Peugeot

The Peugeot has emerged, looking tres vintage in 'Claret'. (Not sure I'd be drinking any wine that colour, let alone something labeled 'claret'). Couldn't resist the white rims; kinda white-wall tire-like.

I'm very happy with the outcome (still some fine tuning to do), but it's been a prick of job! 

I've owned a number of Renaults (cars) in my time and frankly, the French , like the Italians, should stick to design and food and leave engineering to the Germans and Japanese. I'm still struggling to find a crank bearing set that actually fits properly. The steering shaft, seat posts and handle bar clamp (and bolt) are all NOT universal, so I'm going to be limited in what I can use. 

I've invested in my first real single-speed chain ring. I'm not into brand names on my bikes, but I like it!

Aidan's bro's bike

Peugeot

Following some negotiations, the Peugeot is reassigned to fix. Colour choice???? dunno.

Skylark from 43 Bikes

43 Bikes

Check out this site: http://www.43bikes.com/

Badges

His and hers

This weekend has seen a delightful pair of bikes in for a spruce up (or gutting as the case may be). 

The Peugeot - been looking for one of these for a while. This one set me back $30! Planned to make a flat-bar fixy with it, but the missus has taken a shine to it, so it may become her 'second bike' instead.

The Sun ($10) doesn't actually have much on it to make use of. Nice bars, a vintage rear derailleur. Frame's not bad. 

Annie's birthday

Pimped out Annie's bike for her birthday.

Father & Son

So here's Nick's (son) bike converted & Mick's (dad) bike preserved  (see post Feb 3 'Return of the Bishop Part 1' for prelude).

Clutch??

I wasn't sure about the idea of riding a freewheel with only a front brake, but have to admit I like it. While taking it for a spin, it occurred to me that it would be an interesting option to have a fixed wheel bike - with a clutch. It could be a lever (like a brake lever) or even a set up on a gear lever like the old 3 speeds with a neutral.

Why? Well for a start, you could corner much faster. (If you've not ridden a fixy before, you have to watch the pedals hitting the ground when you corner). Riding over significant bumps on a fixy is also an acquired talent, being able to drop the drive out and coast now and again would help. Another thing: after stopping, you could align your pedals for take-off. 

I know that for fixy purists it's an ethos thing -'commit'.

Drive conversion

It's not a fixy. Was lucky enough to pick up a pair of used Shimano wheels for bugger all. The rear is a standard road wheel with a cassette hub. I bought a $39 single speed conversion for it, reluctantly, but it looks pretty cool. 

Nic's Steele Bishop

So here's Nic's treddly. Nice colour choice Nic!

Meantime....

The goose neck on the pre-war Swansea I bought recently (post Feb 17th) has fused (rusted) to the steering column. My last resort is to apply heat. 

The person who came up with 'Stuckness is a simply state of mind' is welcome around to my shed to have a go!

Steel wool is good

Mick's sons bike (identical model, post Feb 9th) has undergone surgery and will return tomorrow from the powder coaters. He's chosen French Blue - including the flat bars.

The Bishop reborn

Mick decided he didn't want a paint job for his bike (post Feb 3rd), so it came down to new spokes, cables, tires and tubes, a scrub and a spot of white nail polish to touch up the really bad spots.

a-Co

Velocity Deep V in gold

Spray can job

The finish is spray can.

Matt's gold & black

Matt and his dad have produced this little gem.

Coventry's

Not listed by the WAHCC as a known Western Australian bike manufacturer.