Saturday, March 23, 2013

The Ordinary Rider

     I rode my big pennyfarthing to join Tam and Brigid at Fat Dan's Deli for lunch, and afterward, took a cruise up the Monon and back down for a total of about three miles.
     You'll note the bike now has a small front basket.  This is from the clever bike dorks at Portland Design Works, and is just little enough to clear my knees.  The bag comes with it, designed to fit and buckle into place.  Only problem so far, the stainless metric clamp bolts galled on installation, two of them so badly they're stuck.  So they're going to have to come out and get replaced by SAE stainless, maybe with some beeswax rubbed in the threads just for luck.

     Update: PDW came through with new stainless hardware within a couple of days of e-mailing them and it worked very well with a dabba beeswax. High marks for Portland Design Works! 

     Stopped off at Restoration during my second ride, where I found what may be the perfect light (if I can get it to work) for this bike, a black-wrinkle finish Ash Flash.  Alas, the red flasher lens is long gone -- but I'll come up with something.
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14 comments:

  1. Turk TuronMarch 23, 2013 at 6:38 PM

    That bike needs a kerosene or carbide lamp, IMHO.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Roberta XMarch 23, 2013 at 7:15 PM

    Or, better yet, something that looks like one but incorporates a modern high-intensity light.

    ReplyDelete
  3. BGMillerMarch 23, 2013 at 7:21 PM

    Y'know.....
    If you got hold of an older carbide lap with a reflector that was in good shape it shouldn't be too hard to retro fit the lap assemble out of a small LED tactical light and a battery pack for a pair of C cells...

    As for a tail light...
    Hmmmm.....

    BGM

    ReplyDelete
  4. BGMillerMarch 23, 2013 at 7:40 PM

    A carbide lap.....
    A lap assembly....

    Not sure how that'll light your way but it makes for an amusing metal image.

    Here's a couple of spare emms to drop in if you so desire.

    m m


    BGM

    ReplyDelete
  5. AnonymousMarch 23, 2013 at 7:49 PM

    Very Nice (TSG)

    ReplyDelete
  6. jdunmyerMarch 23, 2013 at 8:27 PM

    Stainless steel fasteners are notorious for galling, you absolutely MUST use some sort of lube during assembly. Unfortunately, you're usually reminded of the need by experiencing the galling. The fastener must usually be cut apart.

    ReplyDelete
  7. Roberta XMarch 23, 2013 at 9:11 PM

    Yep, and these were, I think, the near-universal-on-bikes 5mm size.* A fairly fine pitch, with all the more surface to grab and gall. :(
    ___________________________
    * I can tell most SAE sizes by eye, especially 2-56 through 1/4-20. Metric, I usually need to double check to be sure.

    ReplyDelete
  8. Roberta XMarch 23, 2013 at 9:27 PM

    BG: We think one of those ms snuck out with an n in its pocket.

    Here's a replacement: n

    ReplyDelete
  9. perlhaqrMarch 23, 2013 at 11:24 PM

    Yeah, I ran into that with some stuff I was building a few months ago. I'm not really looking forward to drilling out the button head socket cap, but, I guess at least the bit has a centering hole already?

    Must remember antisieze next time.

    ReplyDelete
  10. Home on the RangeMarch 24, 2013 at 12:11 AM

    I have an old smudge pot around here somewhere from ag flying associates. That might fit in the basket. Just don't let the California EPA see it.

    ReplyDelete
  11. BGMillerMarch 24, 2013 at 1:48 AM

    :facepalm:

    Oy
    Vey


    BGM

    ReplyDelete
  12. Gewehr98March 24, 2013 at 8:46 PM

    Roberta, why not a late-model railroad brakeman's lantern? (I've got two, lots of light, 6v lantern battery)

    http://store.ampersandvintagemodern.com/assets/images/vintage_railroad_lantern_1.jpg

    ReplyDelete
  13. Roberta XMarch 24, 2013 at 9:51 PM

    Very kewl! Yes, that would do nicely.

    ReplyDelete
  14. WillMarch 25, 2013 at 2:36 PM

    Best penetrating lube I've ever found: PJ-1's black and yellow can of motorcycle chain lube.
    NOT the blue/yellow o-ring chain lube. That stuff is worthless.

    Spray, and wait 5 minutes before attempting removing fastener.

    ReplyDelete

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