Author Topic: My bikes.  (Read 24538 times)

Offline bonneyman

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My bikes.
« on: October 08, 2018, 06:32:37 PM »
First up my "apocalypse bike". Meant to be tough, durable, minimalist.

Before and after.

Offline bonneyman

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Re: My bikes.
« Reply #1 on: October 08, 2018, 06:38:38 PM »
Here's a bike I built for my brother.

Offline bonneyman

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Re: My bikes.
« Reply #2 on: October 08, 2018, 06:40:16 PM »
Some other restorations I've done.

B4 and after.
« Last Edit: October 08, 2018, 06:42:42 PM by bonneyman »

Offline bonneyman

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Re: My bikes.
« Reply #3 on: October 08, 2018, 06:43:44 PM »
My current steed (a 2004 Schwinn built to my specs) and the wife's beach cruiser.
« Last Edit: October 08, 2018, 06:46:14 PM by bonneyman »

Offline bonneyman

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Re: My bikes.
« Reply #4 on: October 08, 2018, 06:50:13 PM »
Always wanted to do a pink bike. Young lady I sold it to was just ecstatic when she bought it!

Offline J.A.F.E.

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Re: My bikes.
« Reply #5 on: October 08, 2018, 07:09:41 PM »
You are really into this I see. Quite impressive. Do you ride a lot?
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Offline bmwrd0

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Re: My bikes.
« Reply #6 on: October 08, 2018, 07:16:30 PM »
Your brother must be very tall.

Most of what I work on, outside of house-related things, are bicycles. I will put up pics later.

Offline oldnslo

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Re: My bikes.
« Reply #7 on: October 08, 2018, 07:34:46 PM »
Arg...I miss the old "Bike Restoration" thread from the old site. That had some provenance in those posts and pics.

Offline strik9

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Re: My bikes.
« Reply #8 on: October 08, 2018, 07:53:26 PM »
My hopeless POS from hell's junkpile.  Always fixing something on it.

   Shown in pickup truck mode with the alu box so its a Ford?

Offline strik9

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Re: My bikes.
« Reply #9 on: October 08, 2018, 07:55:43 PM »
The cargo box is why it has utility value.  I can get a lot of stuff in there.

Offline oldnslo

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Re: My bikes.
« Reply #10 on: October 08, 2018, 08:55:03 PM »
My daily rider.

























Yes....I do own and ride this.....meebbbbeee....not daily tho. At least once a week.  ;)

Offline J.A.F.E.

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Re: My bikes.
« Reply #11 on: October 08, 2018, 09:41:49 PM »
Is that an original? What is the hardest part of riding the peddling or getting on/off?
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Offline bonneyman

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Re: My bikes.
« Reply #12 on: October 08, 2018, 10:03:57 PM »
My daily rider.

















Yes....I do own and ride this.....meebbbbeee....not daily tho. At least once a week.  ;)


Ouch! That hurts just looking at it!

But I have one that's similar. ;D
« Last Edit: October 08, 2018, 10:13:50 PM by bonneyman »

Offline bonneyman

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Re: My bikes.
« Reply #13 on: October 08, 2018, 10:06:33 PM »
Yeah Steve I used to ride alot. Since my crash 4 years ago I've been a bit gun shy.
For several years I'd drive up and down the alleys and pick up any bikes that people threw out. Took them home, repaired/restored, and then sold at the bi-annual bike swap meet in town. But the last 7-8 years the supply of discarded bikes dried up. And used parts became unobtainable for reasonable. So I gave it up.

And yes bmwrd my baby brother is like six 5.  :-\
He has a hard time finding frames that fit him, and basically commutes on his bike. So I've helped him out over the years when he wears them out.
« Last Edit: October 08, 2018, 10:16:17 PM by bonneyman »

Offline DeadNutz

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Re: My bikes.
« Reply #14 on: October 10, 2018, 06:12:19 PM »
Wow Bman those bars got tweaked pretty bad. Glad you made it through the crash. I wish you bike guys lived closer to me as I would give one of you this Schwinn Collegiate 3 speed that I got from a foreclosed house. Needs new tires and the shifter cable that is chain going into the rear hub got snagged and broke. Overall the bike is in pretty good shape. Anybody in the neighborhood can pick it up for free.

