Ray's Mid 1970's Teledyne Titan Titanium Bicycle - Restoration

Ray's Mid 1970's Teledyne Titan Restoration - Bicycle After

I have had three major projects going on recently, Mark's Team Miyata frame restoration, Ray's 1973 Schwinn Paramount Track bike restoration and this, Ray's Teledyne Titan Titanium restoration, all three are now getting close to completion and are just fantastic bicycles.

This Teledyne Titan is just an amazingly cool bicycle, it was the first bicycle to be built with titanium and only about 2000 where made.  The weight is fantastically light for today's standards for the mid 1970's it must have been unfathomably light!!

Beyond just the titanium frame that is so cool is the components, a early Dura Ace headset sits in the head tube, a Zeus bottom bracket that is so light that it actually stuns you picking it up after picking up other bottom brackets all my life. The crank is also such a cool Zues crank that has been drilled and just looks amazing, a curious thing about the crank is the Chain rings are 48/40 which is pretty compact.  The handlebars are beautiful Cinelli and have the amazing Cinelli logos stamped in them.  The brakes are Campagnolo calipers and the derailleurs are Campagnolo Nuovo Record.  What may be the coolest part of the who bike is the Paul wheel hubs and the Paul pedals.

Stuff like this Teledyne are about as cool as they get in my book, this Titan will get a complete restoration and new cables and cable housings, new tires and tire tubes, new handlebar tape, new brake pads and new bearings.

Ray's Mid 1970's Teledyne Titan Restoration - Bicycle Before

Ray's Mid 1970's Teledyne Titan Restoration - Bicycle Before
Stem & Handlebars

Ray's Mid 1970's Teledyne Titan Restoration - Bicycle Before
Handlebars & Brake Lever

Ray's Mid 1970's Teledyne Titan Restoration - Bicycle Before
Brake Lever

Ray's Mid 1970's Teledyne Titan Restoration - Bicycle Before
Brake Lever

Ray's Mid 1970's Teledyne Titan Restoration - Bicycle Before
Stem

Ray's Mid 1970's Teledyne Titan Restoration - Bicycle Before
Dura Ace Headset

Ray's Mid 1970's Teledyne Titan Restoration - Bicycle Before
Head Tube

Ray's Mid 1970's Teledyne Titan Restoration - Bicycle Before
Front Brake

Ray's Mid 1970's Teledyne Titan Restoration - Bicycle Before
Phil Front Hub

Ray's Mid 1970's Teledyne Titan Restoration - Bicycle Before
Rigida Front Wheel Rim

Ray's Mid 1970's Teledyne Titan Restoration - Bicycle Before
Top Tube

Ray's Mid 1970's Teledyne Titan Restoration - Bicycle Before
Down Tube

Ray's Mid 1970's Teledyne Titan Restoration - Bicycle Before
Saddle

Ray's Mid 1970's Teledyne Titan Restoration - Bicycle Before
Seat Lug

Ray's Mid 1970's Teledyne Titan Restoration - Bicycle Before
Seat Lug

Ray's Mid 1970's Teledyne Titan Restoration - Bicycle Before
Zeus Crank

Ray's Mid 1970's Teledyne Titan Restoration - Bicycle Before
Campagnolo Front Deraileur

Ray's Mid 1970's Teledyne Titan Restoration - Bicycle Before
Bottom Bracket

Ray's Mid 1970's Teledyne Titan Restoration - Bicycle Before
Rear Brake

Ray's Mid 1970's Teledyne Titan Restoration - Bicycle Before
Campagnolo Rear Derailleur

Ray's Mid 1970's Teledyne Titan Restoration - Bicycle Before
Rear derailleur

Ray's Mid 1970's Teledyne Titan Restoration - Bicycle Before
Phil Rear Wheel Hub

Ray's Mid 1970's Teledyne Titan Restoration - Bicycle Before
Phil Pedals

Ray's Mid 1970's Teledyne Titan Restoration - Bicycle Before
Phil Pedals

The frame other then being dirty is in fantastic shape, I am not quite sure of the coating on the frame, is it paint, chemical, just the titanium over years?  What ever it is I like it.

The frame cleaned very nice and after a little light polishing looks fantastic.

I weighed the frame and it came in at exactly 3 pounds, amazing!!

