I have a few projects brewing that I hope to make progress on over the winter:
An Italvega Super Speciale that needs decals and parts. I am planning to build it up as spec'ed in the catalog. Other bikes I have will be parts donors and the decals will be of the Photoshop (Gimp) / Laser printer variety. (The parts donors will themselves become projects and the vicious cycle continues)
A Strawberry (Andy Newlands) wishbone seat stay bike that came with an eclectic parts mix (Suntour, Sachs, Shimano) that I will change to my own eclectic (and more vintage) parts mix (Galli, Gipiemme, Ofmega, OMAS, Modolo). I also need to apply the supplied decals and touch up the screaming yellow paint.
A Carlton International Clubman that is still in the FedEx box (can't open until Christmas!) that I am dying to peek at to determine condition. The fully chromed frame has a lot of rust specks in the photos that may polish out (or may look worse than they are due to the flash photo). It is currently set up as an upright bike with a B72 saddle and tourist bars. I think I will morph it to drops and a B17. I also plan to swap out the Campagnolo Gran Sport rear derailleur for a Simplex pull chain model (I've always wanted a bike with one of those and the shifter is Simplex anyway). I have to rebuild the wheels so I can polish the big BH hubs and rims. I am also itching to take a look at the date code on the Williams cranks. Anticipation...
I need to modify my old French tandem to see if it can be L'Eroica-worthy. I need to have the Huret Randonneur derailleur outrigger re-brazed or re-engineered to allow the full swing over the four cogs. I missed the 14T on the Cirque rides. I will also experiment with different front ring ranges (TA) to gain some apparently necessary lower end. The pedal threads are also in need of attention. The seatpost clamp and adjustable stem may not be up to the rigors of dirt road riding.
But first, I have to straighten up my workshop. It got way out of hand over the year.
Paul Lee
Huntington, NY