RADBMX.CO.UK
Technical & Reference Section => Tech and Restoration => Topic started by: Midschoolfool on December 29, 2023, 04:44 PM
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This one will go home with me and live with the Metal and eventually the S&M NBD and Trail Boss. Will it get ridden? never say never.
I bought a Fit Mixtape V3 in the sale for 199.
(https://i.imgur.com/2wq8POI.png)
Good thing with Fits and most S&M is that they are pretty much all the same. As such I decided to do a Van Homan bike.
(https://i.imgur.com/Pjg4jjT.jpg)
So full set of decals ordered for a tenner.
(https://i.imgur.com/99YLaWj.png)
I then bought a fork. I don't have any modern fork sets left and I did not want to restore a single sodding part on this. I want it all new* (lmao sorta !).
(https://i.imgur.com/m5tVnAq.jpg)
Seat.
(https://i.imgur.com/kAlr0VQ.jpg)
Need to get a post. Will sort that as soon as I am done typing this.
Set of Jet Generate wheels. Again, no point in buying the best just for it to sit there.
(https://i.imgur.com/gULCpv2.png)
(https://i.imgur.com/YygGvlv.png)
Animal bars.
(https://i.imgur.com/1eF6lhM.jpg)
SS stem. I know Stephen has fallen out with them but it was 20 quid. I may replace it in time with something better, but as I said I have very little left now in leftover spares as I had used most of them up.
(https://i.imgur.com/NKUKKgS.png)
I bought this 25t sprocket. Made by Chain Reaction cycles apparently. Looks the part, cost 6 pounds :LolLolLolLol:
(https://i.imgur.com/YaOrWzn.jpg)
I may use my home made Graveyard yet, IDK.
Cult crew cranks, 19mm. I knew I would probably have a BB (I was correct) and I did not want the extra expense. Again, old man, ain't gonna break anything.
(https://i.imgur.com/go7QF1v.png)
I then somewhat ran close to spending all my spending cash. Not a problem, but yeah wanted to have a dig before spending any more. I was 100% that I did not have any of the above. Like, no cranks, no modern wheels and etc. Dig paid off.
(https://i.imgur.com/zBW4kj7.png)
Two brand new tubes for fat tyres.
(https://i.imgur.com/tXkJ2Rb.png)
A new Springer (has scratches though somehow) set of ghost pads and a ODY 1999 lever that came with a brake I bought. More than good enough, though I do have a mint polished springy too.
I sorta thought I had a headset. I remember buying a Sunday one cheap for the Trail Boss, but it wasn't integrated. Problem was it was all lost in bits. However, I managed to find it all and piece it back together.
(https://i.imgur.com/ZkJBffJ.jpg)
I also found a mid 19mm bb complete. It is red, oven cleaner on the end caps.
Now what I knew I did not have were pedals. However, seems I forgot all about these.
(https://i.imgur.com/1MtKDjY.jpg)
I bought those effin years ago and converted them both to right thread (for the Root Down). Thankfully I have a tub full of L&R pedal axles, so putting them back was easy. They are brand new. Touch.
For tyres I have a set of Traction Advantage (the good, expensive, 110 PSI ones). These are at my flat and were removed from the Metal last year as they do not grip in damp or wet.
(https://i.imgur.com/dpe1coG.jpg)
They have been cleaned, as my flat is pristine.
Right, off to buy a seat post.......
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* the tyres are obviously ridden but very gently. So they are pristine. I don't mind using them at all, they are just rubber.
I guess what I meant was I wanted, for once, to be able to just pull parts out and do a build without hours to days or weeks effing around restoring things.
That is why I bought this for 9 quid. No point paying well over double, as it is a ten minute job to sand it back a bit and put some black paint on for essentially the same thing.
(https://i.imgur.com/kBIRdFs.jpg)
I think I need a chain, not sure yet. Will see if there is anything down in my tool box before I buy that, and besides I certainly don't need it yet.
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Another Midschoolfool build!?! :shocked:
I'm in!! :daumenhoch:
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Well I had a think about it and to be frank last summer was like, total shit. The weather, like. It was sporadic at best, and at no point was I sitting there with the sun in my eyes thinking "Man I wanna ride so bad !".
Hilariously the best week was at the end of September, which was when I went on holiday. I would say typical, but it usually isn't :LolLolLolLol:
But yeah, lots of work been going on behind the scenes at both my flat and here at mum's so that I can store bikes. This helped a lot too.
(https://i.imgur.com/ICqBT4V.jpg)
Out of sight... Until spring like.