Ray's Mid 1970's Teledyne Titan Restoration - Frame - Before

Ray's Mid 1970's Teledyne Titan Restoration
Frame Before - Head Tube

Ray's Mid 1970's Teledyne Titan Restoration - Frame Before
Top Tube

Ray's Mid 1970's Teledyne Titan Restoration - Frame Before
Down Tube

Ray's Mid 1970's Teledyne Titan Restoration
Frame Before - Seat Tube

Ray's Mid 1970's Teledyne Titan Restoration - Frame Before
Bottom Bracket

Ray's Mid 1970's Teledyne Titan Restoration
Frame Before - Seat Lug

Ray's Mid 1970's Teledyne Titan Restoration - Frame Before
Brake Bridge

Ray's Mid 1970's Teledyne Titan Restoration - Frame Before
Bottom Bracket

Ray's Mid 1970's Teledyne Titan Restoration
Frame Before - Drop Outs

Ray's Mid 1970's Teledyne Titan Restoration
Frame Before - Fork

Ray's Mid 1970's Teledyne Titan Restoration - Frame Before
Fork Crown

Ray's Mid 1970's Teledyne Titan Restoration
Frame Before - Fork

Ray's Mid 1970's Teledyne Titan Restoration - Frame Polished
Head Tube

Ray's Mid 1970's Teledyne Titan Restoration - Frame Polished
Bottom Bracket

Ray's Mid 1970's Teledyne Titan Restoration
Frame Polished - Rear

Ray's Mid 1970's Teledyne Titan Restoration
Frame Polished - Fork

Ray's Mid 1970's Teledyne Titan Restoration - Frame Polished
Fork Crown

Ray's Mid 1970's Teledyne Titan Restoration
Frame Polished -  3 Lbs!!!

The bottom bracket cups where frozen in place, I think the two types of metal together corroded.  I  applied a lot of penetrating oil and then carefully applied heat.  The non-drive side broke free easier then the non-drive the side.  The drive side cup broke free with a three foot wrench and a contraption I put together,

I put both the headset and bottom bracket components in the crock pot and then polished them, they polished fantastic.  I do not think I have ever seen a bottom bracket spindle so light before, amazing!!

Installed the headset and bottom bracket look fantastic and spin like butter!  I love the Dura Ace headset!

Ray's Mid 1970's Teledyne Titan Restoration
Headset & Bottom Bracket - Before

Ray's Mid 1970's Teledyne Titan Restoration
Headset & Bottom Bracket - Polished

Ray's Mid 1970's Teledyne Titan Restoration
Headset Cups - Pressed

Ray's Mid 1970's Teledyne Titan Restoration
Headset Cups - Pressed

Ray's Mid 1970's Teledyne Titan Restoration - New Headset Bearings
Packed

Ray's Mid 1970's Teledyne Titan Restoration
Dura Ace Headset - Complete

Ray's Mid 1970's Teledyne Titan Restoration - New Bottom Bracket Bearings
Packed

Ray's Mid 1970's Teledyne Titan Restoration - Bottom Bracket
Complete

 The stem is a beautiful Cinelli stem, The stem has a textured finish to it with a few small scratched but not enough to polish away the texture.  I cleaned the stem and polished it by hand to protect the texture, it turned out fantastic.

The handlebars are also Cinelli and cleaned and polished very nice.  I love the Cinelli stamps on the handlebars.

Ray's Mid 1970's Teledyne Titan Restoration - Stem & Handlebars
Before

Ray's Mid 1970's Teledyne Titan Restoration - Stem - Before

Ray's Mid 1970's Teledyne Titan Restoration - Stem - Exploded

Ray's Mid 1970's Teledyne Titan Restoration - Stem - Polished

Ray's Mid 1970's Teledyne Titan Restoration - Stem & Handlebars - Polished

Ray's Mid 1970's Teledyne Titan Restoration - Stem & Handlebars
Complete

Ray's Mid 1970's Teledyne Titan Restoration - Stem & Handlebars
Compelte

Ray's Mid 1970's Teledyne Titan Restoration - Stem & Handlebars
Complete

Ray's Mid 1970's Teledyne Titan Restoration - Stem & Handlebars
Complete

Next for the Teledyne was the Zeus crankset.  The crank is just amazing looking and so light, I gave it a good cleaning and got to polishing.  The crank polished perfect, you can see the reflection of my sweat shirt color in the photo it shines so bright.  I find it so interesting that the chain rings are 47/40, an interesting ratio for a road bike.

