Dodsun Firepower

sweetwheels

I already have an MTB, Single Speed, Pub Bike, and Road Bike...but following the N+1 rule I decided I needed a 26" tourer.

In exchange for a case of beer a friend of mine gave me a 90's ChroMo Dodsun Firepower in rather shitty condition...



Completely dismantled, stripped, cleaned and resprayed the frame with RustGuard (That stuff is amazing btw, super adhesive). Bought some 22.2mm diameter bullhorns and some charge faux leather bar tape. Threw on some SPD's a cheapy rigid fork and a BB7 up front. Just need a new saddle, panniers and a much shorter stem and I reckon I'm just about ready to ride to Melbourne (from Sydney)...



Will post more pics once I can afford the final bits and pieces.

Thoughts?

The Rookie

Nice retro frame, can't help but feel that that is precisely what I wouldn't have done with it though, but it's your bike!

arran77

Interesting but why the layback seatpost and then have the saddle falling off the front of it :?:

sweetwheels

arran77 wrote:

Interesting but why the layback seatpost and then have the saddle falling off the front of it :?:

Good question.

I'm waiting on a shorter stem. Once that's fitted I can put the seat back to a sensible position.

TBH there's a bunch of things I'd change if I had more money/parts laying about.

GT-Arrowhead

Im a big retro bike fan, and i like that alot. I would have had flat bars with no spacers personally with some bar ends if you wanted the alternate hand positions, and i would have gone for a nice brown charge spoon to go with the grips. Lovely none the less.

The Rookie

I have 2 retros's, biggest issue for me is the white forks and front disc brake, kind of spoil it for me, technically superior to a steel with V's I'm sure.

sweetwheels

The Rookie wrote:

I have 2 retros's, biggest issue for me is the white forks and front disc brake, kind of spoil it for me, technically superior to a steel with V's I'm sure.

I agree. I actually think steel forks would have been better for ride and appearance. But price was an issue. Need to use the brake bosses to mount a front rack. Also felt that running discs would be safer once the thing is loaded down with bags.

The Rookie

Nothing in it on road between discs and V's, in facts V's are better as they don't load the spokes up as the braking is on the rim, you could have used Black Mosso forks (debadged) with V's and I think it would have looked a lot nicer, but that is a personal thing.