BUILDING THE SECOND ZEUS ALPHA

I never did build the second Zeus up and ride the bike.  I did take the time to carefully measure the frame set, in an effort to ensure that nothing was dented, cracked, bent or out of line.  For all intents and purposes, the frame set was perfect and required no adjustment at all.  Once satisfied the frame's geometric integrity was intact, I got down to the business of disassembling the bottom bracket and head set, in preparation for a complete and thorough cleaning.

The frame set's mechanical condition was just fine and both the bottom bracket and head set were cleaned, lubricated and installed back into the frame set.  Once cleaned, the frame and fork set was offered on Ebay and quickly snatched up.

The winning bidder, an avid Zeus bicycle collector, contacted me even before the auction had ended.  He inquired about the component grouppo's availability that I had mentioned in the auction listing.  I frequently offer an original component grouppo with frame sets that I sell.  I do this in an effort to help others with the Street Restoration projects that they take on.  Many people appreciate the opportunity to acquire a complete or partial grouppo and frequently take advantage of the generous offers.

As was the case with Zeus #1, no decal indicating tubing material or design were documented on the frame set.  Other than the Zeus decals that appeared on both sides of the down and seat tubes, the only other decal was one that indicated the bicycle was assembled with Original Zeus Accessories.

The frame set presents a reasonable level of craftsmanship, both in construction and finish.  The candy red paint was smooth, shiny and evenly applied.  The lugs showed no thinness of paint, a common problem on many vintage bicycles and one that only shows after many years have passed.  The BCM lugs, for the most part, blended smoothly into the tubes.  However, the workmanship on the Zeus Competition Drops was not flawless and did leave a bit to be desired.  All in all, a nice enough frame set but not of the quality that I have come to appreciate.

Sadly, the Zeus head badge had to remain with the original owner.  He did have the head badge, but he was not parting with it.  I assume that he wanted to keep the badge as a memento but cannot really say for sure.  I did make note of the address where I bought Zeus #2.  I do plan to go back and attempt to get the badge at a later time.  Who knows, the badge just might be available when I do.  I might even get the chance to ask the fellow a forgotten question.  Does he know of any other old road bicycles that might be for sale?

The lug work on the Zeus was relatively simple, with the exception of the somewhat ornate bottom bracket lug.  The seat tube and heat tubes lugs were nothing special, but they did their job well over the years, with no indication of movement or flexing damage.  I see many bicycles with apparent structural failure, at the tube to lug joints.  To me this suggests improper fit into the lug, coupled with inadequate brazing or silver soldering.

About the only thing left worthy of comment were the wheel sets and they were really nothing special either.  The low flange alloy hubs were void of any marking, whatsoever.  The wheels lacked the commonly appreciated quick release assemblies found on most other similar bicycle of the day.  Though Zeus hubs are available with quick release assemblies, this Zeus opted for hex head fasteners with integral heavy duty washes.  Certainly a positive way to secure wheels but hardly the preferred choice of the time.

Though the hubs were in good condition, the same could not be said for the alloy rim set.  One rim in particular was all but shot.  In a pinch, I am sure that I could have salvaged the rims but only at the expense of structural integrity.  The worst rim was so badly pitted that clean up would have required the removal of a considerable amount of metal, perhaps weakening the structure.  Normally, I would not pass this kind of damage on to another person.  However, the fellow who purchased the Zeus frame set, wanted everything that came with the Zeus.  Even though I did inform him that the rims were shot, he wanted the complete wheel assemblies included in the purchase price of the component grouppo.

That was about it for Zeus number two.  I never did build the bicycle up, nor did I ride it.  It now belongs to a Zeus collector who I am sure will do the bicycle justice, both in rebuild and use.

Since I have found two Zeus bicycles in Thunder Bay already, chances are another will cross my path one day.  When it does, I hope that the bicycle is complete and either a 54cm or 56cm, either size being quite comfortable for me to ride.