Everything is Dirty

As in filthy. Grimy. Gross. Accumulated road guck.

I took a little break from work at noon today (I work at home) while my lunch was warming up, and removed the front brake assembly. I'm doing everything incrementally, one step at a time, because I'm not at all confident in my ability to remember where everything goes. I'm taking pictures of everything as I do it for later reference when I try to put it all back together, then bagging everything in labeled plastic zipper bags. I know, it sounded anal to me too when I read this bit of advice online, but so-help-me, it has SO helped me. I'd never remember where all the little washers and nuts and doo-dads go if I didn't label everything.

The main point of all this is that every piece that I take off is really dirty. I clean up the surface of everything fairly regularly, but I've never delved into the guts of the bike, and as I'm doing that, I'm realizing how filthy everything is. I'm also realizing that whoever had this bike before me did a lot of "improvising" when it comes to little parts. There are a lot of washers that don't seem to fit quite right, some nuts that are cross-threaded on bolts, etc. Anyway, I haven't cleaned the parts I took off yet, maybe tonight. Then I'll really know how dirty they were. The photo above gives some idea of the grime.

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"Before" Pictures

This is my project bike. It's a 1971 Columbia Sports III with a Sturmey-Archer 3-speed hub. It's not really all that special, I guess, but it's a real workhorse. And I really like the styling--straight lines, upright seating, almost a European look. To me, the style looks older than it really is, with reflections even of pre-1920s bikes.

These are the ultimate "before" pictures. They were taken over a year ago by the previous owner of the bike. Actually, these were the images from the original Craig's List posting. I've done some stuff since then in the way of cleaning it up, general maintenance, and some minor cosmetic stuff (like painting the rusty underside of the seat), but it basically still looks like this. The paint used to be a deep cherry red, which you can still see on the inside of the chain guard and in some spots on the frame, but in many places it has now faded so a sort of sickly pink color. The rear fender is really bad, almost a salmon color in some light. The paint is also badly dinged and scratched all over, and there's some surface rust. The cables all look to be original, and are in bad need of replacement. The trigger shifter is also in pretty sorry shape, and it's preventing the gears from shifting the way they should. When I ride it, I just keep it in the middle gear.

In terms of what I'll be doing (or trying to do), I don't really see this as a "restoration" project, because my goal is not really to bring it back to mint condition. I have no interest in the original decals, for instance, and it won't bother me at all that the new shifter will look a little more modern. I see this as more of a "refurbishing" to get the performance and look of the bike back up to where it should be. This is my bike, I use it, and I want it to work properly. I'm doing the work myself because I believe everyone should be able to fix and maintain their own bike. At the very least, they should know how it works. I'll admit that I don't really know that much right now, but I want to learn, and what better way than to get my hands dirty? Basically, I'll be taking the bike apart, piece-by-piece, cleaning everything, oiling and greasing the parts that need it, repainting it, and putting it all back together (God willing and the creek don't rise).

I'll have more "before" pictures as I go, and I'll take pictures of every step in the process. I'll also probably rant about various roadblocks (where is that squeek coming from? how can I stop it if I don't know where it's coming from?), and "challenges" that inevitably crop up with this kind of project. You will delight in my misery, but hopefully also get to enjoy the fruits of my ultimate success with me.

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INDYBIKE W-01

       Siapa tidak kenal frame "panci". Frame non-branded yang terkenal dan banyak yang pakai karena harganya yang murah. Senada dengan harganya, maka parts yang dipilih menggunakan prinsip "selagi ada yang bekas, pakai yang bekas", "selagi ada stock di gudang, pakai yang ada di gudang", dan "selagi ada yang lebih murah, pakai yang murah". Bukan berharap dapat mendapatkan kualitas atau performa yang memadai, tetapi hanya untuk melampiaskan hasrat berkarya saja. "Surprise, surprise" ternyata lumayan comfort dan tangguh juga.

