RADBMX.CO.UK
Technical & Reference Section => Tech and Restoration => Topic started by: Midschoolfool on July 07, 2022, 04:46 PM
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TBH this was not going to happen. When I finished the Pork I decided enough was enough, and it was time to stop collecting. Not for financial reasons, but simply because I had what I wanted and there was nothing left. When I began my journey in 2013 I had decided on te following.
Standard STA. Got. Rebuilt twice, the second time with all NOS parts. It's an absolutely stunning machine tbh.
T1 Barcode. Took me a while to find one at a reasonable price, but got there in the end. Another one smothered in NOS, and another stunner.
S&M Dirt Bike. Turns out it was an NG, but still I just wanted a period S&M.
Specialized Fatboy Hemi. Always wanted one, got one. Very happy with how it turned out.
Morales. Again, never thought it would happen but found one really cheap from Germany. It's still ongoing and will be finished soon.
A 2Hip. Started out as the Root Down, then found IMO their most iconic bike.
The rest? just me wanting to work on bikes.
However, through all of that time there was one bike I really wanted.
In 1996 I had been off the bikes for about three to four years and on the drugs. Hard on the drugs tbh. I never did anything lightly. Any way, by '96 I had been clean (weed and E) for a year and was bored AF. I had fallen away from the crowd I used to hang with an had become far more autistic in my nature (because I was, I just didn't know it at the time) and was a bit of a loner. I still went out and saw people etc, but a lot less than before. I was having trouble sleeping, so I would be up all night. Mostly watching TV or listening to music. Then one night in '96 whilst waiting for the baseball on C5 (always been a Phillies fan, ironic I would end up living out there and going to loads of games ! surreal man !) and the X games was on. Eh? I thought BMX was dead !!!
Fell in love again. Now back in those days it was all still pretty manual. What I mean is finding a BMX was quite difficult. I ended up getting the Yellow Pages out and calling around. Now this is where it's funny AF. I phoned one shop and said "Do you have any BMX bikes?" and the guy goes "Yeah we got some Scwinnns". I was like "Who?" and laughed and put the phone down. I phoned around some more and phoned Evans in Croydon and ended up buying a Haro Shredder.
I hated it :LolLolLolLol:
It was really long and very low slung. It rode OK I suppose, but I just never really liked it much. Then after riding up to a bike shop I noticed Ride for sale on their counter and bought it, then subbed. I had the Haro for about a year and sold it to my cousin after reading a review of the Schwinn Powerglide. That is why it is ironic. Any way, the review stated it was the best bike they had ever tested sub ?200. It came with four pegs and a U brake on the rear. It was also strong, and had really good geometry.
So I bought it for 179.99. From Cyclesport in Grantham. It was delivered whole, which was novel. It was also put together really nicely. I immediately fell in love. I rode that bike everywhere and anywhere for two solid years. I would go out around midnight, and learn new tricks and just ride around. I felt free, really free. Free of the drugs, free of the dicks who I used to hang around with and had found my old passion.
I did upgrade it over time, and eventually had it painted Hubba Bubba metallic pink. I put on gold Hydraglide decals, and gold Maxy Cross cranks NOS I got for about 25 quid IIRC. They came with an unsealed American BB.
Every one knew that bike. "The Pink Schwinn" it was known as. I should never have sold it, but did. That was a bellend move tbh, as it would result in me getting smacked over the head with a bar and losing a bike I spent nearly two grand on.
Any way, we move on. Fast forward to 2013 when I got back into BMX again and I started looking for a Powerglide. Wasn't happening. Looked for a Hydraglide, also wasn't happening. Now what I did not realise then or in 96 was this was Schwinn's first year back into BMX at a quality level. The company had gone on making stuff, but just regular bike stuff. So the PG and the HG were their first year models back. And that is why they are hard to come by. As they had no real standing in BMX and had to make a new name for themselves. This is bad enough anywhere, but the UK probably got even less.
I did remember the following year they brought out the Powermatic and Hydramatic which were pretty much the same only different colours, but I could not find one of those either. I did find quite a few Joey Garcia Automatics etc, but the frame is different so I didn't bother. It was also a dirt based bike, which I did not want.
Fast forward to last week. A frame popped up on Ebay, I won it for the opening bid.
(https://i.imgur.com/u48G9IA.jpg)
The first thing I want to do is make it look like my one. So, given it was pink I needed white primer.
(https://i.imgur.com/BZwhHul.jpg?1)
Then of course pink.
(https://i.imgur.com/EOYE7xx.jpg)
And then of course the metallic element.
(https://i.imgur.com/DmzLWtb.jpg)
Decals I am still working on/planning, but they will be gold. A new head badge is needed so I bought that.
(https://i.imgur.com/6F4uFeO.jpg)
And I found some 3pc Schwinn cranks very similar to the Maxys I had.
(https://i.imgur.com/EpiPS4Q.jpg)
I have removed the second chain ring, bolts and spacers. I need the bolts for my Morales when I assemble the bash etc. I got this for a seat.
(https://i.imgur.com/xpF6Rle.jpg?1)
Because you can't fail. Will cover that in pink leather. I found these on Bankrupt Bikes for 4 quid a set. They are for a MTB with a grip shift, so one is shorter than the other. So I just bought two sets. I was going to try and remove the outer pink part and flip it, but when I got them today I realised that the logos alternate, so I don't need to.
(https://i.imgur.com/Geep8ZG.jpg?1)
I have held off buying anything else just for now. The bike needs a 1" fork and that is tricky. That said, I have figured it out and have parts in my watch list including the fork, sealed 1" threadless headset and 1" clamp on stem. Right now though I have a busy schedule, so did not want to be bogged down with more deliveries. That can all wait for now :)
Like I said, I am working on the decals. Will post up some concept art at some point when I have the frame because I need the dimensions and angle of the tip in the bottom tube. Basically as you can see, the decals never looked quite right because of the tube bend. So I want to angle them slightly so they follow the frame properly. On next year models they put Schwinn on the TT and the bike model under it.
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Started the decals. I decided to go custom. IE, this will be my signature bike.
(https://i.imgur.com/SkTOhKa.jpg)
The frame arrived today. It's caked in grease and mud but it's in great shape. No dents, no dings. Makes a bloody change :LolLolLolLol:
BTW going back to the decals. I had the gold "Hydraglide" decals on mine. They looked like this.
(https://i.imgur.com/HGCfTgE.jpg)
I asked my buddy with the big printing shop if he could do them. He said he hates foil (well, his printer does). I was a bit bummed. Thought maybe stencil the strokes and then cut some gold vinyl. Then I found out you can get inkjet foils now. They came out last year.
(https://i.imgur.com/Vej4UIU.jpg)
I don't have an inkjet. Mine is a step up (thermal). It's kinda like between and inkjet and a laser. If I can get a decent print (it is literally only red and black stroke, the white won't be printed) I can put them down and then clear over it all.
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Got these also.
(https://i.imgur.com/WeT6Sqe.jpg)
The emblems on the end of the grips are the old one.
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Got some pink leather for the seat.
(https://i.imgur.com/CePwLpN.jpg)
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Then stripped said seat and removed the black vinyl.
(https://i.imgur.com/E9UmQci.jpg?1)
Am off home tomorrow, so work will resume when I come back in a couple of weeks.
I might sneak over early, we'll see. If it's too hot to be in my flat I will.
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OK. I have ordered the fork and stem. You don't get much choice in 1" threadless :LolLolLolLol: that said I am happy with it. Cheap, and it's just a gnarly block.
(https://i.imgur.com/Q0YfD8n.jpg)
Now the fork was much more tricky. I did look for 1" threaded, but they are all whimpy old school forks. Nothing wrong with that of course, but you try bolting pegs to those. It just isn't happening. Plus they are stupid money and wouldn't look right.
Now the Powerglide had a "standard" sort of 1" threaded fork. Overbuilt and very sturdy, but no lugs. The Hydraglide was 1-1/8 and had the fork you see with the peg bosses. So these.
