F. Moser buildup continued.

The previous posts to this story are HERE and HERE. 
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Today I had my 3oclock appointment at Port City Bikes  (FB) with Peter and Percy to start the build up of my Moser Leader AX.  I had learned that the frame has taken a special spot on the wall for protection and perhaps admiration.  Regardless today it came down and Percy and I added parts while Peter order some additional items for it.  

Added today were: 

•  2007 Campagnolo Record bottom bracket. 
• 07' Campy Record crank. 53-39 with 11-23 in the rear.
• 07' Campy Record rear deraileur
• 07' Campy Chorus breaks
• 07' Campy Record hubs were placed into the dropouts. The rims are due to arrive.
• 10' Ritchey WCS seat post

It was a great experience again building up a bike from the frame. I had done it as a kid to get my 1986 RL Osborn General Pro, which I still have in my shed, 24 year later. I'm thinking the Moser will be around that long too and spending the money to build is will be worth it.

And hanging out in the shop cleaning parts and shootin' the shit about bikes, movies and with customers was pretty relaxing and a great way to skip work for two hours.  I am really looking forward now to seeing the remainder of the parts to come in.

Monday Wrap Up

I only took a few pictures with my regular camera. I think putting out a stream of pics with short descriptions from my cell phone was fun. I read all the comments when I got home. Thanks everyone.
The top two pics I took while at Colby. The number of bikes all lined up next to each other was cool looking. 2,600 registered and there were at least 2,000 who rode. I got a luck good pic with all the wheels lined up in the second pic. FYI all the bike are upside down because they stand up that way.
On Day 3 My mom and Steve were at the second rest stop to cheer me on.
Thanks to everyone who donated and cheered me on. My knees were creaky on the third day but, made it.

*update* I almost for got. I wanted to say thanks to my team and team members at
PERCY Cycles.

Trek Across Maine 2009

Yesterday I registered for the 2009 Trek Across Maine. It is a 3 day 180 mile bike ride from Bethel to Belfast, Maine to raise money for the American Lung Association. A couple of years ago I rode the MS150 (1,2) and had a great time, so this year when Wife suggested I do 'the trek' I was all over it. Plus I could use the training leading up to the ride.

The fundraiser minimum is $500 and I would really like the help of my fellow bloggers in reaching this goal. To each blogger that donates I will do a post about you. What else could I offer? really.

I have set up a fund raising page through ALA for tax deductible donations. I should also mention that I am riding on the PercyCycles Team. It is a small team based out of the small shop that I do my bike repair and wheel building through. I can't wait for June.

Wheel build

After waiting three months for the rim to arrive my new gold anodized Velocity deep-V rim finally showed up at Percys. So, yesterday I went up to the shop and got a lesson in wheel building from Wheel-Building Jedi Master Percy.

I now have laced up my first rim to a Surly fixed gear hub with 32 DT Swiss spokes. The wheel looks sharp as hell and will be going on to my Raleigh (1,2). It took about two hours to finish and afterwards it was pretty obvious that I will eventually need to get a new bike for such a sweet rim. One thing at a time.

Thanks Percy.

Raleigh update

I FINALLY got some sweet tires for the Raleigh. Then I took it with me to work last week and went for a spin around town and swung by Percy's to show it off. But it was one comment from 'dude' there that irked me. "Whats up with the double ring?" Well, I just didn't feel like doin' anything about it, and it functions perfectly. *grrrr*

So the next day I went to HomeDesperate and got a cutting kit for my Dremel. I had heard this could be done, so why not try it. Whats the worst thing that can happen? I toast a crap pair of cranks.

That night, I got a couple of beers, some goggles and set to 'er. The results aint that bad actually. And I only cut my thumb once and nicked crank arm once as well.

Fixed Gear Project - phase 2

I have decided to take an interim step in creating the fixie. I have removed all the cogs off the rear freewheel and spun the 16t back on. This way I can get comfortable with the set up. Then eventually when I come across a fixed rear, for not a lot of $$. Ill switch.

The chain line this way is nearly perfect.

Unfortunately I don't like the current profile because I am still running the original crank set, which has a double chain ring RIVETED, :(

I could take a dremel to it but..^enh!^ its fine. Ill wait till I get the fixed rear wheel and switch then. Who's rushin'? I want this bike to evolve into something cool, not just get everything slapped together. Build a soul into it. An that can take time.

So cost so far:

• Yard sale bike - 15$
• Percy got $5 for helping me take off the freewheel.
• 4 hours in the garage dismantle, bar 'flip-n-clip', and polish.

Total: 20$ And I have a nice ride-able bike.

