It's alive.
Home | Back to Projects | Email (web form - pops) | Email (your client)
Here it is, about two hours after becoming rideable. Pretty much a stock '84 Trek 620 except for the saddle (Selle Italia, provided by previous owner) wheelset (700c Velocity Deep-Vs off my other bike. Yes, I KNOW they look goofy on this bike. I had 'em, they fit, they let me get it all set up.) and drivetrain related stuff (original cranks with new Sugino rings, original Sachs-Huret front derailleur, 9-speed rear cassette with Shimano Ultegra rear derailleur, old Shimano 6-speed downtube shifters set in friction mode to allow it all to work) I believe brakes are as original but the levers are NOS ones that I found on eBay for cheap. Pedals I believe are Wellgo.
Yes, the paint has a lot of "patina." Who knew gold decals weathered to putrid green? now you know.
That's about it. Not real exciting or groundbreaking stuff, but I'm pretty proud that this was a bare frame two days ago and I rode it today. Around the block, but still, I didn't crash or hurt myself, and nothing broke or fell off (that I know of.)
Future plans mostly involve getting a new set of wheels, probably with a hub generator and proper lighting so that I can ride at night whenever I want. New shifters that look a little less cheezy would be nice. I will probably also replace the original Jim Blackburn rear rack with a new one so I can use my cool Topeak trunk bag on it.
Before anyone says anything, yes, I know the rear fender fits funny. It needs more clearance in front so I can remove the rear wheel - frame has horizontal forward-facing dropouts.
Update 11/2/09
Here it is in its close to final configuration, after being picked up from my local bike shop after having a new headset installed (head tube needed to be reamed and faced, apparently.) You can't see it very well in these pictures but there's a Busch und Müller IQ Cyo N headlight (I really wanted the silver version, but it was taking too long for them to get over here) and a B&M DToplight Senso Plus taillight. Shimano dynohub in a 36 spoke Sun CR-18 (front wheel from Velo Orange, rear wheel custom built at same LBS that did the headset with a Shimano 105 hub.) Can't wait to try it now that the headset should be all good. Only thing I need now is a better set of brake pads, and possibly a non-leather saddle for bad weather riding. Have a set of Kool Stop salmon pads on order, hopefully that will do the trick.I hope that I don't like this bike TOO much or I may be tempted to tear it down again and have the frame refinished.
Home | Back to Projects | Email (web form - pops) | Email (your client)