Offline bonneyman

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Re: My bikes.
« Reply #15 on: October 10, 2018, 09:24:16 PM »
Wow Bman those bars got tweaked pretty bad. Glad you made it through the crash. I wish you bike guys lived closer to me as I would give one of you this Schwinn Collegiate 3 speed that I got from a foreclosed house. Needs new tires and the shifter cable that is chain going into the rear hub got snagged and broke. Overall the bike is in pretty good shape. Anybody in the neighborhood can pick it up for free.

Thanks for the condolences. I was a bit banged up, walked to the nearest business to use their phone.

That Schwinn looks like a beaut. Too bad you're not close enough - I'd snag that in a heartbeat!
Gotta be careful, cause Schwinn's used odd tire sizes on alot of their bikes. And many of them are NLA.

Offline bmwrd0

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Re: My bikes.
« Reply #16 on: October 11, 2018, 09:56:05 AM »
Here is my main ride:

'75 Raleigh Super Course (almost as old as me, a '71). I am in the process of getting it ready for riding, as I had slowed down after my back surgery a few years ago. I also quit smoking at the same time and have gained about 50lbs. So, I am putting Shimano mechs on it, as it has Hurets. Not that there is anything wrong with the French stuff, but they are all sized for metric down tubes and the Raleigh has standard sized tubes. I am convinced this is why people have problems with the French components. I am also putting a new, taller stem on it to make it easier for me to ride. Along with new wider tires and fresh bar tape. An easy winters project.

Offline stokester

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Re: My bikes.
« Reply #17 on: October 11, 2018, 08:22:24 PM »
Here is my main ride:
'75 Raleigh Super Course (almost as old as me, a '71). I am in the process of getting it ready for riding, as I had slowed down after my back surgery a few years ago. I also quit smoking at the same time and have gained about 50lbs. So, I am putting Shimano mechs on it, as it has Hurets. Not that there is anything wrong with the French stuff, but they are all sized for metric down tubes and the Raleigh has standard sized tubes. I am convinced this is why people have problems with the French components. I am also putting a new, taller stem on it to make it easier for me to ride. Along with new wider tires and fresh bar tape. An easy winters project.
I've got a 1978 or so vintage Raleigh Record Ace hanging in the garage. 

My regular ride is a Jamis road or a Klein mountain bike.  Keeps me in shape for motorcycle riding  ;)
Nick
Yorktown, VA

Offline bonneyman

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Re: My bikes.
« Reply #18 on: October 12, 2018, 08:45:45 PM »
Here is my main ride:

'75 Raleigh Super Course (almost as old as me, a '71). I am in the process of getting it ready for riding, as I had slowed down after my back surgery a few years ago. I also quit smoking at the same time and have gained about 50lbs. So, I am putting Shimano mechs on it, as it has Hurets. Not that there is anything wrong with the French stuff, but they are all sized for metric down tubes and the Raleigh has standard sized tubes. I am convinced this is why people have problems with the French components. I am also putting a new, taller stem on it to make it easier for me to ride. Along with new wider tires and fresh bar tape. An easy winters project.

I love the old Huret parts. Around 1991(?) they got bought out by Sachs (a German bike parts maker). But they couldn't compete with Shimano, and eventually SRAM bought them. But SRAM didn't continue with the components.

Offline bonneyman

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Re: My bikes.
« Reply #19 on: October 13, 2018, 07:24:50 PM »
My hybrid - being a "mechanics special" - needed several McGyver fixes to get the non-standard parts to fit.

