Raleigh Professional MKII Restorations

Raleigh Professional MKII Restorations

A UPS flight instructor comes into the shop with two very tired looking 1970s Raleigh Professional Mark II bikes and proceeds to share their history with us.

They had been purchased new by his grandparents and for many years the couple toured the country on them. The purchase price at that time would have been around $200, which would calculate to about $1,300 in 2019 money.

The bikes had several modifications over the years including Campy bar-end shifters replacing the down-tube shifters, along with new Brooks Swallow saddles.

The grandparents divorced and the grandson acquired both of the bikes that hadn’t been ridden in decades.

In August, 2019 Vic began restoring them to top mechanical condition while preserving the patined finish on the frame from the years of mileage the bikes had seen.

Raleigh Professional MKII serial numbers 146 and 370 will soon be proudly displayed in our client’s family room.

Raleigh Professional Mark II #370 before restoration.

One of the most iconic of racing bicycles during the 1970s bike boom in America, the Raleigh Professional also represented the heyday of their mark in the USA.

Raleigh’s trademark blue-mink and silver paint, gold lug linings, lashings of lustrous chrome, characteristic fastback rear stays and the much coveted Campagnolo componentry made it one of the most aesthetically pleasing and desired lightweights of the era and often a pipe-dream machine for a generation of young cyclists because of its high cost.

For those fortunate enough to own one, then or now, it remains one of the most distinctive and pleasing of racing machines in appearance and ride.

Learn More.

#146 after restoration.

Vic’s Tie-dye Jersey

Vic’s Tie-dye Jersey

Psychedelic tie-dye art from the 1960s & 70s returns with brightest, most eye-catching cycling jersey ever. Vic’s Classic Bikes Tie-dye Cycling Jersey is already world-famous!

These custom jerseys are produced by Jakroo and have become so popular we’ve already placed a second order.

The standard-cut design provides a balance of convenience, comfort and performance with moisture-wicking fabric, three cargo pockets, and a really nice zippered fourth pocket on the back, plus an elasticized waist and full-length hidden front zipper.

Available in four sizes, M, L, XL & 2XL. $66 each – stop in or call to place an order.

Or visit Vic’s Team Store.

Thousand Helmets

Thousand Helmets

If you are an urban rider or commuter who feels they really should wear a helmet, but shudders at the sight of the usual Tour de France racer look we suggest Thousand helmets.

The helmet’s unique selling point is the PopLock, a pop-out section which allows you to fit your lock through the helmet and attach it securely to your bike rather than fastening the chin strap to the top tube and hoping no one steals it after you turn your back.

Thousand is a fairly new USA-based company started by a woman. Designed for urban city riding, their minimalist bike helmets are inspired by the simplicity of vintage moto lids.

Their helmets conform to US and European safety standards.

Secret Poplock
The most convenient way to leave your helmet behind. Access the hidden channel behind the logo mark, and pop your U-Lock or chain lock through. Backed with our Helmet Thief Guarantee.

Magnetic Buckle
Lock it in with a one hand fastener guaranteed to leave your finger pinch-free. Safety certified, German engineered.

Vegan Leather Straps
Stay comfortable and sweat-free with these eco-friendly microfiber vegan straps, created with animals and the environment in mind.

Vents
Ventilation without the sci-fi design. You’ll keep cool with seven air vents and three
cooling channels.

Available in three sizes. In stock now at Vic’s – stop by an try one on.

$89

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Vic’s Classic Bikes Moves To Preston Hwy

Vic’s Classic Bikes Moves To Preston Hwy

Shop interior

Vic’s has relocated to 3141 Preston Hwy. near the Audubon Park neighborhood after six years in The Highlands. Vic Miller, known for restoring older, high-quality handmade bicycles, moved into a larger, more centrally located shop at Audubon Park at the end of July, 2018.

Vic started restoring bicycles in his garage at home and selling them on craigslist before anyone else in Louisville was doing such a thing which led to eventually opening his first shop on Preston St. He moved his shop to Baxter Ave. in the Highlands in 2012.

Vic’s interest in restoring old 70’s & 80’s bikes came out of his love for the quality frames and components made towards the end of the handmade bike era in America, before most bicycle manufacturing was sent to Taiwan and China.

Master mechanic Perry Finley, one of the finest in the region, is on staff as well as the shop’s mascot dogs, Bentley and Stella.

Vic’s Classic Bikes supports Falls City Community BikeWorks, a non-profit community bike shop that teaches aspiring bike mechanics to restore bikes, an initiative to make Louisville a more bicycle friendly community.

Vic’s Tie-dye T-shirt

Vic’s Tie-dye T-shirt

Just in time for the holidays, whatever holiday it might be. The perfect gift for the young or young at heart.

The soon to be classic Vic’s Classic Bikes Tie Dye T-shirt is sure to get attention.

Gildan Heavy Cotton tee is 100% cotton. Available in all the popular sizes.

Stop by the shop –or we can ship.