(https://i.imgur.com/27ySbQK.jpg)
Were perfect. They are 1" threadless, and almost identical to the HG fork. The only downside? feckin V brake mount - ewww.
The Powerglide however had a silver Bulldog front brake. What do I have in the loft?
(https://i.imgur.com/vLQ3iLw.jpg)
So it is the perfect mixture of Powerglide and Hydraglide :)
BTW yeah, those V brake lugs are going. I will cut them down as close as I can with the Dremel, then get rid of the rest with the belt file. Which will obviously remove some chrome. However I have had a good idea about that. Will show it when I do it :)
Edit. Yeah, I did think about using the Goose fork. Sadly the chrome is absolutely gone on the back of the legs.
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Crap, I thought I'd put up a pic of the PG. Here it is, totally 100% bone stock.
(https://i.imgur.com/33pxYGI.jpg)
And this is the idea I had (well no, actually it wasn't an idea I had seen it before). This is the Brian Foster model. It came out before the Garcia one.
(https://i.imgur.com/Pl7JOSQ.jpg)
You can see what I mean with the fork there. Nice decal with the Schwinn logo centre front and a pin stripe top and bottom will cover up the scars from removing the V brake lugs.
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OK two more parts bought. I am trying to keep it all in keeping with the original bike. Stock or better. The lower SST Oryg cable is on the frame with the yolk etc. It even has the excellent plastic cable guide on the seat tube. It was little touches like that that made the bike work and ride so well. The cable is dirty etc, but I am sure I can give it some love. I also have this cool trick of using Tcut on the outers, brings them up like new.
So I needed an upper cable. Usually I would just buy the first cheap one that comes to mind. Instead I got this.
(https://i.imgur.com/XzQomp9.png)
Thankfully the Oryg unit is just a regular old gyro. I have some of those. The top plate too was just a steel one, I should have one of those in 1". The lower frame cup? identical to the Gyro. I have one, needs restoring (off the Goose).
I then moved onto the headset. ETC do a black one for about a tenner. I then got side tracked looking for a chrome one, but it was 20 quid. Again, ETC. This worried me a little as it stated road bike. Meaning the OD of the cup that goes into the frame could be too small. Not a huge issue, as you can use a coke can, but yeah....
After looking for ages and ages this popped up. Wow !
(https://i.imgur.com/E5Dhl6t.jpg)
Minty NOS.
(https://i.imgur.com/aDYlftb.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/HiUttMo.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/XNNEapV.jpg)
I will need to mod the top cap for a Potts (drill). I do have a potts bolt and star nut, but the star nut is 1-1/8. I am pretty sure I can trim the tangs with a pair of tin snips and yam it into the fork. If not you can buy a 1", but I would rather save the tenner if I can.
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Couple more parts. Lovely Dragonfly seat post. 22.2.
(https://i.imgur.com/JN2nEvV.jpg)
Seat post shim.
(https://i.imgur.com/QNWNCWS.jpg)
And a decal.
(https://i.imgur.com/zylEJPh.png)
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Bars got. Won't post a pic as I can link.
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/392278098970?_trkparms=amclksrc%3DITM%26aid%3D111001%26algo%3DREC.SEED%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D20160908105057%26meid%3Dc561ea4e718843148d774725fe1feb60%26pid%3D100675%26rk%3D1%26rkt%3D15%26sd%3D392278098970%26itm%3D392278098970%26pmt%3D0%26noa%3D1%26pg%3D2380057%26brand%3DUnbranded&_trksid=p2380057.c100675.m4236&_trkparms=pageci%3A2966b2d6-02f6-11ed-b237-fa0620b33544%7Cparentrq%3Af98d0d751810a60c134a7c57ffed5046%7Ciid%3A1
Not sure how long it will last, but there is a 20% off voucher on Ebay ATM. I think Chili was talking about V bars?
Welds look a bit poo, but chrome quality is good apparently. Fancied something different, and they are a nice width so I won't have to cut them.
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(https://i.imgur.com/ThUzAvq.jpg?1)
Penultimate order is in. Have a nice seat clamp I want to use (silver). Just need a BB, but want to measure the BB shell etc before I commit. Square taper can be a sod if you get it wrong.
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I'm in for the "final" build! Great back story to it too! :daumenhoch:
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Thanks Mick. Had a pretty bummy (yet tbh the pain I have been in) expected day on Tues.
After that slam in 2018 at Southsea I carried on riding until the September. When I had a chain snap and took a pedal to my knee. At that point I knew it was over.
Since then? I have just gotten worse. My knees hurt all of the time (like I've been smacked with a hammer) and my right shoulder also. Knowing mum has Arthritis and osteoporosis has been on my mind. Which I shrugged off for the past 10 years. That said I am nearing 50 now, and it was time to accept that yeah that could very well be it. Booked a doctor's appointment and after a 20 minute exam she says "Yup, you definitely have arthritis in both knees. Not sure about the shoulder as it feels OK, but could be a nerve".
So next step is Xrays and scans etc. Even though I have refused to accept it deep down I knew. When you are in agony you kinda know. And it's only really stubbornness that pushes you on. But lately I have been swallowing pills like it is going out of fashion. I managed to get a box of very mild opioids from "a friend". No issues with taking too many etc (I am very strong willed) but I have been taking them at least twice a day just to get on with daily crap. I'm extremely house proud, and hoover every 2-3 days. My flat looks like the day I moved in three years ago.
Any way, the long and short? I would be totally dumb to even attempt to ride a 20 now. It just takes way too much on your knees. I refused to ever sit down and ride a BMX as you look like a bellend, so yeah..... The end is nigh LOL.
So, with all that in mind? yup, this 100% is the last bike I will be doing. I had a really deep think last night. Like "What else could possibly tempt me to buy something else?" and I remembered ONE other bike. The yellow T6 Torker made in 98. I have only ever seen one for sale, and he wanted 800 boys for it. Far too much tbh. Thankfully I have *never* seen another, so I know full well it will never happen. They were for trails only, and there weren't many trails back then.
Today I got a present from the Govt. So cheers Bawbag Boris. I have paid off my holiday and ordered the last of the stuff. Thankfully I saw all this coming and doubled my Eon payments three months ago. And just sucked it up. So I am certain I am over paying, so I am good.
First up I wanted a set of modern Shimano DX replacements. Not DX, but the more modern ones they have come up with.
(https://i.imgur.com/sjFGdNU.png)
Nice and sleek and elegant. Love em. I bought a BB.
(https://i.imgur.com/BzC4QvM.jpg)
And whilst I was at it I also found a wider Octalink BB. So maybe I can get the Speed Series all sorted (the arm hits the frame ATM, as the arms are hollow carbon and flex a bit). It was 4 pounds 99, so yeah tinker time for winter.
I also wanted four pegs. Chrome, but similar to the originals. The pegs on the bikes I posted? are the original. It came with four. This was the closest match and also the cheapest at 16 quid for two pair.
(https://i.imgur.com/69p5MoZ.jpg)
I thought about adding gold parts, but for this bike I just want as much silver/chrome/polished as I can get.
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OK so I just decided to order all of it. Sod it.
Spent all day looking at levers. Just wanted something silver and only silver. Then I remembered the lever I put on my T1. The only company who have really pushed levers on is Odyssey. Yet for some reason all of their awesome smaller more modern levers are only available as RH. I need a pair dammit ! So I remembered these, and they had both sides available. Yay !
(https://i.imgur.com/gIzps9f.jpg)
Nice cheap cable for the front brake.
(https://i.imgur.com/IAif35E.jpg)
Four pads.
(https://i.imgur.com/Bj0OcoB.jpg)
And a Gusset lightweight chain in chrome.
(https://i.imgur.com/yeyryeU.jpg)
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Sorry to hear about the diagnosis mate! Just my 2 pennies worth but f you like riding a 20" then forget what it looks like, a long seat post will make life much more comfortable for your knees. That's what I'm using for cruising around the rice fields. In any case, congrats on the government support for your build! Look forward to seeing how this one turns out. :daumenhoch:
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Thing is when I ride a 20 I get stupid. I can't help it, I always end up thinking I am 25 again. So I usually always end up hurt. It's exactly that I am trying to avoid. Just riding around sat down on one is pointless when I have the orange PK. Especially if I want to actually go anywhere like.
