Sunday, November 9, 2008

Painting Progress


The bicycle has been stripped down to the metal and undercoated. The first coat of paint has been applied. A urethane based black enamel has been used, A second coat will be applied after the paint has cured 3 days.

Part selection has been both interesting and sometimes frustrating. Hunting and gathering so to speak. Searching on the Internet to find the right hub, seat and tires has taken up a lot of time. Compatibility, both mechanically and esthetically, is critical. Paul, from Bicycle Works, has been very supportive in this quest of mine to pump new life into an old bike. Many parts have been ordered through his shop. A SRAM front hub dynamo to run the headlight and tail light as well as a Sturmey-Archer rear internal 8 speed hub is on it's way. An order for creme coloured Schwalb tires has been placed. A coat guard is on it's way as well.

Sunday, October 26, 2008

Naked Bike Frame






















Paint Removal



The required tools for this job involved, after failed experimentation with a heat gun, paint stripper, 3M scouring paint stripper pads, Emory cloth both medium and fine and steel wool. For working in tight spots I used a Dremmel tool with a steel brush attachment.

Monday, October 20, 2008

Inspiration







I have started to strip the bike down to the frame and now I am considering upgrading some of the components, new headset, cranks, hubs and wheels. I have made some inquiries however and have found that a lot of products available to distributors in the USA and Europe are not available in Canada. This I find very frustrating.



Thursday, October 16, 2008

The Bicycle Studio

Project Bike on Stand



Christopher Thornborrow mon fils
The work area has been tidied up and work will soon start on the restoration. I had the good fortune to find a bike stand on kijiji for $60. I bought it from this Punk Rock musician in Hamilton. What a find!!

Wednesday, October 15, 2008

Supercycle





This is the project bike. I chose this 1970's 3 speed for nostalgic reason. Also it is more appropriate to use a bike without derailleurs to to emulate the European style I am going for. To find bikes of this vintage, without paying too much, I posted a bicycle wanted sign at a seniors condominium. Those places have loads of bikes like this that no one rides. Within a couple of days I got a call from a prospective seller. And paid only $45 for bike helmet and gel seat. The helmet and gel seat I didn't want but I didn't want to hurt the sellers feelings so I accepted them graciously... Does anyone want a fat ass gel seat or bell helmet?

Tuesday, October 14, 2008

Repair Shop

This secret undisclosed location will be the site of the bike restoration project. With winter coming I wanted to find a clean warm place to work on this project. With the help of my son Christopher I cleaned up this section of my office basement. Other good news to report... my bike tool kit arrived today. I don't know what half the tools are used for but I will soon figure it out.

Monday, October 13, 2008

Graphic Journal


Inspired by my son Nick, I am keeping a graphic journal of my bicycle restoration project. The image I have created is what I hope the bike will turn out like.

Sunday, October 12, 2008

Rocky Mountain Transpo


This is my current bike that I am riding now. It was one of the first Mountain Bikes to be developed in the 1980s. I have modified it by adding fenders, basket and a Brooks saddle. My objective over the next few months is to restore a vintage Japanese 3 speed into a European inspired Cruiser that I can use for the summer months along the Huron Shores.

Zen and Art?

redbike Bike Shop Edmonton Alberta
Zen and the Art of Bicycle Restoration is the ramblings of a middle aged guy who has always loved cycling. This has been rekindled after several visit to Curbside Cycle in Toronto as well as my own desire to stay fit and make a positive environmental impression. Why Zen and Art?... Zen because everything about cycling to me is like t'ai chi. It's man and machine. The bicycle is men's best mechanical invention, his finest work. Art...because bicycle restoration can be an artistic expression.

This blog will be an online journal which will document the restoration of a 1970's Canadian Tire Supercycle into a European inspired Cruiser. Style over Speed!