Hello from NY

[cookgeez]

Hi everybody , I have been searching for weeks for a place to ask loads of questions ! And share experiences.
Always been and biker , been lucky to mountain bike all over world
Just got back into road biking last summer , took a proper fitting and chose a 54cm lightspeed titanium and loving it !
Now I want to rebuild my godfathers bike that I was gifted when I was 14 I’m now 51.
It’s a late 40’s Hobbs of Barbican . I had it resprayed back then and put on basic components and now want to upgrade. But .... as much as I’d love to have a classic. I do want to ride it and enjoy riding it.
So I know I need to spread rear chainstays to take a 10/11 cassette.
That modern brakes aren’t long enough
Got to gut everything , BB etc
Anything else I need to consider ?
And equally important I’m looking for nice example of what colour to go for ? Godfather still alive 89 and says it was originally red and green so would like a modern play on that !
Any thoughts and help would be most appreciated. Then I’ll tell you about my Holdsworth that I inherited ......

 

[Ming the Merciless]

Have not seen those short (useless) mudguards since I had the same type on my tracker bike in the 70's! BB shell dimensions have not changed for ever, so you should be able to get a modern BB to fit without issue. You might need new cranks though. Have a look for long drop brakes that may be fine. Reach of course may be an issue if trying to fit 700C rather than original 27" wheels.

 

[Ming the Merciless]

Down tube shifters, stick with them. Far better than dual control levers.

 

[cookgeez]

Down tube shifters, stick with them. Far better than dual control levers.

Maybe just upgrade to a shimano 600 or goldern arrow then and keep the DT shifters ? or would a first edition Dura Race fit ok ? Just keep the rims so i can use any brakes and have the rear hub rebuilt ?

 

[further]

Welcome
Looks good, keep us informed.