I've been thinking about the front brake. I could grind off the V brake posts etc and fit the Bulldog. However, I then got to thinking about when George French had his Frankenstein bike and fitted cantis to the front. Nutter. The forks were called prongs.
http://www.gsport.co.uk/custom/G%27s_bike/gsbike_home.html
You can see it there. So I was thinking maybe get creative and get a canti to work. Then I came back to V brakes. The only thing I don't like is how massive they are. This is what I mean.
(https://i.imgur.com/XLOuJ9A.jpg)
But then I remembered that you can get short ones. I did some very primitive measuring with my vernier calipers and the whole brake surface and tyre on my Dirt Bike is 60mm. The short reach are 82mm total. What worries me is it hitting the tyre. However, I found these really lovely CNC Chinese V brakes for ?13. I have ordered the short reach one.
(https://i.imgur.com/A7bBmMv.jpg)
It says it is in Manchester, so I just hope that it is and not in China. Either way I can literally leave the fork until the last minute any way, as I have everything else to do first. The nice thing about V brakes is the noodle. I have a solid noodle, and you can fit it upside down to take a potts cable. So getting it to work with the bars going around shouldn't be that hard. I may need to buy different tyres, like 1.75 or less, but hopefully it will clear. I do have a set of tyres I bought.
(https://i.imgur.com/rShM61f.jpg)
ODY Path? I know they are kevlar folding bead and really high end. 1.85 IIRC. However, I tried to scrub off the white powder and this happened...
(https://i.imgur.com/IozgbWK.jpg)
I then sprayed them with tyre shine which just made it worse :LolLolLolLol:
(https://i.imgur.com/RWSnc3d.jpg)
So I got the bollock ache and replaced them with Maxxis. I threw them in the cupboard...
I have done some reading though, and apparently the trick is heat. The release powder will go back into the tyre with heat. So first I need to get the shine off (with degreaser, I have gunk) and then I can try that.
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I've often thought about picking up a set of those brake calipers, so am interested to see how you get on with them. :daumenhoch:
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I've often thought about picking up a set of those brake calipers, so am interested to see how you get on with them. :daumenhoch:
I'm a total CNC nerd and love CNC parts so yeah, was a no brainer at that price.
I got over to the parts today. It was like Christmas :LolLolLolLol:
I think the biggest surprise were the bars tbh. Usually Bankrupt's stuff is poor quality cheap rubbish, but they weren't lying when they said the chrome was high quality. They are also the absolutely perfect width for a mid school boy. So no cutting required at all.
Will shoot some pics in a bit. House is currently in blackout mode LOL. It's 6' hotter here than it was where I live. Problem where I live isn't the outside but the inside. In particular my flat. It was built 3 years ago, has 12" thick insulated walls and 45' Velux in the roof. It's a sauna beyond saunas.
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Man I am stoked right now. I decided to do the seat. I usually leave these smaller jobs until the end, but by then I am usually pretty burned out and tend to rush. That is why I bought so many new parts and chrome parts. It saves me tons of effing hard work.
(https://i.imgur.com/fSO04VE.jpg?1)
Was a bit harder than the orange suede one as it's twice the thickness but I am stoked with it. Cost? 11 quid total.
(https://i.imgur.com/f8BqD4J.jpg?1)
I then very apprehensively set up the printer. I wasn't expecting great. Good maybe? well they look friggin AMAZING.
(https://i.imgur.com/3oQ94dz.jpg?1)
The only bugger is I am going to have to manually cut them. I did them now because they need to go on before the final clear coat. They are not laminated so they go on top of the glitter coat and then get cleared in with it. But man....
(https://i.imgur.com/E1rcQat.jpg?1)
(https://i.imgur.com/QX3oS6C.jpg?1)
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I hear it's tough stuff ! :LolLolLolLol:
(https://i.imgur.com/eXrz9Ex.jpg?1)
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Blingtastic. Something every single other one of my bikes is not.
(https://i.imgur.com/qyZkKh4.jpg?1)
Those bars are facking PERFECT.
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Boilocks. Literally. Just got in the loft. Let me tell you - DON'T. It is about 40 degrees up there. Was searching for parts whilst literally poaching in my own juices. I found tons of stuff, some really nice gear. However I could not find the frame press gyro mount. IE the thing in the top of this pic.
(https://i.imgur.com/4lwSGiI.jpg)
I was sure I had one from the Mongoose, but it is gone. It was literally the only piece gone, so bugger only knows where it went. So I have had to spend 12 quid on a cheapo nasty 1" just to get that. I mean, it does save me having to clean the top plate I have but that would have taken seconds.
Got the wheels down and like I say, few nice little surprises here and there to add some more bling. I'm using my Gusset 48s. They are straight clones of old school Araya.
(https://i.imgur.com/NdCSPKB.jpg)
I have found some Gsport rim strips. I didn't realise these were the ones I used 700c inner tubes and duct tape on :LolLolLolLol:
Oh yeah, I degreased the Plytes. They look a lot better. TBH one ride would rid them of the powder, so I may just ride it. We'll see.
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And the hype train hit a wall and exploded into flames. :LolLolLolLol:
When I looked at the seat tube I got a feeling of pain. I dunno man, something didn't sit well and I had this bad feeling. Then when I went to put the seat post shim in my fears were realised. The frame is not 25.4, and the clamp is not 28.6. When I measured it the ID of the tube is 26.4 and the clamp is around 29.6. Go looking for either? you won't find them. I then had this really foggy memory of buying a lovely new seat and wanting to get a better post. I then remember buying a BMX seat post mail order and it slopping around in the tube like a sausage down the underground. In sheer panic I went up to the bike shop and must have bought some sort of micro adjust in the correct size.
The fix? more money. Of course. Ain't that always how it goes? now thankfully the clamp I had in mind was in house. And, you can't get a shim that goes from 26.4 down to 22.2. For the obvious reason. Anything in 26.4 is beyond rocking horse crap and more like unicorn vomit. Thankfully what I did find was this shim kit for a fiver.
(https://i.imgur.com/AQxwaVw.jpg)
The inner one has an OD of 26.4. It goes down to 25.4, which is where the shim I already have will go.
Whilst putting my vernier all over the frame I decided to remove the plastic dual cable guide on the seat tube. It was another of the amazing things this bike had that no other had. Not in the same price range, not anywhere. And it really, REALLY helps. I figured I would remove the lower ORYG cable and get it ready for cleaning up tomorrow. Only, the dirt I thought was all over the Y part was not dirt but corrosion and the paint was destroyed. It was also all lumpy and nasty. Ugh, more money. Thankfully I did find one for a fiver.
(https://i.imgur.com/8trSpO8.jpg)
OK so that wasn't *that* bad. About a tenner to make it all work. I still hadn't bought a seat clamp, but then I got another rebate the local council owed me so I started thinking. I went down and put the rim strips on the 7X 48s earlier and realised they are pretty cack. TBH I only paid about a nifty for them, and I felt a bit dirty putting them on this bike really. I mean this was my fave bike of all time, so having the crappiest wheelset I have on it wasn't what I would want. So I remembered where I got them from, and returned there. Whilst there I decided to get a seat clamp, as the shipping would be free if I spent what I was about to spend :LolLolLolLol: So yeah I got one in 30mm which apparently works fine. It's the inner tube part you don't wanna f**k with.
(https://i.imgur.com/zVP8HAn.jpg)
I then proceeded to buy a way better wheelset.
(https://i.imgur.com/AwC3ZDZ.jpg)
Gusset Black Dog 48s. Double wall etc. Got a 3/8 front (above) and a 14mm flip flop rear.
(https://i.imgur.com/kmtbJup.jpg)
Whilst I was down there earlier piddling around with rim tapes etc I tried the front wheel in the fork. IDK if the brake will clear the tyres... However, whilst on the site I bought the above from I spotted these.
