Into the Deep...

When I set out on this project, I had two goals in mind: fix up and sell a working vintage bicycle to my Mum and gift another to Sam. Little did I know the rabbit hole I was about to tumble down into. The more I learned about the mechanics and the special nature of the shifting system, the more problems and challenges arose.

Are you kidding me?

When I recalled my days of a Graphic Design associate in Pearl, I realized the expense of changing and revamping the colors, adding logos, and coating the new job. I pressed on regardless hoping that my first attempt at refurbishing a bike would yield something I was proud to say I made. Well here we go!

First, I had to apply paint stripper which I bought in spray form. DO NOT GET THIS ON YOUR SKIN. I learned the hard way...a chemical burn is not the best way to start any project.

Get some long sleeves...

After letting the stripper sit for a day, most of the paint was easy to peel off. However, many of the sections with rust damage had to be sanded, so I ended up using rust stripper as lubricant for the sand paper.  I tested it out on the fenders and it worked really well, so I gathered them to be primed while I sprayed the frame. I used Rustoleum Painters Touch 2X Ultra Cover, in grey. The day dragged on...sanding, sanding, spraying, and sanding. Wanting to get this bike done before the bike ride Sam and I were going to have, I stayed up late to finish the stripping inside.

          

The primed fenders and chain guard on the night of sanding...

The next day I spent dunking anything metal into the rust bath which I still had from the first bike. I finished up any sanding and rust removal that needed to be done and then moved on to the next phase which was priming the frame while I tested the Liquitex Emerald Green I grabbed from Pearl Arts and Crafts.

Not a bike stand, but cinder blocks make a good painting rig with a clamp

After taping the important things (crank shaft, metal pieces, and head set with bars) and figuring out how to take off the cranks, I went on to priming. I sprayed 3 coats and waited around an hour a coat. I got some smooth and decent coverage, but I still needed to sand some areas to make sure there was no debris that peeled the paint. In my rush to get it finished, I really didn't clean the frame too well which led to some of the primer not sticking on the frame, making me work double. 

Now to the fun part!

The sun was setting and I was running low on time. I considered waiting until morning, but the hour gaps in between drying and painting time would have made it too close to our bike ride. I decided to get a head start and go for the first coat, letting it dry outside overnight. 

I use the term dry very loosely. More like it settled into a morass-like goop that did not dry and was very runny. Florida is funny that way, a crazy hot humid day leads to a brisk cold misty night. Awesome. Oh and Liquitex is water based, so now the mist is diluting the paint. Well that is just splendid.

Oh, don't mind me, I'll be here tomorrow to give you more work!

With a terribly uneven first coat on, I spent the morning sanding the frame into a smooth-ish surface again. The second and third coats went on alright, but I had to sand between coats to keep the frame smooth. I taped and plastic bagged the whole frame except the center to give it a cool stripe.

Stripes make it go faster

I spent the time while the coats where drying by   detailing the now finished fenders and chain guards with details and more stripes... Obviously for more speed, or is it red that makes vehicles go fast? Not to mention pulling the metallic pieces out of the rust bath and polishing them, gonna get that glint on.

In the details

So as you can see, after 2 1/2 coats of satin clear finish, things went down alright. I wish I didn't rush this, but I was happy with the end result nonetheless. It is nice to see that my BFA in Illustration, my extensive graffiti knowledge, and my new found mastery of bicycles, has culminated into an excellent product.

If you got this far, thanks for reading! Also note that coming soon will be an update to this post, with the first ride of Sam's new whip! Let me know what you think, or just follow!

UPDATE!

 The first ride of Sam's new ride! Please like and subscribe! Until next time!

Death, Adventure, Cycling, and Chemicals

  Well I am no longer sick but here is what I did over the holiday season and recovery. Also, living in southern Florida has afforded me a wonderful year round cycling season, I have to admit I have never seen snow, and as of yet, have no plans to.

Underarmor and LEVIS Commuters jeans

Before I became deathly ill, (and yet not deathly enough to endear the sweet release of death). The better half and I, went to and explored the largest lake in Florida, Lake Okeechobee. 

finish what you started douche bag

  I don't really blame Death though, as every cyclist in Miami knows, if you make it to your destination riding a bike, you pretty much gave death the bird the whole way over. It honestly feels like a constant scene from "Final Destination" but you keep wiggling out of it, only making Death more determined. Every ride is like a metal song blasting into my soul, or a butt clenching potential shitstorm. Enough about bowels, onto the lake!

Sam being guided by the guardrail

  She decided to, one day, instruct me  to just drive into the northern part of the everglades, I continued to follow her directions and didn't ask too many questions. She didn't tell me where we were going until I saw the sign "Lake Okeechobee turn left", and couldn't help but notice, the whole drive up, how ill-marketed this lake is. I guess if we as a people visited this icon of Florida more often we would be far more concerned with the sugar cane plantations polluting our largest reservoir of fresh water. Eh, I guess we prefer our sugar like our politics, corrupted! 

The park around the lake

We found some state parks within the lake and hiked them, it was a bit on the late side, so not much wildlife. The trail was fun regardless and the setting sun against the reflecting lake was picturesque.  But we found a bunch of concerning things, a lot of trash and even some spent cartridges from a some rifles...  Didn't even know you could hunt here. We grew tired of walking, and headed back. All around it was a lovely day topped with amazing company. Then the holidays and this crazy cough/cold hit me, well after the New Year that is, Also I got a GoPro from my Mom and her family, now I can capture License plates in HD!

The best part of the party was editing it together

Did some tests and my first video utilizing the GoPro Hero3+, Really nice product and I hope to make some more upbeat videos with it. I know the whole "wow I almost died again!" can get old and worn, so I'll switch it up from time to time. But until I get that footage....

              There is no need to be upset

I also managed to purchase some vintage bikes from a good friend of mine, Matt. His family had a pair of 3 speed city bikes in his garage, little did I know the trouble I was getting myself into.

look at that trouble...

  That is what the inside of the rear wheel looks like. The thing has a freaking clutch, like a car or motorcycle does. Now I did a bit of research and it certainly looks more complicated than it is. I wanted to take apart the mechanism to clean and re-oil it. Now I am not so sure. Still I dipped all the rusted parts into rust removing solution and might repaint it. They both only need new cables and tires and for the most part are good to go.

she devil 

The hatchet is for camping... Promise.

This isn't even my final form

Still in the works is the second one which will be a whole hootenanny of a post, more DIY and steps I took, the red girl already is a getting a home so I am expediting  the process on her. While I was waiting on her parts to de-rust I turned my attention to a munch needed addition to Phil Jamis.

  A friend of mine sent me an awesomely beat up box all the way from the United Kingdom.

awesome, hope it wasn't fragile

Fenders for a racing bike! 

I have to admit I was a little skeptical of these guys, and until they are tested in Miami's monsoon like conditions I will remain skeptical. However they do look really cool. So while I was still sick and waiting for the rust to peel of the red bikes parts I installed these guys and took the time to re-wrap my bar tape!

 Phil Jamis with swaggy orange tape and sleek fenders

In all an interesting couple of weeks. With much work and much coughing i made it, more post to come, try subscribing or following! More to come!

Old garage, new opportunity

Helping an friend clear out a shed. Trying to rescue an old Motebacane.