Dave Russell - 1973
Posted: Thursday 13th August 2020
| Frame | Dave Russell 1973, frame no. 10973; 23" seat tube, 531 lugless, probably 73 parallel, 38" wheelbase. Fork: 531 with a short rake. |
| Wheels | Campagnolo Record LF 28 hole on Mavic GP4 sprint rims, tyres: Vittoria Special Pro tubular 220gm with Regina Block 13-18 and Sachs chain |
| Chainset | Campagnolo Strada 170mm cranks with Campagnolo 53-42 chainrings |
| Pedals | Zeus pedals with Christophe clips and straps |
| Gears | Campagnolo Nuovo Record rear derailleur, Campagnolo Record front derailleur, Gear levers: Campagnolo Down Tube |
| Brakes | Campagnolo Record |
| Stem/Bars | Stem: Cinelli 12cm 1A, Handlebar: Ambrosio 'Merckx' pattern Bar tape: Cloth (Dunholme Mills binding tape) Campagnolo alloy track headset. |
| Saddle | Milremo on early Campagnolo seatpin |
The frame was built by Bill Grey for Dave’s stand at the first Harrogate Show in 1973 and carries the number 10973 stamped on the fork steerer only. This differs from Dave’s usual practice of including the original owner’s initials alomg with the frame number but as it wasn’t built for any particular person then that’s no surprise. I am assuming it is built of 531 but the seat tube is slightly oversize which can make fitting a front mech slightly awkward but this can be got round with judicious use of a round file! Perhaps Bill used a tube from a tandem set or similar as it was intended as a Time Trial frame so fitting a front mech was not envisaged. As it is lugless then there would be no problem fitting into a BB lug although there is a ‘vestigial’ lug around the seat cluster. The brazing of the joints is excellent, very smooth and needs a plain colour to show them at their best.
It’s not a ‘garage queen’ and has already been raced in the last Planet X ‘Old Skool’ 10-mile time trial
Posted: Thursday 13th August 2020
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