(https://i.imgur.com/kBlr0wV.jpg)
Vee Speedster folding tyres. I know, I know, I have a pair of folding tyres :LolLolLolLol: BUT ! these are not only top end race tyres they are also 1.60. Meaning there is a much, much higher chance they will allow the shorter V brake to clear. And yeah, it sounds pretty bloody mental buying more tyres, but they were in the sale for 11 quid each. I also really dig the tread pattern. Much grippier than the Paths.
So, even though I have one I decided to buy a good freewheel, as the one I have is cack.
(https://i.imgur.com/5KZHfjG.jpg)
Which like the wheels and seat clamp ETC are all basically era correct. I am now happy. Even though those Schwinn cranks were cheap AF they look really nice. I am pretty sure the RRP is not, and was not, 20 quid. I am also sure they were not chromed within the last ten years, as the chrome is not total crap.
Now hopefully that is the last of the bloody nasty surprises.
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OK. I am still alive lol. I wondered at points last night if I would even make it. DANG it's hot. 6am I got to sleep, up at about 10:45. I feel like I have been hit by a train.
Good news. The pegs all came. Just what I wanted. Knurled clean flatland pegs. In chrome of course. After the big splurge last night I needed one more thing. Headset spacers. They too are quite hard to find in 1". There is a place who sells them but when I go to buy them I get this.
(https://i.imgur.com/o74O1Ve.jpg)
Now I would highly doubt I left them bad feedback. I have about 800 or so feedbacks and I have only ever left about four, and only when the item was a complete rip off and not as pictured. That said as Bankrupt learned very quickly even if I phoned you and called you a C U Next Tuesday (I wouldn't but just sayin) you would still do well to ignore it given how much crap I buy. I mean FFS you boys have seen it first hand.
That said I genuinely have absolutely no bloody idea WTF. Thankfully I managed to track down their website.
(https://i.imgur.com/rYkxP3n.jpg)
I ordered 1 10mm and if that is too long I got a 5mm and a 2mm.
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Can't wait for my Cousin's kids to ask me when I am old and f-ed what I did on hottest day ever in the UK.
"Well kids, sit around and I will tell you a tale. I sat out on the back step like a forkin bellend using burning gentlemans relish to get the paint off a bike frame".
Started about 1. Got the stickers off first.
(https://i.imgur.com/q78cYZg.jpg?1)
Then gave it a good scrub with Gunk to remove the grease and dirt.
(https://i.imgur.com/1aF7nPD.jpg?1)
Dry.
(https://i.imgur.com/tWFZkto.jpg?1)
(https://i.imgur.com/0TKtL1a.jpg?1)
Armed myself with the above and foul language and proceeded to strip off the incredibly hard 2k coating.
(https://i.imgur.com/34w1aKV.jpg?1)
I was out there so long (FOUR HOURS) it rained twice (that was a touch tbh, LOL) and dropped 7c. All whilst I was out there :LolLolLolLol:
(https://i.imgur.com/R4PoHxr.jpg?1)
Each tube got four coats of stripper with scrubbing in between. There's still some small spots left, but I will take them off mechanically. Esp when I dress the frame (tidy up the lazer cut dropout edges etc etc, I always do it now).
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Now that I am done doing the horrid part I can have fun. Some more of the jewellery came earlier.
(https://i.imgur.com/eGUuJkU.jpg?1)
I also drilled out the 1" top cap that came with the Ahead. Crown race doesn't fit, so needs fettling with the file. And yeah, I do have the tanky tool that smashes them on, but it ain't going on no matter what.
I also got a laugh out of the paint colour. I didn't even notice it before I just knew it was right. The last colour I had mine done in was "Hubba Bubba". Look what this one is called :LolLolLolLol:
(https://i.imgur.com/YU1fm42.jpg)
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Parts in. Sadly the pics I took of the top of the grips vanished from the phone. Will get another later.
(https://i.imgur.com/06AGlgd.jpg?1)
Needs knarps.
(https://i.imgur.com/ki3g9AX.jpg?1)
Schwinnbling.
(https://i.imgur.com/YVqgGb1.jpg?1)
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FFS. Why is learning to use new materials so bloody frustrating?
So I printed two sheets of the decals thinking it would be more than enough. Sadly because it is foil it is really hard to cut. Meaning I was slipping into the colour stroke. So I printed a new set on the last sheet of gold with a fat stroke. I then cut them all out wearing gloves. I left them on the bed and went and had a shower. Must have dripped some water on them, and the small under belly decal ran. FERK. So, I ran a sheet through that had decals on but space, and made another. Yay, all done. I then put them away last night between two sheets of paper. When I got them out today? another one must have had a drip of water on too :( so that is buggered and of course I have none left. Have ordered more.
(https://i.imgur.com/yyK5vlM.jpg?1)
The good news is I had plenty left over to test clear coat on, and it was a 100% success :LolLolLolLol: Frustrating though.
Frame is now in white primer.
(https://i.imgur.com/HAqhZ1r.jpg?1)
Wet sand and pink base coat tomorrow providing it doesnt piss with rain. And the pic of the grips I promised.
(https://i.imgur.com/vSqhk12.jpg?1)
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Good things - the primer is excellent. Dried fast, wet sanded with P1200 very easily.
Bad things, and I knew this was coming - pink is a shit colour to paint in acrylic. The lighter colours are powdery (that said they are all like it, even 2k, especially neons) and it spat like a C U next tuesday. There wasn't much I could do, so I will have to wet sand that out. That said I would have to do that for two reasons. 1, it's powdery and 2, I am going to ghost stripe it so I need it smooth AF.
(https://i.imgur.com/nUJOi3C.jpg?1)
Wheels and nice goodies shipped earlier. I was worried they would not actually have the 1.6 tyres in stock, but it appears they did.
The pedals were delivered to the trust nextdoor to my flat, and I accidentally sent the gold print vinyl there too :rant:
What a pain. That said it will give the inter coats time to harden properly before I put the decals and clear on.
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Yeah she's as dry as a sand lizard's fanny :LolLolLolLol: But, it's well coated and wet sanding should fix it quick. Most of it is just over spray, this frame has some tight angles and is a sod to get into.
Can wet sand it out tomorrow. It says 24 hours.
I don't know what is going on ATM, but my brain seems to be working really well. Had a think about the V brake and the scenario of it not reaching. I then had an amazing idea.
As I said in a previous post I am CNC mad. I absolutely love engineering and design etc, and all of my close friends IRL are also. I would say that George French is one of my heroes. Mostly because he put his brains and talent into making bikes work when they were really poor (early 90s, no one seemed to know how to make bikes that didn't keep breaking). Any way, I had the "What if the V brake is too short?" scenario going through my head. I also had the spongy feeling going through my mind also, and why I would never even think of putting a V brake on the front of a BMX. And then it hit me.
OK, so let's assume that the brake arms are too short to clear the tyre and plan what to do. TBH? I am almost hoping now that they are and I get to put this plan in my brain into motion :LolLolLolLol:
OK, so take the brake hole in the fork into mind here. This one.
(https://i.imgur.com/W1KuBOn.jpg)
Then lets look at how a V brake is set up.
(https://i.imgur.com/XLOuJ9A.jpg)
That's obviously a long one. So, if mine is too short and doesn't clear the tyre what can I do? well I thought not much, but my brain had other ideas. What if you could use the brake hole in the fork to divert the cable around the tyre? and if you could how in bugger's name would you achieve such a feat?
The answer took me back to George. Something some people would not even think of let alone try, but in reality is crushingly simple. A pulley.
(https://i.imgur.com/5h0pkFk.jpg)
Now obviously that won't work. For a couple of reasons. 1, it will be too close to the fork for the cable to work properly on. The cable goes into left side of this pic.
(https://i.imgur.com/A7bBmMv.jpg)
And would be off axis because of the distance between the arm and fork (this one)
(https://i.imgur.com/YgC52Fp.jpg)
But what if you removed the roller wheel from the item above and then made something like this. Now please bear in mind this is crude, as I CBA going into Fusion or anything like that.
