[CR]Campag Hi-flange hubs...now Trivia.

(Example: Component Manufacturers:Cinelli)

From: "Norris Lockley" <norris@norrislockley.wanadoo.co.uk>
To: <Classicrendezvous@bikelist.org>
Date: Sun, 18 Dec 2005 16:56:35 -0000
Subject: [CR]Campag Hi-flange hubs...now Trivia.

I found Joe's " trivia" at the end of the Campag HF hub contri very valuable info.

A few years ago I attempted to buy out a French manufacturer's stock of moulds and tooling to make carbon-tubed racing frames ( I know it's slightly off-topic, but I'll get to the point ASAP). the problem that I foresaw was that of obtaining a supply of cast aluminiun lugs, brackets and fork ends without importing from a French manufacturer. Having obtained sample lugs I sent them to a high-end company in the UK for analysis of the alloy etc The results showed a marine-spec alloy high in magnesium..and very high anti-corrosion qualities. Can't remember the exact No...but I don't think it was one of the 6000 series. No matter..

In ther late 70s I got into the anodised components business...my first venture being one of the first Vitus Duralinox 9709 frames in silver, built up with components, anodised in red or blue...so that the finished bike looked like a mobile French "Tricoloure". Great!! The second venture was based on the same model of frame..so that the chosen colours would contrast with the satin silver of the tubes...benefitted from alll the components being anodised in either old gold or bronze. The components were a mix of French, Japanese and Italian. I think I learned more about grades of aluminium alloy from these projects than from any book I ever read..and in retrospect it now all seems obvious.

The components taking the best anodising were the SR bars, the Stronglight chainrings, and the Maillard LF hubs...the worst were the Cinelli 1A stem..absolutely dire and patchy...and the Stronglight cranks. Clearly cast or forged components have alloying agents not given to producing good finishes..or it was not possible to deposit a fine layer of pure aluminium on the surface to be anodised.

The ultimate product of this series was a very mean time-trial bike with a lugless frame built of Ishiwata O19 aero tubing, that was finished to a "mid-black" by black chrome/nickel plating. The rest of the bike was a riot of dusky gold and deep bronze anodising. The bike was called for publicity purposes "Black Beauty"..and it really was...Last known owner was Jake Riviera, Elvis Costello's agent and one-time owner of Bob Jacksons and Hetchins.

Norris Lockley...getting very trivial..Settle UK