RIMS!!! We went to Grand Forks this weekend, I popped in a bike shop, and went for it. A lot easier than thinking of buying 'em online, plus no shipping! I can't wait to set 'em up! Was going to hold out for black rims, but am pretty happy with chrome.

Schwinn Mag Sprocket that fits 26" bike!!! I can't wait to put this on- after paint... Or am I going to paint it, still can't decide...

Started putting the black bike together again, but misplaced a part for the neck. I gave up, and decided to leave the frustration for another day.


So I moved on to this.

Tracker Trucks, Road Rider 4 Wheels... I love it. Why did I wait so long to put this thing together?

Picked up a classic at Pawn America today...

Started painting the black bike again- it's "freshen-up" going faster than I expected. Not that it should take a long time, but I've been pretty un-motivated lately to much of anything.

Now I remember why I used satin black- so easy to work with!

And... New shirts! Well, new color scheme.

I printed some can coozies and patches for the shop too. Hawt!

Went to Hillsboro today. My buddy Ross was showin' off his car that he's been workin' like a mad man to finish. Well, close, but no cigar (it's the green one).

But it looks a heck of a lot more complete than it did last winter, heck more than last month!

Peter and I had a good time, maybe he'll take an interest in old cars one day. Thanks to the Suede's Car Club and Ross for a fun afternoon.

(the Jameson bottle as a reservoir is a nice touch).

Full drying racks! Finally, got my act together and got to printing. Not exactly finished, but well on my way...

Awesome, just got some new parts for my Alva Justin Lynch! Gullwing Super Pro III's and Alva Speed Skin wheels! I can't wait to put it together! Thanks Kyle and Asa!

I put all my vintage Schwinn parts together last night, and put the handlebars and tires on tonight. Everything feels good, I had to really douse the chain with PB Blaster- it was a little tight after spending who knows how long sitting in a tree-row and a number of years in my basement(s). I had greased the crank and the bearings in the past, but never messed with the chain. After the chain was loosened up, the bike assembled, a quick pic, and it was off for it's maiden voyage. It rides really nice- solid. I can't wait to tear this thing down again, strip it, and get it painted. I'm thinking... orange? I was thinking of painting it gloss black, but I think some color would do me good. In the mean time, I think I'll ride it around like this for a while. Nothin' like riding a good bike that looks like wreck!

Feels good to be wrenchin' again, but damn my arthritis is kickin' in!

Bike Stuff

After checking out a bunch of cool bikes, and looking at a couple of vintage Schwinn frames I've hung on to over the years, I've got the itch again. Also, it came from just wanting to change the handlebars on my cruiser. Why couldn't I just swap the handlebars and be done with it? Nope, gotta rip into a couple of bikes, get a bunch of ideas and, well...

Gone are the cool, long, handlebars (I love the look, but don't like riding with my wrists twisted), gone is the old seat (what?!? It's not black?!?!), and gone are the fat, white-walls. I road this around and love how if feels- fast and fun. Although, I have to get used of the tires, those fat tires roll over everything. This bike is sort of my rough-draft.

My poor Hollywood- it finally met it's fate as a parts bike.

Mixing and matching parts on what I hope to be my new ride. Fork from the Hollywood (fender didn't clear- goodbye!), frame from a Schwinn Flying Star.

Fingers crossed!