A modest alteration from entry-level road racing bicycle to fun two-speed adventure bicycle. This 1988 Schwinn Prelude frameset was brought in for conversion to fit 650B x 40mm tires and cantilever brakes. The Schwinn Prelude was an entry-level racing bicycle of high quality, featuring double-butted Columbus Tenax tubing. The frame had its original paint and …
Restoration of a 1989 Bridgestone RB-1 road racing bicycle. The subject of the restoration was built around the 20,209th frame manufactured during October of 1988 by Bridgestone, Japan. The model year is 1989. Most of the parts are as originally equipped. Description The Bridgestone RB-1 was a mid-level road racing bicycle from Bridgestone, just after …
Renovating a relatively unknown brand of top-of-the-line, high-quality steel frame from the 1980s: SR Maxima. Modified and refitted with relatively modern components. A “resto-mod” in the contemporary idiom, but I prefer the label “neo-retro” (to wit: revived nostalgia). This is a long-winded, in-depth account of my first effort at renovating an old, second-hand, production steel …
Alteration and renovation of a one-owner 1976 Schwinn Super LeTour (model SL-3) mid-range leisure bicycle, adapted to fully embrace leisurely riding on varied road surfaces. The frame was manufactured (1975) by Panasonic, Japan, for Schwinn. Description The Schwinn Super LeTour (12.2) was a mid-level recreational bicycle imported by Schwinn under their “Schwinn-Approved” label. The frame …
A custom bicycle built in the style of road bicycles from the “neo-classical” period, as I define it (1984-2008). Background The construction of this Rogue Rabbit was begun in 2003 for the purpose of honing my silver-brazing skills. Started as a practice frame that got as far as a partial main triangle (seat, down, and …
Repair and restoration of a crash-damaged Paletti road racing frame equipped with Campagnolo Record components (ca. 2004). This bicycle had been awaiting restoration since the owner was rear-ended and injured by a car more than ten years earlier. The subject of the repair is a handmade production frame (ca. 1990) from builder Luciano Paletti, Italy. …
Domínguez Cycles was awarded “Best Fillet-Brazed” at the 2011 North American Handmade Bicycle Show held in Austin, Texas. What a surprise that was! The award was given for the first frameset I ever built (2002): Thanks to all the nice people who made their ways to Austin and stopped by my booth for a chat. You’re …
A custom bicycle built to see whether I could recreate the handling, road feel, and climbing ability of a 1985 3Rensho Super Record. It is built for practice, learning, and quite a lot of fun. Background After riding fixed-gear exclusively for the last ten years or so, I decided to build up a bicycle with …
During 1980, on a mild March afternoon, my brother went to pick up his new bicycle frame, with me in tow. The frame was custom-made by Terry Osell, a Minnesota frame builder. Terry learned his craft from Cecil Behringer in the early 1970s. It was a memorable outing. My brother left Terry’s garage with his …