(https://i.imgur.com/wQJPJ9x.jpg)
As you can see though, there is a curtain rail and the last piece of my old double bed there. Shoulder is so bad now I can't make a double bed, so I got a single etc. Meaning space, and tons of it. The new school bikes will go in the bedroom.
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I knew I had forgotten something ! turns out it was the chain. Quite important those :LolLolLolLol:
(https://i.imgur.com/XE9vK9B.jpg)
Funny thing is it is stamped YBN. Wasn't expensive. In fact, that and this.
(https://i.imgur.com/R0VoSMp.jpg)
Cost me a score. Think I am deffo going to go with the polished Springfield.
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bigger pics needed :)
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lol. The forum broke at some point, and instead of down sizing images it doesn't.
As such I have to either sit and do it all manually or just post them. It's hard with pics I did not shoot, as they appear perfectly normal size on my screen.
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Oh yeah, a quick update. IBS flare up has had me in bed for two days ffs.
The wheels, cranks and stem arrived. I was pleasantly surprised that the cranks look nothing like the basic ones in the pic. Hard to explain. When I find some time I will get actual pics of the actual parts. In the midst of sitting on the toilet pondering the meaning of life I have been taking down the Christmas tree and all of that other shit you do at this time of year.
I tell you what I did find out though. And it blew my friggin mind.
Van Homan is from a tiny, weeny little town in New Jersey called Pennsville. I got goose bumps upon discovering this info. Mostly because I used to live about four miles away, and spent a lot of time there. It is the same tiny little town that a certain Bruce Willis lived in too, and we used to see him on Friday nights going to get his cheese steak at a local diner. It sits right across the Delaware river from Phila. You can see Phila in all its glory at a certain riverside restaurant, which I might have spent my honeymoon at and then at a Marriot hotel in Pennsville.
It's like I said when doing the Four. We don't buy bikes, they find us.
Talking of finding us. :LolLolLolLol: this will be finding its way to me. Good ole clearance, 20 quid delivered the lot on CR.
(https://i.imgur.com/fsnOjoN.jpg)
How to make shit wheels look better :LolLolLolLol:
(https://i.imgur.com/WNxGINE.jpg)
And finally.
(https://i.imgur.com/OJws2hJ.jpg)
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Sprocket arrived with Hermes earlier.
(https://i.imgur.com/6mTPtKk.jpg)
Yeah, no idea where they got that stock cranks image from but it ain't those. Lovely they are.
Stem, only I am not using it. Managed to find a front loading Xposure Infinity stem the other day. Only issue being it has red bolts, so I will swap them over.
(https://i.imgur.com/WICUqMd.jpg)
And rear wheel. Front one is here, just no point getting a pic of it.
(https://i.imgur.com/EfK1QP0.jpg)
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BB is done.
(https://i.imgur.com/mRJfbBx.png)
Not perfect, but the bits left won't be visible any way.
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Well bollocks. Sorta kinda.
Remember the image of the Cult Crew cranks? this one?
(https://i.imgur.com/go7QF1v.png)
Well they ain't those. :LolLolLolLol:
The messed up part is that even the sticker on the box says "Cult Crew Cranks 19mm". Only like I said, they ain't :LolLolLolLol:
After some research it seems that someone in the Taiwan factory may have accidentally put 22mm Cult Hawk cranks in the wrong box. The good part of that is? they cost more. A lot more.
The bad side? well my BB I stripped is utterly useless.
So I may have just scored this via the bay for 24 notes.
(https://i.imgur.com/3Pcj3Yk.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/wkCULW7.jpg)
I'll take that.
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Great updates! Love me a good Midschoolfool build thread!! The interesting thing is now that I've seen your YT vids, I can imagine your voice when I'm reading your words on here!! ;D
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haha that's funny. I am one of those who hates the sound of my own voice :LolLolLolLol: Took me a long time to be able to get comfy with recording and listening back to it.
The frame and all of that came earlier. Nice thing is like S&M Fit don't put the stickers on. That means I don't need to remove them, or ruin them. I can keep those to one side.
Will cut off the bottom of the VH sticker that says "Made in USA" though.
The seat post also came, so that was super. Will work on that tomorrow.
Photos later most probably. Got a few things to do today before hand.
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Oh man, F yeah !
(https://i.imgur.com/QGtTXe1.png)
(https://i.imgur.com/kP8MEfh.png)
(https://i.imgur.com/jhVn2cZ.png)
About the hardest frame decal I have ever had to fit.
(https://i.imgur.com/azs5HXB.png)
(https://i.imgur.com/0ubFJWw.png)
This thing has detail everywhere.
