Feature Bike Richard Thackray Original Team Pace F1 - Restoration Thread - Completed

R0012394-1.jpg Completed May 2021

Setting The Scene
: Its fair to say I'm a huge Pace fan taking inspiration from Jerky, Gil M ,Rich Matthews, Bollox64 as well as many others

Through the years I've seen some epic Pace builds. DR s (pretty sure he sprayed his RC100 six times until he was happy with the colour) , Neil Millard's, Rich's Pink Pace (Mavic Groupset) and the perfection that Bollox64 goes to with his builds. I can't write about amazing Paces and not mention Bibbsey's original RC100 with a Campy groupset which is outstanding

In the late 90's a friend turned up on a Red F7 to go for a bike ride and id honestly never seen anything as stunning. I made him give me first refusal and when he later wanted to buy an Orange I jumped at the chance of owning it.

At the time of buying my F7 I genuinely wasn't aware that there were 6 previous iterations of this model, let alone that the RC100 existed. I made obtaining a RC100 and then an RC300 a goal and thanks to Jerky and the Caramba kid I got one of each. Since then I've added a stunning F1 finished in Champagne from Bollox64 and an F2 to my collection

I have previously mentioned there being 4 Pace's around that I would love to add to my collection, but that in reality I only stood a slim chance of buying one of them .

The Bike:

After a few ups and downs but definitely finishing on an up I've managed to buy Richard Thackray’s iconic ex team Pace F1 from around the 92 era (It definitely was the era of Purple or 3DV) . Although this bike was one of the four id love to own, I didn't think I stood a chance of buying it

The bad news however is that its been ridden over the years. Not normally a bad point but regrettably its been ridden to a point where damage has occurred. Its my aim with the help of some very talented people to restore this to as original a condition as I can. Thanks to Adam Bentham and Rich Matthews I have an idea of how the bike looked in its heyday and the component spec and what I aspire to return it to

For me its about keeping this as original as possible and showcasing the work of the talented people who without their help it would not be possible to see this return to becoming a rider.

This actually featured on an episode of the GMBN tech show. If interested follow the link at its at 7mins in (Thanks John Paddock aka Spud):

The talented people I will be engaging will hopefully add to this thread to showcase their specialisms as they undertake the work. This thread may go quiet given the current climate but will be added to as and when I can

The first order of business is to get it stripped down. The frame will be going off to the Leg End that is Dan Chambers, the Forks to Tim at Fork English. GIL M is kindly going to build the wheels and Retrodecals are working on producing a set of decals to match the bike in its sponsored race livery

I do need the following parts to help with this special build:

1) Rear 32H Pace Alloy Hub
2) Early Renthal (Shimmed Bars) sorted
3) M735 Shortcage Rear Mech (must be v.good + condition)
4) Silver or Purple X-Lite Crank Caps
5) X-Lite Cam Lock Seatpost Pin
6) Purple American Classic Bottle Cage (Fingers crossed that is in hand) Now sorted

Thanks already to SI33 for the pedals, its really appreciated and I will hopefully be receiving some special parts to make this build truly authentic. More on that as it happens

Pics:

Pic 1 - Damage to downtube
Pic 2 - Crack to Headtube Weld
Pic 3 - Miss-matched brake levers
Pic 4- In my kitchen strip down commenced
Pic 5 - Ready for collection
Pic 6 - Parked up looking good
Pic 7 - The Bike in its heyday being ridden by Rich
 

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Re: Richard Thackray Team Pace - Restoration Thread

Few more pics
 

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Re: Richard Thackray Team Pace - Restoration Thread

The support I have received with the restoration has been fantastic and greatly appreciated

I've had original components gifted and sent to me from not only within the UK but also from as far away was New Zealand and Canada (Thank you so much again Rich Matthews and Adam Bentham). As well as the repairs from Dan, I've had a magnificent refurbishment of my Magura brakes from Baz Napierski.

This post will showcase another amazing "One-Off" donation as well as showing the quality of the anodising of the components sent to Acorn Plating

Whilst researching the authenticity of the bars I contacted Renthal. It was not only fantastic to receive a quick response but to also hear that there are a few Pace fans in the company. In fact Ian Collins sent me a picture of an RC100 he used to own with a truly stunning Linear Finish paint Job (will add a pic). Renthal and Pace have a long-standing association with one another with Renthal previously producing the Sub RC 130's. Many a Pace owner has these fitted to their 100, 200 and 300's as well as many other bike owners

I was discussing the condition of the 130's with Ian and he mentioned that he personally wished to help me with the restoration. It is very much on a one-off basis based upon the heritage of the F1 I am restoring. I have taken a video and pics of what Ian sent. They haven't seen the light of day for many years and to now have them to fit to the bike Richard once raced so successfully is truly fantastic

I will hopefully be soon updating the thread again as Tim Price (aka Fork English) has completed the refurbishment of the forks. This leaves me so close and the outstanding items are:

1. Re-Chroming of A-Head stem- Currently in Hand with Dan Chambers
2. Straighten original Seatpost- Again with Dan and giving him a bit of a head scratching moment
3. Decals - Working with retro decals on this (fantastic that he not only lives relatively close to me, but is also a Pace guru as well as being the retro decal person that Carlsberg made)
4. Wheel rebuild - Fit NOS Pace rear hub as well as fitting decals

Fingers crossed I will be in a rebuilding phase soon

Video of the bars:
https://youtu.be/1ed6qII7Lz8
 

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Re: Richard Thackray Team Pace - Restoration Thread

Absolutely bloody gorgeous...
 
Re: Richard Thackray Team Pace - Restoration Thread

Relentless niceness!
 
Re: Richard Thackray Team Pace - Restoration Thread

The Forks:

I think I have mentioned previously that Rich Matthews came into possession of original components from the forks by the person who immediately owned it after Richard Thackray called Adam Bentham. The moment both Rich and Adam found out that I now owned the F1 and my intention was to restore it to as original state as possible they both didn't hesitate in offering to send to me all the original parts they still had, which was some undertaking considering they live in New Zealand and Canada respectively. This saw Rich return the stunning purple fork crown complete with titanium bolts and the two fork stanchions. Adam returned the Titanium Royce Bottom bracket which went off to Royce for a factory service and is now back and looking amazing

So the Rc35's on the F1 when I bought it went to the subject matter expert on Pace forks, Tim Price (aka Fork English). Tim has done a simply stunning job and in getting the forks to the condition you are going to see has stripped and rebonded the stanchions, fitted new elastomers, give them a good clean and finally fitted set of original NOS decals

I am so very grateful to Tim for parting with his second to last set of these super rare items. I know it was a decision that was not an easy one for him to make and they truly finish the forks off and provide the genuine authenticity I am so hoping to retain. I know I am being ever so slightly biased here but these are just looking simply stunning. Tim himself sent me these two pics and titled them "British Icons" and I completely agree with him

At the outset my aim was to showcase the expertise and craftsmanship of those who have helped me along this journey and Tim's work now joins that list. Another expert who I have no hesitation in recommending to others and as with everyone else who has helped so far a great guy to boot

Many thanks again Tim as without your kindness and generosity the forks would not be as good as they are now
 

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Re:

I’m so pleased for you David, Tim has set a benchmark on these forks, stunning!! :shock:

All coming together nicely my friend...any more components you need to get other than the decals??

Rich
 
Re: Re:

Rich":20srgq0w said:
I’m so pleased for you David, Tim has set a benchmark on these forks, stunning!! :shock:

All coming together nicely my friend...any more components you need to get other than the decals??

Rich

Im really approaching the final hurdle now Rich. There is the stem and seatpost in the hands of Dan Chambers. Gil is kindly going to both rebuild the wheels and look to produce the frame decals that will then see Richards former F1 ready to be re-assembled

Exciting times and getting ever closer to being able to reveal it restored
 
Re:

Im excited to see what Dan can do with the seatpost...I blame Adam’s ample backside for that bend :LOL:
 
Re: Re:

Rich":1c5bt85f said:
Im excited to see what Dan can do with the seatpost...I blame Adam’s ample backside for that bend :LOL:

Ha ha ha I’m sure there is a perfectly credible cause that didn’t involve Adam sat on the bike at the time
 

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