Stella Rose

Here's my newest guitar, a 1957 Stella flattop.  I picked her up for $65.00 on Craigslist a month ago. She sounds like a gutshot locomotive running heavy down a tin track- just perfect.

We played our first gig together last night at the Clubhouse Bar in SLO. Come see us again on July 15, Woody Guthrie's birthday.

Another Single-Speed

About two years ago I got hit by a car while riding my old mountain bike. I walked away with a few bruises and a black eye, but my bike was totaled. The driver tossed $30.00 at me and fled the scene. So I bought this old Western Flyer at the Salvation Army. Last week I decided to turn it into a single-speed. It's great for cruising to and from the bars. Check out the pics!

BEFORE:

AFTER:  Total Cost $50.00

Single Speed Conversion

Here are some pics of the first single-speed bike that I built. I just put the finishing touches on it a couple of days ago. It's a sweet ride, geared perfectly for riding the hills in SLO.

BEFORE: Huffy "Savanna" *** $30.00 on Craigslist

AFTER: Total Cost $130.00

I stripped off all the components and started over with just the frame. Originally I was going to paint it Propane Tank White, but after a couple of days I got attached to the Metallic Blue. I used a freewheel BMX cog and the chain ring off of my old Schwinn from when I was a kid. The ratio is 40:16. I flopped and chopped some old road bars to make custom Pursuit Bars. Other components include: vintage NOS saddle; vintage Redline BMX platform pedals; SR stem; bitchin' Huffy brake lever; old school Schwinn calipers; Araya 27 x 1 1/4 wheels; Duro red-wall tires.

Introductions...

Well.  My name is Reb.  The purpose of this blog is to display the things that I enjoy doing, which mostly include building stuff and playing music.  I am a scavenger of junk and quarter notes, a lover of free garage items and folk songs. I have chosen to call this blog "CONTRAPTION" because I like the way that the word evokes images of an unsteady yet possibly brilliant creation: a perfect description of the things I build and the music I play. Please enjoy the ensuing chaos.

Reb