SquidPuppet

A few things...

1. I rudely neglected to offer condolences for the storm damage. What a hassle, I'm sure.
2. Those bars look brutal in the "behind" photo. Badass
3. I was going to ask this morning, Knobby or slick? I have my answer.
4. The crank and sprocket look awesome. Especially where the crank exits the sprocket. It has an "All business" tough beefy look.
5. What length are the crank arms? Are my eyes wonky? They look extra long?
6. I read a photo tip here many years ago, from a wise fellow (doesn't hang out anymore) who took killer photos. He said, (paraphrasing) "Bikes are like children. Small and low. It's best to get down to their level to capture there image." I started experimenting with that and it really helped. Any closeups I shoot I get down to around saddle, or handlebar, or top tube level. Ball park-ish.
7. Any saddle decisions yet?
8. I'm thinking motorcycle style grips would fit the bill on this one, with such serious MX bars. Plans yet?
9. Because the frame is such a calm and neutral color, all the silver and black really look sharp.
10. New, clean, silver chains are F'n sexy as hell.

SquidPuppet

Oops

Upon further analysis of the images, I have spotted an assembly faux pas that must be remedied prior to any further photography sessions.

The tire label (or the largest if there are two) must be centered over the valve stem. This aids in locating the culprits of mystery punctures. And, of course, aesthetically, provides a more symmetrically balanced package.

It's also absolutely critical for high speed stabilization.

J.Higgins 

1. I rudely neglected to offer condolences for the storm damage. What a hassle, I'm sure.

Thanks, pal. I just came back inside from working more on it. Finally got the snow cleared and a section pulled back into position.

2. Those bars look brutal in the "behind" photo. Badass

I thought you'd like that rear shot.

3. I was going to ask this morning, Knobby or slick? I have my answer.

Those are Continental Traffic tires. They look knobby-ish, and that's good because I wanted to preserve the klunkeresque quality of this build. I also wanted to cruise with this and just ride it without the road noise and poor handling.

4. The crank and sprocket look awesome. Especially where the crank exits the sprocket. It has an "All business" tough beefy look.

Black Ops crank. 175mm. I had to look. To me perfectly honest I ordered it without even looking. Remember what I said about forgetting shtuf.

5. What length are the crank arms? Are my eyes wonky? They look extra long?

Hopefully, the extra crank length combined with the smaller sprocket will allow better wheelies?

6. I read a photo tip here many years ago, from a wise fellow (doesn't hang out anymore) who took killer photos. He said, (paraphrasing) "Bikes are like children. Small and low. It's best to get down to their level to capture there image." I started experimenting with that and it really helped. Any closeups I shoot I get down to around saddle, or handlebar, or top tube level. Ball park-ish.

I'll have to try that.

7. Any saddle decisions yet?

I have an Ergon and a Brooks B17 (black). Not sure yet, but leaning towards the Ergon. I may stick the Brooks on the Dunelt I'm building.

8. I'm thinking motorcycle style grips would fit the bill on this one, with such serious MX bars. Plans yet?

I have some plain black bmx-style grips, which should be fine. I also have some lock-on grips with some white trim which may coordinate well with the frame. It'll probably come down to whichever pair I find on the shelf first!

9. Because the frame is such a calm and neutral color, all the silver and black really look sharp.

I must say that I really had my doubts. It is rather a plain jane, but when you look at it a second time it like... hey now! I think a single red pinstripe here and there would really make it pop.

10. New, clean, silver chains are F'n sexy as hell.

I can't wait to get this thing done. I've got to get started on that CABE wbo project to which I've committed myself. I'll never get it finished fiddling about like this!

J.Higgins 

Gah!

Never even noticed it. See? Just one more thing I left out, and I know better too. I had someone from the plumbing and heating company drop in to get measurements for installing a Rinnai gas heater in my shop. I'm sick of carrying firewood! He knocked on the door when I was setting up to install tires. Good news is... I can fix it!

Hey did you notice the fully-threaded valve stems? Conty tubes, baybeee! Seriously love them.

SquidPuppet

Nope, I missed that. I would love to replace all mine with those. I like the Schwalbes with the clear plastic cap. they look laboratory precise. It's hard to justify replacing tubes that hold air just fine with brand new expensive jobbies. But it may be time to pull the trigger.

That knurled finger-nut snugged against the rim makes inflating a breeze. No shoving the stem into the darn tire/rim cavity.

J.Higgins 

I need some fancy valve caps now.

SquidPuppet

Whoa!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I was just looking at caps for the fun of it and discovered this. I have NO use for it, but it's an awesome invention. The guys that run training/racing/touring computers on their bikes have to fasten a magnet to the spokes that functions as an electronic pickup. It's unsightly and they sometimes come loose.

Voila! A valve cap with a super magnet built in. It looks trick too.

Rollfast

If you see dried slime, you'll know anyway.

SquidPuppet

I have no idea what that means.

SquidPuppet

Rollfast

's how I keep E-vil flats away, and also liners.

Rollfast

Dudes, this is the best Bike Porn I've seen in ages here. Federal agents may knock. But just go get a decent seat post and go for it. What were you using for a seat?

J.Higgins 

Going to work this today. We had some rain that washed away the remaining snow, and I was able to salvage most of the bikes that got crushed under the weight of the barn roof. So I won't be needing to go outside today, and I can concentrate on this build. I'll try a couple seats and take pics.

J.Higgins 

I was hoping for a sunnier day, but here goes:







I've ordered some tuggnuts for it, thinking it can only be a good thing. I'll take some better pics when the sun actually stops playing games and decides to come out.

SquidPuppet

Got the serious crank forward thang goin on.

J.Higgins 

I made a straight one as well. I like the way it looks here, but I haven't ridden it yet, nor have I ever ridden one with the seat back like that. I sat on it, and it did feel comfy though.

MikeyMK

It's a great looking bike. As a modern bike with a bit of frame culture, it's spot on.

That's not what i was hoping for. I'd hoped for a '41. I'd hoped for a restoration. The forks, the stem, chainring, rims, as near as dammit the fenders.. all the flaws and lbs... as close to as it was when it was new.

But it's not my bike. And it does look good.

J.Higgins 

Thanks, Mikey.

Rollfast

It slays massively...I hope somebody at Columbia manages to see this, I think they would get pretty excited.

J.Higgins 

Thanks, Rollfast. I put a nice kickstand on it yesterday, and I have a set of tugnuts coming for it. Once I finish it I'll take a few more nicer and sunnier pics.

J.Higgins 

I just do what copy/paste works for me from Imgur. I never realized that it looked like that, and to be honest - as long as it works I really don't care.

Rollfast

I hope somebody at Columbia did see it, I sent them an email...

itsivxx

is this just a hobby or something you do for a living. Nice change and hope my build will have the same effect on people.

J.Higgins 

Its just my hobby, no - more like a passion!

I dabble around in buying and selling bikes and parts, but in the end I always spend more than I make so its really not a living. I'm retired anyway, so its not like I need or even want more money.

hslos

Great looking project!