randyjawa 

Last year, with a week to go, my tire liners failed! They, literally, brittled up and fell apart, the ragged ends slicing my inner tubes badly. Lucky for me, this happened in the last week of my Jamaica stay. One super flat tire in five months - not bad in the land of maka (thorn bush)...


The Bianchi, a 1982 or 83 Touring model, was a mess, thanks to salt air, dust and lizard poop. Had to loosen up the oxidized chain but, other than that, the bike was in fine working order - just dirty as heck...


I am not at all concerned with the cosmetics of the bike, but a can of cheap paint will help touch up those areas that are oxidizing...


The cantilevered brakes work just great and that is important on the long descents from South Field to Treasure Beach (12 miles of twisty down, criss-crossing the face of the Santa Cruze mountains)...


And the Exage aero brake levers are one of the most comfortable that I have come across, so far...


The Suntour transmission works just great also, but I have yet to use the "Granny" ring...


I built the Bianchi as a serious rider, sparing little expense, if any, on those things that really impact ride quality. Wheels are one of the things that I pay a lot of attention to. Campy Record hubs laced to Ambrosia rims with stainless butted spokes. Not pretty, anymore, but done about 3000 kilometers and no need to true anything up yet...


Unfortunately, this cuts, dramatically, into my bicycle riding time...

old's'cool

The muffler coloring... It came like that, right?

Vonruden

randyjawa 

I feel you, having ridden lots of old English and American bikes in days gone bye. But that, apparently discolored muffler, is actually done on purpose and mentioned, with pride, in the manual and advertising copy. Funnier yet, the bike, according to the manufacturer, features a rear drum brake. That to me is, sort of, putting a "guaranteed made with gash pipe" sicker on your bike.

randyjawa 

Today's ride started here...


Ending twenty, or so, kilometers later, at Jack Spratt's, sipping a cold beer:-)

peter_d

So Randy, did you mean the bike or the lady cuts dramatically into your bike riding time? Be careful, both are dangerous at our age. Have a great winter.

non-fixie 

randyjawa 

Good question, Peter, and the answer is both. I bought the motorcycle, at my wife's request, so that I could carry her from here to there and back again. It was her idea. I NEVER would have bought another motorcycle and, believe it or not, I have owned a lot of antique motorcycles. Even wrote a book about it. That said...


That POS Movements motorcycle, that I bought and keep in Jamaica, was cheap and is fun to ride. So much fun, that I am thinking of buying this when I get back to Canada next Spring. The Bonnie is in mint condition, almost zero miles since restoration and built by a fellow even fussier than I am. If I can swing it, I will buy it...

Wileyone 

That's the way a Motorcycle should look like.

squirtdad

that translates to: Life is good mon !!!

clubman 

Only if it has an electric start Randy I think I tore my cruciate on a Lightning 10 years ago.

old's'cool

The selling point is, it has a rear brake...

jon c. 

I'm envious, Always wanted to visit Treasure Beach.

randyjawa 

Well, had a chance for my first looong walk home, two days ago. Flatted out the front tire on the Fort Charles road, about six kilometers from home. Shouldered the Bianchi (not taking a chance at damaging the tires) and carried it home. Lots of questions about walking and carrying a bicycle, but my answer, always offered with a smile, was simple - "its the bicycles's turn to ride". That got a chuckle, or two, from the locals.

Anyway, last year I noticed that someone had spread glass shards all along a good part of my Fort Charles road ride. I have been avoiding the area but love the ride, so I took a chance. Flatted out. Learned my lesson - stay off of Fort Charles road!

So, though not pictured, the spare inner tube is now tucked away, under the saddle. Tire irons(plastic) and spoke wrench in the tool kit, along with a self adhesive patch kit(not as much fun as the glue and sniff Old School patches) and I am good to go. Still got three spare inner tubes, fourteen self adhesive patches and a set of 700c x 32 Palesa tires that are wearing out. Will bring two new tires and some cone wrenches, next year. Got to lube up the Campy Record hubs...


Today, with less than a month here, I did the climb to the Pedro Plains Cop Shop. I am proud cause that is a wicked climb and, to be honest, I had to dismount two times. But the views can be spectacular, once one catches one's breath enough to hold the camera still...


Tomorrow - not planned yet but the plan is shaping up, as I key board, here at my favorite watering hole - Jack Spratt's on the sea...

randyjawa 

Oh boy, my rear tire blew up on my ride this morning. And I do mean blew up, and shredded and failed completely. Once again, had to carry the bike home, here in Jamaica. Now...

I need help getting a 700c tire, two of them actually - I will never ever buy another Pasela tires. The gum wall, after two years, failed showing considerable bearing of tire cords. Then the darn thing started to come apart, finally ending in a loud "bang" which produced a non-repairable rip in the sidewall. POOEY-STINKO!

Now my next challenge is finding a pair or 700c by 32 tires here in Jamaica.

old's'cool

Option B, score a parts bike & convert to 27" wheels?

The Golden Boy 

Sorry about the flats!

But those tires look to be 15-20 or so years old. If not older.

I don't even remember this logo or tread pattern- and I think this is way newer than yours...

The Golden Boy 

That is stunning!

randyjawa 

Rode the motor bike to Black River today and hooked up with a friend who ordered me a set of 700c x 32. He hopes to have them for me by Saturday. My fingers are crossed.

That said, the tires are old, even though purchased as NOS. Think of my experience as a warning to others thinking to use older tires. Had that one blew at 40 or 50 mph, I would not be keyboarding right now.