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The cool thing about fenders is that when you pass someone with all the spandex etc, they got passed by some geezer with fenders which is a little embarrassing. The rest of the time you are just some guy with fenders.
Sort of like having a really fast Plymouth Valiant
What I really want is to make a stupid fast slant six Valiant. That would be a very joyful build for me.
“I was surprised when one of the chainstay bosses popped right off the frame as I twisted the wrench”
Correction: That is the seatstay:
https://rehook.bike/blogs/saddle-slang-the-dictionary-of-cycling-lingo/seatstays
The chainstay is the arm parallel to the chain travel:
https://bikefaff.com/what-is-a-chainstay-on-a-bike/
“If you’d like to see more “Biketopian” content, let me know in the comments. I have way too many 80s and 90s project bikes back home in Texas to revive/restore/restomod, and I’d be happy to share them with you.”
Yes please! I have way too many 80′ full tourers and ATBs of my own.
I have 8 bikes, so I’m all for more bike content. Several of them are pretty heavily customized with weird features and one’s an antique by any measure (~1912). One I need to get rid of, but can’t figure out how to do so. It’s a ’61 Columbia Firebolt, step through frame that I converted to a 6 speed freewheel I had left over from an overpriced mixte build I did for my sister and a rear disc using one of those adapter kits as part of a quick bike build contest entry. The kit works pretty well and seems solid (it felt pretty sketchy until everything was assembled), but it’s not something I would take down steep hills or use much in traffic just to be safe (I don’t actually ride it as it’s way too small for me and my weight and height do not help the flexible flier situation). Problem is that a front brake can’t be added without changing the fork, which is not worth doing (not just a fork and brake, but also a head set that would fit a modern fork to an old American standard frame. I’ve done it, but it isn’t worth it for this bike). The kind of person who would want an old girl’s middleweight cruiser probably won’t be mechanically inclined to keep an eye on the brake and be able to work on it, but anyone who is so inclined, wouldn’t want an old girl’s middleweight cruiser. It is a nice emerald green, though!
Good stuff, Pete!
If you have any interest in a mostly-original 1991 KHS Montaña Comp (in the blue and pink racing livery) hmu in Discord 😀
I know some of the words Peter used.
(pssst… Well written Peter, oddly enough one of the things that stood out the most to me was consistently putting the relevant image directly above the paragraph talking about it. Many times here I don’t know if the text is referring to the image above or below it, and sometimes it changes mid-article. Maybe others disagree on this style choice or even having a suggested guideline, but I find it both more flowing and engaging.)
Wow, this post struck a chord with me both as a lifelong bicycle lover, and someone who JUSTMISSED buying a 1997 pastel yellow Boxster on FBM about a year ago.
Pete: Let me be the first to say “Yes” to some Biketopia content, especially of the 80’s / 90’s heyday (or at least I think it was, as so much changed over those two decades). My current project: resto-modding a 1994 GT Arette hybrid. I had previously found a unicorn 1993 Timberline in great condition that I cleaned up and updated, but I feel for the type of around town riding, the 700c wheels are a better fit. So, yes, I’d love to hear more from you.
Thomas: Enjoy that Boxster! Too many are silver or black or red. I was the second person to reach out to the seller, and of course, the other guy/gal bought it. About 60k miles, 2-owners, no accidents, and service records, about an hour from my house…..and pastel yellow…..that will always be the one that got away!
How much did the bike cost after all the mods you did?
Shhhhhhh
Like that collection, Mark! I recently acquired the new maroon version of the XJ6 coupe, and I can’t decide which of them to display as the more quintessential version of that car. I’m leaning towards the maroon, b/c I prefer its more age-appropriate styled wheels.