Dave Yates resto build

[velomentary]

Hello - I acquired a Reynolds steel frame which was unbranded and around the late 70 early 80s decided to build it up into a Nod to Dave Yates as I'm from Tyneside. It will be a bit of a classic Vs modern but it's a lovely frame to ride. It's been stripped and resprayed and Ive replaced pretty much everything with a french connection but looking to take it to the York Cycle Festival in the summer. Just a slow build nice ride kind of thing. No worries. I can share a few photos from start to end.

 

[velomentary]

Started off like this. I'd never stripped a bike to the full frame and forks so a first for me. The Bottom Bracket was a learning curve working out techniques how to gently remove that but most other parts were ok.

 

[velomentary]

On
Once cleaned and a new coat I noticed under the light some Campagnolo rears which was nice. I think they were fitted to a lot of 80s racers but good nonetheless.

 

[velomentary]

And so I went for a nice green colour and wrapped the bars in newbalms cotton acid green bar tape. I've never wrapped bars at all but followed a great tutorial on YouTube and had a go. They have turned out good.

 

[velomentary]

I always remember Dave Yates growing up and lived in the next street to M Steel cycles in Gosforth, Newcastle in my early 20s. I'd often pop into that bike shop and assume it would always be there. So... I thought I'd build up a Dave Yates racer pretty much for that reason. The decals were a little larger in size than the original but looked good.

 

[velomentary]

And I started to whack the decals on. I found a lovely Solida crank set as I was originally going to build it up as A Gitane but then started leaning back to my local roots. The original bicycle had Simplex rear and front derailleurs so I started down the french connection.

 

[velomentary]

Up to about here as of the weekend. I've decided to fit modern side pull brakes after a bit deliberation. I might try a light tour with this so stopping had been pushed higher up the list of fancy things to have. Will have a go at fitting brakes then come back

 

[velomentary]

Just about finishing this bike. Going for a picnic ride this weekend to check it all out. Really comfortable so far.

 

[pigman]

That's nice, but I'm left wondering what Dave himself might think. Low volume frame building is a very personal thing and the craftsman takes pride and ownership of his work. Some craftsmen may have started small, but their brands have grown and the frame builder himself becomes hands off. I'm sure if some fauxed a Colnago, Ernesto would have less of a personal objection. Although his empire might have business/trademark issues