Classic & Vintage - All Finished - Inaugural Ride

I have finally finished the Christmas bike for my friend Jessica so I decided to take it out for a quick spin:

Safety First!!! This is a night ride so I mounted some temporary lights:
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This outfit keeps me warm....and gives an artificial impression of toughness
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Pre-Ride photo (non drive side...sorry)

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5 quick miles later.... I think she will probably want a kickstand:
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The ride went well, the bike shifted to all gears and the shifts felt crisp. The bike itself felt solid and very smooth from replacing all the bearings. The freewheel was super silent, I flushed it, then soaked it in med weight oil (I think it was USAZorro's suggestion in the archives) The brakes were dissapointing, they worked but they felt soft.

All in all I would say it was a great first ride, aside from squishing my 6ft body onto that bike. I would dare to say the bike even felt some what fast...at least compared to my schwinn. I will make some final adjustments and take some better photos during the day. One other odd note on the bike: the front tire has a Schraeder valve and the back has a presta... it's what I had laying around but I am going to change it.

-Matt

Wow. That bicycle looks like it's new.

Need a kickstand? I have a few.

Thanks, Ive got a few old ones that I should clean up and slap on, it's just a matter of actually doing it ya know.

Cool bike
BTW, when you go to the liquor store and they hand you a bag of money, can we split it?

nice looking bike, lucky friend.

Had nice fall weather today, I messed with the brakes a little and took it back out for some proper pictures. This was my first time to wrap bars....so the results are less than professional, I will get it eventually.

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Some more:

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This pic looks like the tire is rubbing the chainstay, I double checked and it is just an illusion.
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The paint is in great shape:
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Taking the corner (I admit tilting the camera on this one)
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3274/3068316491_5c5287b7ac_o.jpg

Thats it hopefully. All I have to do is slap a bow on it and drop it off for Christmas.

-Matt

It's fun to fix up an old bike and give it to someone you like, isn't it?

The nice part is being able to spend the money and not feel guilty. This is for my wife's best friend, my wife came up with the idea since I had the bike wasn't sure what to do with it. I was going to fix it and send it to my sister in Columbus. It does work though, the recipient likes the color purple, and Janis Joplin (model name is Joplin) sooo..... perfect fit I guess. RobbieTunes is repairing bikes for needy children, now that is the real good doing!

Matt

Nicely done. I am sure that your friend will be very happy to have the bike to ride.

. RobbieTunes is repairing bikes for needy children, now that is the real good doing!

yeah he's a real good dude.

BTW just noticed the mirror frame, nice

yeah he's a real good dude.

BTW just noticed the mirror frame, nice

The mirror came from Ikea a few years back. I wondered if anyone would notice.

Very pretty, indeed. *not a constructive statement, I know.*

I noticed the lugs on the head tube and fork have outlines that are faded. If you want to redo them, you could get a gold paint pen from a craft store that makes the job really easy. Nice job on the bike, I think she will be very happy.

nicely done , very nice looking bike , good pictures as well .
Cheers m8
T

wa this bike ever ridden befor you got it? It looks brand new.

I'm suddenly all into purple. It's a well preserved and presented bike. Nicely done.

wa this bike ever ridden befor you got it? It looks brand new.

Thanks! Here are a couple bits before cleaning:

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And one of the fork pre-oxalic acid

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3250/3074173559_725d306f7f_o.jpg

WOW.

I'm sold on this oxalic acid.

I don't think I'm ever going to do the steel wool bit again...

I have been an Oxalic Acid convert for a while now and show no signs of backsliding. The stuff is great!

Sweet Jebus those fork lowers came out well.

As the fellow from the Central Coast said, I'm sold as well.