Panasonic – new handlebar and thumb shifter mounted to stem
March 25th, 2012
I have installed the new Velo Orange Postino handlebar. Even though very similar to the Milan, the feel is different. The bar does not feel as flexible, but this is not necessarily a bad thing.
I will miss the Nitto Moustache bar. So it may reappear on the rSogn.
I also added a “stem shifter” made from an old Suntour XC-LTD front thumb shifter. I prefer Suntour’s power shifters over straight friction, and this works great. After last night’s 25-mile Brewery Ride hosted by Charlie (Sins and Sprockets), I would say it works well. Unlike downtube shifters where your hands seem to fall into natural position, reaching to the center for the stem does feel a little odd. It is a small price to pay, as I really like the way the various parts are organized.
Next up, a front rack for this bike.
Categories: Bicycles, Panasonic Touring
Tags: 1970s, bicycles, japanese
Comments: 1 Comment
rSogn at bob’s big boy in downey
March 18th, 2012
Photo from James Black’s Googie bicycle ride series held monthly in 2011.
Categories: Bicycles, rSogn
Tags: googie, rsogn
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Mandolin project
March 18th, 2012
Last week I started a mandolin kit by Saga. I was pleasantly surprised to find the project is more involved than I had planned for. The body and neck are pre-shaped, but the parts are far from ready to be assembled out of the box. The neck heel needs a lot of shaping to get a proper fit. The heel is over-sized, and would crack the heel block if installed as is. All surfaces are very rough and need a lot of sanding. The kit has the feel of a real luthier project, though if I were to make one from scratch, I would definitely chose a flat top design.
I cut the pegboard to a gabled-roof shape. I did not want the design to be as ornate as Gibson, yet not as plain as Martin. Between the two, my preference is for Martin, but this would not jive with the overall design as the Martin is a simple flat top with round sound hole.
Categories: Musical Instruments
Tags: diy, luthiery, make, mandolin, music
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LEGO proposal
March 14th, 2012
I built my important message to Kirsten using LEGO bricks. She said yes.
Fuzzy photos…
Here are some ducks. Friends and family (and Kirsten) have jokingly speculated that they represent either 2 babies or 2 wives. My response is that these are just ducks, because Kirsten likes ducklings.
Ring photo by Branden. Actual engagement ring not shown.
Categories: Art
Tags: LEGO
Comments: Comment
having too much fun with photoshop
February 20th, 2012
I was having a bit of fun with Photoshop.
Categories: Art, Bicycles
Tags: bicycles, goofy
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Mixte is complete
August 15th, 2010
Here are a couple photos of the complete mixte. Frame is Fuji Absolute, color is Lightning. Additions: MKS Touring pedals, Velo-Orange porteur handlebar (very comfortable), Dia-Compe inverse levers, SR Custom stem (for longer reach), brown Cateye bar tape, cotton twine cord whipping, yellow cable housing, and new cables, and lots of new grease. The front derailleur and shifter were removed to simplify the design.
Still needs: brown leather saddle.
Categories: Bicycles
Tags: 1980s, bicycles, Fuji, inverse levers, japanese, kku, mixte, porteur, yellow
Comments: 1 Comment
Ayelet’s new bike blog
August 13th, 2010
Track the progress of Ayelet’s new-to-her Follis bike here: ayetown.blogspot.com
Categories: Bicycles
Tags: bicycles, french, rusty
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New mixte project
August 7th, 2010
I found a new yellow circa 1987 Fuji Absolute mixte project bike on Craigslist. Thank you, Branden, for picking it up. This will be Kirsten’s city bike. The bike appears to have been stored indoors and hardly used. Porteur handlebar and MKS touring pedals have been ordered.
Photo from the Craigslist ad.
Catalog page from Classic Fuji.
Categories: Bicycles
Tags: 1980s, bicycles, japanese, kku, mixte, yellow
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Disassembling the Mafac centerpull and TA rack
August 5th, 2010
A lot of dirt and rust fell from this thing as I disassembled. Who knows how long it was stored outside. All parts seem to be in good working order.
Before disassembly and cleaning.
Categories: Bicycles
Tags: 1970s, bicycles, french, MAFAC, racks, TA
Comments: Comment
Mafac centerpull brake and TA rack
August 2nd, 2010
About a week after seeing the new Velo Orange centerpull design, I found this rack while helping Ayelet salvage parts and frames from her parents’ bike collection. It was attached to a Peugeot and served as my payment for helping out. Here are better photos of the rack and similar centerpull in newer condition. Another site with info.
The platform is very narrow. It seems a decaleur will be necessary to use this little rack with my Acorn Boxy Rando Bag or any other bag.
Categories: Bicycles
Tags: 1970s, bicycles, french, MAFAC, racks, TA
Comments: Comment