Broken Carlton.

Just back from a setting up run, to iron out the swing of the derailleurs and so forth!

I bought a joiner link for the old chain, though it is worn perilously thin. It will do for gentle use for a few days!

Nothing to say really except for a big grin and the feeling of contentment that comes from knowing that the old bike disserves it!

Photos next weekend after one or two cosmetic things are sorted out!

ATB from George

Dear Frank, Thanks for this.

I did read Franks post and the ... Then a sleep - yesterday was quite a day really!

And now just back from a nice evening ramble. I cannot think of anything not to like about the bike now except the gash gear levers! I have replaced the non-existent fibre washers [worn away, and no longer available as spare parts] with small cut out rubber rings and this works, but not for long I imagine! Unfortunately I butchered one of Shimano shifters in the process, but they are not long for this world! I believe the term is Recycling!

I fear one thing, and that is that the bike is now so nice that I may not want to use it in bad conditions! But it strikes me that the Peugeot could fairly easily be fitted with some light mudguards as it less close coupled at the brakes than the Carlton and be given some tyres with serious grip! The Pug is somewhat lower geared than the Carlton so would take this approach well enough, so as to keep the Carlton for pleasure, and fine weather commuting use.

The Sun Tour derailleur is a master-piece of crisp gear changing, even though the whole train is from before indexed gear shifting was introduced by Shimano. Amazing really, especially as the sprocket set is not of the modern sculpted type that allows for semi-powered changes. And it nicely gives the aural cue that it is well centred on the chosen sprocket with a nice solid click, like finding reverse on the Volvo! The top coggin is easily found as the spring is really robust, which is what found out the poor friction aspect of the Shimano gear lever on that side. A nice piece of kit to use. Thanks to Frank for saving this for me. The freewheel is also Sun Tour, and the two parts work very nicely together. The Shimano was so worn that it was a bit like a Mini car gearshift: They are all in there, ... err ... somewhere! The bike is calling me to make a long trip, but the trouble is that this must wait till I get a proper chain on! The present one will do for commuting for this week only, s it is just waiting to snap!

The long GPM crankset [172.5 rather than standard 170mm arms] with 53 and 42 tooth sprockets is perfectly in place on the bike, and will not subject to further experiements. I fitted a barely used Campagnolo front derailleur, which is predictably superb in action. Yes, the gear shifting and gear ratios are very nice.

This evening, I really enjoyed the way it is going, rather than being too tired to be very enthusiastic. I will take some pictures next weekend when I have bound the handlebar with tape again, and post them here.

Otherwise the bike rebuilding is fairly much completed ... A nice feeling to have finished a plan hatched some twelve months ago!

ATB from George

Dear Frank,

Thanks for the offer: Yes please. I have sent you an email.

I am so pleased to get the Carlton back up to scratch, and will gradually fix the Peugeot up for winter use now!

The Carlton has come out even more nicely than I imagined or hoped!

ATB from George

No handle bar tape, and a few running gear parts will soon arrive and be fitted, but I reckon that the bike is quite remarkably nice looking already. This photo was taken by a colleague at work at about quarter past for with a Sony Erikson 12 MPixel camera in a rather swish phone! Then emailed. Amazing what new technology can do!!!

By the weekend the running gear will be completely sorted out, bar tape fitted, and a general buffing up done as well! I plan an early morning ride out and will hopefully catch some atmospheric pictures to post taken on the Malverns, and round my childhood home in Herefordshire, where the Easterly backdrop is also the Malvern Hills. Hopefully the weather will be nice for it!

Let me add that it rides even nicer than it looks!

ATB from George

Nice one George,IMO this style looks so much classier than the modern plastic versions.

She looks stunning George, congratulations on a job well done.

Yes, I am more than pleased with the way the old lady is coming back to life.

Mind you I failed to credit Argos Racing Cycles in Bristol with the enameling which has been done with supreme attention to detail. Even the initially riveted on gear cable guide on the bottom bracket has been refitted with a properly threaded Allen-head bolt. I could never have imagined or hoped for a job done with nearly this level of finesse, and it should ensure the bike will now outlast me! The guys at Argos were very kind about a frame that is much less spectacular than some they repair and enamel!

I recommend Argos with the certainty of the experience of great service, attention to detail, offering sane advice about the job [which I heeded], and also a kind attitude, which was as helpful as could be, even over what was a rather low key job compared to many they do!

ATB from George

George, it looks great! Ride safe, and enjoy!

Dave

What a wonderful change seen! Congrats George!

Very nice.

That sole photo gives a good impression of the bike, but one nice improvement, which hardly alters the look, was fitting Campagnolo brake calipers.

Strong and very progressive, so no hint of out of control bite, but plenty of strength smoothly comes.

I have re-taped the bar, which the same thick black tape. I am thinking that any colour than black will show the marks when I have the chain come off, and get all mucky putting it back on!

The only thing left is to sort the saddle out, but there is some work yet to do on restoring the old Brooks I have!

I should have some proper pictures early next week! The bike has really become sui generis in the process of the rebuild, so I am not sure the purists would really approve!!!

ATB from George

Just for reference, this first picture is very nearly as the Carlton was purchased by my friend twenty five years ago. This photo is from March 2009.



And this similar profile taken on Sunday.



And a view from the front.



I hope you like these pictures.

All the best to you all in the future from George

quote:

All the best to you all in the future from George

Is that a "sign off" Fred?

You've done the Carlton proud George. It looks very nice indeed.

Happy and safe cycling.

George.