Tag Archives: bicycle

Zunow KYGM 650B Randonneur

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Two years ago, as the COVID pandemic was sweeping across the country, I began searching Yahoo Japan auctions daily, purchasing items via their Buyee proxy service as a way to distract myself and pass the time.  I’d done this before, from 2011-2016, stopping after I began a new job that left no time for bicycle collecting and restoring.  In April 2020, I was working from home for the first time during the scariest, and at times surreal, period of history I have ever lived through.  The daily treasure hunt was a welcome respite, and soon I found a twin of my “Zunow grail bike“.  Read on to learn more about it.

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1950s Bianchi Sport City Bike

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It’s been a few years since I’ve restored a bike older than the 1970s, and this Bianchi Sport was the perfect candidate.  With a timeless, classic design and high quality details, it was born to cruise the streets in style.  Mechanically simple, it retains a few distinctively Bianchi features that set it apart from the rest.  Read on to learn about this lovely ladies’ bike and the restoration process.

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Italian Steel in the Eighties: The Gios Compact

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The Gios Compact debuted in 1986, and has since been considered by cyclists and collectors to be one of the best frames Gios ever produced. The most revolutionary technical innovation introduced by the Gios Compact was its adjustable dropout system.  The wheelbase can be lengthened or shortened by 8mm, to create an aggressive hill-climber or a more sedate roadie, depending on the terrain and the rider’s preference.  This example from 1987 was recently restored in my shop with a period-correct mix of Shimano Dura Ace and 600 components.  Read on to learn more about the Gios Compact and the Gios story.

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A Masterpiece from Torino: 1977 Benotto 2500

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Sometimes a bike just radiates warmth.  It invites your eyes to dance over its curves, linger on the finer details, and imagine the wind rushing by as you ride it on a sunny day.  This 1977 Benotto 2500 is that kind of bike, and was a pleasure to restore.  Equipped with a Campagnolo Nuovo Record groupset, it exemplifies the ideal of the Italian racing bicycle as envisioned by its founder and former racer, Giacinto Benotto.  Read on for more photos and background on this bicycle and the legendary brand behind it.

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Raleigh Competition MK. II Restoration

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The Competition joined Raleigh’s lineup of racing and sports bicycles in 1969 as an affordable alternative to their top-of-the-line Professional and International models.  This one is from 1976, built by Carlton and featuring a Reynolds 531 frame & fork with Huret dropouts.  It came equipped with Huret Jubilee derailleurs, which set world records as the lightest production derailleur ever made and which are now rare pieces of kit.  The derailleurs, matching Specialities T.A. Professional crankset, bottom bracket and headset are all original to this bike, which I recently restored.  Read on to learn more about the Raleigh Competition MK. II!

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Lucky Penny – My Handmade 3Rensho Tribute Fixed Gear

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In the fall of 2015, I embarked on a project to build myself a fixed gear bicycle using a set of the famous 3Rensho Modeulo lugs.  The build is chronicled in this Bikeforums thread, where I kept a photo diary of the process.  At the time, I didn’t know this would be the last frame I’d build for several years.  I’ve been riding and loving this bike for years since then, but I never got around to photographing and writing about the finished product.  This is my favorite bike, and I finally have some great photos of it.  Read on to learn about the inspiration for the frame, the copper plating, and the build.

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Restored 3Rensho Super Record Aero

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I put this bike together in 2016, after I completed the restoration of the frame.  The restoration process is documented here.  The smaller of the two Super Record Aero frames sold quickly, but this larger one hung around for a while.  I came into possession of a Lotus Classique bicycle, which I stripped in order to build up this 3Rensho.

In addition to the stock Sugino and Suntour components, I added modern Tektro brake levers, and cork bar tape that was shellacked a dark brown.  I also added a 3Rensho pantographed stem I had at the time, to give it some extra flair.  It was sold soon afterwards.  I realized recently that I’d never published any photos of the built up bike, so click “Read More” to check out the full hi-res gallery after the jump.

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