Project bike: Bridgestone Grand tech GR27 > Complete

Was planning on making a step by step break down on bringing GR27 road worthy. But was to lazy to document it because most of the work was done at the bike shop (ULYBY San Andres, Manila).

Version.1 The plan
This was suppose to be just a runner, most of the parts are in good working condition all it needed was cleaning and a tune-up.
Couple of days into the disassembly and parts prep I could not stand the old rattle can-job the old owner did with the bike.

Old spray can black was removed from the frame and the fork.
Upper-rear chain-stay only needed a little surface rust removal and lots of polishing.
Fork was powder coated "almond brown" for that 70's bike color accents.

Yes 5 pieces for just the frame

Naked and loving it
Grand tech sat for 6 months without any cockpit, drive train parts, also sold the whole rim-set to a friend.
 

Condo decor

Version.2 Completing the bike
With the sudden (4th quarter) increase on Shimano complete drive train price and my unwillingness to try drop bars the plan of buying complete group was ditched.

Instead of Shimano Claris 8 speed we dug deep in old MTB parts bin for some key components.

Old MTB parts
Shimano XT 11-36 cassette
Shimano ZEE 10 speed shifter

New parts
Shimano SORA brake calipers
Shimano Non-series brake levers (flat bar)
Shimano DEORE 10 speed chain
Shimano DEORE 10 speed RD long cage w/switch

Opted to use the stock from the 80's Sugino no.3 crank on knee busting 48T, along with almost new-ish Sugino bottom bracket that was on the bike.
When Mel (the only mechanic that touches my bikes) removed the bottom bracket earlier he commented that it was barely used and was in great shape for the bike age.

Now the build is going the MTB inspired route it will now take a sharp left turn yet again on ROAD bike path.

Purchased known reliable ROAD training wheel-set from Shimano the RS11 along with Schwalbe road+ tires on meaty 28mm size.

Now for the contact points like handlebar and pedals. Had a track bar (bullhorn) on project. SS beater.
Pedals are old VP steel commuters (shin destroyers) which came with bike.

Quill stem SR (Suntour) and Seat post SR (Suntour) stock parts was cleaned and re-used. While the old headset was serviced.

Version.3 Flat bars for keeps
Track bars are awesome they are most comfortable for sprinting, climbing and track work. Which does not require two brake levers and a RD shifter.

Bullhorns was crowded with all the un-necessary stuff I demand to use with the bike. Again searching my MTB parts bin found an old up-sweep handlebar which was also wider.

Before

After

Bridgestone Grand tech

They say that they never make em' like they used to. Underneath all the neglect and crap that the previous owners did to the bike. Money, time that I spent making the Grand tech my own bike well worth everything.

Would like to thank the missus, mom, my son.
Ulyby bike shop, mel, and all friends of shop.

Ernest Rufo