A couple of years ago, I bought a rusted up low level '59 Bianchi frame & fork from a listmember, can't remember who. I think the frame was presented as a total loss but I stripped the paint & chrome off of it, gave it an acid bath, filled the few dents it had, fixed a cracked seatstay, worked a couple hours on the lug shorelines, and tried to ignore all the pitting in the tubes from the rust that had gathered under the chrome. Many of you will shudder, but on top of a high-fill, zinc-rich, primer I had it powdered matte black with matte Celeste panels and red script "Biatchi" graphics. No, that's not a typo; the graphics really do say "Biatchi." It's my sense of humor.
I built it up as a rider and since it had 110mm spacing it was perfect for my Sturmey FM hub in the rear and a Nuevo Tipo in the front on 40 & 36 hole GP4s. I used some other classic goofy bits like the steel Campag crank I bought from Sterling...at least I think it was Sterling...which I converted to a single ring...and I'm thinking about undertaking the manufacture of a new chainring for it. The build quality of the frame was the worst I've ever seen, honestly, it is/was truly horrible, but it's a fun bike and a great rider.
To my point: I'm brazing on canti studs so I can use some of the new Paul Components Mafac Racer rip-offs on the bike and since I'll ruin the paint in the process, I thought I should go back over it and make some permanent modifications to the bike to better support the Sturmey and rebuild the headset which age and fretting has taken a toll. My question is, finally, does anybody have any in-depth knowledge on the internal headsets on these bikes and have, or know where I can find, new balls and races for same?
Cheers!
Don Ferris
Anvil Bikeworks, Inc.
Littleton, Colorado
Ph: 303.471.7533 / 303.919.9073
Fax: 413.556.6825
http://www.anvilbikes.com