I did install new crank bolt dust cover caps as the originals where not with the bike.

Ray's Mid 1970's Teledyne Titan Restoration - Zeus Crank - Before

Ray's Mid 1970's Teledyne Titan Restoration - Zeus Crank
Exploded

Ray's Mid 1970's Teledyne Titan Restoration - Zeus Crank
Polished

Ray's Mid 1970's Teledyne Titan Restoration - Zeus Crank
Complete

Ray's Mid 1970's Teledyne Titan Restoration
Zeus Crank - Installed

Next are the Campagnolo brake calipers.  These are one of my favorite calipers ever, not because of stopping power but I love the look of the "drooping" shape of the calipers.  The calipers cleaned well and polished fantastic and installed they look great and function smooth.

Ray's Mid 1970's Teledyne Titan Restoration - Brake Calipers
Before 

Ray's Mid 1970's Teledyne Titan Restoration - Campagnolo
Calipers - Exploded

Ray's Mid 1970's Teledyne Titan Restoration - Campagnolo
Calipers - Polished

Ray's Mid 1970's Teledyne Titan Restoration - Campagnolo
Calipers - Complete

Ray's Mid 1970's Teledyne Titan Restoration - Front Caliper
Installed

Ray's Mid 1970's Teledyne Titan Restoration - Rear Campagnolo
Caliper - Installed

With the calipers installed I installed all of the cable brackets.  The brackets polished very nice and the polished cable brackets are the details that really make the restoration.

Ray's Mid 1970's Teledyne Titan Restoration - Cable Brackets
Before

Ray's Mid 1970's Teledyne Titan Restoration - Brackets
Before

Ray's Mid 1970's Teledyne Titan Restoration - Brake Cable
Brackets - Before

Ray's Mid 1970's Teledyne Titan Restoration - Cable Brackets
Polished

Ray's Mid 1970's Teledyne Titan Restoration - Down Tube
Cable Bracket - Installed

Ray's Mid 1970's Teledyne Titan Restoration - Brake Cable Bracket
Polished

Ray's Mid 1970's Teledyne Titan Restoration - Bottom Bracket
Cable Bracket - Installed

Ray's Mid 1970's Teledyne Titan Restoration - Derailleur
Cable Bracket - Installed

I think I mixed up taking the photos of the seat post and saddle before but the after photos are stunning.  I polished the seat post and it has a perfect surface, just beautiful.  I cleaned the yellow saddle and it looks great.  So cool the look of the yellow saddle, classic!!

Ray's Mid 1970's Teledyne Titan Restoration - Seat Post Polished
Saddle Cleaned

Ray's Mid 1970's Teledyne Titan Restoration
Seat Post and Saddle - Installed

It was now time for the derailleurs.  The front derailleur soaked for a week in penetrating oil because the adjustment screws where rusted into place.  After soaking they work perfect and cleaned up great.

I cleaned both derailleurs and polished both.  The front derailleur polished great and I am so happy the adjustment screws came back.  It actually looks even better in person, the high polished mirror finish does not photograph well.

The rear derailleur was actually pretty rough, maybe the roughest part of the whole bike.  I also let it soak for a week so remove all the hardened grease and to loosen up the adjustment screws.  The rear derailleur polished pretty nice considering all and looks great installed.  It really is hard to beat the Campagnolo rear derailleur, Beautiful!!

If you have frozen or rusted adjustment screws on a derailleur it is best to soak them as long as you possible can, these types of screws are very delicate and can snap off with very little force and then the derailleur is garbage.

Ray's Mid 1970's Teledyne Titan Restoration - Derailleurs
Before

Ray's Mid 1970's Teledyne Titan Restoration - Front Derailleur
Before

Ray's Mid 1970's Teledyne Titan Restoration - Front Derailleur
Before

 You can see the blue camera reflecting in the derailleur it is shining so bright.

