Author Topic: 1st gen Reynolds Racing Fresh 40- Finally Done. (Read 12187 times)

midschooljon · « **on:** October 24, 2015, 08:12 PM »

With the clocks going back this weekend I thought it was time to post up one of the bikes Im building this winter. Its a 1st Gen Reynolds Racing fresh 40, and while it needs loads of TLC I think it should clean up quite nicely. I have been on the hunt for one for a few years now, and when Darren posted this on FB earlier this year I nearly bought it but decided to leave it though as it was missing the forks. About 6 months later I was still going back to look at it and decided to see if I could track down some forks before I went back to Darren. Sure enough ofter a google search I stumbled across a set in the USA and the rest is history.

For those who don't know about the background to RR, it was started by Craig Reynolds in 1992, and they started selling bike in 1993. He rode for a few brands prior to starting RR but got tired of always having to ride custom frames due to him needing longer bikes. He eventually decided to start his own company, and the Fresh 40 was his signature frame which had a wheelbase of 40 inches (21.5TT). His first team rider bas Barry Macmanus who's signature frame was the Rap 42 (22TT). The first and 2nd gen bikes were made by Cyclecraft, and you can recognise things like the tube sets, SS and CS bridges that were shared across the two companies.

After doing the deal on the F&F I have slowly been collecting parts but only started the restoration this weekend. There is quite a lot to do to get it back into shape, so for those who are interested I will post updates in this thread. The idea with the thread is to use entirely survivor parts with the exclusion of the F&F as that obviously needs to be restored. Here is where I am so far...

Some pics of the frame as it arrived.

Its rough as hell but it is all cosmetic. After cleaning it up it will be going off to SBD to get returned to its factory white colour.

And here we have the forks. These are incredibly hard to find and I was really lucky to stumble across this set. They have been repowdered black but will obviously be painted white to match the frame. You can recognise the Cyclecraft workmanship in these by the dropouts which both companies shared.

I really wanted to build this bike with early Crupi hubs and managed to find a nice wheel set on US ebay. I put in a cheeky bid and to my surprise I won them.

On arrival they cleaned up nicely however it turned out that the axle in the front hub was a replacement which didn't fit correctly. I did some hunting locally to see if I could find one, but eventually bit the bullet and ordered a NOS set from Crupi in the USA.

I was really pleased to see they were genuinely New Old Stock and came with all the original hardware, including star washers and US sized axle nuts.

Another part Im really excited about putting on this bike is the crank set. A little while ago I bought a complete Hyper (just for the forks) which I parted out. to my surprise when I opened the box the cranks that looked like cheap POS in the for sale ad were actually Fabwelds. Fabweld was the company that made the Boss and S&M Prince Albert cranks. They are in really nice shape and as almost all my other builds have GT or Profiles Im glad to have something a little different on this bike.

Finally I have traced down some Crupi square pedals to compliment the hubs, as well as a Dia Compe Big Dog / MX88 combo for the brakes.

I still have a fair few things to find while I tidy up the F&F so will update this thread as I go along.

nosepickben · « **Reply #1 on:** October 24, 2015, 08:36 PM »

I absolutely love this bicycle already. They were a rare sight indeed, I only saw a rap42 in the flesh, in the capable hands of Tony Fleming, who rode skateparks as well as tracks on it.

CustardLips · « **Reply #2 on:** October 24, 2015, 08:52 PM »

Looks like another awesome build in the making Jon.

Knew I'd be kicking myself for knocking that Hyper back.

Ste · « **Reply #3 on:** October 24, 2015, 10:38 PM »

Lovely stuff look foward to seeing this

ED209 · « **Reply #4 on:** October 25, 2015, 05:46 PM »

thats the train of happiness I hear ... its a way off yet but its coming ... I can just hear the whistle

Oh she's a coming ok

Gordy · « **Reply #5 on:** October 26, 2015, 09:44 AM »

Cannot wait to see this build take shape. Reynolds are one of my favourite bike brands of all time. I'm sure you'll do this build justice, you always do.

oldtired · « **Reply #6 on:** October 28, 2015, 08:36 PM »

very nice indeed , really love lesser known mid race frames , spec list is shaping up nice too

midschooljon · « **Reply #7 on:** October 28, 2015, 09:16 PM »

Cheers for the comments folks. Will hopefully get a bit more done this weekend.

