My name is Eric Elman..... ....and I am I bike-a-holic..... ....I just purchased another four more bikes...
A colleague at work was selling a stash of about 10 bikes, mostly all modern. They were his brothers who recently passed away. His brother was part owner (silent partner) in a relatively local pro-shop. His brother was said to be a tinkerer so not all components on each frame are necessarily original to the bike. Anyhow tucked away was 4 older and wonderful bikes. He had stuff broken down into lots and these were not for sale separately so I HAD to purchase them all.... honest. His brother advised him on their value before his death so the seller was educated to some degree and not naive about each bike. The lot was on the inexpensive side of fair; not a steal but a good deal I think. These are not for sale, I'm just excited and sharing some details with the group. Here's the rundown on each along with some questions.
Ron Cooper, serial number 281. Any way to confirm build date? Full Reynolds 531 DB. Now I understand why Ron Cooper bikes are so admired and respected. Craftsmanship is outstanding, flawless, etc. Hayden Concorde long point lugs with cutouts, full braze-ons with 1 water bottle set. All joints are reinforced with diamonds, even for the water bottle - certainly not needed but a nice and pretty touch. Merckx orange. Top of BB cable guides. Full Campahnolo SR except for American Classic seatpost. Crankarms are 172.5 with no date. When did 172.5 arms start getting dated - different timeline than 170's? Neat that the arm profiles are crisper and less rounded than the 170's I own/have seen. High flange hubs. Can't wait to ride her, see how she stands up to that reputation. She's about the max size for me so time will tell if she's a keeper.
Geoffrey Butler serial number 2018 or 20188 or 20183 (not sure if the 5th digit is a accidental double stamp as it is only half stamped and right next to the 4th digit with no space in between). Any way to confirm build date? Very nice and unusual fastback seatstay treatment - sort of like a very fancy Raleigh Pro. Seat stays are very stout size. Nice seat binder detail, fully sloping fork crown, fancy but unknown (to me) lugs with cutouts, no bridge reinforcements though, only two braze ons - chainstay cable stop and downtube left side at bottom cable stop for the front derailleur. Full Reynolds 531DB. No Chrome anywhere. Fine craftsmanship but not to the same standard as the Ron Cooper. This frame is white with red decals (my favorite color combo), well used with worn decals and lots of chips, scratches etc. but is very handsome looking none the less. Mostly Campagnolo NR. Exactly my size.
Super Mondia frameset. Serial number 338233 and then a separate stamping of 82. Does this mean 1982? This frameset is NOS and really neat. Full Reynolds 531 DB, Mafac canti braze on studs, nice chromed fork crown with no room to drill a brake hole, non-drilled rear seat stay bridge, chrome socks front and rear with Olympic stripe decals for the chrome/paint transition, lots of fancy pinstriping, surprisingly tasteful decals compared to all other Mondia's I've seen. Stunning mid/dark ocean blue with gold lug outling. Campagnolo d/o's with no eyelets, Hayden Concorde long point lugs with cutouts, braze on TT cable guides/stops (ala Raleigh International) that are located on the very top of the TT, under BB guides and chainstay cable stop, cable stops also brazed on bottom sides of lower headlugs and no DT shift braze ons or clamp stop so clearly made for bar end shifters, extended steerer tube (about 1"), Campagnolo NR headset. Exactly my size too. Anyone have details about this model? Any and all info greatly appreciated.
Fuji Racer "The Newest." serial number K7H02077. Any way to confirm build date? Incredible bike that I think was Fuji's first serious entry into the States. This was their top model. I have an original brochure somewhere and will eventually compare this bike to the brochure specs. Silver with reddish orange seat tube panel. VERY long point top headlug. Head and seat lugs have holes drilled in them going consecutively smaller. Both headlugs are chromed as is the seat stay caps and chromed front and rear socks. Sunshine large flange hubs, Suntour Cyclone derailleurs and ratchet shifters on DT. Pearl stem and neat Sakae handle bar with small holes drilled around the outside edge of the center reinforcing sleeve. Dura Ace sidepull first gen brakes. Wonderful frame details and craftsmanship.
Well, thanks for listening. I have been very fortunate lately with some real nice purchases. Never, ever imagined I would own so many bicycles. Friends and extended family don't understand. My family has been supportive though - am feel quite lucky this morning.
Eric Elman
Somers, CT