Dave Russell.

[biggs682]

I responded to the below Faceache post yesterday .

>>> NOW TAKEN << My 21.5 inch 1982 Dave Russel 531db. {it also spent some time in White and Purple Condor livery} Obviously needs TLC but it's straight and dent free. Nice short w/b and some nice vintage shimano bits too. Challenges will be getting the seatpost and BB out, though the BB was a sealed unit and has probly done less than 1000 miles. DM me if interested. I've got a pile of bits of the same era including a couple of pairs of old cinelli bars that will go with it. Oh and in 1983 at the age of 16 it took me to a 21min 10 and a 56min 25 with brake cables n everything!

I was lucky enough to collect it earlier today from the previous owner who competed at the 1986 commonwealth games in Edinburgh on it .

My expectations were not high with the look of the campagnolo seat post.

 

[midlife]

That was quick

 

[biggs682]

Once home I sneaked into the garage after taking the below picture.

First job was to give everything a generous spray of plus gas and say a few prayers on the hope that the seat post might not be seized .

And imagine my total surprise that it just popped out in my hand

Once I recovered from that shock I raised the stem also not seized. I then swapped the hybrid wheels for a set of Mavic ma 40 rimmed ones that were in more keeping.

I couldn't resist a gentle cycle path pootle so of I set of for a 1.5 mile road test .

It's an amazingly light machine and I am looking forward to doing what ever happens next to it .

Got some nice bits on it including the rusty red chain

 

[biggs682]

That was quick

Certainly was

 

[weareHKR]

Wow, that's awesome... hope you keep us updated with the progress...

 

[midlife]

Looks mid 70's so wonder who it was made for?

 

[biggs682]

Looks mid 70's so wonder who it was made for?

Markus Reeves and he thought it was 1981/2 after showing a bit of promise on an older and heavier bike

 

[biggs682]

Wow, that's awesome... hope you keep us updated with the progress...

In two minds what to do next as previous owner said he replaced bottom bracket for a sealed unit but thinks the threads are a bit rough so it was put in with some lock tight to hold it in place so he wasn't sure how easily it would come out .

So i might just have a quick try and see what happens as worse comes to worse i can fit a threadless unit as i would like to get some miles on it to see how it rides before making any decisions on a refurb etc etc .

Other jobs on the list are a different set of wheels and tyres , back to drops with new cables and a new chain oh and some pads then some miles

 

[southcoast]

Markus Reeves and he thought it was 1981/2 after showing a bit of promise on an older and heavier bike

I did hear that some of Dave’s frame have the initials of the first owner as part of the frame number.

 

[midlife]

Lugs, over bb guides, nutted brakes, fully sloping fork crown, style of top tube cabling and long dropouts would make me think a bit earlier than the 80`s, especially for a custom build?

 

[biggs682]

Lugs, over bb guides, nutted brakes, fully sloping fork crown, style of top tube cabling and long dropouts would make me think a bit earlier than the 80`s, especially for a custom build?

I can only go with what the original owner told me .
But I understand your thoughts .

 

[midlife]

I can only go with what the original owner told me .
But I understand your thoughts .

Hi, it's just curiosity, as you know it's my era and once smartened up will look a million dollars

 

[Kempstonian]

Nice. Very nice! Well worth a refurb I think. I hope the bb won't be too much of a problem.

A 21 minute '10' isn't hanging around! Nor is the 56 come to that.

 

[biggs682]

Quick update , both pedals came off easily as did the cranks .
And both bottom bracket cups move so should come out as well

 

[biggs682]

Bit of an update .
I have been gently applying some thinners and wiping or a gentle rub with fine wire wool to see what is underneath the black paint .

Also pulled the bottom bracket out as it was a bit notchy a threadless one will go back in as the threads are a bit weak.