Kevin Kruger wrote:
> Chuck and Mark,
> Thanks for your comments on my chrome Hurlow.
>
> The original stainless Campy casing was replaced with original
> Campagnolo 1960s vintage "vinyl" covered stainless casing.
> Stainless Campy casing was also used on the brake cables, but that
> was also replaced with original covered brake casing. Still have
> the original uncovered stainless that came with the bike.
>
> Opted for the covered casing in both cases because the uncovered
> casing left some "spiral" marks on the chrome surfaces where it
> came in contact with the frame. My intention is to preserve this
> bike as much as possible, thus the use of "original period" covered
> Campagnolo stainless casing was used.
>
> If this bike was simply going to be hung on a wall, then I would
> have used uncovered casing,,,,,but as with all my bikes, it will be
> an actual daily rider. Would be such a shame to simply take photos
> of it and not ride it.
>
> Thanks again for viewing the photos and your critiques!
> Kevin Kruger - Grantville, PA
Kevin, I believe you're mistaken about the brake cable housing and derailleur cable housing that Campagnolo used in the 1950s, 60s and 70s.
Campagnolo's (made by Casiraghi?) brake cable housing was flat- section steel wire (ribbon?), spiral wound (not stainless, I tested with a magnet) with a plastic covering. The derailleur cable housing was round-section stainless steel wire, spiral wound (stainless, I tested with a magnet) without a plastic covering. There was no '60s vintage "vinyl" covered stainless derailleur cable housing back then.
Since there are already "spiral" marks on your Hurlow frame cause by the uncovered derailleur cable housing why change? That's just natural patina from use, not abuse. All my bikes have chips on the underside of the down tube from riding them. All my bikes have marks on the right chainstay from chain slap from riding them. Can't say I've ever seen a bike that I personally would consider a wall hanger... they are all just riders in my world. (Yeah, and if I had one of Fausto's personal bikes I'd ride that too.)
Chuck Schmidt South Pasadena, Southern California
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