Another Alex Singer found in North Bend!
10-17-19, 06:07 PM
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Another Alex Singer found in North Bend!
Recently Bob Freeman asked me if I knew there was another Alex Singer bicycle owner in our small town of North Bend (I didn’t).. Turns out Rick lives just a few miles from me out near Mount Si.
Rick had heard of Bob Freeman’s reputation for restoring bikes and contacted him asking for help/advice on an Alex Singer he had bought recently in Europe. A couple of emails later, it was decided he’d bring it by Bob’s house today and they would check it out and I was invited over….
Deep inside Bobs underground workshop, Rick and Bob look over Ricks Singer.
Rick brings his bike over to Bobs by NBend, on Flickr
Singer custom made Front Derailleur details
Front Derailleur by NBend, on Flickr
FD detail 3 by NBend, on Flickr
Drive train
Drive train by NBend, on Flickr
Rear derailluer by NBend, on Flickr
Rick had heard of Bob Freeman’s reputation for restoring bikes and contacted him asking for help/advice on an Alex Singer he had bought recently in Europe. A couple of emails later, it was decided he’d bring it by Bob’s house today and they would check it out and I was invited over….
Deep inside Bobs underground workshop, Rick and Bob look over Ricks Singer.
Rick brings his bike over to Bobs by NBend, on FlickrSinger custom made Front Derailleur details
Front Derailleur by NBend, on FlickrFD detail 3 by NBend, on FlickrDrive train
Drive train by NBend, on FlickrRear derailluer by NBend, on Flickr
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10-17-19, 06:09 PM
#2
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Check out the straddle cable hanger made from a chain link
cable straddle made from chain link by NBend, on Flickr
Rear straddle detail by NBend, on Flickr
Piel Pedals!
Piel Pedal detail 3 by NBend, on Flickr
Piel Pedals! by NBend, on Flickr
Singer made brakes
Singer Brakes by NBend, on Flickr
Bell Wingnuts, Maxi Car hubs…
Bell Wingnut by NBend, on Flickr
Chain Keeper brazed on the rear dropout. You shift the chain onto the chain keeper and the wing nut unscrews on the drive side from the rear axle inside the hub so the wheel can be removed without ever touching the chain. Pretty cool.
Note chain keeper brazed on rear dropout by NBend, on Flickr
Fender detail
Fear fender detail by NBend, on Flickr
Seat post expander bolt detail
Seat Post Expander bolt detail by NBend, on Flickr
Handlebar
Handlebar by NBend, on Flickr
It’s always exciting to meet another vintage bike owner and today was no exception. It will be fun to see how this bike gets restored. The black paint is quite rough with a lot of surface rust especially on the top tube and the chrome is pretty bad too. I think it will probably be repainted and chrome re-plated. Best guess is this example came out of the shop in the late 50’s.
Anyways, I thought this bike was so cool I just had to share it with you..
cable straddle made from chain link by NBend, on Flickr
Rear straddle detail by NBend, on Flickr
Piel Pedals!
Piel Pedal detail 3 by NBend, on Flickr
Piel Pedals! by NBend, on Flickr
Singer made brakes
Singer Brakes by NBend, on Flickr
Bell Wingnuts, Maxi Car hubs…
Bell Wingnut by NBend, on Flickr
Chain Keeper brazed on the rear dropout. You shift the chain onto the chain keeper and the wing nut unscrews on the drive side from the rear axle inside the hub so the wheel can be removed without ever touching the chain. Pretty cool.
Note chain keeper brazed on rear dropout by NBend, on Flickr
Fender detail
Fear fender detail by NBend, on Flickr
Seat post expander bolt detail
Seat Post Expander bolt detail by NBend, on Flickr
Handlebar
Handlebar by NBend, on Flickr
It’s always exciting to meet another vintage bike owner and today was no exception. It will be fun to see how this bike gets restored. The black paint is quite rough with a lot of surface rust especially on the top tube and the chrome is pretty bad too. I think it will probably be repainted and chrome re-plated. Best guess is this example came out of the shop in the late 50’s.
Anyways, I thought this bike was so cool I just had to share it with you..
Last edited by northbend; 10-17-19 at 06:16 PM.
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10-17-19, 06:13 PM
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So Constructeur.
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10-17-19, 06:15 PM
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That has to be the most austere set of derailleurs, especially the FD, I have ever seen and at the same time perhaps the coolest! thanks for sharing @northbend
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10-17-19, 06:41 PM
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That front derailleur is crazy! And awesome! I also really like the straddle cable handling, especially the upper pulley and routing.
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10-17-19, 06:55 PM
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Very neat bike. And 2 Singers in NorthBend, that's cool.
10-17-19, 07:08 PM
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Last edited by merziac; 10-17-19 at 07:14 PM.
10-17-19, 07:58 PM
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Very similar features to Jan Heine's 1962 Singer, including the Nivex/Singer derailleurs, chainrest, cable hanger, Singer brakes, etc...
https://janheine.wordpress.com/2012/...ng-strong/amp/
https://janheine.wordpress.com/2012/...ng-strong/amp/
Last edited by TenGrainBread; 10-17-19 at 08:03 PM.
10-17-19, 08:21 PM
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I've been waiting for this post, and you didn't disappoint!
Now to talk both of you in joining me for FFD 2020...
Now to talk both of you in joining me for FFD 2020...
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10-17-19, 08:34 PM
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Something like that is basically my grail bike. There are so many completely custom bits that are beautiful...the FD, the fender details, the chainrings, the brakes... One day...one day...
10-17-19, 08:58 PM
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That is sweet.
