Rack build for Routens
09-28-19, 04:57 PM
#26
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And a couple more, maybe for inspiration.
Last edited by merziac; 09-28-19 at 06:31 PM.
09-28-19, 06:19 PM
#27
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09-28-19, 06:30 PM
#28
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I know, I know, we'll have to talk about it.
09-29-19, 06:47 PM
#29
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Fascinating Merz racks, @merziac.
A little more progress today. I decided to start on the front rack(s). I built the bottom portion to be bolted on when using panniers. This will be meant for small/medium sized panniers. I also built the tombstone for the top rack. I brazed on some spacers to offset the rack mounts from the brake mounts to leave room for the MAFAC GT's unique quick release.. I am going to continue working on the platform and struts to the fork braze-ons tonight, and then eventually I will make a mechanism for the bottom rack to bolt to the top rack. And then pivot back to finish up the rear rack. I ran out of tubing and had to order some more.
Brazing the mounts and spacers to the tombstone:
Test fit on the brake bosses:
Clearance for the quick release:
The bottom section for panniers:
A little more progress today. I decided to start on the front rack(s). I built the bottom portion to be bolted on when using panniers. This will be meant for small/medium sized panniers. I also built the tombstone for the top rack. I brazed on some spacers to offset the rack mounts from the brake mounts to leave room for the MAFAC GT's unique quick release.. I am going to continue working on the platform and struts to the fork braze-ons tonight, and then eventually I will make a mechanism for the bottom rack to bolt to the top rack. And then pivot back to finish up the rear rack. I ran out of tubing and had to order some more.
Brazing the mounts and spacers to the tombstone:
Test fit on the brake bosses:
Clearance for the quick release:
The bottom section for panniers:
09-29-19, 07:00 PM
#30
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Amazing craftsmanship! These racks will make this bike a “one of a kind” beauty
10-15-19, 06:34 PM
#31
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I've been late on my promise to @ToniH. to finish the racks this past weekend, but I'm getting near the end. Soon it will just need finish work.
I ended up going a different direction with the front rack. If Toni wants to have a randonneur bag up top then the panniers will need to be lower for clearance. So I made low-rider attachments that can be removed from the top rack. Just a few more sets of fillets to lay.
I ended up going a different direction with the front rack. If Toni wants to have a randonneur bag up top then the panniers will need to be lower for clearance. So I made low-rider attachments that can be removed from the top rack. Just a few more sets of fillets to lay.
10-15-19, 08:44 PM
#32
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And brazing is done for the front rack. Next is clean-up, finish the rear, and ship it.
The low-riders attach to the front of the top rack via a braze-on, which can also be used to mount a light and fender support.
The low-riders attach to the front of the top rack via a braze-on, which can also be used to mount a light and fender support.
Last edited by TenGrainBread; 10-15-19 at 09:12 PM.
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10-15-19, 09:03 PM
#34
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That is some fantastic craftsmanship, and an imaginative way to incorporate a separate set of lowriders. Beautiful job!
DD
DD
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10-15-19, 09:34 PM
#35
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Most excellent!
10-15-19, 09:59 PM
#36
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wow 
who needs nitto?
who needs nitto?
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10-22-19, 07:42 PM
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Brazing is complete on the ensemble. Filing, sanding, and media blasting tomorrow. I'll give it a satin finish. If @ToniH. wants them mirror-polished he can do that himself 
Hopefully should have these and frame packed up for Toni by the weekend! I'll get an on-the-frame pic after finishing work is complete.
Hopefully should have these and frame packed up for Toni by the weekend! I'll get an on-the-frame pic after finishing work is complete.
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10-22-19, 08:00 PM
#40
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Brazing is complete on the ensemble. Filing, sanding, and media blasting tomorrow. I'll give it a satin finish. If @ToniH. wants them mirror-polished he can do that himself Hopefully should have these and frame packed up for Toni by the weekend! I'll get an on-the-frame pic after finishing work is complete.
Hopefully should have these and frame packed up for Toni by the weekend! I'll get an on-the-frame pic after finishing work is complete.
10-23-19, 11:55 AM
#42
Senior Member
Wow. That is awesome. Great design and execution. I wonder how a bike with these front and rear low riders will handle? Rear load needs to go pretty far back to get heel clearance.
Can't wait to see a pic of these on the bike. Please post another pic when they are bead blasted.
I see what you did there. Polishing to a mirror shine isn't that difficult, but it is tedious and time consuming -- plus it takes forever and a long time, especially with stainless.
These racks will look nice with either satin or high polish IMHO. What I realized with my Nitto racks is that satin matches anodized aluminum parts well. High polish OTOH would be more traditionally French.
Can't wait to see a pic of these on the bike. Please post another pic when they are bead blasted.
I'll give it a satin finish. If @ToniH. wants them mirror-polished he can do that himself
I see what you did there. Polishing to a mirror shine isn't that difficult, but it is tedious and time consuming -- plus it takes forever and a long time, especially with stainless.
These racks will look nice with either satin or high polish IMHO. What I realized with my Nitto racks is that satin matches anodized aluminum parts well. High polish OTOH would be more traditionally French.
10-28-19, 03:00 AM
#43
Newbie
These turned up amazing! Can't wait to get the frame and build her up. I have been speculating the parts and have pretty much all I need. Just trying to decide if I should go with a son dynamo or try to find a period correct bottom bracket dynamo. 
10-28-19, 12:33 PM
#44
Senior Member
Regardless, I really can't wait to see this bike put together. It's going to be fantastic!