For instance, the bike is designed for (and manufactured with) cable guides to use a (from the) top pull front derailler. The old classic FD I wanted to use was a (from the) bottom pull design. How to get the cable from the top guide to "pull" from the bottom? I fashioned a cable guide out of an old 3-speed cable pulley and made my own attachment clamp. Cable pulls from the top, travels 180 degrees around the pulley, and ends up pulling the derailler from the bottom. Works like a champ, out of the way, and cool as heck!

Offline J.A.F.E.

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Re: My bikes.
« Reply #20 on: October 13, 2018, 08:08:55 PM »
Very clever.
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Offline muddy

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Re: My bikes.
« Reply #21 on: October 14, 2018, 08:39:02 PM »
I have not ridden a bicycle in a few years.

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Offline strik9

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Re: My bikes.
« Reply #22 on: October 14, 2018, 09:03:40 PM »
No problem Tim.  Pushing the plymouth back into the tall grass after major meltdowns is enough exersize when walking to work for a few weeks is figured in.

Offline oldnslo

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Re: My bikes.
« Reply #23 on: October 14, 2018, 10:19:02 PM »
My main ride, if you can call it that because the geared bike get action too.  She gets pushed 20 miles a day. 2012 Specialized Langster factory single speed. Upgraded with Campy brakes, and oval bars, shorter stem to suit me, and I have converted most of the bikes over to Conti Gatorskins.

Offline Lookin4_67GalaxieConv

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Re: My bikes.
« Reply #24 on: October 15, 2018, 09:59:21 AM »

Yes....I do own and ride this.....meebbbbeee....not daily tho. At least once a week.  ;)

Is this how you earned your screenname?  :))
boop/bop/beep

Offline oldnslo

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Re: My bikes.
« Reply #25 on: October 15, 2018, 12:25:36 PM »
Ha....no. I guess I adopted this from the sensation that realizing that I am no longer 30, or 40, or 50....makes me what my screen name conveys. In age, I am old, in my mind and actions, I am a young whippersnapper.

Hope that makes sense.  ;)

Offline muddy

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Re: My bikes.
« Reply #26 on: October 15, 2018, 09:01:43 PM »
No problem Tim.  Pushing the plymouth back into the tall grass after major meltdowns is enough exersize when walking to work for a few weeks is figured in.
:))


At 209,000 miles, It has to make 300,00 or complete catastrophic failure before I scrap it!

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Offline strik9

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Re: My bikes.
« Reply #27 on: October 15, 2018, 10:44:42 PM »

My boss has a 2.5 turbo in a K wagon with the auto trans.  He would love to sell it as he has to take the car off the road for lost papers.  alu rims too.   About 120 grand on that one.  Just broke in.

Offline bonneyman

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Re: My bikes.
« Reply #28 on: October 16, 2018, 02:52:42 PM »

Yes....I do own and ride this.....meebbbbeee....not daily tho. At least once a week.  ;)

Is this how you earned your screenname?  :))

Maybe his surname is Turtle?  :D

Offline oldnslo

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Re: My bikes.
« Reply #29 on: October 16, 2018, 06:01:41 PM »
My Raleigh "Professional" now with fully Campy, formerly straight from the factory with Weinmann calipers (blech!) and a Regina corncob rear cluster. The former goofball owner put Campy stickers all over it, but I just have not yet sprung for the repop stickers to do it justice. Brooks saddle, Shimano SPD-R pedals.

It gets a few miles put on it when I am in the mood for a retro-ride. Downtube shifting baby! Old skool style.


Offline muddy

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Re: My bikes.
« Reply #30 on: October 16, 2018, 07:09:32 PM »

My boss has a 2.5 turbo in a K wagon with the auto trans.  He would love to sell it as he has to take the car off the road for lost papers.  alu rims too.   About 120 grand on that one.  Just broke in.
No papers I don't think that would work to well. However a 2.5 turbo wagon would be fun lol

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Offline oldnslo

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Re: My bikes.
« Reply #31 on: November 19, 2018, 09:47:30 PM »
The most recent addition to the 2-wheeled stable. A 1965 Schwinn Varsity "Sprint". This model had the upgrades of a chrome seatpost, Sprint emblazoned leather saddle, Sprint derailleurs and crankset. Original vinyl grip tape, but new tires as of this week. Note the downtube shifters which were repositioned to the bar stem in a few years.  Yes sir....she weighs a ton too. 

