Mixte Univega Custom Ten

   







A few months ago, I posted my 1984 Univega Specialissima on Craigslist, thinking I'd sell it and begin a new project.

Instead, a potential buyer commissioned me to refurbish a Mixte frame Univega Custom Ten she'd purchased, since my Specialissima was not the correct frame size for her.


   






The bike was pretty rough - the brazing for the rear brake support had cracked, most of the drivetrain was old, steel, and rusted.

In the end, the build went relatively quickly, I think because someone was actually waiting for it unlike my usual routine in which I slowly build a bike over several months.

I wish now I'd weighed it, as we ended up replacing almost everything except the frame with alloy parts, and I imagine the weight savings was substantial.


   

DIY Headset Installation Tool - 1971 Italvega Nuovo Record

The Italvega Nuovo Record build is proceeding, and for headset installation I used a length of threaded rod, washers, and nuts to press the headset bearing races and cups into the head tube. 

The photo shows both regular nuts and wingnuts at each end, however this was just how I assembled the parts before purchase, figuring I could decide later which worked. In the end, the wingnuts look better, but functionally I think the regular nuts worked better, as the cups fit tightly and are difficult to insert simply using hand strength with the wingnuts.

The tool worked well, and allowed me to install my headset without damaging anything.

1971 Italvega Nuovo Record - Fresh Powdercoat and Decals finished

On to the next project - the 1971 Italvega Nuovo Record has been waiting for about six months for it's rebirth, and it's time to get started. 

I really like the Italvega/Univega story, and despite the fact that Ben Lawee was more of a designer/distributor than a bike builder himself, I find his frames to be some of the prettiest and most graceful of their time period. I suppose if you can't do it yourself, find someone to do a good job for you!

Anyways, after spending the past year or so working on the Specialissima, I thought it would be fun to work on an earlier Lawee product, one of the Columbus tubing/Campy equipped Italvegas. 

Although I didn't keep the original color, I did select a color that Italvega used during this time period for my powdercoating. Like the other bikes I've refurbished, I went with Triple A Powdercoating in El Monte, CA because of their excellent work and fair prices. Once again, they did a great job. Up close, this  frame looks like it's been nicely sprayed with quality paint, despite the fact that the coating is an industrial strength protective coating. The attention to detail they give is really exceptional. In the end, this bike has a beautiful, almost unscratchable period correct finish that I'm very happy with.

The decals are also new - purchased on ebay, they went on easy and have a UV guarantee.

   

 

No Turning Back - Mid Fork Rack Braze-ons

The holes are drilled - I've tried a few times with the small Bernzomatic oxy-propane torch, but my flux seems to be burning off too quickly. Also, I'm using 45% brazing wire, so I might have to switch to 56% at some point.

Anyways, I'll post pictures as progress continues...

Out With the Old...1984 Univega Specialissima For Sale!

I've decided to put the Specialissima up for sale, I've enjoyed riding it a bit too much, and hung on to it longer than I intended, but I need to get to work on my newer projects...

She sure is purrty though...

Anyways, here's the Craigslist Ad if anyone is interested:

http://losangeles.craigslist.org/wst/bik/2971040531.html

And, the ebay auction:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/120902222147?ssPageName=STRK:MESELX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1555.l2649#ht_1010wt_1187





 

Bernzomatic Oxy MAPP Torch

I purchased one of the hobby-sized Bernzomatic Oxy/Mapp torches, and once it arrives, I'm ready to do some braze-ons.

I considered a straight Air-Mapp torch, but since I got this used, it ended up being cheaper than a new MAPP only torch, and the small amount I expect to use it should keep the disposable Oxy tanks from getting too cost prohibitive. It will be nice to have the additional heat from the Oxygen, and I figure I can always pick up an inexpensive Air/Mapp torch later.

Unlike the current model, this older version has a pressure gauge for the Oxygen tank, which is a step up from the newer, cheaper torches that replaced it.

I'll start out on the bent fork from my old Trek 720 Multitrack. I am building these bikes into highly functional commuting/touring bikes, and this bike is already getting a new touring fork with rack/fender brazeons on the dropouts, leaving the old fork for experimenting.

1986 Univega Gran Sprint Shimano Nexus 8 Speed Red Band Mockup

I've been trying to decide which of the 2012 project frames gets the Nexus 8 Speed Hub wheelset. It's a nice set, with double wall rims and 36 stainless spokes in each wheel.

On one hand, I think the Sportour would be the best fit modelwise since the hub is really more of a functional commuter style set, and the frame is more of a relaxed/touring frame, but it's a 63cm and is probably too big for me. I'd like to put the wheelset on a bike I'm actually going to ride for a while.

The Italvega is getting its original Campy Nuovo Record jewelry back, so the Nexus wheelset is out.

The Trek has vertical dropouts, and I'd rather not deal with getting the chain tensioned properly.

That leaves the Gran Sprint. It's more of a race geometry bike with really light triple butted tubing, but it's steel, still strong, and fits me. I suppose putting a heavy nexus hub on the bike is somewhat of a waste of the lightweight frameset, and the frame clearances are relatively tight, so my tire sizes will be limited, especially if I were to try and put fenders on.

The Univega's dropout spacing is narrower than the Nexus hub is designed for. However, it may not be an issue. When I placed these washers on the outside of the dropout, it seems to end up with a perfect fit. I'll be researching what the potential risks of this setup are, but assuming it's safe, this seems like a nice way to install the hub without having to cold set the rear dropout spacing.

On the other hand, it might be kind of nice to have a rack and functional IGH wheelset on a bike that still feels lively and responsive to ride. It's like the 90's Honda question: Fast car slow? Slow car fast?