(https://i.imgur.com/e6RSreL.png)
The funny thing is that entire assembly other than the fixing bolt can be machined from, well, a single larger bolt put in a lathe. You could then bring the cable into the left arm, run it in one single piece up and over the roller cam and then back down into the other arm. Gaining you clearance over the tyre, and a rolling cam in the middle of the two arms massively increasing braking power.
Gentlemen, I may have just invented something :LolLolLolLol: Good thing I got a mate with a lathe, huh? BTW don't worry about the cam being too shallow. He has a lathe, he can machine one deep enough to make sure it never falls off.
What did they say about necessity?
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Painting, day 3. Wet sand out the entire frame to smooth it off.
(https://i.imgur.com/NwhNm7A.jpg?1)
Mmmm, pink water !
(https://i.imgur.com/B8P5p4V.jpg?1)
I've used soap in there, as it is a light coloured frame. I had three areas of blow through. I couldn't do anything about this, because these drips had hit the frame first and were large enough to have air bubbles in. So I blew through.
(https://i.imgur.com/wB6DcDo.jpg?1)
That is why I always buy two cans of the colour. 80% of the time? you won't need the second can. But they are about 4 quid each and imagine you bought one and that happened? yeah, then you gotta pay a tenner for another because of shipping.
Any way.
(https://i.imgur.com/7mvdpBh.jpg?1)
Tiny, weeny bit of wet sanding to do. The overspray is like chalk, but handily it literally wipes off with wet sand paper. I want to begin masking later, so I will do that later.
Before all of that I got about 5 hours sleep. Seriously, my ass was dragging on the ground when I got up. Quick pint of nitrous powered coffee and I took delivery of the wheels etc.
(https://i.imgur.com/LCdmfl9.jpg?1)
Have fitted the freewheel and rim strips now and packed those back in the boxes. These were the best find though. 11 pounds each, 110 PSI explosion
(https://i.imgur.com/niL2Ub1.jpg?1)
Freewheel. I could tell it had been in the box for years as it took about two minutes to get the teeth to engage :LolLolLolLol:
(https://i.imgur.com/2gPKXMU.jpg?1)
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Afternoon all. At this point I am not going to post any more pics of the frame. I have a few ideas lined up, some in motion and some I am not sure about whether they will work. Not about to risk the paint job, but I will keep those as a surprise. Obviously it is peeing with rain because I put a wash out last night hoping to wake up to it being nice and dry. :LolLolLolLol:
I ordered some 1" spacers from a website for about 6 quid. Finding them is hard, and people want like 15 quid for one on Ebay ffs. Any way they arrived, and they are 1-1/8 FFS. Even though it specifically stated 1". So I have no spacers.
I am not rushing this (hence why this part of the paint job is top secret) and so it's not an enormous issue. Thankfully I have two friends with full machine shops in their gardens so one of them has bought this for me today (because then it goes straight to him and saves me the aggro posting)
(https://i.imgur.com/QO25QdY.jpg)
And is going to machine off the threads making the whole ID 25.5mm. That gives me .1 wiggle room in case the chrome on the steerer is too thick. I can of course also cut the fork if needed, but I do need spacing in there or the gyro will not function.
Talking of which. Yesterday I filed off the burr on the 1" top plate (that goes into that slot in the threads on a threaded steerer) so it fits over the fork. So that is done. I also ground down the crown race area on the fork with the belt file, so that has been fitted also. I decided to do that rather than messing with the crown race as if I filed half a mm too far I would wreck the bearing surface.
The new sheets of gold sticker foil came and I have reprinted the decals. I just need to cut the larger Schwinn one out for a full set. The pedals also landed at the place nextdoor to my flat (I had them sent to my flat by accident and of course had to come over here) so at some point early next week I will go over for a few days and collect those. Like I said, I am not in any hurry. The paint job is a long job and I want to get it spot on.
Amazon are coming soon with more paint prep materials (I will explain all of that and run through it all when the painting is finished) as well as a set of tubes. I am not going to fit the tyres yet as right now they are folded up and take up very little space. If I fit the tyres the wheels no longer fit the boxes they are in so just clutter and more space used.
As I say, slow burner. Usually I rush around like a madman to get them done. This one though? yeah that is totally not what I want at all. I'm not the most patient guy, but this bike is easily the most important bike I will ever do, so I want it right first time and don't want to have to take it apart and change parts out over time like I have with every other build I have done.
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BTW seeing as it is a rainy day I will do a bit more history on the bike.
As I said in the OP, in '96 Schwinn had not changed their bikes much in years. They pretty much relaunched in 97 with their totally new proper mid school bikes (see Powerglide and Hydraglide). From there? they signed up some serious riders. Jay Miron, Jimmy Levan, etc.
They also signed later Andrew Faris. Quite possibly the most outlandish (but incredibly skilled) flatland rider ever. Now as I say, in 97 I had mine painted hubba bubba pink. Which seems pretty outlandish. The strange part is two years later? Andrew (who shares the same forename as me) came out with his signature flatland bike. The 36-24-36.
(https://i.imgur.com/RIXYPtc.png)
In exactly the same colour I had painted mine in. However when I bought mine? he was riding a Basic Sluggo. And was riding for Basic, not Schwinn. It's a funny old world !
(https://i.imgur.com/eqnc6XN.jpg)
Pictures have been taken from the BMXMuseum, so an enormous thanks to thiagoflat. I have not asked permission, however he is free to contact me and ask me to remove them if he wishes. I will honor that wish.
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Good mornoon.
Yesterday was a hard day. This idea I had for the paint was just an idea. Which then needs to go into planning, then work, then actually doing it. Sorry for being cryptic lol, that's not usually how I do things. It seems it all went very well. So by about 8pm I was done and mum got back and I could finally rest a bit.
I am now ready for like, stage 5 or so in the paint, but am sunburnt from the other day. So I am going to wait until later in the afternoon so I don't make it worse. I am half ginger, so I burnt in seconds. Hence even spending 10 mins painting got me pretty bloody burnt :LolLolLolLol:
Any way, here is all of the tedious work I have done.
(https://i.imgur.com/Pl8GrNl.jpg?1)
Basically making stuff fit.
Oh yeah another idea I had arrived about an hour ago. She's gorgeous ;) will reveal all soon. A little hint - Anything Faris can do I can do better ;) pink Schwinn war well and truly on :LolLolLolLol:
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Mate, I absolutely love your build threads! It's Sunday morning here, so I've just read through this page with my tea and toast (you can take the man out of Britain but...) and I love your ingenuity and never-say-die attitude. Not to mention skills. :bow:
If this really is your last resto, the forum is going to lose out big time! :(
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I've got a pile of frames in the loft mate. Two of them I 100% want to paint. For wall hanging.
Maybe what I will do is start doing really thorough guides. The Sunday Funday grape soda is important to me. As is the Ruben really. So yeah, it's deffo not the end but full bikes it totally is !
I was going to wait it out and post this all in one big go, but then I had a look at the photos and there would be about 50. So here goes. BTW before I even start I want to say, categorically, this is by far and away the most superior paint job I have EVER pulled off. Like, not even in the same hemisphere. Mostly because I sanded every single bloody coating of paint. You don't need to do that with 2k and a proper air gun setup, but with rattle cans? THAT is how you get show quality results. And believe me, I got show quality results.
So the last pic you guys saw of the frame was round two with the pink. Which was paint stage 3. After that I wet sanded the entire frame again. All of it, even though it may not have been necessary. Doing that allowed me to catch 3 more pieces I had missed and fixed those, so by this time it was absolutely perfect. Now sure, when you see the next pics you will say "That doesn't look perfect to me !" and that was why I was going to avoid posting them until I could show the next stages all at the same time. When I say perfect I mean perfectly smooth. But what you can't do is touch it, see. All you can do is see it and you will see a washed out pink frame :LolLolLolLol: It's the stages after that where it just explodes into something truly stunning.
