3.25.2008

My, what a busy week...

I've been working a lot lately, and on a lot of different things that I really want to see get done. If I had the choice I'd just work on one project till completion, but I've had to learn to just dive into certain things just to build up some momentum, spend time where I can, and be ready to switch gears at a moments notice. Just when it starts to feel like you're bogging down in the muck, you get a nice surprise like finished headbadges and a bike back from the painter! Here are a few things that stuck out in the last week:

Headbadges came back from laser engraving. After having the badges laser cut out of stainless steel, I gave some of them a satin finish and the others I polished and had the MAP name laser engraved by Joe at Engraveyourtech

I like the brushed badges the most.



Track bike came back from the painter with the new graphics. I can't wait to see this all built up and going round and round Alpenrose track this spring. Drew is a strong rider so I wouldn't be surprised to see the bike in some top finishes.


Been enjoying making my own seatstay caps. Simple, yet very pleasing touch at least from my perspective as the builder since the shape is totally in my hands. Plus, they make for super light seatstays in comparison to using those bulky plug-style caps


Starting on another mixte shortly which is really exciting. I'll be posting pictures as soon as it starts taking shape.

3.14.2008

Porteur rack

Here is the finished rack for the porteur frameset in the previous post. The frame is off to the painter and the rack will get nickel plated here in town. The rack is a 10" x 12" platform with dual light mounts and wire routing. Very straight forward and functional design that should get many many years of use, especially considering the durability of a nickel plated finish.

3.02.2008

Ian S. porteur

I wish this was my bike.

I still have to build the rack, but the majority of the work is done. The build on this bike should be really interesting as well, with mostly nos classic components. Here are a few details I like about this bike:

  • Cable stop off binder bolt: I've done this a few times now and I really like how it works and how clean it makes the cable routing.
  • Modified Pacenti fork crown: This is a great crown, but it's not offered without a caliper brake hole. I filled the hole with brass and filed the area smooth and then brazed on a plate into the underside of the steer tube which has a threaded hole for the fender mount. Clean fender mounting is a must.
Once the rack is done I'll post a few more photos before I send it off to paint.