 



Spesifikasi:
Frame : non-branded
Frame year : 2005
Frame type : medium single pivot full-suspesion
Frame aize : 18 inch
Color : orange candytone and metallic grey

Forks : RST Storm (160 mm travel)
Rear suspension : Kindshock KS-290
Front derailleur : Shimano Hone FD-M600
Rear derailleur : Shimano Alivio RD-M410
Shifters : Shimano Alivio SL-M410
Crankset : Shimano Deore FC-M535 w/ Shimano Hone bash-guard
Cassette : SRAM PG-850
Chain : Shimano CN-HG53
Bottom bracket : Shimano BB-UN25
Pedals : Xerama SP-102
Brakes : Shimano Deore FD-M530
Handlebar : Kalloy
Stem : Funn Henchman
Stem lock : THE
Grips : Specialized Sidewinder
Headset : Amoeba Hussar
Seatpost : Kalloy
Saddle : Selle-Royal Energy
Hubs : Novatec DH-41SB(front), Chosen ASP-4136Brear)
Rims : Stars Circle Speeds
Tyres : Maxxis Minion DH (2.35)
Cables : Shimano

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(POLYGON) COLLOSUS AX2.0

        Pemikiran pertamanya adalah ingin mempunyai sepeda All Mountain dengan full-suspensions, karena itu yang belum ada dalam koleksi. Ada pemikiran lain juga untuk mempunyai sepeda dengan brand Indonesia. Kebetulan pabrikan launching sepeda ini, dan arah pemikiran menjadi jelas, tinggal bagaimana mewujudkannya.
        Sepeda ini diwujudkan untuk menghargai brand nasional. Aneh kiranya, jika diantara seluruh koleksi yang ada tidak ada brand lokal. Masalah yang timbul adalah tidak dijualnya dalam bentuk frame saja pada sepeda yang diincar. Terpaksa total komponen diganti dengan yang mempunyai spesifikasi sebaik mungkin yang bisa dijangkau. Penggantian parts tak lain adalah untuk menghargai produk nasional. Sebagian parts masih sementara dan kelak akan ditingkatkan lagi.


Spesifikasi:
Frame : Polygon Collosus AX2.0
Frame type : ALX paralax full-suspension
Frame Year : 2007
Frame size : 19 inch
Color : grained silver
S/N : AS61101374

Forks : Fox 32 Float RLC
Rear suspension : Fox Float 2.3RP
Front derailleur : Shimano XTR FD-M970
Rear derailleur : Shimano XTR RD-M970
Shifters : Shimano XTR SL-M970
Crankset : Shimano XTR Hollowtech II FC-M970
Cassette : Shimano XTR CS-M970 (11-34T)
Chain : Shimano XTR CN-7701
Bottom bracket : Shimano XTR BB-M970
Pedals : Shimano DX PD-MX30
Brake system : Avid Code
Stem : ControlTech FX
Handlebar : ControlTech Scandium
Grips : Odi X-Treme
Headset : CaneCreek Aheadset
Seatpost : ControlTech 7075
Saddle : Fi'zi:k Aliante Carbon Twin-Flex Titanium
Rims : DT-Swiss EX-5.1D
Spokes : DT-Swiss Competition
Hubs : DT-Swiss 370s
Tyres : Michelin X'treme Mountain
Cables : Jagwire
Accessories : Topeak Panoram V12 (cyclocomputer), Cateye (bottle cage), Michelin (chainstay-protector), Fi'zi:k (saddle-bag)

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CHEVROLET CHEVY TANK26

       Sepeda ini didapatkan sebagai full-bike, dengan hanya penggantian parts yang minimal. Sebuah sepeda yang tidak dicita-citakan, tetapi mendapatkannya bagaikan sebuah kejutan yang tak diduga. Meskipun bernuansa Amerika, tetapi keberadaannya menandai jelang peringatan Hari Kemerdekaan 17 Agustus 2007.