Ray's Mid 1970's Teledyne Titan Restoration - Front Derailleur
Complete

Ray's Mid 1970's Teledyne Titan Restoration - Front Derailleur
Installed

Ray's Mid 1970's Teledyne Titan Restoration - Rear Derailleur
Exploded

Ray's Mid 1970's Teledyne Titan Restoration - Rear Derailleur
Before

Ray's Mid 1970's Teledyne Titan Restoration - Rear Derailleur
Polished

Ray's Mid 1970's Teledyne Titan Restoration - Rear Derailleur
Complete

Ray's Mid 1970's Teledyne Titan Restoration - Rear Derailleur
Installed

Next was the brake levers, they have some very heavy gouging from crashes or setting on concrete.  I filed some of the gouges out as much as i dare and then polished the best I could.  The brake levers turned out pretty darn good even with gouges.

I have been looking for original style Campagnolo brake lever hoods for the levers, still searching.

Ray's Mid 1970's Teledyne Titan Restoration - Brake Levers
Before

Ray's Mid 1970's Teledyne Titan Restoration - Brake Levers
Polished

Ray's Mid 1970's Teledyne Titan Restoration - Brake Levers
Installed

With the brake levers installed the alst thing for the main body is the shift levers.  The shift levers are very cool and rare Campagnolo levers.  I disassembled the levers and cleaned and polished all the pieces.  It takes great care and time to polish the lever with out damaging the blue rubber cover, I am pleased with the results.

I then greased all the areas that need it and installed the levers, they are going to look fantastic against the new handlebar tape.

Ray's Mid 1970's Teledyne Titan Restoration - Campagnolo
Shift Levers - Before

Ray's Mid 1970's Teledyne Titan Restoration - Campagnolo
Shift Levers - Polished

Ray's Mid 1970's Teledyne Titan Restoration - Campagnolo Shift Levers
Compelte

The main body components are complete minus the wiring of the Titan.  Below is a photo of the Titan so far, I love it!!!

Ray's Mid 1970's Teledyne Titan Restoration - Main Body Components
Complete

The wheels are just fantastic from the time, the wheel hubs are Phil Wood cartridge bearing hubs and the wheel rims are Rigida.

The wheel bearings are not meant to be rebuilt as cartridge bearings are meant to be rode on till they pretty much explode and then replaced.  These bearings are still as smooth as silk and I would just do more harm removing them.

The wheels spokes are very loose in place and still tight in others.  It is just easier and quicker to remove all the spokes and relace the wheel then trying to ham and egg the wheel back into true, this will also give me chance to polish the hub and rims on the power polisher instead of by hand.

Its rare but I actually had to cut the tires and tubes off as they where so rotted.

Ray's Mid 1970's Teledyne Titan Restoration
Front Wheel - Before

Ray's Mid 1970's Teledyne Titan Restoration - Phil Wood
Cartridge Bearing Hub

Ray's Mid 1970's Teledyne Titan Restoration - Front Wheel Rim
Before

Ray's Mid 1970's Teledyne Titan Restoration
Rear Wheel - Before

Ray's Mid 1970's Teledyne Titan Restoration - Rear Wheel Phil Wood
Cartridge Bearing Hub

Ray's Mid 1970's Teledyne Titan Restoration - Rear Wheel Rim
Before

Ray's Mid 1970's Teledyne Titan Restoration - Rear Wheel
Freewheel Removed

Ray's Mid 1970's Teledyne Titan Restoration - Tires & Tubes
Cut Off

I am hoping the wheels will be complete tomorrow and then its waiting on a few things like handlebar tape and tires but I should have the Titan wired also.

Today I completed the wheels. I removed all of the spokes and soaked the spokes and spoke nipples in my secret weapon for galvanized spokes, white vinegar!!  A couple of hours in white vinegar galvanized spokes come out beautiful.

I polished the hubs, it took time but they turned out fantastic.  I did not polish a small square on the front hub because I did not want to loose the Phil decal.

The rims where in pretty rough shape, there are a lot of minor curb hopping dents, I was able to pound out a few of the bigger curb dents.  With the power polisher I was able to really make the rims shine.

I then laced the wheels back together, they turned out very nice and with everything polished the way it is I think amazing is the word!

The wheels spins like silk and the Titan is really coming along.