(https://i.imgur.com/jjk9OTy.png)
(https://i.imgur.com/voj2Wtv.png)
(https://i.imgur.com/CO5bm9v.png)
Sadly they are tossers, and don't include the brake mounts. I also need to buy a 22mm top hat washer, as Profile are too squeaky to include one. Ah well, no rush.
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(https://i.imgur.com/FL12oIC.png)
Right, now it can F off :LolLolLolLol:
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Bah. Found this very cheap.
(https://i.imgur.com/Kpn5s11.jpg)
Decided to go for it. By cheap I mean 35 quid. Has plenty of blue in and will look rather nice I reckon.
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Brake is an Eclat Unit apparently. I hope it's easy to set up.. Not had much luck with brakes lately.
BTW I am not using the stem. IDK if I mentioned it, but the other day whilst messing around up in the loft I found a set of bars with a stem on. It's one of these.
(https://i.imgur.com/OmDGboE.jpg)
Xposure Infinity. Sadly it has red bolts, but I will swap out the ones from the SS stem. I'm not a huge fan of top loaders so yeah, it's perfect. Will weigh a lot less, look a lot better and is what I prefer.
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Bloody hell Volume are crufty bastuds !
So my cheap post ( 9 pounds) was sitting there all tatty and scratched. I thought for a moment about just buying a new one. So I had a look at Volume's offering.
(https://i.imgur.com/mqDX5zh.png)
Before I continue note this part.
(https://i.imgur.com/XIcObTp.png)
I then look at mine, and then restore mine.
(https://i.imgur.com/YP4OUjm.png)
So basically? it's identical. Like, literally exactly the same post Salt sold. And so.
(https://i.imgur.com/pqxLuRm.jpg)
Will fire up the plotter in a bit and cut that out of 3m white. Crafty sods ! :LolLolLolLol:
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(https://i.imgur.com/sFcc8nX.png)
Sorted.
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OK, finally the postal service stopped lying and actually showed up.
(https://i.imgur.com/jx4RUEk.png)
And I bought some pedals... Basically I wanted Hope pedals in blue, but very spendy. Like, 140 smackers spendy. I then eyed up some Animal ones (metal) for 50, and some Demolition for 80 or so.
I then ordered none of those :LolLolLolLol:
Went on Amazon and searched and these showed up. Hope clones, but the look I wanted, discount code 32 quid. Sealed too.
(https://i.imgur.com/5B6yNrj.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/7owrwfG.jpg)
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Blimey. It was only after looking back at the Hope pedals that I clocked just how these are a total rip off :LolLolLolLol:
I'm going to call them no hope pedals. Far more BMX :LolLolLolLol: Might have to get some decals made hahahaha. I do like me a good piss take :LolLolLolLol:
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Up all night throwing up. Ahh life.
I did find this.
(https://i.imgur.com/K68txy6.png)
If I can get the logo off I will make something like this :LolLolLolLol:
(https://i.imgur.com/dqAgpao.png)
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OK so this was done yesterday.
(https://i.imgur.com/tU8QDhj.png)
As was this.
(https://i.imgur.com/msLp7Bv.png)
(https://i.imgur.com/qh3qlNu.png)
Pedals came earlier. They are absolutely gorgeous.
(https://i.imgur.com/iQILr8D.png)
Have cleaned the left one already, will do the right when I come to fitting.
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Decided to buy different tyres. The Fit are great, but totally dangerous in the wet. I don't want the bike swapping ends on me. And yeah, I think this one will become the one I ride. The S&M turned out too nice, and besides one ride and it will look shit. So I am going to clean up the Metal and turn it back into the collector's item it always was. I wanted higher bars on that, but nothing suit it better than the ones on there (they are only 8.5, though). Besides all of that the T/A are only 2.2s. And if I am going to ride a modern bike I want big F off tyres. I mean why not?
So I got a pair of these on sale. Worked out at 17 quid each, 2.45.
(https://i.imgur.com/wa6IXfO.jpg)
Wanted something else to tie into the seat. What I wanted was brown, but I don't like Ruben tyres (and I hate BSD Donnasqueak). Ruben tyres are rough and extremely noisy. So these should fit the bill perfectly.
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Forgot to say. The reason I cleaned the left pedal is because I was trying to remove the logo so I could make my own. Unfortunately it is on there, and I didn't want to get rough and chance effing them up beyond repair. So I left that alone.
The brake came today (gorgeous) and so did the annoying parts I needed (brake post mounts, cable stop kit and sprocket top hat) so I will get some pics of that shortly.
I made the final order about 5 mins back. This.