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POLYGON B2W INDONESIA

       Sepeda edisi khusus B2W dirancang dengan kelengkapan parts sebagai layaknya sepeda komuter dan untuk menekan harga tentunya dengan parts low-entry. Pada kenyataannya tidak semua jalan yang dilalui adalah aspal mulus seperti layaknya perkotaan. Kemacetan jalan mengharuskan kegiatan B2W untuk melewati jalan tikus dengan banyak barikade, jalan off-road perkotaan, dan juga harus menerobos kemacetan dengan jeli memanfaatkan alur trotoir atau melewati devider jalan.
       Pemikiran agar terwujud sebuah sepeda yang "all-round" sampai kepada angan-angan menciptakan sepeda yang lebih tepat disebut sebagai Urban-DJ. Mungkin tidak sepenuhnya sesuai dengan yang diangankan, tetapi paling tidak mendekati. Keputusan bulat untuk bongkar total dan mewujudkan sepeda yang lebih serba guna, dengan mengganti nyaris seluruh parts sepeda aslinya (yang dibeli dalam bentuk full-bike). Jadi lebih mahal memang, tetapi ada perasaan tersendiri dalam bentuk kepuasan.



Spesifikasi:
Frame : Polygon B2W Indonesia double butted aluminium alloy
Frame type : hard-tail
Frame year : 2007
Frame size : 17 inch
Color : yellow
S/N : 060708239

Forks : RockShox Tora 302
Front derailleur : SRAM X-Gen
Rear derailleur : SRAM SX5
Shifters : SRAM X7
Crankset : Shimano Hone FC-M601-2 w/ Shimano bash-guard
Cassette : SRAM PG-950
Chain : Shimano CN-HG93
Bottom bracket : Shimano Hone BB-M601
Pedals : Xpedo MX-6
Brakes : Hayes MX-2 w/ 230mm v-cut rotors
Brake Levers : Avid FR-5
Stem : Funn Serial Rippa
Handlebar : Funn Triple-A
Grips : Amoeba
Headset : WTB Momentum-C
Seatpost : Pazzaz SP-964
Saddle : WTB Pure-V Race Camo
Hubs : Funn
Rims : SunRims Single-Track army-camou.
Tyres : Schwalbe Racing-Ralph 2.20
Cables : Shimano
Accessories : Polygon (stand), Zefal (bottle cage), Topeak MTX Beam-Rack, Topeak MTX Trunk-Bag EX

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KLEIN ATTITUDE

       Sepeda ini buatan tahun 1991 yang sudah lama tidak dipakai, dan ketika dijumpai sudah lama teronggok dalam gudang penuh debu dan daki. Mulanya tampak kusam, setelah diusung dan dibersihkan ternyata masih dalam keadaan bagus dan mengkilap. Konsep waktu melakukan restorasi adalah hanya mengganti bagian yang perlu saja untuk mempertahankan orisinalitasnya. Komponen yang diganti hanya sebatas chain, kabel-kabel, sadel, dan ban. Sedangkan grips diganti agar lebih kelihatan segar dipakai di jaman ini.
       Sepeda ini digunakan untuk merambah jalan tarmac, jadi difungsikan sebagai sepeda hybrid untuk mengganti hybrid pendahulunya.


Spesifikasi :
Frame : Klein Attitude
Frame type : 6061 Aluminium Alloy rigid frame
Year : 1991 (restoration: 2007)
Utility : hybrid (tarmac-bike)
Color : Backfire (yellow, red, and pink)

Forks : Klein rigid fork
Front derailleur : Shimano Deore XT FD-M735
Rear derailleur : Shimano Deore XT RD-M732
Shifters : Shimano Deore XT STM-091 Rapid Fire
Crankset : Shimano Deore XT FC-M730 SG 28T/38T/48T
Cassette : Shimano Deore XT CS-HG90 7 speed Hyperglyde 12T-32T
Chain : Shimano DuraAce CN-7701
Bottom bracket : orig.
Pedals : VP-331
Brakes : Shimano Deore XT BR-M732
Handlebar : Klein Mission Control
Stem : Klein Mission Control
Headsets : orig.
Grips : Lizard-Skins
Seatpost : Suntour XC
Saddle : Selle Italia Flite Titanium
Hubs : Shimano Deore XT HB-M730 (front), Shimano Deore XT FH-M732
Rims : Araya RM-20
Tires : Panaracer T-Serv
Cables : Jagwire
Accessories : Cateye Micro-Wireless(cyclometer), Zefal (bottle cage)

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