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Did it get the entire dropouts replaced? Didn't think verticals were around in the '70s. Ultra nice frameset btw, I'm actually a bit jealous and I don't even normally like these randonneurs. Velo Orange has some hammered mudguards for half the price of Honjos.
Could be, but then again, vertical dropouts are more of a functional choice (fenders) than a sign of the times. They've been used on bikes like these since the 1930s and maybe before. Also see the last couple of pics on this page
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I always buy my Westmalle at the supermarket around the corner ;)
the Toei f&f is from Japan, not easy to find unless someone local helps you out
http://www.popdan.com/hmbs05/Toei.aspx

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Peter, it's worth subscribing to Bicycle Quarterly too, same person who made that excellent book.
If you're in London, I got a lots of back issue I can lend to you.
Wasn't 1+ing DFP's suggestion of colouring your mudguard actually!
That's great Ed, will do, and try to look you up when I am. And I got it, clearly, from the GIF you posted on the prev page ;)
Sumo that's cool, I just sent H a(nother) bike today :)
DFP a bit 'fringy', no? these are also very nice
signing off now, have to get some

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learning a lot here :)
for me it's all new this randonneur malarkey, so I'm not (yet) thinking in terms of cliché (or blasé!), just classic.
I got 'the book' for inspiration, too. my Japanese friend brings a lot of suggestions from its country of origin. Next week I will also visit someone who is quite an authority and also know a lot about Toei... he's been into classic bikes for 40 years, rode PBP twice and knows some of the (descendents of) the famous French constructeurs.
DFP - yes now I see what you mean indeed the lines are gold. But as I said matching the colour is not what I want and impossible on top of that.
Tilover - Bluemels are nice too but this is a Japanese bike... I'm trying to make it 100% Japanese
And thnx for the illustration Ed, but all silver and no lines would be my choice for now :)btw here's a Toei catalog from 1969

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there is a merckx serial # database, might help
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^^ that merckx up there belongs to a forum member blix. he's from NL. i talked to him about the frame earlier, but we didn't come to an agreement. only now i've actually realized that it may not be an actual merckx frame, but only forks - wow! i seem to be very unlucky in my EM search =((
i think it's legit. the rear dropouts are stamped 'eddy merckx'.
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A friend of mine has just started building frames, so I hit him up for one.
Its a 700c, fillet brazed, disc braked commuter with belt drive, It has one off laser cut 4130 dropouts and segmented fork, also has a one off bar/stem combo.
the front end is Reynolds 631 and the rear triangle is 753.

Its turned out great, better than I ever envisioned, and Tom has added some nice little finishing touches of his own.
Currently waiting on belt drive components so we can do a dry build to ensure it all fits and Toms calculations were all correct. After that, its final clean up and paint time.
Cant wait to ride it.
More details can be found here...
beautiful bike, nice build & great details. love the 1 piece bar/stem!
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thnx guys
them Honjo fenders are pretty expensive though!
and they make scones as well if you believe the title of the site ;)
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quite chuffed with what I got in the mail from my friend in Japan:
a vintage Toei from 1971, slightly adapted to fit 700c wheels and a wider rear axle, then resprayed
I will be building this up over the winter with nice classic randonneur stuff like fenders, racks, Brooks saddle & bartape etc.
will have to measure my saddle height precisely though, as the rear brake cable goes through the seat tube!
(and yes the front brake cable retainer thingy now faces the right way up - figured that out after scratching the top tube - oops)





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and the top tube? looks quite short, 56cm c-c?
this bike would look so much better already by just adjusting the saddle and bar positions ;)