I did a bad, bad thing.
 

Looks like I may have to sell off a bike or two :o

I went back to a bike shop to inquire about a Bob Jackson they had tucked away in the back three years ago. It's exactly my size, made of lugged Reynolds 853 tubing - a gorgeous white/blue fade. I now have it on lay-away (didn't have my camera with me, so no pictures yet). Not sure exactly what year it is, but obviously earlier than 2008.

It's set up with decidedly non-vintage components - at least to start.

Attaboy !

I'm sure you'll post pics at the very 1st opportunity!

I want in on the bidding for the Hetchins!

That isn't one of the bikes I'm contemplating selling.

Nice try though. :D

Eh, Zorro, you know everyone thinks you've been rear-ended by a cager on that thing. :p

-Kurt

Everyone except my best friends. :D

Just what makes that little old ant
Think he can move a rubber tree plant....

Hold the bus! Is that Bob Jackson that Merv has been sitting on in his warehouse for a while? That is one damn fine bike. I have pulled it down and fondled it a few times.

jim

I want in on the bidding for the Rene Herse!

If there is one to bid on, of course. :D

It's a great life if you just weaken enough to enjoy it.
Well done.

The only bad thing you did, USAZorro, was to leave that Bob Jackson for three long years at risk of being snagged by someone else! Good catch.

That's the one. :D

Despite the black stem, Vitus fork (I hope to grab the original one also), the aero rims, the Daytona 2x9 gruppo, and the black hubs, it's a really sharp bicycle. It somehow weighs about 22 pounds, but I think that by re-engineering the wheels (tubulars) I could bring it down a couple pounds.

No problem. Buy your wife one rose every few days until it's paid off. It'll be fine.

I've got those tubular wheels you need, Dan....

Sounds nice. Do you have any "weak" bikes that are the obvious ones out? I don't seem to remember any. My guess is the Fuji Finest may be on the chopping block?

I think it should be the Hetchins :innocent:

Actually, the Fuji is a keeper too. It sets up really nicely as the long distance bike. One of the two I have that's too large is definitely going up - parted out (since it's not set up as original anyway, and some of the parts will do much better separately than as a whole), and possibly the one that's a bit on the small side for me.

good for you! :-)

Thanks. Tubular rims, I have. Campagnolo 9 or 10 speed hubs... different story - for a different forum.

Here is the evidence.

I've only taken a very short ride, but I can tell this bike can climb, and is quite nimble. I know it's not C & V, but it is steel, and the frame is generally in the classic mold. Not crazy about the bar tape, but it's cork, and probably won't last much more than a year. The stem is fugly, but this set-up fits me perfectly, and it was like this on the floor of the shop. The wheels are hideous too, but I pretty much have to give them a chance. Flame suit is on. oh - and the pedals... just haven't switched them out yet.

http://lh4.ggpht.com/_jfJf3GdX2mQ/S9...0/P4230011.JPG

Let's try another picture. Things got horsed up when I tried more than one in the last post.

http://lh6.ggpht.com/_jfJf3GdX2mQ/S9...0/P4230016.JPG

http://lh4.ggpht.com/_jfJf3GdX2mQ/S9...2/P4230013.JPG

http://lh6.ggpht.com/_jfJf3GdX2mQ/S9...2/P4230014.JPG

Note the crimped tube. Pretty wild.

http://lh3.ggpht.com/_jfJf3GdX2mQ/S9...2/P4230017.JPG

Long Shen Arrowhead lugs, eh? Pretty stylish.

I considered building a frame with them, but the #405 variants w/o the Batman-style "wing" - still have the BB sitting around, just in case.

-Kurt

P.S.: You might want to see if you can find some different cable adjusters for the lower lug. With all due respect, I've seen that same hardware used as the brake caliper barrel adjusters Wal-Mart jobs, and I'm pretty sure they're galvanized (and rust prone).

looks great!

maybe the stickers can come off the wheels?

Thanks for the suggestions. Will definitely look into both those things.