... Steamroller Build

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Today I did my first frame up build. This build also included my first ever wheel build, and after the experience that I had, definitely not my last. Thankfully I had a great shop mechanic over my shoulder to help me through the process to understand why things were done a certain way, and to help me out when I made a mistake.

The only problem I ran into was while tensioning the rear wheel I rounded off a nipple due to not having the nipple properly seated in the spoke wrench. I also figured out that a small drop of lube between the nipple and rim makes a huge difference as far as the amount of effort required to turn the spoke wrench.

Below are some pictures of the almost completed build. I have a Black Shimano 105 front brake on, but I'm having issues with it grabbing more tire then wheel. May need to look into a long reach brake, and haven't received my reverse brake lever yet. I also have a set of Keo classics to throw on it, but haven't yet because I have misplaced my shop size park tool grease can (aaarghhh... going crazy without it, don't realize how much you use until you build all the time).

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... more to come shortly

Merry "Late" Christmas to ME!!!

Yesterday while working all of my parts arrived for my new build. Thank goodness for getting parts at cost or else I'd never be able to afford this very very addictive habit that I've developed.

Parts inlcude:

2008 Surly Steamroller frame
Sugino Messenger Crank
Sugino Messenger Chainring
Profile Design Stoker Bullhorn
Surly Cog
Sugino BB
Surly Hub (fixed/fixed)

Plan to build my first wheel ever on Monday, so I'm sure it'll certainly be an interesting experience to say the least.

Also applied some bondo to the Raleigh tonight. I wanted to smooth out the "welds" (Brazes) between the chainstay's and seat stays. Also applied some to where I removed the braze-off's to
fix some of my grinder marks.

Photo is pre-bondo.

Project Updates (Christmas Day)

Christmas was fantastic, and being that it was also my first day off in 15 days I decided to work on the bikes.

Spent about an hour grinding down the newly extended head tube on the tall bike. It certainly needs some bondo to even out the inconsistencies, hopefully it'll look good in the end.

Below are a few sneak peaks of the newly installed head tube, forgive the welds as these were the first welds I laid EVER with a Mig setup (Gasless none the less).

Also finished (for the most part) sanding the Raleigh Sprite down. Cleaned it with Acetone and plan on filling all of the lugs with bondo. Braze-ons are now Braze-offs.

Merry Christmas!!!

Merry Christmas to all!

Woke up with some great gifts today, including two new Brooks Saddles and The Flying Scotsman DVD.

Black and Honey B17 Standard:
The Honey B17 will be going on the tall bike, and the Raleigh will be getting the Black one.

Current Projects

I always seem to have a lot on my plate.

Currently I have two bikes that are under construction:

197? Raleigh Sprite
Which is currently sanded down to bare metal, waiting for bondo and Berry Pink Paint.

And...

a tall bike that I recently did a mock build on however it has a long way to go.

Beginning of the End

The Beginning of the End. Bikes are more then a fad or fashion for me, they've become a lifestyle, an addiction, and a passion. Hopefully one day bikes will be more then just an addiction and I'll have my own company, but for now I'll have to settle for this blog.