OK, so one of my secrets. I mentioned ghost striping. Now you guys would not have fully understood what I meant when I said this, but this is what it means. A ghost stripe or flame or etc is painted with something other than a solid colour. So usually a candy, or a flake or a translucent pearl. You do this because most of the time you can't see it. It makes people get in closer and open their mind and start to really dive into the shiny finish. Recently I did a PC mod and used ghost striping and different coloured pearl flakes on that. This is what it looks like. Note the ghost stripe is the dividing area with no FX on it.
https://www.youtube.com/shorts/_ewhGqS4D_Q
Now also bear in mind in that photo the final stage (the clear over the whole bloody lot) had not taken place yet. I was just showing what happens when you paint different angles using different colour FX over red (red flake pearl and silver flake pearl divided by a ghost stripe).
So originally I was going to stripe it. You know, kinda like this :LolLolLolLol:
(https://i.imgur.com/siJ4GEJ.jpg?1)
But then I realised I bought some proper water tight stencil vinyl for if I had to paint in the strokes for the decals. I didn't, as we know I printed the strokes. So one thing led to another and I added an easter egg under the frame.
(https://i.imgur.com/iN6WWFj.jpg?1)
Like I said this bike is important to me. I will have it the rest of my natural life, so looking back when I am old and buggered completely will bring me great joy. I've already burst into tears twice tonight getting all emotional from how much I used to love riding my last one all night mile upon mile and how free I felt.
I also did something truly brave. It's got stripes, it's got ghost text.... FLAMES ! now it needs FLAMES !
(https://i.imgur.com/vahr9uA.jpg?1)
Now this was the part I wasn't sure of. I love ghost flames, but on a bike? hence why I went off the air and just got on with it. If I done F-ed up I could remove it and pretend it was never there :LolLolLolLol: As it happens it looks BADASS. That wide top tube took it like a trooper.
OK, so you can see the plans there now. Now onto more secrets. Andrew Faris had a emo looking chick on his bike. I spotted it last week and wanted to put a much more risque pic on mine. Problem is they are all for cars or motorbikes and far too bloody big. Most of them would not work either 'cause they are motor based and have cans of castrol or etc etc. So honestly I spent about two days scouring around. And then I found her. It was absolutely love at first sight. I am a bum man, and I like 'em plenty grabable :LolLolLolLol:
(https://i.imgur.com/YevfScX.jpg?1)
But what made her so god damned perfect is the fact it is a motorcycle decal, so she is posing with her hands like she is holding onto a set of bars. Which would look absolutely fooking KILLER on a pink mental paint job.
So at 11am today with the masking that took me about 14 hours to create and put on I went out into the garden armed with a can of pearl flake in silver. This is how it went.
(https://i.imgur.com/jW1bmM9.jpg?1)
(https://i.imgur.com/irSBatV.jpg?1)
Like I said, it is IMMENSELY subtle. And that is why it has always been my favourite method. Get it in the right light at the right angle though? explosion
(https://i.imgur.com/3da8Lk3.jpg?1)
(https://i.imgur.com/D27gpUA.jpg?1)
The flames also turned out superb, but were very hard to see. It was still very bright out, even in the shade.
(https://i.imgur.com/JmWzREH.jpg?1)
And unlike the others I have shown popping hard there was no way to turn the entire frame upside down to make it massively visible without dropping it. But the flames are perfect, and every bit as subtle and then explosion as the other stuff I ghost masked.
So for me decals is never the last job. These are not laminated, and water drops make them run. So they need fitting before the clear.
(https://i.imgur.com/ruP8fIt.jpg?1)
(https://i.imgur.com/nZwdT2m.jpg?1)
(https://i.imgur.com/Pfyd9Yj.jpg?1)
(https://i.imgur.com/DY4RCIA.jpg?1)
I then took it out in the garden, cleared the fookin BALLS off of it and brought it in to harden. I've now fitted the new repro head badge and have gotten emotional enough about it to shed tears twice. I had forgotten just how much I absolutely loved that bike until I found it. It was then and only then I allowed myself to remember all of the mad happy times and how I used to feel riding it. And memories (all good ones, as I had removed all of the shit and scum from my life !) just keep coming. Funny ones, happy ones, riding 20 miles in one night etc etc. Continually bending the rear wheel (they were single wall like the ones I was going to use before I got that mini windfall) and having to take them to get them trued etc because I was so fussy because I loved that bike SO GOD DAMN MUCH.
This one? has it all. Killer paint job? got. Go faster stripes? got. Personal touches? got. I mean FFS it even has tits and ass dude, what more can a man ask for? :LolLolLolLol:
I will get some more pics tomorrow of it in full clear. It doesn't look a whole world different, apart from the fact is so shiny it could blind you. I suppose that is what you get when you wet sand out every damn layer of the paint.
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Shit stuff done (pressing in headsets that don't fit, having to grind them down) and the BB shell.
(https://i.imgur.com/WJy4CGx.jpg?1)
(https://i.imgur.com/yEc6fSD.jpg?1)
(https://i.imgur.com/b2hTbsb.jpg?1)
Obviously in that much sun you can't see the ghost work. That's OK, I got a pic inside before I took it out.
(https://i.imgur.com/a8Reklc.jpg?1)
You might need to open that one in another window...
I got some (I hope) good news today. It seems the brake for the front is actually in the fookin UK now and Yodel almost have it :LolLolLolLol:
The final seat post shims and lower Oryg cable are yet to arrive. Will email them if it doesn't come tomorrow.
Given my choice of front brake it would be rude to put a Springfield on the rear. Thankfully what I do have is this.
(https://i.imgur.com/8XH3hm3.jpg)
It is currently fitted to my Kink throwback I did last year.
(https://i.imgur.com/bdFLxDY.jpg)
Which is now in the loft. I'm not getting rid of the Kink, but it was built to ride and I don't ride it. So it can take a Springfield, given it was a budget build. I mostly used spares I had lying around, and already robbed the pedals for my Pork. I replaced those with these.
(https://i.imgur.com/zyBuMpI.jpg)
Which tbh are absolutely fine for the Kink. It is a new school bike any way. The only regret I will have? Well, that Fly brake RRPs at nearly 100 quid. It's CNC, and the most beautiful brake ever made IMO. I got it for 35 quid because it looked like this....
(https://i.imgur.com/8jh8CcR.jpg)
I then gave it a caustic bath to remove it :(
Irony is a fickle mistress ! Ah well, it wouldn't have matched the silver CNC front brake any way, but I would have probably cared not one jot :LolLolLolLol:
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Lower cable and seat post shims arrived this morning. So that just leaves the brake, cable ties for the fork (front cable) and a package I ordered from Source with some knarps in it.
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Lower cable and seat post shims arrived this morning. So that just leaves the brake, cable ties for the fork (front cable) and a package I ordered from Source with some knarps in it.
Looking very nice. The paint job is top👍
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Thanks dude. I always knew if I did get one of these I would go mad. I am quite glad it arrived late, as it has allowed me to learn in depth how to paint with crap cheap paint and get decent results :LolLolLolLol:
Am going to chill for a few days now. Might try the seat post on the shims later, and I need to remove the paint on the lugs too (2 min job hence why I don't bother masking).
Ninja edit.
(https://i.imgur.com/zQFPI6U.jpg)
I am a little bummed about the fork. Only a teeny weeny bit. I thought they had a cable guide, but nope. I did think about buying a Dia Compe chrome one but I realised it would stick out (the bolt end) in a bad place. IE a nice sharp piece of metal right where you don't want it. Couldn't find any of those cool push together plastic ones, so ties will do.
As I say, Knarps are coming because the upper cable is about two times too long. I really do want to dial this thing in for riding. I really, REALLY want to ride it, at least for a big trip down memory lane.
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Was bumming around on Ebay possibly looking for better caps for the crank arms. Haven't found anything quite yet, but stumbled upon something. Now of course they were blue when I found them, but 30 mins of digging later, and.
(https://i.imgur.com/ZdToOsK.jpg)
Have never seen them before and I had no idea they even existed. They are crank arm caps. They go on the bottom of the crank arms, to stop them getting battered.
(https://i.imgur.com/EpiPS4Q.jpg)
I like little trick touches like that.
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Talking of the cranks. Removed those annoying labels and cleaned off the crap they left behind.
(https://i.imgur.com/54vWr8R.jpg?1)
Seat in.
(https://i.imgur.com/fYnpJzp.jpg?1)
Was actually really difficult. Firstly the inner black shim was biting into the knurling and jamming. So I had to find a way to keep it open until I got it where I wanted. A pain. Then, even with a double handed thump the shim would not bed all the way. I got it to about 8mm poking out then accepted it. It is over 3" in there (both shims, note the shims are in that far the post is in about 8" at least!) and it's as tight as a gnat's chuff so it ain't going anywhere.
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You spin me right round baby right round etc.
(https://i.imgur.com/AUHA6PD.jpg)
Still no movement on the front brake FFS.
Ninja edit. Got these too. Had to.
(https://i.imgur.com/K8yxA49.jpg)
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Afternoon update.
My pal sent the nut first class and it arrived today. So later I am going to bolt on the bars. The knarps came, so when ready I can do the brakes. I also ordered some cable ties and those have arrived too. As for the front brake?
(https://i.imgur.com/7Zzwedd.jpg)
Frustrating. My intuition was correct. When I looked it up earlier it seems it did indeed come from China. TBH as long as Yodel actually bloody have it this time and its due some time this year I don't mind. I mean 12 quid. If I got a Box entry level cast brake it would cost me over 3x that much. The rest (crank arm covers, brake lever covers and dice) have apparently all been shipped also. I am just looking around at decals for the fork ATM. I could leave them plain of course, but there are these Fake Taxi ones that made me laugh a lot.
Will see about that.
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Did some wrenching so it is easier to move.
(https://i.imgur.com/86xpNPv.jpg?1)
(https://i.imgur.com/ttDk2pv.jpg?1)
Threads need chasing now and the taps are in the loft. Typical.
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Good job Parappa ! that's it for today...
(https://i.imgur.com/obK5mJV.jpg?1)
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The brake may come today. I say that because it's Yodel, so you never really know lol.
Postie should be here soon. Once they have both arrived I'll jump up in the loft and grab my taps.
Fingers crossed by the end of today it may just have brakes.
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Put the wheel in the fork earlier in anticipation of the brake coming. Positive thinking, like when you are waiting for a bus :LolLolLolLol:
(https://i.imgur.com/b7JMFkg.jpg?1)
Sure enough it worked. We haz brake.
(https://i.imgur.com/Yk2CBVW.jpg?1)
Need to sand back the chrome around the posts as the brake goes right over them for a really clean look. If this doesn't clear it will be f**king cruel.
(https://i.imgur.com/D7Q6Ixw.jpg?1)
That said I know a way to gain another few MM. Put something in the fork to stop the wheel going in so deep. There is so much meat on the drops it would be totally fine. Crank caps came too.
(https://i.imgur.com/3PEKxpk.jpg?1)
Now I need to go and get my tap.... In a bit.... After I have had some coffee....
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The kind of brake you let your mates test for you :LolLolLolLol:
OMG it is evil :LolLolLolLol:
(https://i.imgur.com/HL3UUdA.jpg?1)
Got the rear hooked up too. Will dial it when the wheels go on for good.
(https://i.imgur.com/K4m2NNR.jpg?1)
(https://i.imgur.com/YDR4Wsp.jpg?1)
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Right. The last thing to do before leaving on Monday morning was this.
(https://i.imgur.com/G5LIfsy.jpg?1)
A lot easier this time, thanks to these things I bought when building my subwoofer.
(https://i.imgur.com/FWeTQKF.jpg?1)
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Not somethimng I would build to be honest but thats a credit to you fella :daumenhoch: attention to detail and fare play she does look sweet especially the Lady decal lol ;) and love that colour named 'Bazooka Joe' brings back childhood memories that chewing gum :daumenhoch: Like I said not something I'd build as I'm totally old school but deffo worth a read and a comment of just how nice your build is :daumenhoch:
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Cheers dude. Yeah it's mid school tbh. Totally get it because I'm not an old school fan but do like a good build.
My lever Johnnies came today. Might sneak them on before I leave.
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Wanted a new stem. Not because I don't like it, but more the colour. I think a polished or chrome stem would look so much better. Problem is finding them. Almost impossible. Profile still make them but no one stocks them. Which led me to thinking (as they are for Jr race BMX) that Stay Strong also did them. Sure enough, they were on SS site. For 70 quid.
It isn't that I am opposed to spending money on the build, but more that I don't want to be stupid. So I searched Ebay, and lo and behold....
(https://i.imgur.com/JMH5eOE.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/bjTDn4v.jpg)
New, bought in error (probably thinking it was 1-1/8) and then by the look of it left in the sun for a bit :LolLolLolLol:
25 boys. Next up, oven cleaner and a good polish. I am not going to polish the whole inlay part with the logo on. That will look like the rear brake.
Edit. I know what you are probably thinking. "Why not strip and polish the stem you have?". Easy, because it is cast. It isn't ano, meaning it is cast. Cast alu does not polish, it looks marbled. No matter how much rubbing you do it won't shine :LolLolLolLol:
The SS is CNC. I have a feeling that Profile may even make them for Stephen, but no idea.
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Oh yeah, almost forgot these bloody things :LolLolLolLol:
Just went down and picked them up.
(https://i.imgur.com/JVXXde9.jpg?1)
(https://i.imgur.com/u2Cr6jH.jpg?1)
Didn't even realise they were fully sealed.
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There is one thing I forgot to do. All the time I have been collecting bikes and building them I promised myself, one day, I would get some Gsport wheels.
Turns out the right time is now.
Been looking around, but you either can't get any ATM or they are toothpaste coloured or etc. Nothing in black at all, and those I did find were being gouged at around 120 quid a rim. Not paying that.
Couple of days ago I searched again and found these.
(https://i.imgur.com/uWyWLdD.jpg)
One is a Ribcage, the other a Rollcage. I mulled it over at the price he wanted and thought I would come back to them. Decided today to throw over a cheeky offer IMO, as he bought the wheels new and then paid to have them powdered. He accepted.
Obviously the decals I can make myself out of 3M vinyl (it is so much better than the other generic shite). The hubs though. Yeah, I won't lie that worried the fudge out of me. I know from before that finding 36h freewheel sealed hubs is bloody HARD. I know this from when I built my GT. I must have just spent over two hours scouring, but IDK what the hell has happened to Ebay's search engine but just typing BMX hub doesn't seem to bring up anything. In the end I was digging through a seller's stuff and this popped up.
(https://i.imgur.com/094cUeq.jpg)
36h. Uh huh, what I needed. 14mm. Uh huh,. what I needed. Sealed. Uh huh.... BOUGHT. NOS, 20 quid.
Debating what to do for the front. Though the world is literally my oyster on that. IDK if I will build these myself or cave and take them to a LBS. We'll see. The Gusset have an appointment with a lovely Dirt Bike NG.
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Right. After a four hour battle that's the hubs sorted. :LolLolLolLol:
So I found a hub I wanted on Source, in the sale. Cool ! It is a Madera Pilot. Basically? it's a Profile hub, at well under half the price of a Profile hub. 47.99 on clearance. It says "When you order you can select the bolts you desire". OK cool, I want the volcano bolts.
(https://i.imgur.com/rVs8dzR.jpg)
Basically because they are the prettiest, and not the ugly heavier ones you use if using pegs. For that you use the button or hex. Given my peg mounts to the fork though yeah, I wanted the nice polished ones. So you go to the cart and it then brings up a list. It says -20.63 or whatever they cost, yet when you add them it charges you for them. I then began an hour long head ramming session trying to get them added without it charging me, no dice. OK sod it, I will call Source. Two hours it was engaged. It was then I realised I had put an extra digit in the phone number :LolLolLolLol:
Two more calls to the actual number and it is all sorted. I also asked him to speak to the tech guy and get the spoke length for that hub going into a Rollcage (The ribcage is stronger and will go on the back). Wicked.
(https://i.imgur.com/Kj0EJWd.png)
Then I realised they dropped their free shipping price from 99 quid to 50. So I got some socks for 6 quid, meaning the socks cost me 2 quid.
(https://i.imgur.com/4BdgO4j.png)
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OK spokes ordered for the front. Will need to measure up the back.
(https://i.imgur.com/ZPNguNX.jpg)
Not going to use crap on this. Will get the same for the rear.
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(https://i.imgur.com/OpAgzsC.jpg?1)
(https://i.imgur.com/8VkSbdI.jpg?1)
Rims are gorgeous.
(https://i.imgur.com/5AGxK2X.jpg?1)
Just literally cutting the logos now.
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Rollcage.
(https://i.imgur.com/mWeWLec.jpg?1)
Ribcage.
(https://i.imgur.com/UGBtiar.jpg?1)
Mungo like candy...
(https://i.imgur.com/CMVjbTg.jpg?1)
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It's actually the wrong way around ! Did some final checking and the Rollcage is the one with the pressed line in the centre. The Ribcage is much thicker there.
Any way, time for a caustic stew.
Started off giving it a Gunk bath. Didn't want it to come off patchy.
(https://i.imgur.com/aYbd4qA.jpg?1)
Then it was time for a bit of King. "That's, what my heart, yearns for now!"
(https://i.imgur.com/wTKberH.jpg?1)
Bubbles !
(https://i.imgur.com/dSCACoU.jpg?1)
Then then cum.
(https://i.imgur.com/HdbjLZ9.jpg?1)
Give it a good stir.
(https://i.imgur.com/REXu1mS.jpg)
And done.
(https://i.imgur.com/OiN1d8w.jpg?1)
(https://i.imgur.com/SWQkOEj.jpg?1)
(https://i.imgur.com/kGf9wsH.jpg?1)
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(https://i.imgur.com/jh4xky8.jpg)
I built the front. It was out of true, and the more I tried to true it the more I made it worse :LolLolLolLol:
I then loosened off some spokes to try again and now the dish is pissed. Given how hot it is (too fooking hot) I really am not in the mood to do any more. I just phoned the LBS, and once I have the rear assembled they are going in to get done properly. I don't usually ride bikes I restore but this one I want to ride the shit out of, so I want it right.
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OK so usually this would be done by now. Problem is heat. As I type this it is 34c. So around 90. I have no air conditioning, just a fan blowing hot air over me. It has been like this now for four days, and tbh it is starting to get to me. Thankfully (apparently) it is going to cool down tomorrow, so there's that. In the mean time? everything is 10 times harder. Like lacing a wheel? the spokes keep slipping out of my fingers and I keep dropping stuff. When doing the front wheel I got two nipples stuck in the rim and it took about an hour to get them out. Thankfully I didn't do that lacing the rear, but I still tapped out long before the spokes were even reasonably tight.
(https://i.imgur.com/vIWZbSX.jpg)
Still it is done. I will leave the rest up to a LBS, when I can find one who answer their phone. If worst comes to the worst I will have to drag myself to Chichester, which is a mad trot. And in this heat I just CBA. At all.
That is why I haven't had the front end apart and fitted the new stem either. It's barely manageable by just sitting still, let alone busting out tools.
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Hang in there mate! Stem looks great btw. :daumenhoch:
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Got some wrenching done last night. I tried to edit down the pics in size but imgur is broken again. So some of these are edited down, some not.
(https://i.imgur.com/vHdoetG.jpg?1)
Pedals went on OK.
(https://i.imgur.com/K2i3RTl.jpg)
As did the stem. I got to use my machined nut, and had to use two other spacers too. They are 1-1/8, but I did it up nice and tight so it should be fine now.
(https://i.imgur.com/kiVHHnR.jpg)
Couple of decals.
(https://i.imgur.com/FIdFkza.jpg)
And then I wrapped it up.
(https://i.imgur.com/bk9JxpJ.jpg)
The lever covers are way too long for the modern levers, so need trimming. And I could not find my knife and by that time I was dripping in sweat again. Will look into that later.
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I fitted the lever johnnies a couple of nights ago. Had to cut them quite a bit, but they look nice. Will get some pics later.
I did find a shop who could sort the wheels out, but it is miles away. About a 2 mile walk from my flat, then of course I have to walk back whilst carrying wheels. Not good, tbh I don't even think with my knees and ankles I can walk that far.
I have been trying in vain to get a hold of the one in Bognor, but they don't answer the phone and Google keeps randomly saying they are closed. I then found out there is one 170 metres from my mum's house :LolLolLolLol: Never even knew it was there.
Sadly he is snowed under this week (bikes are popular now, especially here in the middle of nowhere) but had some spots for next week. I am going to bugger off home tomorrow, return next Weds and take them up Thurs. I can collect them on Friday, meaning I can build it and hopefully get it riding next weekend.
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Lever rubbers done.
(https://i.imgur.com/dKxCi8r.jpg)
Had a bit of a bummer with the wheels, but it makes sense.
Dragged myself up the hill (it's bloody humid atm) and got to the shop. Took one look and told me they were laced wrong :LolLolLolLol:
I had done some digging beforehand, and heard someone mutter something about how Gsport need to be started from the right of the valve hole. So yeah, they were both laced right but wrong ffs.
100 quid :LolLolLolLol:
Oh well. They should be done at the weekend. Good thing I scored all the parts cheap really ffs.
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Getting there! :coolsmiley:
Shame about the wheels but as you say, this bike is going to be ridden, so best get them done right, eh. :daumenhoch:
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Getting there! :coolsmiley:
Shame about the wheels but as you say, this bike is going to be ridden, so best get them done right, eh. :daumenhoch:
Yeah TBH I knew from the struggle I had getting the crossed spoke in that something totally wasn't right. Apparently two spokes snapped when he took them apart too (this also didn't surprise me given the horrid noise they were making :LolLolLolLol: ) so I got lucky.
He turned up a couple of hours back. Delivered them like. Said 80, which was amazing, but bunged him another tenner.
Since last pics I have cut the grips at the lever end. Just took off the maroon collar so the levers come up properly and have max pull. If they fall apart? so be it. Got my eye on some clear pink ones any way :LolLolLolLol:
I have also put on the flexible noodle. Needed another cable tie, but fits into the socket on the arm properly (the bent one is stiff and doesn't go all the way in. I knew what would happen... I would pull it hard, it would pull itself in and I would have no brake. SLIC cable has been installed too.
(https://i.imgur.com/tl0yjKx.jpg)
Oh and the chain is on, obs. I will dial the feck out of the brakes later. I never do that during the day. It's a much better night pursuit :LolLolLolLol:
(https://i.imgur.com/4rgNFrt.jpg)
Levers need tucking slightly.
(https://i.imgur.com/TXzxigf.jpg)
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Getting there! :coolsmiley:
Shame about the wheels but as you say, this bike is going to be ridden, so best get them done right, eh. :daumenhoch:
Yeah TBH I knew from the struggle I had getting the crossed spoke in that something totally wasn't right. Apparently two spokes snapped when he took them apart too (this also didn't surprise me given the horrid noise they were making :LolLolLolLol: ) so I got lucky.
He turned up a couple of hours back. Delivered them like. Said 80, which was amazing, but bunged him another tenner.
Since last pics I have cut the grips at the lever end. Just took off the maroon collar so the levers come up properly and have max pull. If they fall apart? so be it. Got my eye on some clear pink ones any way :LolLolLolLol:
I have also put on the flexible noodle. Needed another cable tie, but fits into the socket on the arm properly (the bent one is stiff and doesn't go all the way in. I knew what would happen... I would pull it hard, it would pull itself in and I would have no brake. SLIC cable has been installed too.
(https://i.imgur.com/tl0yjKx.jpg)
Oh and the chain is on, obs. I will dial the feck out of the brakes later. I never do that during the day. It's a much better night pursuit :LolLolLolLol:
(https://i.imgur.com/4rgNFrt.jpg)
Levers need tucking slightly.
(https://i.imgur.com/TXzxigf.jpg)
GREAT RESTO👊🏻👊🏻 Also really enjoyed the build thread.
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Thanks dude. A pleasure as always.
Just dialled the brakes. Need my beef allen sockets to to the front wheel up tight, then it's just airing the tyres up to hard and ride !