Can you date that Davidson?

[William]

I'm curious if anyone here in-the-know can roughly date the vintage of this Davidson Impulse? There is no serial number to go by to get specifics. A rough estimate would be great.


Thanks!
William


http://i1108.photobucket.com/albums/h420/SodaFuel/IMG_6827.jpg

http://i1108.photobucket.com/albums/h420/SodaFuel/IMG_6826.jpg

[rodcad]

No clue on the year, but I love it! Just my size I'm betting. That paint job is really different and I like it.

[Frankwurst]

Contact Bill. I'd bet he'd be glad to tell you. :beer:

[veggieburger]

Wow, that's a really good looking bike. I'll give you everything in my pocket for it (mostly pocket lint, I'm afraid)

[William]

Contact Bill. I'd bet he'd be glad to tell you. :beer:

Just shot him an e-mail. :cool:



William

[BengeBoy]

Very nice - wondering if it might be a repaint? I go to their shop a fair amount and frequently see older Davidsons in for a complete repaint.

[mister]

i'd guess mid to late 80's...lets see what bill says.

[Ahneida Ride]

I'd date her.

Miss Davidson is kinda cute. :p

Would she date me ? That's the real question

[mikki]

Hey Ray,

She certainly would if you sold her a new bra!!

[Ahneida Ride]

Nice bike Uncle William !!!!

[Ahneida Ride]

Hey Ray,

She certainly would if you sold her a new bra!!

What have I started ???? :crap: :beer: :argue: ;) :D

[Ahneida Ride]

I did date Mrs. Robinson. Does that count?

[William]

I did date Mrs. Robinson. Does that count?

Did you...
Hide it in a hiding place
Where no one ever goes.
Put it in your pantry with your cupcakes.

Coo coo cah chooo Mrs. Davidson..... :D ;) :p :)



William

[fiamme red]

Did you...
Hide it in a hiding place
Where no one ever goes.
Put it in your pantry with your cupcakes.

Coo coo cah chooo Mrs. Davidson..... :D ;) :p :) We'd like to know a little more about you for our files... :)

[slowandsteady]

Nice looking ride! What's the geo? Looks like it would fit me as well :banana:

[jr59]

Please do tell us what you found out.

I also like the way it looks.

[William]

Please do tell us what you found out.

I also like the way it looks.


Will do! :cool: :)


William

[mister]

Nice looking ride! What's the geo? Looks like it would fit me as well :banana:

impulse is supposed to be good euro stage race geometry.
the stiletto is more like a steep angle "criterium" geometry.

[ChipRI]

My 1988 Impulse is an absolute joy!! I've given it and my Serotta almost equal ride time this year.

Bob Freeman, who works with Bill at Elliot Bay Bicycles in Seattle, gave me this background information on the Impulse:

"We made the Impulse from 1986 to 1996, a few thousand of them. It is made with Tange Prestige heat treated Chrome Moly tubing and Takahashi investment cast lugs of our own design, with their MER crown. In 1988 it probably still had Campy dropouts. Later we switched to Shimano. It may also have investment cast plug-style fork tips, if they don't say Shimano or Campagnolo on them. We made them and painted them all right here, still do. We developed a unique inside-out brazing method for those which made them more efficient to make, and stronger. It involves rings of brass that are placed inside each tube, and then the joint is heated until they melt and flow out by capillary action. This ensures full penetration of the brass, and a little fillet on the inside of the joint too. We have no joint failures with this method."

:beer:

[shiftyfixedgear]

Ray - tell us more about Mrs. R !

[William]

Ray - tell us more about Mrs. R !


Who's would you rather date? Mrs Robinson, or Mrs Davidson (the bike)? :confused:


http://www.refinery29.com/img/mrs-robinson-hot-mom.jpg




William :D

[William]

My 1988 Impulse is an absolute joy!! I've given it and my Serotta almost equal ride time this year.

Bob Freeman, who works with Bill at Elliot Bay Bicycles in Seattle, gave me this background information on the Impulse:

"We made the Impulse from 1986 to 1996, a few thousand of them. It is made with Tange Prestige heat treated Chrome Moly tubing and Takahashi investment cast lugs of our own design, with their MER crown. In 1988 it probably still had Campy dropouts. Later we switched to Shimano. It may also have investment cast plug-style fork tips, if they don't say Shimano or Campagnolo on them. We made them and painted them all right here, still do. We developed a unique inside-out brazing method for those which made them more efficient to make, and stronger. It involves rings of brass that are placed inside each tube, and then the joint is heated until they melt and flow out by capillary action. This ensures full penetration of the brass, and a little fillet on the inside of the joint too. We have no joint failures with this method."

:beer:


Great info! Thank you! :cool:


William

[shiftyfixedgear]

Those Davidson's are truly well built.

Not as well "built" as Anne Bancroft, though . . . `

[William]

I heard back from Bob Freeman (thanks to a fellow forum member for the direction :cool: ) of Elliot Bay Cycles....


Hi William. No serial numbers, sorry. That one looks mid-90s to me. Towards the end of the Impulse model. If you know the name of the owner I may be able to look it up.

regards

Bob Freeman

Thank you for your help everyone! :cool:



William

[AngryScientist]

beautiful looking bike, looks like someone needs to put some fast miles on her.

[jr59]

Very good idea on the fast miles.