BURBANK BACKYARD BEAUTIFICATION

Last summer my buddy Jim decided that he wanted to fix up his backyard, so I went down to Burbank and helped him design and build a custom patio trellis.  It was 110 degrees that weekend, but we built the whole thing in two days (while our wives drank Coors Light and watched us from shaded lawn chairs.)  Recently, Jim's kitchen was remodeled by the folks at HG TV, and their lead carpenter complimented our work highly.  Here's a few pics:

ME AND JIMBO

RYOBI RULES

WIVES

END OF DAY ONE

HERMANOS FUERTOS

PAINTED, ONE YEAR OLD

MY FIRST FIXED GEAR

This year I have built a couple of single speed bikes (with a freewheel, capable of coasting) but in the last couple of weeks I have been working on my first fixed gear, also known as a track bike.  A "fixie" can't coast, as the back cog has no freewheel.  The rider must pedal at all times, and if he/she pedals backwards, the bike goes backwards.  The bike can be stopped by using leg strength to slow down the speed at which the pedals turn.  Some riders don't use brakes at all. I have a front brake on mine just in case, but I am getting the hang of stopping without it.  

I am not completely done with this bike yet, as I want to add yellow bar tape and a yellow chain.  I will also most likely add an old-school bmx style brake lever.  For right now, however, I am happy with how it looks and rides-- and I have no more money.  At this point, the cost is right around $280.00- not bad when you consider how much it costs to buy a similar bike new.  A large chunk of the cost was taken care of by the sale of another bike i built (see post below "Another Single Speed.")  The bike weighs right around 21 lbs.  I used a Peugeot Record DuMonde frame which I stripped and clear coated.  I bought the wheels on Ebay, and all other parts are stock or scavenged from my shop or my dad's.  The bars are Franco Italia drops that I chopped and flopped to make pursuit bars.  Thanks to my LBS Art's Cyclery for putting up with all my questions, and to my dad for all his help.

BEFORE:

AFTER:

THE BEST SPOKE CARD EVER

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