Singlespeed Conversion

schweiz

This was supposed to be a winter project. The frame was recovered from my dad's garden. The bike is approx 40-45 years old. My dad got it many years ago (30+) off his next door neighbour who was quite angry at the time as their son had 'not looked after his expensive bike'. Originally 5 speed, now single speed/fixed.

It was originally going to be a winter hack but the cottered cranks were steel, heavy and badly corroded and were 3 bolt so finding a new chain ring would have been difficult. The decision to buy a new crankset and BB pushed up the budget and change the type of project from a winter hack to a full restoration. The original hubs were 40h rear and 32h front. 40h rims are not that common (i.e. expensive) so that led to the HALO hubs. But the OLN distance were 117 rear and 95 front which meant some customisation. Original handlebar was only 350mm, way too narrow for me so it was replaced with new 440mm one. It was finally finished on Christmas Eve when the stickers arrived.

From this...




to this...









Frame: Steel - Tubing Unknown
Forks: Steel
Bars: Deda Piega 44cm (original was only 35cm!)
Stem: Milremo Aluminium Quill. Original bored out to fit new h/b
Headset: Threaded
Bar Tape: Easton

Front Brake Lever: Mafac
Front Caliper: Mafac centre pull
Rear Brake Lever: Mafac
Rear Caliper: Mafac centre pull

Shifters: None
Cables: Shimano XT
Front Mech: None
Rear Mech: None

Seat: Selle Italia SLK
Seat Post: Original Chromed Steel
Seat Post Clamp: Original Steel

Cranks: Miche Primato Advanced 165mm
Chainring(s): 47T Miche Primato Advanced
Chain: KMC Z510 1/8"
Cassette: Miche 18T Fixed / No Name 18T Freewheel
Pedals: Shimano SPD-SL R540
Bottom Bracket: Miche Primato Track 107mm

Front Wheel:
Rim: Mavic CXP 22 32h
Spokes: DT Swiss 2.0mm plain gauge laced 2 cross
Hub: HALO Track Hub (machined to fit 95mm OLN)
Tube: Vittoria
Tyre: Vittoria Rubino Pro

Back Wheel:
Rim: Mavic CXP 22 32h
Spokes: DT Swiss 2.0mm plain gauge laced 3 cross
Hub: HALO Track Hub Flip Flop (machined to fit 117mm OLN)
Tube: Vittoria
Tyre: Vittoria Rubino Pro

Accessories: none

Weight: approx 9.4kg (bathroom scales with and without bike)

Other info:

Frame painted by sisters boyfriend. Thanks Joey!
Machining done by my dad. Thanks Dad!
Shot blasting care of my dad and the surface treatment dept. at my work. Thanks Martin!
Stickers by Underground Graphics http://www.undergroundgraphics.com Thanks Chris!
Wheels built by me
Cost approx £300. Will add up all the bills and re-post.

VinceEager

thats nice - gold chain is very bling!
can you ride on the break hoods with them at that angle on the drops?

Tail end Charlie

I like to see bikes getting a new lease of life, well done, it looks fantastic.

schweiz

VinceEager wrote:

thats nice - gold chain is very bling!
can you ride on the break hoods with them at that angle on the drops?

Thanks. I've not ridden it in anger yet but the brakes feel good when on the drops with the bike in turbo trainer. There's no hoods as such, just tape wrapped round the aluminium clamp but it feels okay. I have to admit I wasn't sure exactly where to place them with them being a different form from modern brake levers so the position may change.

schweiz

Tail end Charlie wrote:

I like to see bikes getting a new lease of life, well done, it looks fantastic.

Thank you. I saw it ready to be taken to the tip and I convinced my dad it would be worth doing up even though my original intention wasn't to do it to this standard. I think he wants it back now!!

schweiz

So, I've finally added up the bills and not surprisingly, it's more than I thought due to buying the parts in bits and pieces and somewhat losing track of some of the smaller bits and pieces!

Handlebar £13.56
Handlebar Tape £8.09
Cables £9.78
Saddle £Free (Magazine Subscription Gift)
Brake Blocks £6.50
Front Hub £41.05
Rear Hub £34.95
Rims £45.88
Spokes £34.00
Stickers £21.70
Pedals £22.31
Crankset £95.16
Bottom Bracket £10.58
Chain £4.89
Fixed Gear £15.20
Freewheel £8.78
Tyres £28.48
Postage £3.99
Total £400.90

Original budget for a winter hack was <£200 and still wanted to get it done for <£350 after deciding on getting a new crankset but the stickers and not being able to get a discount deal on the front hub pushed up the cost. But, if the shops process the VAT407 forms, I should get some of the VAT back as I live outside the EU.

singlespeedexplosif

lovely - great work. ditch the valve caps and the gold stuff and that'd be just beautiful