Tag: fenders

Catching Up On Some Project Bikes

I have a couple of bikes in the garage that am working on for some friends.  One you have seen bits of, is the Trek 613 650b conversion.  All of the parts I needed for the build made it in this week, and I have started to fit it all together.  Today I made a wooden mandrel to dimple the 50mm Berthoud fenders for a clean fit. 

Things are just a little tight at the fork crown and chain stays.  With the block I am able to support the form of the fender while using a steel tube and hammer to form the fenders into the indentation.  It turned out better than expected.  I took an abundance of pictures and hope to have a full write up completed in the coming weeks.  For now, here are the test fit pics.

 

Next it all comes back apart, the headset will be polished and re-built with loose ball bearings, spread and align the rear, replace the bottom bracket and bolt everything back together.  Should be done this week.

Another fun little bike was wrapped up this past weekend.  A co-worker of my wife had this old Nishiki Prestige kicking around.  It came in filthy and covered with a fresh ly hatched set of baby spiders.  A thorough cleaning, lube, new brake shoes, tires headset and tape.

 

It is still a little rusty and tired, but a very fun bike with life left in it.  The Tange 2 tube set has a nice ride to it. 

I also was able to pick up a couple of shirts this week

A pair of honest rugby shirts, MADE IN THE U.S.A.!!!  I am very happy with the initial sample pair.  (more on that soon too)

Bridgestone RB-T Released

The Bridgestone RB-T that I had posted about a while back is finally completed and in use by ha happy new owner.  In reality this bike did not need much more than a cleaning, new cables, tires, fenders and an old loved Brooks saddle.

I am really happy with the way this one turned out, and the new owner is stoked.  The request was fo ra road bike that is still quick and fun to ride, yet could manage a medium load of groceries etc.  This bike popped up, in near NOS condition and fit the bill.  We had the rack, saddle and tires on hand.  The fenders are the new SKS Longboards.  THey were as easy as any SKS fender to set up, and have much better coverage than the standard fender offerings.  The drive train is all original, near pristine and even the shifting still indexes perfectly.

One thing this bike still had, but is seldom seen are the SR / Sakae pedals:

Smooth spinning, wide enough for smaller feet and easy to service if needed.  I really love the old Sakae pedals, but they are from an era that has passed. 

This bike will be seeing a lot of use hopefully.

 

Between the Drops

I thought I could make it to the mid-week Farmer’s market to pick up some beef and veggies before the next wave of rain hit.  I could see it coming in behind me from the west an knew it was going to be close getting home dry.

There was snow peeking out through the clouds on the Topa bluffs, but not easy to catch with the camera I had with me.

Making it there was fairly dry, the way home was another matter.

The Patagonia Men's Houdini® performed perfectly as did my Rainlegs chaps.  Both pieces of rain gear are perfect for the light rain quick ride sort of thing.  This test was only 6 or 7 miles in drizzle, but that is all you need most of the time here in southern California.  Anything more and these will wet out and then through, all dry and happy this time though.