Retro Custom Cyclops “Graduate”
This Cyclops Graduate is the only one exactly like it in the world
Probably my best work. This is restoration #3. Truely a retro rebuild with some modern touches. And by “retro” I mean “a fashion reminiscent of the past” rather than something categorised as vintage which is simplt “something actually from the past”.
I bought this as a whole bike in fair condition. The front fender was completely brown from rust and was no longer attached because the fender stays had rusted all the way through. The rims, spokes, handlebars, anything that should of shone was in a horrid state. But the frame itself was incredibly in immaculate condition. The stickers were all minty. There wasnt a single scratch in the classic, glossy, metallic and glittery burgandy. Gold lug lining was still clearly visible. So for the next 6 months or so this bike would sit around in various parts of my house until I could source enough parts to rebuild her.
I came across an old pair of alloy porteur handlebars at a bicycle auction, which are very different from the traditional north road bars found on most vintage bicycles these days. It was the inspiration to make this bike something unique, something a bit different, something that I would want all my bikes to be. Rivendell Bicycle Works in America says that “If you buy a stock bike, do something to it that makes it the only one exactly like it in the world”. There is definately no bike like this in the world. Pity i sold it off :(
So shes got porteur bars, but the cool thing was that these bars accepted bar end shifters/brakes. I went for brakes and got reverse or inverse brake levers made by Dia Compe. Inverse levers were apparently made famous by Lance Armstrong who but some $3 inverse levers on his Tour De France timetrial bike. The good thing about inverse levers is that because they are backwards versions of normal brake levers, when you squeeze them with your hand, the most force is being applied with your strongest finger, the index, where it matters, at the very tip of the brake lever. On normal levers, your pinky is doing all the work. Therefore inverse levers should be slightly more efficient.
Inverse levers meant different cable routing, which was overcome by using handlebar grip tape instead of the usual moulded rubber handlebar grips. Handlebar tape is way more cushy and therefore more comfortable on your hands, it soaks up sweat better than hard rubber, the grip area is much longer than with rubber grips and tape would also wrap securely around those brake cables.
Theres a horn instead of a bell. Its rad.
The wheels were taken from another bike. The rims and hubs are chrome and have a mirror finish. The rims and hubs were polished, as well as each individual spoke, which is why the wheels look so good.
To match the mirror finish of the rims and spokes, I got these very round, smooth stainless steel fenders. They were brand new, very obviously from Velo Orange, a wicked store in the States, (usually sold for $35 USD) but bought from Cheeky Transport for more than double that! But that price doesnt include shipping I guess.
Finally to compliment the burgandy paint I went for gumwalls instead of white wall tyres and this one in a million bicycle restoration was complete.
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