Classic & Vintage - Falls together/hard sourced builds that ends up being purpose-built? what's yours?!

Lemme decode the title..

What's your build that put you scouring the internet for a specific part(s) for hours so you could end up with something built up for a few specific purposes (towing/dirt-trails/market runs/cargo/touring/etc)

Mine had me figuring out moustache bars + handlebar combos (kinda hard to source in Canada) and gearing ratios for my everyday bike that does tow-duty for a 25km road/paved/gravel trail combination that sees a couple climbs..

English good looks from a Brooks saddle paired to Japanese derived moustache bars on an Italian inspired frame brazed in Canada wearing Ambrosio rims on a re-used Shimano 105 6sp setup with an unusually short 34t/42t combination that seems to be working out really well for the posture/purpose of this bike... constantly hitched with another 50lbs off the back!! Strictly American/British-inspired handlebar bag from Acorn bags adorns the bars with rider-facing pockets that have become my most favourite part of the bike allowing access with one hand using turn-buckle latches. Wallet/Phone on the left with Keys/coins on the right. I forgot to take a pic showing just how well thought out this bag is when mounted. A re-purposed old canvas bag that has tools rolled into it hangs off the saddle. Stopping comes from 105 levers with white hoods down to 28c urban knobbies rated for 110psi underinflated to 40psi tasking an impressive job of hugging the smooth stuff and staying put and predictable over gravel/dirt/puddles and mud. (im one that pumps everything up to 110psi... so this is my first foray into anything < 50psi)
Velo-Orange fenders keep the dirt and gunk from getting kicked up anywhere important!

So, whats your build that had you searching and then it just fell together?

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-P0ABGF4OyOo/UDGqhT5dqpI/AAAAAAAAG2w/BNH2lLvQkmM/s861/photo+1.JPG

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-8z6dnV7Q-Hw/UDGqh2RSuKI/AAAAAAAAG2I/7OHCBnl6ugw/s800/photo+2.JPG

bigger:

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-8z6dnV7Q-Hw/UDGqh2RSuKI/AAAAAAAAG2I/7OHCBnl6ugw/s800/photo+2.JPG

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-P0ABGF4OyOo/UDGqhT5dqpI/AAAAAAAAG2w/BNH2lLvQkmM/s861/photo+1.JPG

Very nice Miele build, worth the effort.

Yeah, that Meile is really sweet. It deserves a thread dedicated to it.... but i'll take the bait.

My bike didn't so much as fall together, it has slowly morphed as my ideas for it became clearer. I knew that I wanted a bike that was built for function over aesthetics. A bike that would be ridden in all weather conditions and most terrain. I think it's nearly there now, maybe should have gotten wider tires. I use it to commute, pull a trailer and tackle hilly rides. I've got a nice assortment of panniers that can attach to the rack so I can carry nearly anything that I need.

It has super low gearing and is great for pulling a trailer over hills.
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8299/7784808868_29a57d448a_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/30894973@N04/7784808868/)
DSC06896 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/30894973@N04/7784808868/) by mkeller234 (http://www.flickr.com/people/30894973@N04/), on Flickr

mkeller, that thing is sweet!! thats exactly what I was going after - a clean road frame, with fenders a nice leather saddle and a tallish stem to bring the bars up.

I envy your gearing and even more so the trailer!!

A HUGE thank-you for everyone that gave me a few pointers here and there regarding the gearing/chainrings what was posted on tires, moustache bars (not too much on this one), velo-orange fenders, fenders in general and the over-load of info on brooks-saddles and most importantly the well-deserved posts regarding cycling-luggage and those wanting to help me obtain a handlebar bag from Acorn Bags!!

I can honestly say of all the bikes I built up, I learned the MOST from building this one.

It also made it the most rewarding!!

Makes me wonder if I would ever be satisfied with a store-bought or even boutique bought cycle.

Tips I learned:
1. the only handlebar bag that works with moustache bars is the Acorn handlebar bag
2. Brooks Champion Flyers should be punched and stitched at the skirts - they spread like mustard..
3. Using a cork to space the rear fender on the downtube side is a must if you want that tight fenderline, and a winebottle cork works best!
4. 6sp 105 is awesome stuff, from the brake and shift levers - I had some other shimano units but replacing them with 105 reminded me of how good 105 really used to be!! Aero brake levers work great even in the moustache configuration!!
5. 28c tires are great under-inflated to grab the loose stuff
6. great rides CAN be had on gravel paths and hard-pack!!!!

I was so close to taking up the suggestions of going towards a triple but didn't want to incur the cost of a long-cage rd and heavy crankset+rings.. It was hard to ditch a low-mileage and 100% working 6sp 105 drivetrain. I picked up a 34t chainring ($18 shipped, probikekit.com) for my 110bcd crank, then moved the 42t to the outside and voila - working perfectly under load!! i'll see if I ever need the 52t, but with my tiny rear cluster, i don't think i'll be looking at it...

I've been working out the niggles with the bike for things neglected, but recently put on 50kms between 2 days of constant pedalling and out went my bottom bracket and next-day, my pedals started going loose.

Pulled the old cup/cone bb and the drive-side bearing retainer was totally mashed, the cup was a touch loose and the otherside was ok - didn't matter, replaced with a budget UN-26.

The pedals were the Wellgo track units and I decided to take them apart, and low and behold, loose-ball!! yah!!, so i cleaned/regreased and adjusted both sides and im back in business!!

btw, anyone have a suggestion for clips and toe-overlap? a few times now I have contacted the fender attachment bolt on the front fender and if I could avoid that, it would be great!

nice bike trueno, most people on here don't realize how good miele's are in general.

If you're hitting the fender bolt, you might consider trying the Weigle hacks: Use a strong pair of thumbs to get the stay to follow the curve of the fender more closely; use two drawbolts, mounted in the fender flutes; move the cups to the inside of the fender; trim the excess bolt off to preserve tire clearance. One of the back issues of BQ has a photo essay on this, if you're a subscriber.

Not as pretty as the Miele and sourcing parts was not much more difficult than looking through the parts in my shop but when I decided to sell my Trek 7500 I decided that I needed another great all rounder so my Kuwahara Shasta went from being my 3 speed / dual drive IGH equipped winter bike to a geared 3 season bike.

Finding the XT wheels was really nice and have used vintage XT and Shimano parts that are pretty much period correct but of better quality than the original Exage 6 speed it came with 25 years ago.

It excels as a tow vehicle due to the lower gear range and custom Uniglide cassette I built up for the hub and is my daily driver which could tour just as easily as it commutes or tows my trailer.

http://www.ravingbikefiend.com/bikepics/2011kuwie18trailer1.JPG

It has been a little more work and cost me a little more to source out all the 600 tri colour and Ultegra for my Proctor to unify the groupo... it's purpose should be fairly obvious.

http://www.ravingbikefiend.com/bikepics/2012proctor600tri1.JPG