Showing Off My Brompton (Update 7/28/14)
 

I've had my Brompton almost a year and I'm so pleased with it that I can't help showing it off:

http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=391298

What is that attached to the front bag mount?

It's a military surplus canvas-and-leather bag—a Romanian ammunition bag or something like that. I carry water bottles in it. I made an adapter block out of cherry to slide onto the stock Brompton front carrier block, then a brass rod contraption that goes into the cherry adapter and holds the bag in place.

http://www.bikeforums.net/attachment...p;d=1404569371

that's looks awesome! can we see some better pics of that? http://a.tbcdn.cn/sys/wangwang/smiley/48x48/16.gif

Nothing wrong with showing off a Brompton!

http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b3...psbeef535d.jpg

http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b3...ps047efee7.jpg

http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b3...psfad1b8ca.jpg

dats breddy ghoul, mang.

actually, the whole ensemble has a very steampunky vibe.

the mounting block itself looks like something out of Tesla's workshop or a Lovecraftian votive object for summoning the Old Ones.

awesome stuff.

thanks for sharing.

you've inspired me.

http://static.neatorama.com/images/2...-lovecraft.jpg

Why is the wood block so thick?

very nice :-) cool bag attachment!

Oh, over-engineering on my part, basically.

A fair amount of wood needed to be removed to slip the wood block onto the bag mount, and I didn't want the holes for the brass rods to be too close to the mount slot, so I erred on the side of caution with a thick block of wood. I was worried about the amount of torque applied given a couple of water bottles in the bag and a rough road.

I'm sure it's thicker than it really needs to be.

Thanks, I like it.

Oh you show-off! :thumb:

Oooooh, this is very nice. I've been meaning to make an attachment for my Brompton, and it does look like this is the way to go. Perfect for hanging my backpack by the shoulder straps :)

Love the olive drab color. Is that a hand grenade I see hanging from the handlebars?

Unfortunately, no.

It's a bluetooth speaker.

The olive drab color is Brompton's Raw Lacquer.

Wow, now this is something your don't see everyday! Now I know why you fave coppery colour.

Love the front bag mount.

Nice set up.

Looks like you are having fun allenbogey - that's what it's all about. Nice bike!

I've made some changes to my Brompton.

First, to my surprise the front bag almost shook loose from it's mount at high speed over rough road. I modified the front brass mount:

http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b3...ps5a5e0ed4.jpg

Now I don't think the bag will come loose:

http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b3...pse88737fb.jpg

Next, although I really like my original rear bag, I came across another military surplus bag on Etsy that perfectly matches the front bag:

http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b3...ps83c8f3ee.jpg

So here is the current configuration (the colors might be a little off due to the indoor lighting):

http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b3...psd313e997.jpg

Also, you can see a new toolkit that I mounted on the rear (which is facing forward on the bike) of the back bag. A good thing, too, because I had my first Brompton flat in New Orleans on my last trip.

that's awesome! i love the look of the whole ensemble.

i've also been using those heavy-duty canvas and leather surplus bags for a long time. i think you may find that you need something to secure the bottom of the rear bag to your seat post to avoid the dreaded "bag flap" effect. i use a simple velcro strap.

http://cdn.mscdirect.com/global/imag...712820I-21.jpg

the one i use is yellow.

https://i.imgur.com/k0ckUJk.jpg

Thanks for the suggestion. I do feel the rear bag swaying when there's a fair amount of weight in it.

Gorgeous bikes. I love Bromptons. Need go ride my Brompton.

I like the steampunk vibe and appreciate the effort for the bag selections and mount.

I've indulged my Brompton again by replacing the OEM tension arm assembly and cogs with parts from BikeFun of Taiwan.

OEM:

http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b3...ps33ab9dba.jpg


BikeFun parts as received:

http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b3...psb4e68530.jpg


BikeFun parts as installed:

http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b3...psbdf5808e.jpg


The new parts are beautifully machined and finished, and I managed to convince myself that, being metal, they would have a much longer service life, especially for the cogs, than the plastic parts, so it wasn't ALL for the looks. I probably added some weight, but I'm not really concerned with weight.

Regarding BikeFun, although their parts are marvelous it can be slightly difficult to place an order. English is not their first language (and Tawianese is not mine), but their website is understandable and with care in emailing back and forth I was able to order/receive exactly what I wanted. The parts came with exactly zero installation instructions, but by taking photos of each disassembly step I was able to remove and install with no trouble. Better mechanics than me wouldn't need the precaution of photos.

Now I'm lusting after their chain guard, extendable easy wheel arm, and copper suspension. :twitchy:

I suppose the pulleys rolling on cartridge bearings is a gain.. metal pulley teeth bound to be a quite bit Louder..

My M3L got Tacx pulleys , nylon quieter than the stock Plastic or the metal ones on my touring bike..

Thats so nice. WOW! great bike bro

Thanks for posting the before and after because it really adds impact. It looks great, I am glad you treated yourself.

That's impressive!