New updates soon!

Waiting on the tax return to purchase the next batch of parts. Have scouted a sign painter to apply the lettering I've picked out to the frame. Should have some updates in February. Thanks!

I gots pedals!

Ordered and received these MKS Sylvan Touring pedals. These are great repros of classic a design similiar to touring pedals popular in the 1940's and 1950's. I haven't yet decided if I'll add toe-clips or not... I'm toying with the idea of leathered half-clips with no straps. They are particularly wide, and have a good tread, making them ideal for riding with standard-type city shoes/boots/sneakers/etc.

Sweet Porteur, Link

Just a quick post. Found this pic of a sweet modern-vintage porteur bike built by the fine folks at freshtripe bikes. It uses several of the same bits I'm thinking of using, and definitely has that old-world porteur feel I'm going for. Freshtripe is in England, so all you fine folks across the pond, jolly well have a look, wot?

Bottom Bracket Arrives.

Got my new French Threaded bottom bracket from the fine folks at Velo Orange in Annapolis, MD. This is a good thing. For those of you not familiar, a bottom bracket is the part of the bike that your cranks and pedals attach to, which allows them to spin round and round.

My particular bike is using the 122mm spindle, which is hollow-bored steel. The bracket body is nice milled aluminum, and the cups are properly threaded for my old Peugeot frame. The unit seems to be of quite nice quality, and the bearings seem nice and smooth.

Before instalation, I plan on treating the inside of the frame with some Frame Saver (a treatment for the steel in bike frames.) Then I'll see about borrowing some stand time at The Clean Machine to get it properly installed in the frame.

Yay, progress!

WHEELS!

With many thanks to Tyler at The Clean Machine, my ride now has these spiffy new wheels! The hubs are based on old Campy Record hubs, and come from Harris Cyclery. The rims are Sun-Ringle CR-18 polished aluminum double-walls, and the tires are 27"X1&3/8" Kenda gumwalls in a classic road-bike tread design.

The rear will be receiving a 17-tooth freewheel to go with the 40-tooth front chainring I'll be using for locomotion.

Tyler laced them in a classic over-under patern, using DT-Swiss stainless spokes, and did one hell of a job, if I do say so. I reccomend him to anyone thinking of having custom wheels built up. (The man says he loves lacing wheels, and here's the proof!)

Next up will be getting the french-threaded bottom bracket squared away. After that comes the headset, stem, seat, seatpost, bars, brakes, etc. I may even have this puppy rideable by the end of the year. Stay tuned!

Wheels soon!

Tyler from The Clean Machine is currently lacing up my wheels! He had one done as of last evening. They look SWEET. Pics as soon as they're in my hands.

I had to change over from Michelins to Kendas, because pretty much every tire supplier I could find was sold out on the World Tour model tires. I ended up going with the Kenda K40 instead, which is another classic gumwall design. I also upsized to 27X1&3/8, to give myself a bit more rubber on the road.

Next month I get driveline and steering squared away! This thing is going to start looking less like a pile of parts, and more like a bicycle! Details and photos as they come, folks.

Soon to have Wheels!

I have ordered 27" X 1&1/4" polished rims, and am in the process of ordering 32-Hole Fixed Track Hubs. (I'll be taking measurements this evening and placing my order.) The Michelin World Tour gum-sided tires I want are currently out of stock at most of the major suppliers. It'll be a few weeks before I get my hands on some, alas.

Once I have the hubs and rims, my friend Tyler (go by and say "HI!" to him at The Clean Machine) will be lacing them up for me in the traditional 32-hole double-cross pattern. More updates on the way!