I haven't died...honest!

They say the older you get the faster time passes...I must be at the stage where I am approaching warp speed! :-D

I have been meaning to post...HONEST! We took a vacation in Denver in June. No pictures the camera crapped out. But did get a chance to try their bike share and ride their light rail. Both were excellent.

Just got back from a week in Boston, lots to see and do. We used mass transit almost the entire time we were there, and walked the rest of the time. I even got pictures. Here is a picture I snapped out behind the State House. Appears to be a late 1960's early 1970's Raleigh Sport in good condition for its age. FWIW those are the original tires!

I have much more to report on in a bit. Including several bike builds and acquisitions.

Aaron

I am NOT addicted...

Really I don't have a problem and even if I did I would refuse to admit it! :-D

Here is my long awaited Raleigh Tourist complete with rod brakes. The bike is in amazing condition for being 30+ years old. A "buddy" of mine sent me a link to this one off a Craigs List ad in Davenport, IA, back in December. I live over 1000 miles away, so he negotiated and picked it up for me. I am working in Iowa City for a few weeks and was finally able to pick the bike up. It was advertised as a 1975 model, but is actually a 1979. That puts it near the end of the production of this particular model. IIRC it was phased out around 1984?

Very few upgrades planned for this bike, perhaps a full chaincase if I can locate one.

More pictures to come as I have time.

Aaron

Devil is in the Details!

When I get a new to me bike, one of the first things I do is a quick and dirty ride around the block just to see what works and what doesn't. Next thing up is usually a complete tear down, cleaning and parts inspection.

Most of the bikes I buy are in need of TLC, some are worse than others. One thing I enjoy doing is bringing old dull parts back to life, in most cases, especially with the old heavy chrome a bit of cleaning and polishing is all it needs. These are the brakes off of the AMF Hercules that I am rebuilding for my sister to ride. The brakes themselves are fine, they just need new pads and cables. It is amazing how much nicer they look.

The AMF Hercules is progressing, I am almost done with the clean up of the parts, and have started reassembling things. Repacked the headset and the bottom bracket yesterday.

On another note: The Staiger has gone to live with my DD in Western Massachusetts as a commuter bike, if all goes well it will travel with her to Keene, NH as she returns to grad school.

Aaron

I can see clearly now...

that I have a new headlight on the Twenty, and I suppose I can be seen more clearly from the rear now I have a new tail light too.



The headlight is the newest Cyo from Busch and Muller
the tail light is their 4D Lite Plus I was using the B&M Retro headlight which really looks nice on a bike the age of a Raleigh Twenty, but the original Sturmey Archer Dyno hub only puts out ~2 watts at speed. The Retro light takes 2.4 watts and the tail light was an Spanninga LED and would barely glow.

Now I have lots of light! I can see and be seen. The Twenty has been getting the most use so far this year as I am working out of town and it is easy to haul along with me.

The bag on the back is a Banjo Brothers Racktop Pannier bag. It has small panniers that drop down out of the side pockets.

Aaron

Progress?

I guess this might qualify as progress, I have the AMF Hercules almost complete torn down. All that is left is to pull the fork and headset bearings. I have done a couple of coatings of heavy oil on the frame, fork and fenders and the shine is starting to come back. I have also been shining up the bits and pieces, the bike will never look new again but it will look like a well cared for 45+ year old bike when it is done. It should ride as good as when new. I will add a few pictures of cleaned up parts a bit later.

Aaron

Madame comes a calling

Another lost bicycle has come home to roost...

This lady is a late 70's early 80' Peugeot Gran Sport Mixte. My sister bought this bike around 1989 to use for college, I seem to recall having had a hand in it. It has been in storage since the mid 90's apparently at one of my brothers' houses. He is in the midst of a remodel and needed the room so "home" she came. I asked my sister if she wanted cleaned up or? But she is waiting on the AMF/Hercules, the feeling being it will better suit her needs at this point in time.

According to Retro Peugeot catalog archives the bikes is a U18E an "all weather touring 10 speed...for touring under all conditions." But further research is proving otherwise.

Not sure what the future holds, it is a desirable Mixte frame in the large size (57cm) I am toying with the idea of a few upgrades and keeping it for Sunday afternoon pleasure rides...like I need another bike!

Aaron