(https://i.imgur.com/ESfezMT.png)
I want something to tie the BB into the build. I didn't want to spend loads of cash on a new headset so I grabbed that for 9.99 delivered. The Sunday I have is not conical and has hardly any spacers and I AM NOT cutting that fork. Sod that.
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Brake has arriveth.
(https://i.imgur.com/1XJ9r2M.png)
And I already don't like the hanger. It's similar to the one on the Kink desist brake, and I HATE that. So I am going to use a Demolition one I found. Talking of brakes.
(https://i.imgur.com/AyeBbjN.png)
They won't work without that shit. Nor will the cranks :LolLolLolLol:
Tyres just shipped out with Fedex, so I should get those tomorrow.
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Meh what a dick.
I got the top hat out, and went to assemble the drive side of the cranks. I then noticed a big problem....
(https://i.imgur.com/AfOIrS6.png)
That is the installer tool. It should thread into the axle to pull the arms on, yet doesn't touch the sides :LolLolLolLol: And, even worse (because there is more than one way to press arms on) nor do the sodding bolts.
(https://i.imgur.com/N3KMNAS.png)
So it would seem I have a bastud set of cranks. 22mm arms and spindle, 19mm hardware. FOOK. Went off to look for crank bolts and you will never guess? I can't find any :LolLolLolLol:
What I did find though, are M15 crank bolts for ISIS cranks. And they thread in perfectly. Problem is? the end caps are 19mm, so they won't hold on shit. FFS.
I then spent ages and ages looking, and stumbled across these for 12 quid for two.
(https://i.imgur.com/FcPxl3l.jpg)
As long as they thread in, M15 (and it is) they will work fine.
(https://i.imgur.com/o0Y8NRZ.jpg)
They won't sit inside the arm, and will be proud by 1mm or so. Absolutely fine, and I measured the arm to make sure the outer 28mm lip is not too big and it isn't.
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Now I suppose you are thinking "Why not just send the cranks back?".
This is why :LolLolLolLol:
(https://i.imgur.com/oHlfo2z.png)
I put the sprocket on, pulled the axle onto the right side and fitted the pedal and about came in my pants. It's seriously explosion
So yeah, a minor headache that can be sorted (he says, full of hope :LolLolLolLol: )
The BB arrived today, so I will press the bearings in later. I also had trouble with the Jet brake mount kit. One of the posts was not letting the bolt slide through. As such I had to take a small round file and spend ages filing. But it's done, will get those on the frame later too.
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Well fook me. I thought the bolts would take weeks, given the seller was in China.
After A LOT of installing and removing and having to change spacers many times it only worked :LolLolLolLol:
(https://i.imgur.com/qMWf7Kz.png)
The only change I had to make was removing the large spacer, as these bolts are not long enough. TBH? with it how it is now everything is all the way in. A much better, stronger setup.
(https://i.imgur.com/3Pcj3Yk.jpg)
Noting the huge one. I was a bit disappointed but hey, still looks Profile with the smaller one. And then it dawned on me. Gutted at the prospect of not using all of the most expensive BB I have ever bought I remembered the Pork.
(https://i.imgur.com/dPBCG4e.jpg)
It will fill nearly all of that mess :LolLolLolLol:
Two Profile BBs for the price of one*
Picture sorted for the sake of everyone's sanity lmao.
*cause lets face it, the rest is just bearings and a sleeve.
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I now have the answer to a very long thought question.
"How much jet fuel is enough?"
About exactly that much.
(https://i.imgur.com/hI9WIce.png)
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That "jet fuel/oil slick" question is one I often ask myself. I know it's not everyone's cup of tea but I really like the finish, so long as it's not over done. I have chainring bolts and valve caps on my GT and have recently been tempted by some pedals but we'll see.
Anyway, back to yours and the answer to your question. I think you nailed it! :daumenhoch:
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Looking good man!
I asked myself the same question when I built my Blank Grizzly, I stopped at the stem, sprocket and rear brake.
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The first time I used jet fuel was like, years ago. At the time it was brand new, and parts finished with it cost a sodding fortune.
This stem for example? I paid about 80 quid, but the RRP was 150 or something absolutely daft like that.
(https://i.imgur.com/LAWrS2V.jpg)
That was my rider in 2017. Rode it for over a year.
(https://i.imgur.com/GgQTu18.jpg)
I then crashed it bad in the snake bowl at Southsea, and realised I was too old to be riding bowls and shit :LolLolLolLol:
I didn't like it though. Mostly the tyres. It's the same reason I hate BSD Donnasqueaks. Extremely heavy (like beyond heavy) and so hard they don't grip shit which is why I crashed. Crap, basically. At least with Primo you know they won't be boat anchors and are way softer. Like the V monster HD? fantastic. Rode them all last year and at no point felt dangerous or unsafe.
