Cheap & Cheerful: my "Ronnie Hearse"
08-09-15, 03:51 PM
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Cheap & Cheerful: my "Ronnie Hearse"
Finally got around to building up my chrome frame. It's not a high end piece; mid-range Falcon or Carlton at best. And one or more of the previous owners had been fooling around with it, so it took some wrenching, hammering and filing to get it back into shape.
I didn't feel like spending much time and money on it before knowing how it rode, so I scavenged the bottom layer of the parts bin for useful bits and this is the result: an ode to the unloved. Shimano Altus and Tourney and some cheap French stuff I can't even name.
I did a first shakedown ride this afternoon, and it is not as bad as I expected. It does feel rather heavy and sluggish, but I guess that was to be expected. The headset feels smooth on the work stand but a little sticky on the road. I need to look into that.
I didn't feel like spending much time and money on it before knowing how it rode, so I scavenged the bottom layer of the parts bin for useful bits and this is the result: an ode to the unloved. Shimano Altus and Tourney and some cheap French stuff I can't even name.
I did a first shakedown ride this afternoon, and it is not as bad as I expected. It does feel rather heavy and sluggish, but I guess that was to be expected. The headset feels smooth on the work stand but a little sticky on the road. I need to look into that.
Last edited by non-fixie; 12-15-19 at 04:44 AM. Reason: restored broken links to pics
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08-09-15, 04:29 PM
#2
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Cheap parts as you say, that frame is lovely ! Did not know any of those models came chrome. Was it stripped of paint by a PO ?
Luck with the indexing problem in the HS. Are the bearings caged or single ?
That's a nice looking ride.
Luck with the indexing problem in the HS. Are the bearings caged or single ?
That's a nice looking ride.
08-09-15, 04:51 PM
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Thanks! The cheap parts work very well. The Altus derailleurs actually shift nicer than any NR I own and the Tourney brakes feel very solid and their stopping power is quite good.
I think the frame was painted originally. There's some blue paint visible inside the seat tube:
Funny thing about the headset: it isn't indexed. Just a bit slow, only noticeable when I ride with no hands - about the first test I do on any bike. I haven't taken it apart yet, but will do, now I feel it's worth the effort.
I think the frame was painted originally. There's some blue paint visible inside the seat tube:
Funny thing about the headset: it isn't indexed. Just a bit slow, only noticeable when I ride with no hands - about the first test I do on any bike. I haven't taken it apart yet, but will do, now I feel it's worth the effort.
Last edited by non-fixie; 12-15-19 at 04:37 AM. Reason: restored broken link to pic
08-09-15, 05:13 PM
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Budget build or not, I'd be happy to ride it (if it fit).
I like the red bar tape, toe strap combo, too.
I like the red bar tape, toe strap combo, too.
Last edited by cb400bill; 08-09-15 at 05:24 PM.
08-09-15, 07:41 PM
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Chrome just makes everything else that much better.
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● 1971 Grandis SL ● 1972 Lambert Grand Prix frankenbike ● 1972 Raleigh Super Course fixie ● 1973 Nishiki Semi-Pro ● 1979 Motobecane Grand Jubile ●1980 Apollo "Legnano" ● 1984 Peugeot Vagabond ● 1985 Shogun Prairie Breaker ● 1986 Merckx Super Corsa ● 1987 Schwinn Tempo ● 1988 Schwinn Voyageur ● 1989 Bottechia Team ADR replica ● 1990 Cannondale ST600 ● 1993 Technium RT600 ● 1996 Kona Lava Dome ●
08-09-15, 08:15 PM
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@non-fixie Really nice lugs! That might be the nicest non high end bike I ever saw. I'd be proud of it!
08-09-15, 09:46 PM
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That seat stay cluster reminds me of a Carlton "Catalina" I owned several years back. Nice looking bike...
08-10-15, 02:00 AM
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Thanks for the kind remarks.
I would have liked one size bigger for the ultimate French fit, but beggars can't be choosers. It's the only fully chromed frame I've come across in the past five years.
It's easy to go overboard on the color co-ordination thing. I thought long about red cable housing too, but decided against it in the end. Too matchy-matchy, y'know.
I've tried to crowd source the origins of the frame, both here and there, but there's no definitive answer yet. I'm leaning towards Falcon, as the holes for the headbadge match those.
Next step will be some fine-tuning to the front brake (it doesn't center properly yet), replace the saddle (does such a thing as petrified leather exist?) and see what's what with the headset.
After that, a longish summer evening maiden trip awaits.
It's easy to go overboard on the color co-ordination thing. I thought long about red cable housing too, but decided against it in the end. Too matchy-matchy, y'know.
Next step will be some fine-tuning to the front brake (it doesn't center properly yet), replace the saddle (does such a thing as petrified leather exist?) and see what's what with the headset.
After that, a longish summer evening maiden trip awaits.
08-10-15, 10:41 AM
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I really like the "look" of this one.
I can't take on projects right now, but this would be difficult to pass on.
It would be such a winner set up as a "lakes" bike.
Might be fun on a local brewery tour as well.
Certainly flashy enough.
I can't take on projects right now, but this would be difficult to pass on.
It would be such a winner set up as a "lakes" bike.
Might be fun on a local brewery tour as well.
Certainly flashy enough.
08-10-15, 11:02 AM
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Great looking Hearse!!
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08-10-15, 11:12 AM
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atta way to do it. lovely build on the cheap. thanks so much for sharing this, its awesome
08-10-15, 11:27 AM
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Beautiful. Personally, I think I love the look of all chrome with fenders better than anything.
08-10-15, 12:29 PM
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I'll be happy to oblige.
08-10-15, 12:33 PM
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Yeah, it's the chrome that kinda gets to you, isn't it? If it had been painted I most probably wouldn't have bothered. And yes, at 28 pounds (as pictured, with a very light wheel set) it is definitely a flatland bike.
08-10-15, 12:38 PM
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Yes, for looks it needs those fenders. But they do remind me of why I stopped using metal fenders, and came to love Bluemels. It's almost impossible to get them not to rattle on cobbled roads. I tightened everything twice, and checked again, but even then ...
08-10-15, 12:49 PM
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Most of the urban riding is as flat as a pancake.
Hills don't happen unless you are running in and out of the river valleys.
I might be tempted to put some straight bars on your bike.
That and a nice rando bag........
Are those Paselas btw?
08-10-15, 01:04 PM
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That would be just about perfect for the Twin Cities.
Most of the urban riding is as flat as a pancake.
Hills don't happen unless you are running in and out of the river valleys.
I might be tempted to put some straight bars on your bike.
That and a nice rando bag........
Are those Paselas btw?
Most of the urban riding is as flat as a pancake.
Hills don't happen unless you are running in and out of the river valleys.
I might be tempted to put some straight bars on your bike.
That and a nice rando bag........
Are those Paselas btw?
Yes, they're 28mm Paselas, TG folding, to be exact. I've got them on three bikes, and just ordered another two pairs. Not cheap (not here anyway), but quite light and I haven't been able to flat a single one so far.
08-10-15, 02:53 PM
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To be sure, the bike looks great the way it is.
I like to tinker though and I was just thinking out loud on the straight bar idea.
However, I bet you would enjoy a bag on the front.
I like to tinker though and I was just thinking out loud on the straight bar idea.
However, I bet you would enjoy a bag on the front.
08-10-15, 03:56 PM
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. Yes, most of my Paselas came from M-gineering, ordered by my LBS, with the exception of a pair in 27", which I found at SJS Cycles.
08-10-15, 04:08 PM
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