Ray's Mid 1970's Teledyne Titan Restoration - Phil Wood
Wheel Hubs - Before

Ray's Mid 1970's Teledyne Titan Restoration - Phil Wood
Wheel Hubs - Before

Ray's Mid 1970's Teledyne Titan Restoration
Rigida Wheel Rims - Before

Ray's Mid 1970's Teledyne Titan Restoration - Rigida Wheel Rims
Before

Ray's Mid 1970's Teledyne Titan Restoration - Phil Wood
Wheel Hubs - Polished

Ray's Mid 1970's Teledyne Titan Restoration
Rigida Wheel Rims - Polished

Ray's Mid 1970's Teledyne Titan Restoration - Rigida Wheel Rims
Polished

Ray's Mid 1970's Teledyne Titan Restoration
Rear Wheel - Newly Laced

Ray's Mid 1970's Teledyne Titan Restoration
Front Wheel - Newly Laced

Ray's Mid 1970's Teledyne Titan Restoration - Wheel Clamps
Polished

Ray's Mid 1970's Teledyne Titan Restoration - Wheels Complete
Installed

Ray's Mid 1970's Teledyne Titan Restoration - Front Wheel
Complete

Ray's Mid 1970's Teledyne Titan Restoration - Rear Wheel
Complete

I was going to wire the Titan today but I think it is better to install the new decal before the cables, efficiency!!

Ray ordered decals from Velocals,com matching the original decals.  They are very nice quality, I will say Velocals quality has really improved from a little time back.

So far I have used the Dawn water solution and measured and placed the decals in place, I then squeegee the decals and will let them sit for most of the day before removing the masking tape backing.

You can see the top tube decal has green tape spiraled around the decal.  Sometimes if the decal is thick it, especially wrap around decals, it will have a spring to it.  The spring after a little time will pop the decal up so after squeegeeing the decal in place I will wrap a small line of masking tape in a spiral shape, this will hold the decal in the perfect spot and counter act the spring.

I did not have and could not find exact measurements for the decals so by looking at photos on the internet I came up with the best position I could, I think they are pretty close.

Ray's Mid 1970's Teledyne Titan Restoration - New Velocals.com
Decal Set

Ray's Mid 1970's Teledyne Titan Restoration
Head Tube Decal Placed

Ray's Mid 1970's Teledyne Titan Restoration - Top Tube Decal
Placed & Masking Tape Wrap to Hold in Place

Ray's Mid 1970's Teledyne Titan Restoration
Seat Tube Decal - Placed

Ray's Mid 1970's Teledyne Titan Restoration
Seat Tube Titanium Decal - Placed

Will Post photos when masking backing removed.

The Decals turned out pretty good and I really like the blue in the decals against the gray frame.

Ray's Mid 1970's Teledyne Titan Restoration - Top Tube Decal
Complete

Ray's Mid 1970's Teledyne Titan Restoration
Seat Tube Decals - Complete

With the decals done it was time to run the cables.  I was going to replace all the cable housings but after inspecting the original steel spiral derailleur cable housing I decided to try to save them.  With a lot of oil and steel wool I got them back pretty nice and well worth it to keep the original look.

I cut all the new cable housings and ran the derailleur cables.  I also cut the brake cable housings but did not run the cables until some original brake lever hoods arrive that Ray has.  No need to remove the cables to install the hoods and then re-install the cables.

Ray's Mid 1970's Teledyne Titan Restoration - New Cables & Housings

Ray's Mid 1970's Teledyne Titan Restoration - New Cables & Housings
Installed - Original Derailleur Cables Have White Protector

Ray's Mid 1970's Teledyne Titan Restoration - New Cables & Housings
Installed - Original Derailleur Cables Have White Protector

Ray's Mid 1970's Teledyne Titan Restoration
Cables - Installed

Ray's Mid 1970's Teledyne Titan Restoration - Derailleur Cables
Installed

Ray's Mid 1970's Teledyne Titan Restoration - Rear Brake Cable
Installed

Next was the chain and freewheel.  The freewheel was dirty and a little gritty but after some flushing and lubricating it spins great.  The chain needed a good clean and lubricating.  Both work great now.

Ray's Mid 1970's Teledyne Titan Restoration - Freewheel - Before

Ray's Mid 1970's Teledyne Titan Restoration - Freewheel - After

Ray's Mid 1970's Teledyne Titan Restoration - Freewheel & Chain
Installed

Ray has some Continental tires that are period correct.  They are a little dry but I have treated them the best I can.  I installed new tubes and installed the tires.  They sure look great on the Titan!