Talking of which. The tyres and valve caps I bought arrived yesterday. Will shoot some pics of them later. Gorgeous they are ! darker than the pic too which is brilliant.
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OK so tyres. Like I said, thankfully much darker. Almost to the point that they will match dirt.
(https://i.imgur.com/wbvbrdG.png)
And my one regret......
In 2020 I bought a Mirra tribute. It was super heavy, and not really my thing. So I stripped it, kept the good bits (wheels, on my Kizz) and the sprocket and sold the rest. Well I knew I had the sprocket somewhere, but after an extensive search nothing showed. So I figured I might have sent it to a mate in Canada when I sent him some parts you just can't get there.
(https://i.imgur.com/9V7GSlf.png)
FFS :(
Problem is? I have had my fill of pissing around with the cranks. Due to having the wrong tool they are a sod to get off and a bigger sod to get back on. Oh well. Might put it on my Metal at some point (tis 25 currently). We'll see.
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Also. I found the last of the things I wanted last night. Lovely demolition brake hanger, Shadow cable tie strap thing for the brake cable and etc. Lots of smalls.
The hanger on the Eclat looks like this.
(https://i.imgur.com/WVqSEo7.png)
Looks cool huh? not. It has the same issue my Kink Desist has. IE, when designing expensive brakes some dick head decides to over engineer it to the point it is not mechanic friendly. From the pic it is hard to understand, but instead of that locking into the pulling cable it does not. You thread the cable through, and then you get this metal block that you need to fit also. By simple mathematics? you would need 4 hands to install it and get it right. One to pull the calipers in, one to pull the cable and then two to hold said metal block with a spanner and another to do up the allen grub screw.
It's shite, basically. That is why the Desist on my Kink doesn't work well at all. Yet their cheap Mission Cease? is a thousand times better to set up and actually use. Thankfully they didn't go all the way like Kink to the point where you can not make your own straddle and use any hanger you like, so I will be using the Demolition one. And will make my own straddle.
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Quick mock up. Wanted to make sure the brake would work with the fat ass tyre.
(https://i.imgur.com/rSFsSn2.png)
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Seat on.
(https://i.imgur.com/DebUmkw.png)
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(https://i.imgur.com/fe86yWv.png)
Took a while. Turns out the Eastern distro is in Ireland.
I assembled the front wheel last night (tyre, tube etc) and put it on the fork. Off home tomorrow, but when I come back I will finish the build and take it out. My birthday next weekend, so yeah will be nice to piss around outside lol.
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Reet, decided to treat myself. It's not a part that will get ruined so yeah.
I was looking for a gold stem. I need something to tie in the front end. The only one I really liked was an Animal one, and yeah double the price of what I got. Plus tbh? the bolt upgrade has made this stem cost far less. It was 49.99. TLC no longer with us either, so will be a nice keepsake.
(https://i.imgur.com/CedWdmM.png)
(https://i.imgur.com/YkmflAu.png)
(https://i.imgur.com/y2DO1Tc.png)
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Like a fine piece of jewlery. Shame they went out of business :(
(https://i.imgur.com/YpTsH0i.png)
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That's a nice piece of bling!! Looks better in your pic too! :coolsmiley:
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That's a nice piece of bling!! Looks better in your pic too! :coolsmiley:
It all does tbh.
They put things under lights and they always look totally different to reality.
Same with the grips and tyres. Totally different colours (for the better).
Been so busy doing birthday things but the stem is fitted now. Hopefully mid week the two halves shall meet lol.
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Time all gone. Between the loft and having a cold this is going to have to wait sadly. Still, nothing good was ever rushed, so.
(https://i.imgur.com/pjQ2bkr.jpg)
New stem is fitted.
(https://i.imgur.com/2kW6TvE.jpg)
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OK I know it ain't much but I got the chain done.
(https://i.imgur.com/e7fz3hs.png)
I've either been doing building work in the loft or it has been freezing cold.
That's the ballbag jobs done now tbh. Getting the cranks mounted was about as much fun as peeling my bellend with a rusty potato peeler and I HATE CHAINS.
So the next time I get it out and break out the wrenches it should be going outside within moments.
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Can't wait to see the finished bike!
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Me either mate, me either :LolLolLolLol:
If it would just stop friggin raining. I need to shift one, but all it has done is rain.
Roll on summer. Because Spring has been crap :LolLolLolLol: