If one is not going to slack off and not post for a couple of weeks, one better come back with some good stuff. It doesn’t get any better than working on nice old bikes and getting to work on a Cunningham tops that list. My friend Noah sent his Cunningham to Charlie to get some repair work done to the frame and the fork and stem were sent down to Joe Bell for some classic silver Imron paint. I got the frame back and set about with its rebuild. Pictures are worth a thousand words so I’ll just shut up and let the pictures speak for themselves.
Lots of bosses for installing the WTB B-52 bottle cage for 1.5l water bottles.
The brakes were originally roller-cam. Charlie sent the toggle-cam linkage with the frame, but I had to modify them to get the length of the adjuster just right.
Hand filed freewheel cogs predate the stamped and machined cassette cogs. Charlie was modifying existing parts to make them function better years ago.
There’s a custom mud guard back there to keep the brakes clean. The riveted stainless cable guide there is wide with hooded ends to keep the brake cable running smoothly. It’s open because as the toggle-cam goes through it’s motion, the cable will naturally move slightly across the guide from left to right. Only about 5-8mm. It would work okay with the cable moving through a traditional closed guide, but works oh so much better when it’s open. It’s the little things like this that make the Cunningham bike unique.
Attention to detail – got to make the gap in the handlebar shim line up perfectly with the stem gap, otherwise, why even show up for work.
(What’s playing: Merle Haggard Working Man Blues)
Heck of a nice bike you got there.
How about a photo or two of the Potts in the background? Do a guy waiting for one a favor?
Missed you at Interbike. Hope all is well.
Photos of that one soon. It's now done.
I thought I saw everything at IB, but missed you guys. It was more a a whirlwind visit for me.
I know how that goes. I was there a week and I still missed people!
The comment about the shims lining up is golden! Thanks for that.
I'm sure you've seen the newest Bicycle Quarterly with the articles on Charlie and Jacquie. Good read.
Yes, the newest BQ is a great reason to subscribe. I think I'll have them autograph my copy at lunch on Monday 😉