Gnarlyscoots · « **Reply #8 on:** October 28, 2015, 09:25 PM »

This is going to be one cool build Jon

oldscool · « **Reply #9 on:** October 29, 2015, 05:00 PM »

Cranks are ace

nic968 · « **Reply #10 on:** November 06, 2015, 11:10 AM »

Nice!! Great score there, I've always liked RR's but you just don't see them over here..Looking forward to seeing how this comes out. Loving the Crupi and Fabwelds too..

kev-s · « **Reply #11 on:** November 06, 2015, 03:20 PM »

Nice find

The forks and parts of the frame (dropouts, brake bridge etc..) are very s&m esque

Looks like a lot of early 90's frame builders were making companies frames that were very similar in certain areas

insectbones · « **Reply #12 on:** November 07, 2015, 11:09 AM »

Those cranks

midschooljon · « **Reply #13 on:** November 07, 2015, 02:09 PM »

I have been busy doing a mock build of the bike before I send it off to Phil and SBD. With the frame being so rough I wanted to make sure that things like the BB and Head tube were still round and that the cups went in nice and tight. i also wanted to check that everything was strait and lined up as the tubing is pretty thin, and this bike is really long. The good news is that everythign is spot on.

I also fitted the new Crupi axles and hardware so the wheels are now running really nice with no play.

Ed sorted me out with some lovely Jive grips to match the purple hubs, and I also got the brakes all set up. The Big Dog was feeling a bit sluggish so gave it a service and retensioned the spring. They now feel really good. Way better than when I last ran one on my Cyclecraf for some reason.

I now need to strip it down again and get the frame blasted to remove all of the surface rust. After that its off to SBD for a fresh coat of paint.

midschooljon · « **Reply #14 on:** November 27, 2015, 03:39 PM »

A few updates while the F&F are away. Had a lovely perforated Turbo seat arrive

as well as some DK bits to finish it off.

Also received some Jive valve caps for the wheels.

midschooljon · « **Reply #15 on:** December 31, 2015, 06:53 PM »

Just got an update from SBD.

Almost time to build it back up again.

sawzall · « **Reply #16 on:** December 31, 2015, 07:24 PM »

looking good jon,you can't beat a nice bright white

midschooljon · « **Reply #17 on:** January 01, 2016, 10:44 AM »

Quote from: sawzall on December 31, 2015, 07:24 PM

looking good jon,you can't beat a nice bright white

Cheers Phil! And thanks for tidying the old thing up for me! Its finally now looking like it should after almost making its way into a skip. Haha.

I have a few more I need to send your way as well.

OrgasmDonor · « **Reply #18 on:** January 03, 2016, 06:22 PM »

would have liked to have owned n raced this myself, looking forward to seeing it done

midschooljon · « **Reply #19 on:** January 24, 2016, 08:29 PM »

Little update on the build. Its all back together with just pads and plate to arrive from across the pond. Hopefully not too much longer.

Blacky · « **Reply #20 on:** January 24, 2016, 08:33 PM »

You can't beat fresh coat of white, looks the tits

Gnarlyscoots · « **Reply #21 on:** January 24, 2016, 08:46 PM »

That looks like a great build from just that picture, Jon.

I eagerly await a fully loaded side on picture

rooski · « **Reply #22 on:** January 25, 2016, 06:19 PM »

That's ace Dude

Love the parts you have on there,loadsa cool bits

generallee · « **Reply #23 on:** February 05, 2016, 07:29 PM »

I always loved these frames, great build you have going there!

midschooljon · « **Reply #24 on:** February 05, 2016, 08:20 PM »

Cheers for the comments guys. Its 99.9% done now, just some final tweaks to do. Will try get it outside and take some pics over the weekend.