SIMPLE GREEN **UPDATED!!**

It has been a pretty busy Christmas season in the bike-converting business. This one started life as a Raleigh mountain touring bike circa the early nineties. It was a budget build for my buddy's sister, but I managed to keep the cost at about $100. The back tire needs to be replaced as its side wall exploded during the first ride.  I think I'll add some black Continentals. I will probably also switch out the SR pedals for black mountain-style ones in better condition (see updated pic below!). I'm pretty proud of this paint job, seeing as how I shot it on a rainy day at 48 degrees in the wind.  This is the last of the frames I got from Vic a while back.  Pics:

UPDATED PHOTO!

Before:

CAP'N SHAF'S BLACK DIAMOND

My buddy Cap'n Shaf has been riding an early nineties Diamond Back mountain bike for a long time.  Too long, if you ask me.  So he let me have my way with it, and I rebuilt it as a single speed commuter.  I shot a new paint job, and threw on some sick Geex 26" road tires, terry drops with Cinelli tape, and a new chain.  I overhauled the ailing rear hub, spaced out the freewheel and left only the 15 tooth cog, creating a 38:15 gear ratio.  When i finished I only had one ball bearing left over: not too shabby.  Behold the Black Diamond!

Spaced out 15t SS Freewheel

Before:

OURY, MESA, ZOOM

I thought I'd put up some pics of the newest additions to the Black Plague.  I ditched the 2 pound goose neck stem in favor of a zero-degree Zoom with a removable face plate.  Although I love my Soma pursuit bars, they keep me pretty low and streamlined for around-town riding, so I decided to take advantage of the quick change potential of my new stem and get myself a set of risers.  I went down to the swapmeet this morning and scored brand new black Mesa risers for 3 bucks.  Well, actually $3.22, but the nice old guy at the booth said he'd cut me a deal- lucky me!  I cut them down to 19 3/4" with my trusty Bosch grinder.  I put on some red Oury grips that I got at Art's, and I think the whole setup looks pretty sick.  Now all I need is a straight fork and better balance and i can do bar spins.