Hi folks. I havent been in here for ages. I used to have a few Raleigh Twentys and an RSW. Also a Concept folding bike. I was originally Alecw35. But changed for a while to Griftereck. As I forgot my login and this place wouldnt reset my pass word.
My life kind of fell apart. I gave away most of my stuff. And got thrown out of my house. But things are nearly ok now. Ive got a place. and a kitchen full of bikes.

Ive been modding an Apollo Wayfairer. Its like a Hercules Compact.


thats in on the day I got it from the big bike recycling place in town. I had a limited time to get about a mile or 2 down a hill beside a dual carraige way, on a path. riding with no brakes. everytime I felt I was going too fast. I rode on the grass. that killed the speed. I got to the bus stop. 3 minutes before the bus. I got out some bin bags and tape I had in my bag. wrapped the bike and got on the bus.

I got a suspension seat post. then filed out the seat tube to 25.4mm to fit it. I got a set of BMX alloy sidepull brakes new from ebay. But didnt intend to use the levers or black outer casing. I got time trial bar end brake levers. fitted them. got shiny red outer casing. taped up the bars with red bar tape. It takes a bit of getting used to. as when riding. I cant see the levers or cables.

I was going to use a twist grip on the stem. but I tried the trigger on the stem. Its easier to shift. I filed slots in the down tube and behind the bb, so the cables are running in the frame. Theres a bracket on the chainstay. I fitted a cable adjuster from a gyro cable from a wrecked bmx I found. the gear cable goes thru that.

I took all the stickers off it. waxed the frame. fitted mostly stainless fasteners.



thats it half way thru the build.

It had 20x 175 wheels. chrome steel rims, 28 spoke. I wanted alloys. I got a few wheels from the bike recycling place. Only 28 spoke they had was black anodised. so over christmas. I sanded it to silver alloy. heres it on its original front hub.



I rebuilt it onto the 3 speed hub by tapping the rim to the rusty rim and tranfering the spokes over. I brillo padded them. Could do with new spokes as they should be a bit shorter as the alloys got a deeper well.

That rim didnt match up with the alloy I had on the front. But I had got a front wheel from ebay for a Pound or 2. Its silver anodised. I sanded the streaky anodising off the rim sides. brillo padded the spokes and greased the bearings. Its a close match for the rear. tho not as shiny.

I took the bike to shake down the new wheels. ended up at the beach. Its a good going bike.



going to fit an alloy seat clamp, that came from the wrecked bmx. also make better light brackets out of stainless steel. Might get folding pedals and a bike bag.