Lately.

Lot's going on right now. I submitting my entry into the "recycle greener" exhibit. If you have not been to Pilsen recently, I'd suggest doing so. The Friday art walk was pretty cool. Some of the bikes on display are quite nice. They will be there through the month of April. Mine is at 18th and Halsted, on the west side of the street.
Here's a photo of it. It's a late 70s RRB, handmade frame frame that was a rust bucket when I got. Seatpost, bottom bracket and stem were all seized. It appeared to have been left outside for many years. The photo's taken from behind the glass, so it's a not so great image.



Our good friend Billy David has an entry right next to mine. It's really gorgeous in real life. 1971 Raleigh Competition completely restored. Again the glass makes for a poor photo.



I'm finally done with my "next girlfriends bike. Kinda kicks ass, looks wicked in the sunlight. It's a Motobecane Mixte. Take a look:







This lovely bike was restored for Emily. She co-owns the ladies cycle bag company, www.pocampo.com Should look very sweet on her web page. It's a Schwinn Letour mixte.





this could also have been a next girlfriend competition entry. I love this bike.

Things are Heating up.

I should be on the reality TV show, The Biggest Loser. Not because I'm trying to lose my fat ass, but because I'm such a slacker to this blog. The weather is getting more to the liking of fair weather riders, so folks are coming out of the woodwork. I've never been a fan of seasonal cyclists. But alas, this year I'm ready. (somewhat).

Last time I posted. I listed the Next Girlfriend Bike Challenge. I have some challengers and I'm confident that I'll kick the balls off of all of them. The most serious challenge, I believe will be the one from Bean. She's re-doing an already hot Peugeot mixte, that will be one of the nicest rides on the street. It's Purple for gods sake. Hard to beat that color.
Ryan, got started on a bike and let Roseanna finish his project (of course), a Peugeot mixte as well. It's nice, but my next girlfriends bike should easily crush it.

I also got a challenge from Jesy G. a girl who this time last year rode a Schwinn Collegiate. Now she has a small collective of bikes. Not sure what she's gonna do. I don't think she's sure either. But as with the others, my NGB will kick her cute little ass. Mike Figueroa also sent me a challenge via email. I however see him walking and holding hands, more than riding, so his ass is kicked before he ever starts. Yes Mike thats right. Laura, is working to build her next girlfriends bike for herself. She's putting a ton of effort into it, which pleases this guy to no end. She has however asked for my assistance with assembly. Naturally, I'll assist. I will also make sure she doesn't win.

I built up this pretty Raleigh Sprite last week. The gem goes to Lane, who looks Divine in the saddle. For fans of "Chicks and Bikes" here it is:





Roseanna rebuilt this little guy on Sunday. It's a Raleigh Twenty folding bike. She even repacked the 3-speed Sturmey Archer hub. (impressive)I bought 100psi tires tires for it. They have a lot less drag than the originals. The little sucker really moves out.

Seems it needs a basket, perhaps a rear one. Gonna look in to that.

Here are some pics of recent work:


I'm really diggin the roadster setup.

This is a Nashbar frame, Bean built up.


Keep you posted.

For The Next Girl

I was having a conversation with a fellow cycle enthusiast Paul Grens, yesterday. Something he'd told me a few months ago came back up and made me laugh. He came by looking for parts for a Raleigh Sports cruiser. I asked him was this his "next girlfriends bike"? We both cracked up when he said, yes.

We were looking around at things he needed to finish the project when it occured to me what a great idea that was. I'm bored this time of year, so why not? I've built and restored a ton of bikes, but some of the most difficult projects have been step-through frames. I dislike how many of them look. I understand their value and need. It's sad but I often neglect some pretty wonderful frames because they happen to be step-through.





Nothing wrong with these bikes for sure. I'm not alone in my neglect of ladies frames. Many women don't care for them. Just look at the prices, on craigslist. You can get one for a song. I've watched a lot of them make it inside the scrap yard. Shame on me.

So for the next 8 weeks, I'm going to have a contest. All are invited to participate. I'm going to build my "next girlfriends bike". Will she be tall? What color does she like. Will she be girlie? Will she be a shorty? Maybe a big girl? It has to fit perfectly, so these are important questions. To the rest of you, I challenge. Build your "next girlfriends bike. If you are married or in some other arrangement, feel free to participate. If your next girlfriend is a guy, you can get in on this as well. However, he'd better be comfortable on a step-though. Mixte frames are welcome as well. I'm not sure what my next girlfriend looks like. I do know she's gonna look good on my bike.
I also believe it's gonna look better than your bike. Hmm... where to start?


Who accepts this challenge?
You don't have to live in the Chicago area either. But time stamp your photos and show your build steps. Don't write and tell your your next girlfriend doesn't ride a bike. If they don't, keep looking. The only prize the winner gets is hopefully an appreciative girl/guy/mate or whatever. So I guess in some way we all win.

Feel free to comment or tell me, your bike, will kick my bikes ass. I just don't think so.