$20

Schwinn Paramount Track

Schwinn Paramount Track

This 80s-era Schwinn Paramount “Pista” (Italian for track) has recently been added to Vic’s collection at the shop.

Arnold, Schwinn & Co., founded in Chicago in 1895, created their first top-of-the-line Paramount in 1938, it was produced until 1994.

While Schwinn had a reputation for building mass-produced balloon-tire bicycles for kids the Paramount line had a reputation as a finely crafted, relatively light-weight racing bike.

This frame was made by Paramount Design Group at Waterford Precision Cycles in the USA (circa 1980-1994), it features Reynolds 531 tubes, Nervex lugs, full Campagnolo groupo including wide-flange hubs, and its original Cinelli Unicanitor saddle.

This model was known as the Starburst edition for the star placed between the Schwinn and the Paramount on the downtube decal, this decal became the signature styling for the Paramount.

In 1973 the Paramounts lost their Olympic rings on the downtube as the US Olympic Committee tightened up trademark usage and Schwinn adopted the Olympic color bands.

More on the history of Paramounts is available here:

www.waterfordbikes.com/w/culture/paramount/
http://waterfordbikes.com/now/home.php?newstype=pdg
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Schwinn_Paramount

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Bianchi Nuovo Alloro

Bianchi Nuovo Alloro

Classic Italian racing in Bianchi Celeste Green. The Nuovo Alloro was a mid-level club racer. Columbus tubes for the frame, Campagnolo Nuovo Record shifters and derailleurs, Ofmega cranks and hubs, Modolo America brakes, TTT stem and seatpost, Mavic rims, stainless steel spokes.

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Maserati MT-10

Maserati MT-10

One of Vic’s favorite restoration projects was this Maserati MT-10, a straight gauge high tensile steel recreational machine.

While the Maserati name is most commonly associated with a glorious automobile brand introduced in 1926, the company permitted the use of their name on motorcycles, and later on bicycles in the 1970s, and though volumes of information pertaining to the Maserati automobile exists, little is known about the Maserati bicycle.

The Maserati MT-10 was an entry level bicycle and was fitted with entry level components, while the Maserati MT-1 was their top of the line model, it featured all the bells and whistles one would expect from an early seventies high-end Italian made racing bicycle.

Vic added a derailleur hanger to the horizontal dropouts, and the original drive was replaced with a Campagnolo groupo. The cottered-crank was replaced with a square taper crank. Chrome plating on the fork blades and Panaracer gum walls complete the vintage look.

The project was completed for the original owner who wanted it restored and upgraded to a ridable condition as a reminder of the bike’s earlier years.

At Vic’s Classic Bikes restorations begin at $175 for road bikes, plus parts. Vic is ready to discuss your bicycle project.

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J. C. Higgins Restoration

J. C. Higgins Restoration

Sears Roebuck and Co. was responsible for some of the most outrageous and sought after bike designs from the 1930s to the 60s. The Bluebird, Robin, Blackhawk, Flightliner and Spaceliner were all Sears exclusives.

Sears used the Westfield Mfg. Co. and Murray of Ohio to manufacture their bikes. Sears bicycles sold before World War II were branded as Elgin and after World War II they were J.C. Higgins.

In the late 1950s, when tailfins and extra chrome were all the rage in automobile design, the Flightliner was launched and it became their best selling model. In 1963 Sears dropped the J. C. Higgins name and switched to their own brand name.

55 years after a young lady had received this space-age Flightliner for Christmas it was faithfully restored by Vic and made very ridable again.

At Vic’s Classic Bikes restorations begin at $175 for road bikes, plus parts. We would be glad to discuss your next restoration project.

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Jonathon Porter Rides Pure Cycles

Jonathon Porter Rides Pure Cycles

Jonathon Porter was hit by a car while riding his bike home from an election night watch party around 2 am, Nov. 9, 2016. The driver left the scene.

The last thing Johnathon remembers is being almost home on W. Oak Street before crossing Dixie Hwy.

His unconscious body was found around 5 am outside Hill Street Missionary Baptist Church, a mile and a half down Dixie Hwy., with a fractured skull and fractured ribs.

The story got around on Instagram, and Pure Cycles in L.A. noticed it was one of their bikes that Jonathon had been riding, and was also stolen that morning.

With the help of Vic’s Classic Bikes, Pure Cycles gave Jonathon a new Pure Fix bike with upgrades, which he is very thankful for, and rides everyday.

“We’re extremely interested in getting more people to ride bikes, and we don’t want anyone to have a bad experience riding bikes,” Pure Cycles Co-Founder Michael Fishman said. “We want to make sure that he (Jonathon) knows we care about him. We care about all our customers.”

Jonathon has had a remarkable recovery, and is grateful to be alive today. His message to drivers is to be courteous to all cyclists and pedestrians.

Any information about the incident is welcomed by LMPD.

Please consider helping Jonathon with a donation to help with medical bills.
https://pages.giveforward.com/medical/page-9ks5dd2/