is 132mm, although you can shave several millimeters off by using a slimmer locknut. Basically, this means you can put this thing on modern road bikes, all year mountain bikes, and vintage road frames with a slimmed down locknut and some minor re-spacing of the rear dropouts.

Here's the ebay listing:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/120897660147?ssPageName=STRK:MESELX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1555.l2649#ht_500wt_1202


 

Moving Blogs...sort of

Things have slowed on this blog - most content is going to a new address - Lugsbugs.blogspot.com .

I'll eventually separate the content of the two - this blog will be about building and refurbishing bikes, that one will be more about actual Touring and Riding topics. But for now, that blog is where most of my content is going..

See you over there!

2012 Project Bikes

This year I'll be busy!

From Left to Right:

1. 59cm    1986 Univega Gran Sprint
2. 52.5cm 1992 Trek 720 Multi Track
3. 59cm    1971 Italvega Nuovo Record
4. 63cm    1980 Univega Sportour

I can't wait to get started. The Trek is going first, I'll update the blog as I go.