Archives
Categories
Category Archives: Bike Projects
First impressions
Bottom bracket height is 1-1.5cm low. It particularly stood out today because I was wearing soft shoes and standing on MTB cleats. Should be less annoying if I’m in proper clipped shoes. Should be 10.5″ (26.7cm) without rider (the fat … Continue reading
Chainstay Dissatisfaction
I followed the typical sequence on my latest frame: built the front triangle, filet-brazed it together, and then added the chainstays. Of course the chainstays don’t fit cleanly against the bottom bracket. The filets of the ST/BB junction get in … Continue reading
Posted in Melakaveli
Leave a comment
Earlier, at the workshop
I used my homemade arbor to chop the chainstays for my Melakaveli track frame. /p> I’m not happy with my system for brazing-on the chainstays. I don’t like to miter them around the pre-existing ST/BB fillet. It’s gross. I may … Continue reading
Posted in Melakaveli
Leave a comment
View from the cockpit
This is the maiden ride of my Summer Corvette randonneur. I built the frame last July with at Dave Bohm’s place. I got a pile of bike build equipment from Rivendell a few weeks ago. I set it up with … Continue reading
Cantilever Brakes
The brakes were weak. But not because they’re bad brakes (Mafac cantilevers), they were just terribly adjusted. Almost lacquered with ancient grease and crud. Many doses of Ling’s jewelry cleaner fixed them nicely though. I need to: 1) … Continue reading
Cotter Press
My cotter crank and fresh 9.0mm cotter pins arrived from Bikesmith Designs yesterday. I repacked the bottom bracket bearings and put the cranks back on. They’re held on my heavy 9.0mm cotter pins which have an angled flat that presses … Continue reading
Posted in Raphael Geminiani Randonneur
Leave a comment
Simplex ‘Suicide Shifter’ front derailleur
The derailleur wasn’t working so I tore it apart to bits then rebuilt it. Working ok now. See the flickr set for details.
Raphael Geminiani Rebuild
Bought this Raphael Geminiani 650b randonneur from eBay.fr recently. Why? because it’s got great components — a nivex rear derailleur (4 speed) and a simplex lever-controlled front derailleur. In the photo above I’ve removed the fenders … Continue reading
Ling’s PW
Ling getting used to her new bike on the Kinetic trainer at Elite Custom. This bike was finished in January. I thought. Then I discovered a….. technical issue. Fixed it in February, but then I dithered with delays, … Continue reading
Posted in Bike Projects, Ling's PW
Leave a comment
Unspeakable Weekend
Ugh is all I can say. Yes, those are dirt-rings on my neck. Been grinding.
New Bicycle Project?
I watched a WQED video on an annual Thanksgiving bike race around Pittsburgh’s thirteen steepest hills. Looks sort of fun and would be an excuse to go to the USA for Thanksgiving. Cannot recall the last time I was … Continue reading
Posted in Bike Projects, Pittsburgh Climber
Leave a comment
Clearcoated and now curing
Sulaiman applied the final clearcoat to Ling’s frame Friday and now it must cure for a week or two so that when I build up the bike I don’t mar the paintjob. He really saved my butt, repairing some … Continue reading
Posted in Bike Projects, Ling's PW
Leave a comment