Novel Times, Novel Measures

Today is a big day for Project Fixie….parts shopping! I’ve got a number of components yet to compile, but I was able to salvage a few things from the frame I found. First the salvage:

This set of forged metal pieces may not look like much, but it may very well be the crux of the bicycle — the bottom bracket. This is the “axle” to which the crank arms are attached. This bottom bracket was actually in decent shape, so I’m going to try to reuse it and see how it performs. I hoping smooth as butter.

The second set of parts that I was able to pull off the frame in decent working order were the stem and handlebars:

The stem attaches the handlebars to the frame via the headset. I concluded that the headset as found on the frame was not salvagable so I’ll be purchasing a new headset. I did make one modification to the handlebars that you may have noticed. I performed the first half of a common practice in the D.I.Y. fixed gear world, “flopped and chopped” bars:

After sawing off the traditional downward curved handles, I’ll attach the handlebars upside down so that I will have upward curved stubs. Wrap those suckers in some grip tape and they’ll be slick.

So, that may not seem like a lot but I’m feeling pretty good about being able to reuse those parts. As for the remaining parts that I’ll be looking for today, I’m hoping to find used components. There are a few parts that I will be buying new and they are denoted by a * in the following list:

• headset*
• crankset
• pedals
• clips
• 16-tooth cog for rear wheel*
• 46-tooth cog for crankset
• chain*
• seat post
• seat
• front brake
• brake lever
• tires & tubes*

And so begins the Sunday scavenge. Wish me luck!

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This photo needs no introduction:

Hell yeah!!! I am very happy with the paint job. For $110, the frame was beadblasted, the threads were masked and the frame was powdercoated the purtiest of blues. In my book, this was a bargain considering how much time, effort and toxic material I would have used to render a shoddy, drippy paint job. For those not in the know, powdercoating is an alternative to solvent-based normal paints that is generally regarded to be more durable and less toxic. From the Powder Coating Institute (I kid you not) website:

Powder coating is an advanced method of applying a decorative and protective finish to a wide range of materials and products that are used by both industries and consumers. The powder used for the process is a mixture of finely ground particles of pigment and resin, which is sprayed onto a surface to be coated. The charged powder particles adhere to the electrically grounded surfaces until heated and fused into a smooth coating in a curing oven. The result is a uniform, durable, high-quality, and attractive finish. Powder coating is the fastest-growing finishing technology in North America, representing over 10% of all industrial finishing applications.

The environmental benefits of powdercoating are myriad: less toxic due to the absence of solvents, fumes and VOC’s; overspray can be reused generating less waste and avoiding the toxic sludge from solvent-based paint waste; up to 50% less energy is used compared with traditional solvent-based systems. How ’bout them apples!

The fine powdercoating job was done by Professional Finishing in Richmond. Let’s admire their work one more time, shall we?

I must also thank my good friend Alec for hooking up this powdercoat process. Our frames went to the shop together and soon enough will ride together on the streets of the Bay.

So, with the paint job and a new wheel set, the grand total for Project Fixie stands at $260. Thankfully the expensive parts are behind me. Up next are some fascinating details about all the parts I was able to salvage from the bike when I stripped it. So stay tuned for another exciting episode of Project Fixie!

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So I’ve been totally slacking on the blog. Yep, I know it. But life calls and projects beckon, so blog suffers. However, I do have some photos to share of the burgeoning pile of parts for my fixed-gear project. Without, further ado, let me introduce you to my new wheels!

This is a rear wheel that I found on Craigslist for $100 new:

It is a Suzue flip-flop hub on an Alex DR13 double-walled rim that probably would have cost me between $135-$150 if not for my man Duane. Duane is a super-sweet and somewhat secretive Bay Area native that lives amidst a pile of parts and bikes and who knows what else down in San Lorenzo. For fun he rebuilds bikes, talks about the 60′s, shoots BB guns in the house while drunk and studies philosophy at Cal State Hayward. My man.

Here’s a shot of the Suszue hub which will soon be a collector’s item (!) seeing as how Suzue has ceased operations:

Of course, one wheel does not a bicycle make. Hence the prefix “bi-”. It seems that the bicycle gods were with me that day. When I stopped by one of my favorite local bike shops, Re Cycles on Sacramento in Berkeley, I happened upon this front wheel:

I promptly snatched up this Alex R450 double-walled rim, all laced up nice and pretty, for $50. Big ups to Re Cycles for completing the pair with a near match!

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