Offline bonneyman

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Re: My bikes.
« Reply #32 on: November 20, 2018, 08:42:24 AM »
The most recent addition to the 2-wheeled stable. A 1965 Schwinn Varsity "Sprint". This model had the upgrades of a chrome seatpost, Sprint emblazoned leather saddle, Sprint derailleurs and crankset. Original vinyl grip tape, but new tires as of this week. Note the downtube shifters which were repositioned to the bar stem in a few years.  Yes sir....she weighs a ton too.

Are the tubes the Schwinn "electrowelded" ones? They do weigh a ton.

Back in the day Schwinn didn't just make their own frames - their made their own tubes! All they bought was steel plate. Their cut it into strips, beat them semicircular on a tapered mandrel, and then welded them together to make tubes. They then cut the tubes to length and welded those together to make frames. Basically indestructible, but oh so heavy. But back then they were into durability, and alot of weight didn't matter - it was exercise after all.

Must have been one heck of a day at the Schwinn factory with all that welding going on.  >:(

Offline J.A.F.E.

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Re: My bikes.
« Reply #33 on: November 20, 2018, 11:00:32 AM »
Schwinn was in the parlance vertically integrated. It made the bikes but it also made many of the parts that went into them. I think at one point they also controlled their own distribution. It's rare to find contemporary companies that vertically integrate anymore.

Just as a general question I have been considering getting a bike for exercise. How do you figure proper frame size? I'm 5'6" with about a 28" inseam.
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Offline oldnslo

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Re: My bikes.
« Reply #34 on: November 20, 2018, 04:21:56 PM »
If I may do a bit of inquiring......thanks for the height parameter.

Is this a road bike with drop bars, road bike with flat bars, or perhaps a mountain bike with a sloped top bar you are considering?

Based on the above, I can offer some guidelines. Bike fitting is part science, part art, but clearly centers on comfort.

Offline bonneyman

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Re: My bikes.
« Reply #35 on: November 20, 2018, 06:05:14 PM »
With top notch quality frames sizing is more of an art plus careful measurements and calculations. For most of us normal people the following rules of thumb are helpful.

#1) Straddle the bike in question. If it's a road bike you want at least a good inch between the top tube and the "boys". (A mountain bike you want more like 3-4 inches, but if the top tube is sloped then this becomes meaningless).

#2) For seat height on a road bike, put the pedal at the 5 o'clock position, and put you foot on it so the ball of your foot is centered on the pedal. Adjust the seat post until your leg is almost totally straight but just short of "locking" the knee. When the height is right, you should just be able to "lock" your knee by straightening out your leg with no strain or pain.
On a mountain bike you want the seat lower, and have 3-4 inches between your butt and the seat when your legs are straightened/slightly bent (for clearance when on rough terrain).

#3) Handle bars: (very subjective) With road racing bars, the top of the handlebar stem should be about an inch below the seat height. The stem extension should be so that when riding and looking down the middle of the handlebar the front axle should be blocked from view. The bar width should be your hands are in the normal place on the bars (on the brake hoods (road) or grips (MTB) when you arms are right at your sides.

These rules should get you in the ballpark about whether or not the bike you're considering is close to what you need.
« Last Edit: November 20, 2018, 06:06:52 PM by bonneyman »

Offline bonneyman

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Re: My bikes.
« Reply #36 on: November 20, 2018, 06:20:23 PM »
Steve, I have a copy of an older (1972) cycling book that was the standard of it's time, and there's a chapter on buying, what to look for, sizing, etc. If you want I can make a copy of that chapter and mail it to you, as it's been awhile since I've looked at it and I might have some of the advice misquoted.

