Monday, April 20, 2009
Saturday, April 18, 2009
FRANKENBIKE, JEHOVAHS WITNESS'S and NUDITY
Frankenbike-unfortunately I did not think of this name but it is applicable to my latest endeavor.
First the definition:
Frankenbike-a bicycle assembled from various parts one has lying around or parts gotten from friends, the more mismatched the better.
My latest endeavor involves using a Santa Cruz Chameleon frame and building it up as a 69er, 26" rear wheel 29 " rear. Thought of calling it a 96er but 69er just sounds more fun. I have been working on this for a couple of months. Scrounging through the garage looking for parts. Looking through my garage for parts is kinda like a scavenger hunt. I know some of you may not believe this but I am not the most organized person in the world. I do plan on cleaning and organizing the garage eventually, just haven't gotten to it yet. It does get a little embarassing each time they have a missing person report the Sheriff always wants to check my garage, not that is that big but it is in such disarray someone not familier could possibly become lost.
Back to the Frankenbike. I have almost gotten it fully assembled. I still need 2 grips (preferably mismatched) and I need a front brake adapter. I did find a set of cranks, well not a matched set one black one sliver, not sure how I ended up with 2 different crank arms. I do recall on a previous Frankenbike I put 2 crank arms on and one was 172.5 and one was 175. I thought one of my legs was shrinking until i figured out my error. A few finishing touches and the Frankenbike will be ready to ride.
This is not the first Frankenbike I have built. I have built several cyclocross Frankenbikes. My first endeavor in this area involved converting a Litespeed Classic road bike to a SS cyclocross bike. This was quite an endeavor. The Litespeed does not have horizontal dropouts, so I had to experiment with different sprocket combinations to get the correct chain length so I would not have to use a chain tensioner. Once I had this I was ready to race. I raced this Frankenbike at the MSG cross series and crashed 3x the first lap. The bike worked well but the road geometry was not what I was used to on a cross bike. Not wanting to cause myself bodily harm I shelved this Frankenbike.
The next was a semi Frankenbike. I bought a Surly Cross check frame and assembled a SS cross bike from parts I had in the garage. This worked well but was not without its nuances, ie it would occasionally throw the chain. I lent it to a friend for a cross race and it threw the chain 3 x the first lap. Being a good sport and somewhat familiar with the peculuarities of a Frankenbike she did not seem too upset. I did eventually work the bugs out of this Frankenbike and still use it to race and train on.
I will have the latest Frankenbike assenbled and ready for the maiden voyage next week.
On to the next subject:
!!!!!!!!!Read at own Risk!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Not sure how to start this one but here goes.
I had just completed a 6 hour ride and had come home hopped in the shower got out toweled off and realized my compression socks were in the truck. Those of you that have been to my house know that it is quite secluded with no neighbors.
Not wanting to get dressed without first putting the compression socks on which were in the truck I decided to go out "all natural" to get them.
I got to the truck got the socks and was on my way back to the house and up drove a car with what I am sure were some Jehovah's Witness. I do not mean to stereotype but based on their attire I feel pretty certain of their religious affiliation. Anyway there I was naked as a j-bird in the middle of the drive. Wished you could have seen it...the JW's that is not me.Honestly I think I look pretty good naked but I am not sure these people shared my perspective, although I do believe I heard the lady say HALLELLUAH!!! as they drove off.
That was my weekend, spent building Frankenbikes and running around the yard naked.
Have good week
Oh yeah I have pictures
OF THE FRANKENBIKE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
First the definition:
Frankenbike-a bicycle assembled from various parts one has lying around or parts gotten from friends, the more mismatched the better.
My latest endeavor involves using a Santa Cruz Chameleon frame and building it up as a 69er, 26" rear wheel 29 " rear. Thought of calling it a 96er but 69er just sounds more fun. I have been working on this for a couple of months. Scrounging through the garage looking for parts. Looking through my garage for parts is kinda like a scavenger hunt. I know some of you may not believe this but I am not the most organized person in the world. I do plan on cleaning and organizing the garage eventually, just haven't gotten to it yet. It does get a little embarassing each time they have a missing person report the Sheriff always wants to check my garage, not that is that big but it is in such disarray someone not familier could possibly become lost.
Back to the Frankenbike. I have almost gotten it fully assembled. I still need 2 grips (preferably mismatched) and I need a front brake adapter. I did find a set of cranks, well not a matched set one black one sliver, not sure how I ended up with 2 different crank arms. I do recall on a previous Frankenbike I put 2 crank arms on and one was 172.5 and one was 175. I thought one of my legs was shrinking until i figured out my error. A few finishing touches and the Frankenbike will be ready to ride.
This is not the first Frankenbike I have built. I have built several cyclocross Frankenbikes. My first endeavor in this area involved converting a Litespeed Classic road bike to a SS cyclocross bike. This was quite an endeavor. The Litespeed does not have horizontal dropouts, so I had to experiment with different sprocket combinations to get the correct chain length so I would not have to use a chain tensioner. Once I had this I was ready to race. I raced this Frankenbike at the MSG cross series and crashed 3x the first lap. The bike worked well but the road geometry was not what I was used to on a cross bike. Not wanting to cause myself bodily harm I shelved this Frankenbike.
The next was a semi Frankenbike. I bought a Surly Cross check frame and assembled a SS cross bike from parts I had in the garage. This worked well but was not without its nuances, ie it would occasionally throw the chain. I lent it to a friend for a cross race and it threw the chain 3 x the first lap. Being a good sport and somewhat familiar with the peculuarities of a Frankenbike she did not seem too upset. I did eventually work the bugs out of this Frankenbike and still use it to race and train on.
I will have the latest Frankenbike assenbled and ready for the maiden voyage next week.
On to the next subject:
!!!!!!!!!Read at own Risk!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Not sure how to start this one but here goes.
I had just completed a 6 hour ride and had come home hopped in the shower got out toweled off and realized my compression socks were in the truck. Those of you that have been to my house know that it is quite secluded with no neighbors.
Not wanting to get dressed without first putting the compression socks on which were in the truck I decided to go out "all natural" to get them.
I got to the truck got the socks and was on my way back to the house and up drove a car with what I am sure were some Jehovah's Witness. I do not mean to stereotype but based on their attire I feel pretty certain of their religious affiliation. Anyway there I was naked as a j-bird in the middle of the drive. Wished you could have seen it...the JW's that is not me.Honestly I think I look pretty good naked but I am not sure these people shared my perspective, although I do believe I heard the lady say HALLELLUAH!!! as they drove off.
That was my weekend, spent building Frankenbikes and running around the yard naked.
Have good week
Oh yeah I have pictures
OF THE FRANKENBIKE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Sunday, April 12, 2009
Easter Weekend
A quick blurb:
Good weekend, planted potatoes, 2 long bike rides. Easter sunrise service at the top of Chimney Rock Park....Flashback........I kept looking for someone to pass us on the way to the top!!
More later, I hope everyone has a great week.
Good weekend, planted potatoes, 2 long bike rides. Easter sunrise service at the top of Chimney Rock Park....Flashback........I kept looking for someone to pass us on the way to the top!!
More later, I hope everyone has a great week.
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