Conversion project for girlfriend (pics)
 

Forewarning: Theres nothing exciting or awesome about this thread. Some people might be interested in seeing a photo journal of my project, and some might not.

I started with an early 80's Panasonic Sport 1000, which I picked up from craigslist for a decent price. The goal was to make a super-comfy singlespeed for my girlfriend, to be used as an every-day commuter and around-town bike.

Stripped the useless crap:
http://i298.photobucket.com/albums/m...g?t=1208620147

So this is what I'm working with:
http://i298.photobucket.com/albums/m...g?t=1208620320
http://i298.photobucket.com/albums/m...g?t=1208620342

Stripped off more useless crap:
http://i298.photobucket.com/albums/m...g?t=1208620367

Stripped some decals, added new wheelset (weinmann dp18 with formula hubs), and put on a new chain, resulting in a rideable singlespeed:
http://i298.photobucket.com/albums/m...g?t=1208620458

Swapped out the bars (generic north roads), saddle (brooks b-17 s), and brakes levers (generic):
http://i298.photobucket.com/albums/m...g?t=1208620511

Final product (at least for now):
http://i298.photobucket.com/albums/m...g?t=1208620545
http://i298.photobucket.com/albums/m...g?t=1208620560

I'll probably do a nice rattlecan job in May. I hope she likes it!

wow, nice job!

thanks!

reflectors are so useless

the bars seem to be at a weird angle, no? perhaps more horizontal?
also, if she's going to be sitting straight up, you may want to consider a similarly angled saddle.
also, is it possible that the brake levers might be at an uncomfortable angle? have her pay attention to this.
also: brooks is murder.
also: nice job.

she will love it!!! at least, she better...

sp00ki -- good call on both the saddle and bars. i'll probably have to make those adjustments to fit her.

zelah -- first, she probably wont ride ride much at night. second, i'm putting a blinky on just in case. third, those tires have reflective strips in the sidewalls. probably dont need cheapy plastic reflectors with all that.

Nice work! I recently did a similar project on a puegeot I found in the garbage. I was able to improve my chain line by loosing the small chain ring and putting the large ring in its place. I cant tell if that is an option on those cranks... Really nice job! She is going to be stoked!

Looks good! Reminds me of my wife's blue Centurion conversion, before I had it powdercoated orange:

http://i104.photobucket.com/albums/m...n/DSC00438.jpg

also, just a thought: they make these really cool bar end LEDs. i bought them for my gf when she rode moustache bars-- they were a great way to make sure she always had her LED with her.

(she rides risers now, but is experienced enough to keep her blinky with her whenever she's going to be out at night)

http://www.choppersus.com/store/prod...ghts-Red-Pair/

With that title, I thought the pics were going to be sekchual.:o

Wow thats really funny that you mentioned that. Your bike was the inspiration for this project. I saw it on the Townbike thread and bookmarked it immediately. She loved it too -- hence my project. Thanks!
edit - Does she run it as a fixed gear? Or a singlespeed with just one brake? If its the latter, does she feel comfortable with just one? I was thinking about taking off the back brake.


Sp00ki - thanks for the link. i'll check it out.

I'm impressed. Aesthetically, you have made huge improvements. I'd be curious what it weighs now compared to before.

i am so glad you made this thread i need to put together a similar bike for my girlfriend. you did a great job.

how much was your total conversion cost?

wow..u got the rack powder coated too? nice haha

lol that's awesome. I thought the resemblance was a bit of a coincidence. Yea, it's fixed - 42x16. I would definitely keep the rear brake on for freewheel, for safety's sake. What handgrips did you use? They seem to match the Brooks better than the Dimensions I used.

Awesome job! It needs a front basket real bad, though.

Some chrome Berthoud fenders would be sweet on that. I wouldn't mess with the paint.

That's a great looking conversion. I wish I would've known enough about bikes back when I bought my girlfriend her bike so I could've just made her a single speed for her. Instead, I just bought her a cruiser. She seems to like it though.


Nice job!

looks good. i hope this thread isn't like most other "conversion for my girlfriend" threads in which the girl doesn't actually want the bike and the guy forces his interests on her.

cause that bike is too nice to be kept in a living room 24/7.

++

Lookeeen snazzay

Cost was a bit high because I think I overpaid for the 80's road bike.
old bike - $100
wheelset/tubes/tires/freewheel/chain - $200 (Bells Bike Shop in philly hooked it up!)
Brooks saddle - $80
elkhide grips - $15
north road bars - $20
brake levers/cables - $20
TOTAL - $435 (about $100 over budget)

they are the elkhide grips from velo orange. highly recommended. they manufacture them to imitate brooks colors. just $15.

SHE LOVES IT! We just got back from a 10 mile ride, and she totally digs it. Its so much more comfortable than the crappy mountain bike I convinced her sell before I made this.

I agree. She doesn't. She wants to keep it light and snappy.

^ same as above

the only reason you got me in here was the promise of pics. also, i would raise up that seat, it looks absurdly uncomfortable, but generally, gj.

the reason the seat looks low is because the bars were at the wrong angle. sp00ki was totally right. the seat is actually at just the right height for a 5'3" girl. it works much better now with the bars more horizontal.