Martin Rattler
Retro Guru
Re:
BAR Wheels by JuanM58, on Flickr
BAR Wheels 1 by JuanM58, on Flickr
I have been making slow progress with the BAR through the winter but here are some snaps by way of an update. As I said in my first post I had initially considered building it up with ‘80s components with a view to building it up with earlier bits later on but I have decided to build with the earlier components as they become available so it’s going to be a rather a bitza to begin with. The wheels are 27” Wolber Super Champion rims on Campagolo NT LF hubs with Sapin plain gauge spokes and a Regina 14-23 5--speed block. I built these up for general running about on the lousy road surfaces that we have round here; I have a nice pair of wheels with Airlite hubs for best. The steel stem is Titan as are the alloy Maes bars. GB Coureur callipers are fitted and I have a pair of GB Superhood levers to go with these. The headset is modern, an alloy Genetic Cranium but I am on the lookout for something more suitable. I managed to get hold of some repro mudguard bolts which are unique to Bates frames; these were sourced via EBay. The Brooks Pro saddle is too late really but I like the look of these with the cut-away nose that date from the ‘80s I think. I have a nice early Campagnolo GS derailleur although a steel Record might be nice; I also have an ‘open C’ band-on lever that I intend to use. I am currently looking out for a suitable cottered chainset and BB; I am thinking about a 5 bolt type with a plain TA chainwheel but I also think a Chater Lea would look pretty good so we’ll see. I have a plain Williams one from about the right era which I can use if I don’t find anything by the summer. I’ll update as I go along.
BAR Wheels by JuanM58, on FlickrBAR Wheels 1 by JuanM58, on FlickrI have been making slow progress with the BAR through the winter but here are some snaps by way of an update. As I said in my first post I had initially considered building it up with ‘80s components with a view to building it up with earlier bits later on but I have decided to build with the earlier components as they become available so it’s going to be a rather a bitza to begin with. The wheels are 27” Wolber Super Champion rims on Campagolo NT LF hubs with Sapin plain gauge spokes and a Regina 14-23 5--speed block. I built these up for general running about on the lousy road surfaces that we have round here; I have a nice pair of wheels with Airlite hubs for best. The steel stem is Titan as are the alloy Maes bars. GB Coureur callipers are fitted and I have a pair of GB Superhood levers to go with these. The headset is modern, an alloy Genetic Cranium but I am on the lookout for something more suitable. I managed to get hold of some repro mudguard bolts which are unique to Bates frames; these were sourced via EBay. The Brooks Pro saddle is too late really but I like the look of these with the cut-away nose that date from the ‘80s I think. I have a nice early Campagnolo GS derailleur although a steel Record might be nice; I also have an ‘open C’ band-on lever that I intend to use. I am currently looking out for a suitable cottered chainset and BB; I am thinking about a 5 bolt type with a plain TA chainwheel but I also think a Chater Lea would look pretty good so we’ll see. I have a plain Williams one from about the right era which I can use if I don’t find anything by the summer. I’ll update as I go along.
