ORBO Layin down the Law

[Dizzle Problems]

Getting more parts set aside.

Thinking I'll go with the one of the longer/ tandem Mafac sets.

For levers, I was between Maguras and Tommasellis. Early catalog and leaflets suggest Magura. So...

Time to start shifting focus to the wheels. I have a very decent stash of rims. I could go red, black, blue, silver, or gold.. but being picky, I want gold Ukais. I don't currently have a set that has one without any brake rub, which I need for the drum rear wheel. Lucky for me, a good friend has a pair for me. While I wait to get those, I'll keep getting all the rest together.

 

[Dizzle Problems]

I try to not use repop items when I can avoid it. But when it comes to rubber bits, they wear out and get replaced frequently. So, new grips and housing. The choice was clear. The bottle cage is of appropriate vintage, made in Italy.

I have been incredibly fortunate to have been talking to Donny Koski about my frame. As the inventor of the Pro Cruiser, it's pretty amazing to hear what's he's got to say on it. He confirmed that my frame came out of Cove. He was kind enough to send me a care package with some really awesome stuff.

 

[Pondo]

Wow, so cool!

 

[MattiThundrrr]

If anyone has any doubt about who just won the buildoff, it was Donny Koski and Mert Lawwill!!!

 

[twojs.bike]

Wow!!! I am not up on my MTB history like the rest of you. I am googling all of this now! Too cool!! Almost unbelievable.

 

[Dizzle Problems]

When building, I always like looking for pictures of original builds back in the day.
Here's two I've been stoked on, and having me questioning stem and bar options.

(Koski bros in this pic)

I've been having some debates over using an Atom drum rear hub. I do have a Sturmey Archer rear. But it's spaced for single speed, and missing some dust caps that can be challenging to find.

Going to see what I can come up with and possibly get it properly built up. Still deciding.

 

[ChaOs]

Wow! Just wow! This build and the story is just awesome!

 

[us56456712]

When building, I always like looking for pictures of original builds back in the day.
Here's two I've been stoked on, and having me questioning stem and bar options.

View attachment 288996
View attachment 288997
(Koski bros in this pic)

I've been having some debates over using an Atom drum rear hub. I do have a Sturmey Archer rear. But it's spaced for single speed, and missing some dust caps that can be challenging to find.

Going to see what I can come up with and possibly get it properly built up. Still deciding.

View attachment 288998

I’ve built up those SA hubs with the drum brake before. Mine had 14 gauge spokes on one side and 12 on the other. Spoke length was hard. I used 14 gauge on both sides with hub washers on the 12 gauge side. The 14 gauge side wouldn’t pull over to center so I used nipple washers. It was painful. Just look to make sure both sides are drilled for 14 gauge before starting to build it up. Yours may be an older model than mine. In the old days people put cassettes on the ones similar to yours. I’m talking three speed internal geared SA hubs threaded for cogs. I’ve read that the threading will accept cassettes. I can’t tell from your photo if it’s a single ore a three speed.

 

[Dizzle Problems]

I’ve built up those SA hubs with the drum brake before. Mine had 14 gauge spokes on one side and 12 on the other. Spoke length was hard. I used 14 gauge on both sides with hub washers on the 12 gauge side. The 14 gauge side wouldn’t pull over to center so I used nipple washers. It was painful. Just look to make sure both sides are drilled for 14 gauge before starting to build it up. Yours may be an older model than mine. In the old days people put cassettes on the ones similar to yours. I’m talking three speed internal geared SA hubs threaded for cogs. I’ve read that the threading will accept cassettes. I can’t tell from your photo if it’s a single ore a three speed.
View attachment 289172View attachment 289170

Interesting. Sounds like a pain of a wheel build.
The SA hub I currently have is 14g both sides. But it is currently set up for single speed. The races have some issues. So, I have another on the way. I'll use the best of the two and space it for 5 speed.
I have built a wheel with one of these hubs before and didn't have issue. Hoping this one goes the same.
Though I am still undecided on going Sturmey Archer or Atom. Most folks I've talked to say the SA has better stopping.

 

[us56456712]

Interesting. Sounds like a pain of a wheel build.
The SA hub I currently have is 14g both sides. But it is currently set up for single speed. The races have some issues. So, I have another on the way. I'll use the best of the two and space it for 5 speed.
I have built a wheel with one of these hubs before and didn't have issue. Hoping this one goes the same.
Though I am still undecided on going Sturmey Archer or Atom. Most folks I've talked to say the SA has better stopping.

The problem with the one I built was that there were two very different flange sizes and two different spoke sizes. I’ve built three other wheels with drum brakes and didn’t have a problem.

 

[Dizzle Problems]

Small updates. In an effort to use the Sturmey rear drum, I bought a second one in hopes of making one out of two...

My main concern was the inner cone that sits inside of the non drive side/ brake shoes. The one I already had was a bit pitted

Unfortunately, the one I purchased didn't even have the proper cone. It had one that someone flied down in an attempt to fit.

So... back to the original plan. Atom it is.
I repacked and respaced the axle on this one, and got it removed from the wheel it was built into.

I also received the rims I plan to use.

Going to go through what spokes I have and see what I need to order.

Other small things. Breezer seat sandwich, to run a double rail saddle on a micro adjust post, installed with brooks b72. Bottom bracket, and bottle cage installed. Will swap to quick release and install hite rite once I don't have to put it in the stand as much.

 

[MattiThundrrr]

^Love that shop towel

 

[jerermy]

Great write up so far! Love the parts, details and the history of it.

 

[Dizzle Problems]

So, ever indecisive. Although I dig the orange frame / red fork, and the 'tribute' kinda feel to the prototype, I'm unsure how I'll like the red fork in the final build. The paint is also a bit 'clean' for the patina of the frame.

Searching out era correct bmx cruiser parts that were modified back in the 70s/ early 80s for klunking can be a bit challenging. But, sometimes you can get lucky. A little asking around and I found something that I think maybe better suited.

Another early Laguna fork, and with mafac canti bosses. I feel extremely fortunate to have found and acquired these.
I have been trying to document bmx cruisers and parts that were modified back in the day for years now. I'm sure there are a whole lot more out there, but so far, I've only seen 3 Laguna forks with canti bosses.


More inspiration pics.
This one was recently on eBay. Also an early non serial number out of Cove.

The orange to the far right particularly catches my eye. Painted silver / chrome Cook fork. Must be nice...

This blue one belongs to Gary Bell, original owner and mountain bike pioneer out of Lake Tahoe. Standing with Donny Koski.
So far this is the only photo I have found of one being set up drum brake rear, and cantilever front.

Waiting on spokes....

 

[MattiThundrrr]

Since you mentioned laguna

This 78 just popped up in Seattle

https://seattle.craigslist.org/tac/bik/d/tacoma-vintage-old-school-1978-laguna/7831788767.html

 

[Dizzle Problems]

Since you mentioned lagunaView attachment 289965
This 78 just popped up in Seattle

https://seattle.craigslist.org/tac/bik/d/tacoma-vintage-old-school-1978-laguna/7831788767.html

Would love to someday have an original paint yellow! This one has been repainted, they even painted the headset cups! Haha. Akisu fork as well. Solid price for what's there though. I would love that stem, it is in line with what I hope to one day find as it is drilled through for a cantilever brake... although, that stem wasn't available until 81/82