Offline bmwrd0

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Re: My bikes.
« Reply #37 on: November 20, 2018, 06:32:03 PM »
Due to some physical issues, I prefer a frame that is a little smaller than what my height would suggest. I usually go for a 52cm size. If I remember correctly, they are sized from the center of the crank to the top of the top tube. Mountain bikes have shorter crank arms, so that is something to consider.

Road bike size chart
Rider height   Suggested frame size
Feet/Inches   Centimeters   Centimeters
5`3″-5`6″   160-168 cm   51-52-53 cm
5`6″-5`9″   168-175 cm   54-55 cm
5`9″-6`0″   175-183 cm   56-57-58 cm

Offline J.A.F.E.

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Re: My bikes.
« Reply #38 on: November 20, 2018, 08:15:32 PM »
If I may do a bit of inquiring......

Just goes to show how long it's been for me.

Probably a cruiser maybe a 10 speed.

Bonneyman that would be very helpful, thank you.

bmwrd0 thank you! I appreciate the chart. The crank arms being short is less a problem than the legs being a little short.
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Offline bonneyman

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Re: My bikes.
« Reply #39 on: November 20, 2018, 09:56:10 PM »

Bonneyman that would be very helpful, thank you.


OK, I will dig out the manual and get those pages copied for ya!

Offline J.A.F.E.

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Re: My bikes.
« Reply #40 on: November 21, 2018, 03:23:34 AM »
Thank you very much.  8)
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Offline Uncle Buck

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Re: My bikes.
« Reply #41 on: November 21, 2018, 09:46:32 AM »
Schwinn was in the parlance vertically integrated. It made the bikes but it also made many of the parts that went into them. I think at one point they also controlled their own distribution. It's rare to find contemporary companies that vertically integrate anymore.

Just as a general question I have been considering getting a bike for exercise. How do you figure proper frame size? I'm 5'6" with about a 28" inseam.

For some reason I always thought you were tall, like 6' 2" or taller!
You boys better hold on cause I'm gonna have to stand on it!

Offline bonneyman

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Re: My bikes.
« Reply #42 on: November 21, 2018, 10:07:27 AM »
Schwinn was in the parlance vertically integrated. It made the bikes but it also made many of the parts that went into them. I think at one point they also controlled their own distribution. It's rare to find contemporary companies that vertically integrate anymore.

Just as a general question I have been considering getting a bike for exercise. How do you figure proper frame size? I'm 5'6" with about a 28" inseam.

For some reason I always thought you were tall, like 6' 2" or taller!


Yeah, Steve "sounds" taller!  :))
« Last Edit: November 21, 2018, 10:13:03 AM by bonneyman »

Offline J.A.F.E.

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Re: My bikes.
« Reply #43 on: November 21, 2018, 10:40:49 AM »

For some reason I always thought you were tall, like 6' 2" or taller!

Nope must have me confused with some other extraterrestrial.
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Offline bonneyman

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Re: My bikes.
« Reply #44 on: November 21, 2018, 11:14:23 AM »

For some reason I always thought you were tall, like 6' 2" or taller!

Nope must have me confused with some other extraterrestrial.

Just took your stuff to the UPS store, Steve. He said it would go out with today's mail.

It is dated (just look at the photos!) but I think it's still usable. Hopefully it helps.

Offline J.A.F.E.

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Re: My bikes.
« Reply #45 on: November 21, 2018, 12:04:31 PM »
Thank you I really appreciate it.

Do you like the UPS store better than the PO?
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Offline bonneyman

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Re: My bikes.
« Reply #46 on: November 21, 2018, 01:04:35 PM »
Thank you I really appreciate it.

Do you like the UPS store better than the PO?

Only for big items. My local UPS store is run by a former customer, and we still get along great. So I throw him whatever business I can - I prefer to support small business. But on big or heavy items like tools his rates are just too high, so I go to the PO. Gotta stand in line most times, but, life is a series of compromises.