So I finally got around to oiking the old bike out of the garage...oooo then I found this

It's my Emperor Sport road/TT bike

I had the frame built by them in 1979 and apparantly it's now classed as "vintage" errrrr WTF..it was new when I got it!

Reynolds 531db tubing, cut out lugs, Campag ends and headset, chrome forks and 3/4 chrome rear stays, enamel finished, Cinelli bars and stem, Universal brakes, Shimano gears, SR chainset and seat post, Shimano hubs Superchampion sprint rims with chrome db spokes...

Used throughout 79,80,81,82 for time trialling,road racing ,club runs, chain gang training etc etc then finally used last about 10 years ago when I did the Pedal to Paris for the Poppy Appeal...then straight after that it went into "store"

It's a bit worn here and there, I intend to put the original Omega pedals and toe clips on put the original saddle back, get rid of the "computer" and put my old Heuer stopwatch back in it's rightful place, replace the bartape and lever hoods..so it will be back to "original" spec ..so that's vintage then..

Maybe a bit "oldskool" and skinny framed for the carbon fans but here it is as of last Saturday..

Agree, thats classy!

OK, that's interesting - I've not noticed any issues with mine (only occasionally use them in the wet though). You know that you can extend some of the pins because they are effectively just long grub screws? In fact, the pins worry me in case I slip off and smash them into my shins. They look pretty lethal.

Got this on thursday, far better to ride on the road compared to my hardtail!




First outing, rained and got tar over the frame from a recently laid road :/
2nd outting today, and this happened.



Threads are well gone, new leg needed, joy.


Hopefully at somepoint i may get a decent ride out of it....

Loving the Emperor Sport.
I'll make space for something vintage soon.

new toy!!



first "big bike"... so the poor old Pitch Pro can relax a bit and go backl to being a trail bike rather than taking the DH punishment.

can't wait to get out and ride it. bring on the dry trails! (as if that's gonna happen)

Now THAT'S a proper bike..!! I love it.

Latest find. 1995 Marin Team Marin. 17.5inch Tange Ultimate Triple Butted tubing. Timewarp condition, with Rock Shox Mag21s, and unused TB Rockstar Forks. Still has original tyres on. Nice!

I've loved riding it so far, but it's due a bit of an over-haul, upgrade.

Going to change the wheels for some Hope Hubs with Mavic EN521's, the Redzones are brilliant, can't believe a wheel with so few spokes could be so tough! But the rims don't really like non-ust tyres and that's a pain.

Rear shock will be replaced with a coil, possibly another fox, but I've been looking at the Dueller double-barrel from Loco Tuning.

Going to give into peer pressure (or envy as I should call it) and get some Kashima stanchions / or Kashima forks depending on what makes more sense money-wise.


And some sort of hydraulic seat post.

where is that? Passportes Du Soleil?
looks great wherever it is. SO wish I could get out to the alps this year.. boo