I cant wait for the shitty weather to break so I can take it around the block.

Fixed Gear Project

My patient wait to find a cheap bike suitable to convert to a fixed gear bike has finally paid off.

**It was a sataday an i was headed upta the dump. Gotta get rid of the trash, ya know? Oh an this was the week wife was drivin' up. So she was at the wheel. Anyway were goin' along and I saw on the left. Four bike lined up.

"HEY! We ARE STOPPING THERE on the way BACK!"
.
.

The way back finally comes and I pull over. See, I'm driving now 'cuz there is no way we're drivin' past this potential jack pot.

Fifteen Dollar's later I'm shoving this into the back of my truck. Happy as a little girl.

It is a 1983 Raleigh Olympian. I pretty sure it has less than 50 miles on it. Everything is like new- minus light rust on the seat post and seat post bolt.

So, this there it is. In its as found condition. I will post with progress.

So tomorrow it is off to PercyCycles to see about converting this freewheel.

Kona Re-build. DONE.

The KONA IS DONE!

I picked it up from Percy mid-last week. Quite honestly I was excited to get it back. Kona is now running with:

• new ritchey headset;
• crank and ring (parts);
• a chain (parts);
• converted to 8-speed;
• suntour bar end friction shifter
• new rear hoop (sun rim cr18);
• bb rebuild;
• handbars are now set ram horn style (parts). i like this better than i thought because it give me more room in the cockpit;
• break levers (parts; shimano - each different type)
• 4 new breakpads;
• and bar tape.
  

thats about it.

I took it out for its virgin ride after bring re-born and did a near by 8.6 mile loop in 33 minutes. This my be become my everyday commuter.

The General Story

So in like...1986 I got it. The R.L. Osborne, Hustler Pro, General -freestyle bike. I bought the frame --*somewhere*-- and built it up from parts I had from previous bikes I had acquired until I had all the mods. I would need. I was patient and it eventually was complete.

TODAY, 21 years later...*woah..ok that was a long time ago...smmmm--ppphhhhaaa ok.* I was out for a walk (beautiful day, by the way -strong sun-mid-30's) and headed to Percy's, just to see whats up with the Kona, discuss details : Need to straighten out the new handle bar/ shifter set up and new/used crank build up. (Kona's going to 8 speed with a single 44 up front) so that was cool. But while I was there I got set up with a new pair of rims for the General. I like 'em! and the totally fit the look of the bike.

And here is the pic I took tonight with the new wheel set..

What you cant see is that the rear hub is blue anodized like the handle bars and the front hub is red anodized. They look really good on it. Now I will just spend a little time cleaning the whole thing and re-run all the break cables.

I noticed that the crank is a little loose in the BB. maybe Ill get to that this summer..for...

General Phase2.

Kona Re-build. -II

Well, I dropped the KONA off at Percys on Wednesday. I really wanted to do the whole bike but i dont have a BB tool and headset press. so off to the shop.

Anyway, the Kona will be getting a headset, and re-pack the BB. While it is there, and since he has the parts and I don't -(key factor) she'll also be gettin' a new chain and crank build up the from spare parts with a single 42. Ill be keeping an 8 speed rear. We will refit the bars with a ram-horn and sun-tour bar end shifter, i think the stem will need to change too. probably.

Kona Re-build.

I need a winter bike. This whole -no riding because the roads suck and i dont want to trash my good bike- thing is starting to kill me. I spoke with Percy at the local LBS to make a choice. Buy new, or build up ol' reliable.
To fix or not to fix, THAT is the question.

The bike in question is a '92 era Kona Cinder Cone-black. Everything on it is original except the grips...everything including the chain. To say it has had a hard life would be an understatement.

I bought in new in mid-93 for $500 and took it to college where it went though its paces as a muddy trail monster, and washed in the dorm showers. It turned into a semi-commuter during the later part of school and then turned into a full-on 'get my ass back and forth to class' during grad school.

I lent to to a good friend who also provided daily thrasings for his commuting purposes for about three years.
Its a tough bike!

Now it is back to me, hanging in my garage...waiting for re-birth.

The bike hiding behind it is a pimped 86-87 R.L. Osborne General 20" freestyle bmx bike. THAT bike is a WHOLE other post. My first baby.

Anyway back to the Kona...it needs a new headset, bottom bracket, crank set, rear cogs, and shifter. I want to put on a single ring up fron and leave 8 in the back to minimize the look but still leave a good range. I might change the stem and bars to add a different style bar more like a ram horn style to extend my strecth on it a little.

Time will tell how well the rebuild goes...do it like Johnny Cash... 'One Piece at a Time'