Jobafa Rallye

[pi6one]

Here is my touring-converted-to-road bike. At first it looked just like on the first photo except the handlebar - it was dropped and the chainrings - they were 52/42. At the moment the bike has:

Frame: Jobafa Rallye - old German steel, mid 70's;

Fork:I believe it's the original so it's steel too;
Stem: Lepper
Handlebar: Unknown;
Bar Tape:Black Leather

Brake Levers: Weinmann - originally it was with Altenburgers;
Brake Calipers:Weinmann 730 front and 810 rear;
Brake Pads:MTB pads front;old road pads at the back;

Shifters: down tube shifters from russian road bikes called 'ХВЗ';
Front Derailleur:Shimano Acera;
Rear Derailleur:Shimano Acera;
Cassette:Shimano, 6 gears, 14T-28T;
Cranks:Tracer DuraBi;
Chainrings:53T/39T;
Pedalsrdinary pedals with hooks;
Rims:front alluminium 700c rim; rear Schurmann steel rim 27" size (to be replaced)
Hubs:front and back - Union;
Spokes:Union;
Tyres:Wolfer 28-622 front; Kenda - 32-630 back;
Saddle: Unknown PVC saddle with label 'Special' on it;
Seatpost:Rusty steel - to be replaced with alluminium one;
Bottle Cage:Alluminium cages;
Extras:A headlight, bag under the seat and computer;
Weight:Without the extras - 11.5kg;
Bike's original colour was the green one from the first picture so I tried to paint it white but after 2 weeks my perfect white paint started to fall and it was too easy to scratch the paint. So my frame need to be repainted and I am collecting ideas from you guys I am open to any suggestions even the crazy ones After the paint, I want to buy new seat, alluminium seatpost, clap-on pedals, new front tyre 700-23C, new brake pads. I already have new rear aero rim with 24 spokes, Formula rear hub, 7 gears cassette - 14-28 and Michelin Dynamic 700-23c tyre. I know that this was originally a touring bike but I want to make it as lighter as I can but I keep my fanders, my old headlight even the ringer, but I don't have them on photo. Finally, excuse me for my english. I am from Bulgaria and I would like to read your oppinions about the bike and its future Here are some pics:

 

[pi6one]

Here are the pics:

 

[pi6one]

More pics:

 

[pi6one]

And the last two with the original look of the bike:

 

[pi6one]

Some fresh photos...I noted that there is low interest of my article. Come on guys, comment please Any one heard of Jobafa bikes? I wonder where is their place among other manufacturers - low, mid or high quality?

 

[law]

I wouldn't say high quality.
Maybe low end?

"The name stands for Joseph JOBAFA Bachtenkirch bicycles".
I think they were Norwegian?
Made bikes in the 70's and 80's.
They went bankrupt in 1986.

Looks like a nice, solid bike though.
I'd just ride it and enjoy riding it.

 

[Rich34]

The lugs look interesting - any chance of some close-ups?

I wouldn't think it's a high-end bike but like Law says: as long as you like it and you ride it... I once met a guy cycling across Europe on a cromoly Raleigh with steel rims. He was having a great time, and the local boys on the Looks, Times and Colnagos were all impressed.

How about some pictures of it in the Bulgarian countryside?

 

[law]

"How about some pictures of it in the Bulgarian countryside?"

That would look quite cool.
Remember it might look quite boring to you, but your countryside looks interesting to us.

 

[pi6one]

@law - I really enjoy riding it. Although it's a road/touring bike it rides very smooth, may be the big tires - 32mm at the back and 28 at the front? I'll write my oppinion when I install the 23mm's.
@Rich34 - Here are some close-ups of the lugs. It is really interesting especially at the back, under the seat. Sometimes I am afraid of breaking it because it seems really fragile at that zone. What do you think? Does it look fragile?I've seen a lot of pictures of different type of lugs but I think that this is unique. On the other hand, here at Bulgaria we have a lot of holes and bumps on our roads and bikes accept them quite well And no, I am not boring at our countryside because I really love it! In my area there are very good hills and almost no traffic at all so the riding around here is really amazing. I have some photos from the last summer and will search them to post here.
I have little braking problem. Even I read all of Sheldon Brown articles (http://www.sheldonbrown.com/), I cannot understand why my Weinmann Type 730 front brakes flex...And they really flex a lot! If you are interested I will make a video. With my fork made for 27 inch wheels, I cannot install short-reach brakes, but why long-reach are so flexible? They move fordwards when I try to slow down and the stopping power isn't enough even when I am with bigger MTB brake pads. Any suggestions and advices?

 

[Rich34]

Cheers mate - I love those lugs and I reckon your bike deserves a nice paintjob to really set it off. As for fragile, the words "German", "steel" and "fragile" aren't often seen in the same sentence so I wouldn't be too worried. Unless the Germany in question was East Germany...

Can't help you on the brake issue I'm afraid - what sort of rims are on the bike?

It's always good to see something different. Bring on the countryside pics!