“The power of doing any thing with quickness is always much prized by the possessor, and often without any attention to the imperfection of the performance.” ― Jane Austen, Pride and Prejudice Wherein I take my time to remedy those things previously done hurriedly and imperfectly. Cleaning Up My Mess The particular silver I used …
“I’m green and it’ll do fine…It’s beautiful, and I think it’s what I want to be” ― Kermit the Frog, reflections on Bein’ Green The repair and resurrection of Road Pixie’s 2012 Summer Knight randonneuring bicycle. Background After nearly completing the 2015 edition of Paris-Brest-Paris (PBP), about 60km from the finish, Road Pixie was struck …
“…gang aft agley, an’ lea’e us nought but grief an’ pain, for promis’d joy!” ― Robert Burns, To a Mouse Wherein the first phase of the plan leads to both disappointment and delight. The frame was readied for travel to have it stripped of paint and rust, and to make the desired alterations. Preparation Before …
“The best laid schemes o’ Mice an’ Men…” ― Robert Burns, To a Mouse Wherein I complicate a project just for the fun of it. What is the source of fun? Obviously, any well-considered answer to the question, “What if…?” The Vision: 1984 Koga-Miyata Luxe The 1984 Koga-Miyata Luxe is a bicycle never produced, nor …
“Do not be in a hurry, the right [bicycle] will come at last.” ― Jane Austen, Pride and Prejudice Some of the best things in life arrive in boxes: bicycles, bicycle frames, bicycle parts, bicycle tubing, bicycle tools, bicycle accessories. Sometimes you can tell what is in the box by the size or the shape. …
A modest alteration from entry-level road racing bicycle to fun two-speed adventure bicycle. This 1988 Schwinn Prelude frameset was brought in for conversion to fit 650B x 40mm tires and cantilever brakes. The Schwinn Prelude was an entry-level racing bicycle of high quality, featuring double-butted Columbus Tenax tubing. The frame had its original paint and …
“I am excessively diverted.” ― Jane Austen, Pride and Prejudice A short diversion comparing and contrasting three Koga-Miyata production bicycles: the 1979 Koga-Miyata Pro Luxe, the 1979 Koga-Miyata Pro Racer, and the 1984 Koga-Miyata Pro Racer-S. These, plus more, are related to the anticipated arrival of my 1979 Koga-Miyata MXA frameset. “How?” you ask… 1979 Koga-Miyata …
“I do suspect that [this bicycle] is not really necessary to my happiness.” ― Jane Austen, Emma Alteration and renovation of a 1992 Bridgestone MB-1 mountain bicycle, adapted to fully embrace comfortable, long-distance riding on varied road surfaces, but still retaining its off-road capability. The frame was manufactured October of 1991 by Bridgestone, Japan, for …
“I cannot fix on the hour, or the spot, or the look or the words, which laid the foundation. It is too long ago. I was in the middle before I knew that I had begun.” ― Jane Austen, Pride and Prejudice The seeds of a vision had been planted more than forty years ago …
Restoration of a 1989 Bridgestone RB-1 road racing bicycle. The subject of the restoration was built around the 20,209th frame manufactured during October of 1988 by Bridgestone, Japan. The model year is 1989. Most of the parts are as originally equipped. Description The Bridgestone RB-1 was a mid-level road racing bicycle from Bridgestone, just after …