Anyways, I mocked up the bike today, here are the pics.



 

Brazeon Bits Project

The additional braze-ons I purchased to add to the Trek 720 Multitrack, Univega Sportour and Gran Sprint arrived today!

There are lots of goodies, rack eyelets, water bottle braze-ons, even little threaded tabs I might attach to frame or fork as headlight/electronics mounts...

This weekend I'll try to pick up a MAPP torch and try my hand at silver brazing. Although MAPP is generally not hot enough to do lug brazing, it's generally accepted for smaller parts like braze-ons, and I don't want to lay out the money for an Oxy-Acetylene setup.




 

1984 Univega Specialisssima Decals

I had some time this afternoon to finish up applying the Univega Specialissima decals. These were ordered from velocals.com, and I had ordered the optional UV resistant vinyl film with them, so they do not need to be clearcoated.

I tried the wet method for some of them, and the dry method for others. On the "specialissima" decals, their long, narrow shape made them hard to fit to the curved tubing using the wet method. Their shape made them easy to align with the tubing, so on the second decal, I simply peeled and stuck, and it came out equally as good as the first.

However, decals in hard to reach places are best applied using the wet method. My "made in Japan" decal was in a tricky spot, and I unfortunately placed it badly before I intended to. I was unable to pull it up to reapply, so it is where it is. Oh well. The funny thing is that the original sticker on the frame was also out of line, and placed almost exactly where I put the replacement. Maybe I'll claim my bad sticker placement was actually attention to originality...





 

Italvega Nuovo Record and Univega Specialissima Decals are Here!

The reproduction decals I ordered for the Italvega Nuovo Record and the Univega Specialissima are here. I'll post pictures soon. I'll apply the Univega decals soon, but the Italvega decals will have to wait for powdercoating.Both seem very high quality.

The Univega decals come from velocals.com, a very friendly company who actually created the Specialissima decals at my request at no extra charge! They're well reviewed on the major bike forums, and were very friendly in correspondence. I can't wait to try them!

The Italvega decals come from an Australian company, and I've heard less about them, but the decals look to be great quality.

1984 Univega Specialissima: PCH Mini Camping Tour Planning Stage

This fall I finally finished building and tuning my 59cm 1984 Univega Specialissima. It started as a neglected, scuffed ebay frame that miraculously had no dents or cracks, despite looking like it had been stripped and dragged down the highway under a bus!

After a powdercoat, three separate builds (each getting closer and closer to what I wanted) and hours of tinkering, it's pretty much the way I like it. It's had many 10-15 mile rides, and one 23 mile ride carrying my daughter and about 10 additional pounds of gear.

I plan on doing a local camping trip on the bike this year, probably either Topanga Canyon, Leo Carillo, or one of the LA/Ventura county line adjacent sites. I'm on the fence between using the trailer vs. loading up racks on the bike.

2012 Project Bikes

I've got my work cut out this year.

January 7th, and I've already got 4 bikes I'm committed to refurbishing!








In order of age, there's a 59cm 1971 Italvega Nuovo Record (Green), really a gorgeous, light bike that appears to have alot of stainless beneath the old paint. I have a general preference for mid-range bikes that I won't be afraid to ride and scratch over high end bikes, and although I wouldn't consider this a high end bike, it's the oldest, and probably the most fun frame I've picked up. It will be get a mostly period correct refurbishing, with an attempt to use original parts when possible. However I will be riding the bike, and so some more modern parts may find their way onto the bike.






Next is a 63cm 1980 Univega Sportour - I had thought this was a lower end bike when I finally deciphered the faint silhouette of it's model decals, but after looking up the specs it appears to actually be a relatively high-mid range Miyata-made frame from it's time. OEM drivetrain was that really pretty Shimano 600 Arabesque set. Despite it's long seat tube, the top tube is only 56cm; I'm actually going to experiment with this frame  for myself as a bike seat carrier. I think the upright positioning will be a good fit with my daughter's bike seat, which mounts in front of my on the handlebar stem. This frame may also become a donor for me to develop my brazing skills - it will be receiving new bottle rack bosses to allow the bike to accomodate three racks, and may receive additional brazeons and eyelets before getting sent to the powder coater.





Next we have a 59cm 1986 Univega Gran Sprint (Light Blue). This is another mid-range, not really collectible, yet high quality lugged Miyata-made frame with triple-butted frame tubes and straight gauge chromoly stays. The paint is aaaaaalmost good enough to keep, but I really want to do a proper build with this bike. Although I haven't decided completely, this bike is likely to become my new everyday bike, replacing my 1984 Univega Specialissima which is a bit high-end for me. I really like the Specialissima, with it's plentiful eyelets and brazeons and three bottle racks, and the size is good, but I'm worried about it attracting bike thieves, and in it's essentially new-rebuilt condition it could bring in $500-700; money that could be well applied to rebuilding the bikes in this photo!

So, the Gran Sprint will likely receive additional water bottle bosses, rack mounts, and a powdercoat, and will likely become a slightly lighter, slightly less touring dedicated, and slightly less expensive daily ride.





Finally, the 52.5cm Trek 720 Multi-track I rode my last year of undergrad. This bike served me well for many years, and I only realized it was waay too small for me when I got more serious about cycling in the past few years. Anyways, it turns out these 720 Multitrack frames from the early 90's are a relatively unknown, but great touring option! Very similar geometry to the well regarded Trek 520's and 720's, only with slightly heavier straight gauge Tange Chromoly tubing. As a touring setup, the small extra weight won't matter, and the extra sturdiness of the frame will be welcome. This bike already comes with plentiful eyelets and bosses for water and racks, and with a powdercoat and rebuild, will become a very nice tourer.