Robert J’s Steelmaster Master 10-Speed

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Robert J’s has joined us once again, and this time he’s presenting a department store special that’s chock-full of potential. This his OTSG First Steelmaster…Master.

Robert, you sent this in a while ago, please free to forward any updated shots or comment on the current status of this one.

Cameron,
I think I’ve stumbled on to an OTSG first. Found it in the local junkyard this week:
1970’s Steelmaster “Master” 10 Speed
This bike really lives up to it’s name–every component (save for the plastic) was steel. As soon as I got it home I started replacing the rusty steel with alloy components I had in the garage (rims, stem, brakes, shifters and kickstand).
I found the bike in the local scrapyard and probably wouldn’t have brought it home, except for the great color and that the frame had an uncanny resemblance to a 1970’s Gitane I’d found a week earlier. It has identical fancy lugs on the frame, similar geometry and cottered crank. But it has a tiny sticker identifying it as “Made in Taiwan Republic of China.” I left on the “Falcon” derailleurs and “Pointer” crank. It’s obviously a clever knock-off. Google comes up with no references to a Steelmaster 10 speed, so obviously I have a crappy rarity! It’s a work in progress, so when the Steelmaster and the Gitane are finished, I’ll be eager to make a comparison ride.
I haven’t posted in over a year, but I have 2 more crappy bikes to post.
Thanks again.

Robert J

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  • Pastorrdj

    Cameron,
    The Steelmaster has been refurbished. As I mentioned earlier, I added alloy rims, brakes, etc. I also upgraded it from 26 in to 27 in rims. Still seems pretty crappy, but it was a fun project. My only regret is that I didn’t have enough red cable housing, so I snuck in a couple of pieces of silver housing. I’m including a close-up of the “Falcon” derailleurs and “Pointer” cranks, in case those are unfamiliar to people with less crappy bikes.
    Bob Johannes

  • BeaterRezQ

    Pastorrdj–
    The words “Behold, all things become new”..come to mind when looking at the before and after shots. Nice job and good save.
    Personally, I think it looks just fine when you combine two different colors of cable housing, one for the brakes and another for the gearing. Even more so–when the colors appear somewhere on the bike; decals, head badge, etc.
    BRQ

  • Ryan Surface

    Gotta love any bike with the word “Master” in its title…twice. Great find.

  • Philip Gibbeson

    Hey, I’ve got an old steel master 10 speed too, really good condition silver, and it rides really nicely and is built to last. Got given it free with a purchase of another bike for my GF. let me know your email and i’ll send you some pics. thanks Phil

    • George_K

      Hi I have an old SM too. It is in a terrible condition and i want to restore it. Please can you send me a few photos of your bike to look up the decals and the color. My e-mail is…

      George_konst@hotmail.com

      Thanks

      George

      Athens – Greece

  • Yme1961

    Hi I have a SM Tour de France 10 Speed In Blue It was given to me and since Ive had It, Its had new Brakes Tyres & Inner Tubes new Pedals. It also has a new Saddle although I do still have the old one. It also has 2 Tone Blue & Silver Front Forks. It rides extremely well Im very proud of It

  • dries

    Hi, I’ve got a steelmaster 10 speed as well. It used to belong to my granddad and I’m fixing it up. But somewhere along the way the “protection plates” that keep water and dirt out of the wheel bearings have gone missing. Does anybody know where I could get my hands on these things. If not, could someone who still has them give me the dimensions, so I could have them made? Thanks in advance.