Ray's Mid 1970's Teledyne Titan Restoration
Continental Era Correct Tires

Ray's Mid 1970's Teledyne Titan Restoration - Tires - Installed

I am just waiting on brake lever hoods and handlebar tape and the Titan will be complete.

Ray was able to find nice Campagnolo gum replacement brake lever hoods.  It is nice on Campagnolo brake levers because you can easily remove the brake levers while leaving the mounting bracket in place.  Lots of soapy water and very very careful stretching and the hoods slid into place.

With the hoods in place I am now able to install the handlebar tape.  A slightly lighter blue cloth tape was chosen, this will highlight the blue in the decals and i chose to add a darker yellow twine to catch the yellow seat.  I stretched the cloth tape very tight and then installed the twine, I love the look!!  Because of this blue and yellow look I have deiced to do the same to my personal fixed gear bicycle I ride all the time, I think I will also shellac mine because I ride in a lot of bud and dust.

Ray's Mid 1970's Teledyne Titan Restoration - Replacement
Campagnolo Gum Brake Hoods

Ray's Mid 1970's Teledyne Titan Restoration - Brake Levers
Removed - Mounting Bracket In Place

Ray's Mid 1970's Teledyne Titan Restoration - Brake Lever
Hoods - Installed

Ray's Mid 1970's Teledyne Titan Restoration - Brake Lever
Hoods - Installed

Ray's Mid 1970's Teledyne Titan Restoration - Handlebar Tape
Complete

Ray's Mid 1970's Teledyne Titan Restoration - Handlebar Tape
& Twine - Complete

Ray's Mid 1970's Teledyne Titan Restoration - Handlebar Tape
& Twine Complete

Ray's Mid 1970's Teledyne Titan Restoration - Bicycle Complete

Final photos coming as soon as it stops raining this morning.

I rode the Titan this afternoon and did the tuning, it road fast and feels light, I am still not sure on the titanium feel, it does not exactly feel like steel and does not feel like anything else either.  It feels kind of cool in its lightness though.  The components are so nice, they shift very nice and the brakes hold well.

The looks are amazing, the crank is crazy with all the drilled holes, the brake calipers are the most beautiful out there, the blue handlebar tape and yellow twine and saddle are so classic.  The decals are so nice and brings everything together.  I could not be happier with the Titan!!!  Such a cool bicycle and such a nice piece of cycling history witch I just love!!

Ray's Mid 1970's Teledyne Titan Restoration - Bicycle Complete

Ray's Mid 1970's Teledyne Titan Restoration - Bicycle Complete

Ray's Mid 1970's Teledyne Titan Restoration
Bicycle Complete - Front

Ray's Mid 1970's Teledyne Titan Restoration - Bicycle Complete
Handlebars

Ray's Mid 1970's Teledyne Titan Restoration - Bicycle Complete
Handlebar Logos & Twine - Love It!

Ray's Mid 1970's Teledyne Titan Restoration
Bicycle Complete - Head Tube

Ray's Mid 1970's Teledyne Titan Restoration - Bicycle Complete
Campagnolo Front Brake

Ray's Mid 1970's Teledyne Titan Restoration - Bicycle Complete
Front Wheel Hub

Ray's Mid 1970's Teledyne Titan Restoration - Bicycle Complete
Stem - Very Cool

Ray's Mid 1970's Teledyne Titan Restoration
Bicycle Complete - Front Half - Sooo Cool!!

Ray's Mid 1970's Teledyne Titan Restoration
Bicycle Complete - Strange Photo Angle
Seat is Not at that Angle

Ray's Mid 1970's Teledyne Titan Restoration - Bicycle Complete
Drive Train

Ray's Mid 1970's Teledyne Titan Restoration
Bicycle Complete - Crank Set

Ray's Mid 1970's Teledyne Titan Restoration - Bicycle Complete
Front Derailleur

Ray's Mid 1970's Teledyne Titan Restoration
Bicycle Complete - Rear Derailleur

Ray's Mid 1970's Teledyne Titan Restoration - Bicycle Complete
Rear Campagnolo Brake Caliper

Ray's Mid 1970's Teledyne Titan Restoration - Bicycle Complete
Rear Wheel

Thanks for the interest and the time!
John Z.