MUSICAL CRANKSETS

This weekend, between rainstorms, I was able to get some work done on the old Motobecane Mirage frame that I bought for 40 bucks on Craigslist a while back.  I stripped all the components and rebuilt the bottom bracket and the headset.  It's a nice bike, and I think it will make a fun single speed.  Unfortunately, the crankset, an old alloy "S" brand, has an integrated chainring/crank arm instead of a spider, with spacers and long bolts for the smaller rings.  The integrated ring is a 52 tooth, too big for a single speed (I prefer 44).  So, after a quick cleaning, I put it up on Craigslist for 20 bucks.  I figured some fixie purist with a love for oversize gear ratios would snap it up, and I was right; it took all of 7 minutes to sell.  Today, the Pyramid SS cranksets that I ordered finally arrived (I ordered 2), and I'm pretty stoked on how they look, especially for $21 each.  They're steel, so they add a bit of weight, but they're inexpensive and durable: perfect for economy rebuilds. Now all I need is a decent 700c rear wheel.

Here's the old crankset- vintage French "S" brand

And here's the new Pyramid 44 tooth, soon to be installed.

OLD FRIENDS

I've built up and sold a fair amount of bikes over the past year, and every once in a while I see one of mine around town.  A couple of days ago I came across the first single speed I ever built; my old blue "Superman" Huffy, parked in a bike rack at Cal Poly.  I'm glad that the person who bought this bike is still riding it, although I was slightly disturbed at it's condition; it looks like it may have been ridden (in the loosest sense of the word) home from the bars one too many times. Also the red wall tires and vintage Araya rims that I thought were the highlight of the bike seem to have moved on to a new home.  Anyway, it was good to see her again.  And in case her new owner reads this post, I just want to say "hey, go easy on the old girl!  And put a new cap in those bars so they don't rust inside, dammit!"  These things are important.

This bike can be seen in its original incarnation HERE.

AH, SATURDAY!

Today Hank took a 3 hour nap in his bouncy chair on the back porch while I put down a couple of Coors Banquets and rebuilt this old Free Spirit Townie that I got out of a dumpster.  The whole project was a weird foray into the wacky world of gears.  The biggest challenges were de-rustifying all the chrome and overhauling the badly corroded bottom bracket. I also added new tires and tubes, replaced the chain, and topped it all off with an old crusty Brooks seat that I got from Vic at some point.  It looks downright classy.  I think I'll stick with riding fixed, but this bike looks and feels so sweet that it almost makes me want to keep it... Hopefully it will find a good home somewhere here in SLO.  For now though, it makes a good propaganda piece!

RAIN-PROOF COMMUTE

The rain finally showed up here in SLO this week.  Not that I'm complaining- after a January that felt more like July, we really need some good rain.  Unfortunately, the weather isn't all that great for cycling, and after getting caught in a downpour yesterday two miles from home, I decided to go out and get me a fender.  I picked up a set of plastic fenders made by Planet Bike for $12.00 at CBO, one of our local bike shops.  I got one of the last sets- I guess I wasn't the only guy sick of having a mud line up my back at the end of a commute. The rear fender clips on to the seat post and is secured at the brake bridge with a single bolt.  I didn't mount the front fender; it doesn't seem to be necessary.  I think my bike looks pretty stupid with this big plastic tail, but it keeps my ass dry, and after a little customization, I can live with it until the rain stops.

MY WHIPS

I thought it was high time I posted updated pics of my two main rides, a 1979 Peugeot PS10, and an early 80's Azuki.  Both were built up from old rusty frames off Craigslist.  My wife thinks I'm crazy for owning two fixed gears- she says there's no reason to own two of the same bike.  I keep telling her that one is silver and the other one's black, obviously making them different.  I ride one or the other of these to school (Cal Poly SLO) every day, a round trip of about 5 miles.  It's not a strenuous ride, but it's great exercise and I always look forward to it.

INTRODUCING: HANK THE TANK!

Well, building bikes is one thing; building little humans with perfect pot bellies is quite another.  My wife and I have been working on this one for nine months, and on January 2nd, we finished!  Welcome Henry Willard (aka Hank the Tank)!  Being a father is the most amazing experience of my life, and I can't get enough of it- something I never thought I would say.  I'm already mentally designing his first fixie... maybe for his first birthday!

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: