Tater gets a steel

I had been haunting Craigslist for the last few months looking for a vintage steel steed to turn into a winter/errand bike. There had been a few pop up, but were way too big for me. So, I was content to keep looking, I figured something would pop up eventually. Good things come to those who wait! This last weekend I see an ad come up for a 'vintage bike - must go...' The picture is of a Bridgestone. Oooh, steel! After seeing it in person and finding that the frame was in great condition; a ding in the paint here and there, and actually fit me, I came home with a Bridgestone Sport Touring 100 bike, complete with the original Suntour components. (I am thinking it is an early '90's model.) The tires are sun rotted and will be replaced as soon as I can get to the LBS. The squishy bar tape I am not too keen on, so that will become a weekend project. The seat will also be replaced, as will the platform pedals. Other than that, I am rather tickled pink with my find! This ride will have to satisfy my steel needs until I can order my custom steel in a couple months!

http://i231.photobucket.com/albums/e...88/Newbike.jpg

http://i231.photobucket.com/albums/e...8/Newbike2.jpg

If the frame fits why not just do a build from it?
I can just see that frame repainted with pinstriped details around the lugs, and some classic accessories from Velo Orange

Hey fabulous find! :eek: :)

Bridgestones in good original condition are sought after. Suntour parts are also sought by collectors. Nice nab!!

I agree that puffy bar tape looks dorky. Ooooh, a brown leather saddle (Brooks perhaps?) and some leather bar tape would be yummy.
Keep the original pedals in a drawer... you might want to put them back on some day (If you use this as an errand bike, do you really want to have to change your shoes every time you get on it for a quart of milk?)
If you change any parts do try to keep the original parts someplace safe as they will add to the value of the bike if you ever resell it. Try to keep the logos in good shape as well- the Bridgestone name is well respected and it would be a shame and devalue it to get rid of the original paint and logos. Besides, dings in black paint are easy to touch up! ;) Getting rid of the modern puffy tape and puffy saddle will do a lot to make it handsome again. I also envision that fine classic black beauty with tires with tan sidewalls on them- maybe some Panaracer Paselas?

New tires- yeah! Don't forget new brake pads and have the cables checked to be sure they are still in good safe shape. Might need a new chain as well if the old one has stretched or rusted, otherwise the shifting might be sloppy.

Have fun, it's a great classic high quality steel lugged bike. :p

Congrats! Welcome to the cult! I mean, club! Steel is real and you too can scour the interwebs looking for parts and and defending the fact that your $50 Craigs List bike is now costing over $300. Take my word for it, I'm not only the cult president, I'm also the owner of a late 80's Diamondback Centurion.

Sure you think you can be happy with that bit of steel and next thing you know you're lusting over this in PR03 and already have a SRAM Force build planned, but with Ultegra SL cranks because it's just hot. You'll spend your days wondering where you can find blue anodized rims that are lightweight and low spoke count, and curse those damn fixie freaks for tainting your search results. Hours will be spent deciding if Fizik's Slipstream or Liquigas replica saddle is the right shade of blue.

Oh, what's that? You're saying that's just me? Really? Well huh....

I remember cushy bar tape from my earlier days. When the Centurion that I got from a guy on bike forums came with it, completely intact from 1983, I saw how out of style it was. But, I didn't change it because it was still usable. It really is quite comfortable, and I'd forgotten that.

I did eventually change it, though, when I went to barcons. The tape was comfortable, but those old downtube shifters were NOT.

eta: Oh, nice bike!!

Karen

Hi Tater! I have a pink Bridgestone 100 mixte with all original Suntour components. I got her on ebay and am in the process of fixing her up.

Congrats on the find!

Andrea

Zen, good idea, but I didn't want to do a complete rebuild, just a do-over of the parts that needed immediate attention. I like the retro look, and as BSG has suggested, plan on keeping the paint scheme but touch up the dings and whatnot.

BSG, my rump does not do well on a Brooks, so I will have to look for something else in that department! (I just cannot get comfortable on one!) As for leather bar tape, how would that hold up in wet or wet/cold weather? The pedals, however, are rusty and have to go.

Smurf, don't temp me!!!!

Thanks, ladies!

Congratulations on your find! I still have my 1977 Raleigh Grand Prix I had when I was a kid. I like steel too. I also have a 1990 Bridgestone MB-5 MTB(with Suntour components and elliptical chainrings) and love it.