Madame comes a calling

Another lost bicycle has come home to roost…

This lady is a late 70’s early 80’s Peugeot Gran Sport Mixte. My sister bought this bike around 1989 to use for college, I seem to recall having had a hand in it. It has been in storage since the mid 90’s apparently at one of my brothers’ houses. He is in the midst of a remodel and needed the room so “home” she came. I asked my sister if she wanted cleaned up or? But she is waiting on the AMF/Hercules, the feeling being it will better suit her needs at this point in time.

According to Retro Peugeot catalog archives the bikes is a U18E an “all weather touring 10 speed…for touring under all conditions.” But further research is proving otherwise.

Not sure what the future holds, it is a desirable Mixte frame in the large size (57cm) I am toying with the idea of a few upgrades and keeping it for Sunday afternoon pleasure rides…like I need another bike!

Aaron

Bits and Pieces

I did a few minor upgrades to my 1972 Raleigh Superbe as well as my bride’s 1971 Raleigh Colt.
Raleigh bikes built prior to around 1960 have nice durable steel parts, many of those had been replaced with less expensive plastic parts by the time our Raleighs were built in the early 1970’s.

The gentleman that heads up the ABCE has seen fit to provide some very nice reproduction parts. While at the 2009 ABCE I picked up the parts and just recently got around to installing them. You can see the difference in the worn and abused plastic pulley versus the steel one. It is going to provide many, many more years of trouble free riding. I also replaced the cable stop/ferrules on both bikes too.

Another one joins the “fold”

Sorry couldn’t resist

Found this out in the Stuff etc store in Coralville, IA. Too good a deal to pass up, even though I already had two other bikes with me.

It is a Rolling Rock beer promo bike. As best can be determined from the late 90’s. It was apparently made by Dahon, there is a single sticker on the downtube that says not to ride it until it has been properly serviced by a Dahon service agent. It has very low end equipment on it, but that doesn’t really matter it is slated for conversion to a folding city bike with IGH, coaster brake, fenders and lights.

Anybody know their Dahon models well enough to know which one this is based on?

Meet the Newest Member of the Herd

Meet the newest member of the fleet/herd/flock or whatever you call the collection of bicycles that are currently in residence here.

This one was given to me by one of the mechanics at my LBS, because he knew that I like “old stuff”.

This is a 1964 AMF/Hercules. I don’t know much about the Hercules/AMF bikes, only that they were built by Raleigh Industries and primarily sold in North America. The bike is typical of the British 3 speeds of the era. Sturmey Archer AW three speed hub, 26×1-3/8″ tires, Dunlop steel rims, etc. I have just started the cleanup process so I have a ways to go. Initial impressions is that this is a well built bike and of better quality than what Raleigh was putting out by the 1970’s.

This particular bike shows signs of much use, but no real abuse. It has been well cared for in the past, but had been neglected for a while. Mechanically it is in good shape and won’t need much done. Cosmetically it is a bit rough, but nothing some elbow grease, oil and polish won’t cure.

Hercules was it’s own brand started in Birmingham, England in 1911 and was absorbed by Raleigh in 1960. The Hercules Museum webblog has a lot of information gathered in one place.

This bike most likely will be going to my sister to use riding around her neighborhood and the large park behind her townhouse. I will have to find out if she wants a basket and if so what type. Perhaps a Peterboro from Maine or a Wald Woody?

More to be posted as things slowly progress.

Aaron

Labor Day Weekend Riding

I was “supposed” to Labor on Labor Day…but at the last minute my lovely bride got a long layover in MSP so of course having the opportunity to see her and only being 6 hours away was a no brainer. Put the work crew on autopilot, loaded the Twenties into the truck and away I went.

For those that don’t know she is a Senior Flight Attendant (25 year veteran) for a US mainline carrier. Works fairly well for us, with both of us being on the road (most of the time).

We had a grand time and rode the bike paths around Lake Calhoun and Lake Harriet. The cycling infrastructure in the Twin Cities never ceases to amaze me. It was about a 7 mile run, but that was plenty for my bride and served as a shakedown/checkout ride for my Twenty since undergoing a fairly complete overhaul.

The weather was perfect for riding, and listening to the acoustical band at the bandstand at Lake Harriet. In all a wonderful and relaxing weekend.

I will be headed back to the Twin Cities for another weekend retreat for the ABCE. Stay tuned for a report on that!

Aaron

Double the Fun!

Received my new to me Twenty from Ebay today!

It is a 1972 model and is complete and in great shape. Only thing missing is the head light bracket. It will need a new set of grips, the old ones are cracked. Other than that a complete and thorough cleaning and we are good to go.

These things are addictive!

Aaron

Migrating?

I am trying out WordPress for my blog. Same name just subsitute “wordpress” for “blogspot”

I have already migrated the existing blog over, but will keep both for the time being.

Aaron

Homesick?

Do bikes get homesick for their homelands? Well maybe this will help a bit.

Found this British Red Phone Box in Iowa City, Iowa and could not pass up the chance. The box has seen better days, but that is to be expected seeing how at this time last year it was standing in 6′ of flood waters.

BTW the phone box still has the original cards in it and claims it is Bournemouth S12400 at the Junc of Wimborne Rd and Alma Rd Winton Bournemouth so if you are missing a phone box it is currently in front of the Wig and Pen in Iowa City, IA.

The Twenty has gone through a few more upgrades. I have my Brooks B67 saddle installed, the new B&M Retro headlight, the Spannigia LED taillight, Schwalbe Marathon tires and a Banjo Brothers bag. It has become a sweet riding little bike with the current round of upgrades. Only things left are to swap out the crank for a nicer looking one, find a pump that will fit the OEM pegs, and possibly build up a different set of wheels using polished rims.

Aaron

Went Visiting Today

Went for a ride today on the Twenty. Checked out a new to me bike shop in Iowa City, IA. 30th Century Bicycle, super neat shop. Met the owners Steve and Cody, hung out an enjoyed being around a bunch of sweet bikes. They stock Masi (among other brands) and have some beautiful bikes on hand. I also loved the selection of used bikes, they have an excellent selection with some interesting bikes available.

Aaron

I am sure the Housekeepers just love me…

But you have to do what you have to do! Here is my “on the road” bike storage area and work area. Getting ready to install the new B&M Retro head light and B&M 4D Plus tail light on my Twenty. That big wad of wire on the bed is actually speaker wire, but it will have to suffice until I can source some proper generator wire and the correct slip connectors. More pictures to come when I get the install done. The Twenty has an AG hub installed on it so no batteries to mess with.

Aaron