@northbend Two questions on the crank. That looks like a Stronglight 49 but it also looks like the arms are a bit more slender. Or is that just photo angle? And what is that ring setup? That is something on the line of what I am seeking for a project.
@northbend Two questions on the crank. That looks like a Stronglight 49 but it also looks like the arms are a bit more slender. Or is that just photo angle? And what is that ring setup? That is something on the line of what I am seeking for a project.
Last edited by CV-6; 10-18-19 at 07:10 AM.
10-17-19, 09:12 PM
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I would not ever restore this bike. Just very lightly conserve it. clean off the crud, lube, adjust etc. Don't paint. Minimal polish. Toothbrush and q tips.
It's grail. consider the history. I have been fortunate to do some consulting work for the national air and space museum shops in Silver Hill, Md. That team has a respect for the story that the artifact tells, you do not want to disturb that in any way ! Just clean it up, fix obvious defects, make it beautiful, but resist the urge to restore, and instead preserve the originality at all costs.
and yes, needs to be at Peter's FFD next year. He'll make room.
Mark Petry
Bainbridge Island, WA
It's grail. consider the history. I have been fortunate to do some consulting work for the national air and space museum shops in Silver Hill, Md. That team has a respect for the story that the artifact tells, you do not want to disturb that in any way ! Just clean it up, fix obvious defects, make it beautiful, but resist the urge to restore, and instead preserve the originality at all costs.
and yes, needs to be at Peter's FFD next year. He'll make room.
Mark Petry
Bainbridge Island, WA
Last edited by mpetry912; 10-17-19 at 09:22 PM.
10-17-19, 09:25 PM
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I would not ever restore this bike. Just very lightly conserve it. clean off the crud, lube, adjust etc. Don't paint. Minimal polish. Toothbrush and q tips.
It's grail. consider the history. I have been fortunate to do some consulting work for the national air and space museum shops in Silver Hill, Md. That team has a respect for the story that the artifact tells, you do not want to disturb that in any way ! Just clean it up, fix obvious defects, make it beautiful, but resist the urge to restore, and instead preserve the originality at all costs.
and yes, needs to be at Peter's FFD next year. He'll make room.
Mark Petry
Bainbridge Island, WA
It's grail. consider the history. I have been fortunate to do some consulting work for the national air and space museum shops in Silver Hill, Md. That team has a respect for the story that the artifact tells, you do not want to disturb that in any way ! Just clean it up, fix obvious defects, make it beautiful, but resist the urge to restore, and instead preserve the originality at all costs.
and yes, needs to be at Peter's FFD next year. He'll make room.
Mark Petry
Bainbridge Island, WA
10-17-19, 10:03 PM
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All kidding aside, this is a treat to see and learn some. Thank you and the other fellows for sharing~
10-17-19, 10:16 PM
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Every nut and bolt captures my attention - a mechanical feast for the eyes!
10-17-19, 10:16 PM
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Too cool! It's a shame that cam-driven brake didn't become more popular outside of Singer's bikes -- they're probably the only rim brakes I know of that don't aim higher or lower as the brake pads wear. 
10-17-19, 11:14 PM
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The epitome of 'classic'.
Even historic.
Personally, I'm glad I'm not drawn to own such bikes. I'm not worthy, just a hack. But I can still be amazed by the builder's dedication to innovation - and the people who seek them out today.
Nice photo documentation.
edit: hopefully Bob is not feeling as bad as he looks in the 1st pic.
Even historic.
Personally, I'm glad I'm not drawn to own such bikes. I'm not worthy, just a hack. But I can still be amazed by the builder's dedication to innovation - and the people who seek them out today.
Nice photo documentation.
edit: hopefully Bob is not feeling as bad as he looks in the 1st pic.
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Last edited by Wildwood; 10-17-19 at 11:22 PM.
10-17-19, 11:59 PM
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Holy geez. I'd be almost afraid to wipe that thing down with a damp cloth, much less repaint it.
Maybe new cables and bake pads if I was planning on riding it a lot. But other than that...?
Maybe new cables and bake pads if I was planning on riding it a lot. But other than that...?
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● 1971 Grandis SL ● 1972 Lambert Grand Prix frankenbike ● 1972 Raleigh Super Course fixie ● 1973 Nishiki Semi-Pro ● 1979 Motobecane Grand Jubile ●1980 Apollo "Legnano" ● 1984 Peugeot Vagabond ● 1985 Shogun Prairie Breaker ● 1986 Merckx Super Corsa ● 1987 Schwinn Tempo ● 1988 Schwinn Voyageur ● 1989 Bottechia Team ADR replica ● 1990 Cannondale ST600 ● 1993 Technium RT600 ● 1996 Kona Lava Dome ●
10-18-19, 04:56 AM
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That’s cool. Thanks for sharing.
But are you telling us that Bob does not have a Singer amongst his collection?!
But are you telling us that Bob does not have a Singer amongst his collection?!
10-18-19, 05:02 AM
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Love those derailleurs, especially the front. Elegant and minimalist.
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10-18-19, 06:29 AM
#24
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I read about the chain holders that you shift onto for removing the rear wheel. Does the lever have a stop or catch that prevents accidental shifting onto the holder in normal operation? I recall reading that was another innovation for those.
That bike just screams "Oh, let me find an elegant way to solve that problem. I've got an idea." I have huge respect for the craftmanship.
That bike just screams "Oh, let me find an elegant way to solve that problem. I've got an idea." I have huge respect for the craftmanship.
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10-18-19, 06:43 AM
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is the lever on the NDS seat stay for a dyno? I would like to see more pictures of the front of the bike, especially the rack
