FS: JP Weigle Raleigh Competition 650B Conversion

[Tom Allingham]

All:

Not much in the way of direct Rivendell content (the seatpost came from Riv), but I hope Jim will indulge me, because this is an unusual opportunity that the list may be very interested in.  And apologies for the long post, but for those who are interested, it’ll be worth it.

Almost 12 years ago, when I was very interested (at least in the abstract) in randonneuring, I travelled to Peter Weigle’s lovely shop in Connecticut and purchased a JPW-reimagined 650B conversion of a Raleigh Competition.  Peter has done a few of these extensive conversions over the years, and the reviews on Flickr by their owners are incredibly enthusiastic.  My example is gorgeous — a deep maroon with gold pin striping by Peter, and contrasting blue paint on the lugs.  The details are stunning.  Here are a few pics of the bike in Peter’s shop and mocked up after the conversion:

The frameset came with installed headset, perfectly fitted fluted fenders, Mafac brakes, JPW custom front rack and taillight, and pump.  On Flickr, Peter described the many steps in the conversion process for this bike this way:

“I want these conversions to be special, and there are many things that happen in the process. 
Here's a short list.
First of all each frame is inspected to make sure everything seems ok.
Frame geometry is measured, forks are re-raked to obtain the desired trail.
The frame is milled and faced, the crown race is turned down to fit standard headsets.
Frame is checked for alignment, this will be repeated as the bridges are installed, and one more time as a final check.
Bridges are cut out and new ones placed in the proper location for 650b fender lines.
Chainstays are manipulated to increase clearance for 42 mm tires.
Cantilever bosses are added and cable hangers modified as needed.
Brake cable guides are removed and are replaced on the other side of the tube from their stock location to "sweeten" up the brake cable routing. 
Water bottle, shift lever, pump mounts and tail light mounts are brazed on.
On this frame the forks were modified to accept a dyno wire inside.
A custom front rack is made, fenders are reshaped and installed.
A custom tail light needs to be fashioned, and a pump modified to fit.
Mafac cantilevers are cleaned up, polished and a set of Kool Stop pads are installed.
The frame is bead blasted, primed, painted, lug lined, box striped, decals are applied, clear coats applied, baked, and then hand rubbed.
Frame Saver is applied and a headset is installed, then I have to take the photos for all to see.”

On Flickr, our group member Bill Lindsay commented on this bike: 

“JPW in one word, Varsity — almost everybody else, in two words, Junior Varsity.”

I immediately began planning to finish the build.  I built a dyno wheel set (SON front hub, Compass Cycles rear, with VO rims) with 42mm Grand Bois Hetres, installed a BB (I think it’s a Phil Wood), Rene Herse crankset, Nitto stem with Rene Herse decaleur, Nitto lugged seatpost, and beautiful NOS Ideale saddle.  I set aside a tall Berthoud Handlebar Bag, and collected a Campy groupset and (at Peter’s recommendation) a set of Huret Jubilee derailleurs and shifters.  And then life intervened, and now (more than 10 years later), being realistic, I know I’m not going to finish this build.  That makes me sad, BUT is an opportunity for someone else, I hope someone on this list.

I really want this bike to go to someone who will appreciate it and ride it.  So:

I will sell what Peter sold me (frameset, fenders, custom rack and taillight, pump and Mafac brakeset) for the price I paid in 2012: $2100.  I imagine if Peter were still doing these, that price would be much, much higher.

I will also sell any of the parts I added or collected, at what I estimate to be my cost, as follows:

Wheelset with tires:    $820

Handlebars:  $120

Nitto stem:  $120

Phil Wood BB, with rings:  $200

Rene Herse double crankset:  $475

Nitto lugged seatpost:  $200

NOS Ideale saddle:  $120

Rene Herse decaleur: $199

Berthoud Handlebar Bag:  $359

If there’s interest in either the Campy groupset or the Jubilee derailleurs and shifters, I’ll try to figure out what I paid for those.

Feel free to mix and match if you’d like some but not all.  Buyer to pay shipping, but I will work with you to facilitate, or meet halfway if you’re in the Northeast or mid-Atlantic area.

For some reason, I can’t locate many pictures of the bike in my shop.  But here are a few, and I can take more pics of anything anyone would like to see.  It remains pristine.  And I will measure whatever anyone would like me to measure.  I believe the bike is a 58cm; might be 59cm.  But again, I’ll check if you’re interested.

I hope someone on the list will give this bike a new home!

Tom Allingham

Wilmington, DE

[Tom Allingham]

Never mind -- they seem to be working now.

[Tom Allingham]

Bill Lindsay helpfully points out that I buried the size information on this bike.  It’s either a 58cm or a 59cm, and when I get back to my shop I can provide precise measurements for anyone who’s interested.  Sorry for the unhelpful omission.

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[Eric Marth]

Oh, this one hurts. A JPW Competition in my size. I have such a soft spot for these and love each and every old Raleigh that Peter has rat-rodded out. I can't swing it at the moment but dear lord oh me oh my it's beautiful and has all the modifications one could dream of! 

You better believe I already had the photos you shared from Peter's flickr account already saved to my reference folder.

Best of luck with the sale! Someone needs to get this built up and out on the road

[Eric Marth]

Oops, small correction: I see these are all photos you took, Tom. I am fairly certain Peter posted some of this project which I have saved. 

[Alberto Robador]

Hey Tom, beautiful machine, I just emailed you!