I am currently restoring the actual bike ridden by Freddy Maertens when he won the World Championships in 1976. He used this bike again in 1977 to win several races including Paris-Nice and the Vuelta. I recently acquired this bike, as well as several important trophies and race worn jerseys directly from Freddy.
Freddy has kept the bike in its original state since he stopped racing it in the 70s. Unfortunately, he also kept the bike in his outdoor garage. All those lovely Flemish winters have taken their toll on the bike: A bit of rust and completely shot rubber. However, I refuse to do to Freddys bike what Scapin did to Fausto Coppis 1951 Paris-Roubaix race used bike. (That bike was stripped, repainted, and had all the parts replaced with NOS. IMHO, there is mojo left when you do that to a historical rider specific bike.)
After many, many hours, I have nearly completed cleaning the rust away, polishing and waxing the paint job, and reassembling the components. One of the biggest pains in the butt was the $5 toe clips. I spent an inordinate amount of time cleaning them. For some reason, the rust just loved being there. The majority of the Campy gruppo, however, cleaned up nicely.
As I mentioned, the rubber is shot. I have carefully removed, tagged and bagged the original hoods, housing cables, and tires. (Someday, someone may want to revert the bike to the original-original state.)
I need some help in locating a few items that seem to be eluding me:
White cable housing circa 1977-1978. The housing is the cheap variety with no Teflon insert. I need length appropriate for the brakes and rear derailleur. (Black cable housing can also be used.)
I need 2 Clement Criterium Seta Extra tires Green or Red Label as he used both.
I need 2 old style (ie NOT with the shied) Campy gum rubber hoods.
Any help in locating these items would be greatly appreciated.
Brett Horton
San Francisco