1988 Black Lightning

[IdahoBrett]

I recently bought a BL crankset from this guy on eBay, he also has some derailleurs that may suit yours?

Vintage Suntour Edge 4050 Front Derailleur Braze On Bottom Pull Black Lightning | eBay

Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for Vintage Suntour Edge 4050 Front Derailleur Braze On Bottom Pull Black Lightning at the best online prices at eBay!

www.ebay.com.au

Thanks @Peat ! Great seller! That is who I bought my BL frame from and too many other bike parts

I recently bought a well used BL stem from the seller. It needed a repaint and I botched the prep job. The first coat of paint instantly crazed/orange peeled. I doubled down on stupid and coated it two more times. I tripled down on stupid and let the terrible looking paint cure. Now I’ve got the tedious task of stripping it all off. Kind of why my overhaul stalled out. That and other projects.

 

[JohnnyD]

Thanks @Peat ! Great seller! That is who I bought my BL frame from and too many other bike parts

I recently bought a well used BL stem from the seller. It needed a repaint and I botched the prep job. The first coat of paint instantly crazed/orange peeled. I doubled down on stupid and coated it two more times. I tripled down on stupid and let the terrible looking paint cure. Now I’ve got the tedious task of stripping it all off. Kind of why my overhaul stalled out. That and other projects.

I am not saying I have ever had to strip off fresh paint on a bike. I feel you pain though.

 

[IdahoBrett]

Lightning does strike twice!

 

[black lightning 1987]

Possibly three times?

 

[IdahoBrett]

Possibly three times?

God forbid......

 

[IdahoBrett]

Saddle height/angle still needs adjustment. Brakes need fine tuning.

I was going to have to leave for work as I was finishing up for the day. I wrapped one side of the bars and ran the rear brake cable in the final 20 minutes. I had just enough braking to go up and back on my street while Mrs. Idaho was kind enough to make my lunch as I did my bike stuff.

Those Dia Compe calipers are verrrry difficult for me to get and keep centered. They are the bane of my existence.

 

[black lightning 1987]

Typical for single pivot calipers. Most if not all dual pivot calipers have a screw that lets you center the pads after the mounting nut has been tightened.

 

[IdahoBrett]

BL I received a brake caliper mod today. I bought a set of Shimano 105 (5501) calipers in black and added Kool Stop pads. A remarkable improvement.

They weren’t a direct swap.

Rear Caliper: The stud nut was a bit longer on the 105. A thicker standard for the brake bridge I assume. So I used the one from the DC calipers. Not sure if I got shorted a star lock washer with the ebay purchase but I just used the one from the Dia Compe setup.

Front Caliper: The threaded stud on the 105 caliper is shorter. Maybe 2mm. Maybe less. I didn’t bother to measure since the stud nut threaded on and tightened fine. Same thing on the star lock washer.

 

[JohnnyD]

While the weight savings is pretty much pointless for most riders. This bike needs some nice gold Ti bolts added to really up the bling factor.

 

[IdahoBrett]

A double Black Lightning photo just for fun.

 

[JohnnyD]

I like the one with the tan side wall tires best.

 

[Peat]

Lightning does strike twice!

View attachment 11786

Looking GOOD!!

 

[Peat]

Saddle height/angle still needs adjustment. Brakes need fine tuning.

I was going to have to leave for work as I was finishing up for the day. I wrapped one side of the bars and ran the rear brake cable in the final 20 minutes. I had just enough braking to go up and back on my street while Mrs. Idaho was kind enough to make my lunch as I did my bike stuff.

Those Dia Compe calipers are verrrry difficult for me to get and keep centered. They are the bane of my existence.

Haha I feel you on those calipers!

Took me months to get them finally dialled in to where they were hovering evenly and tightly to the rim but would always return to the same point.
After I had dismantled and thoroughly cleaned and lubed it was basically a combination of really cinching down the main bolt to try and hold a reliable centre return point for them along with regularly lubing the spring (with chain lube I think)

The 105’s would be a monumental improvement!